The Student Opportunity Fund is an exciting initiative which contributes financial support that helps you to take part in extra curricula activities which enhance your employability.
About the Student Opportunity Fund (SOF)
You can apply for funding to support a career-enhancing project, initiative or opportunity that will enhance the development of graduate attributes and enrich your student experience enabling you to stand out in a competitive environment.
- Up to £1,000 for UK projects (total per year).
- Up to £2,000 for overseas projects arranged with an approved partner.
If you’re applying to the Student Opportunity Fund for an oversees project, this will only be considered when arranged through an established partner of the University, with existing links with our International Office and where the University has a Memorandum of Understanding or similar in place.
Some examples of what eligible students can apply for includes:
- Travel and accommodation costs required to undertake unpaid work experience or volunteering opportunities for up to a maximum of 30 days
- Expenses to travel to and from interviews or assessment days (which are not covered by the employer)
- Representing the University at a conference, festival or event (organised by a regulatory body and not a commercialised event).
- Developing and making creative material, for example films, performances, readings and publications which are not a compulsory part of your coursework
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible to apply for support from the Student Opportunity Fund, you will need to be:
- Registered on a programme leading to the award of an undergraduate degree, integrated Masters degree, DipHE, foundation degree, PGCE, taught Masters degree, postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or MRes award. This excludes Erasmus+ students who are not eligible.
- Studying full-time or part-time. Part-time students are required to be studying a minimum of 60 credits in the year of application.
If you are studying on an Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funded programme, such as an apprenticeship, you will not be eligible for the Student Opportunity Fund. Permanent employees of Edge Hill University and seconded students are also not eligible to apply.
Case studies
Below are some examples of the varied career-enhancing opportunities students have taken part in previously.
What can’t be supported by the Fund?
The Fund cannot be used to support:
- Core programme requirements, such as field trips, work placements or coursework, where these are compulsory, credit-bearing elements of a programme or module.
- Study Abroad opportunities where students are eligible for Erasmus+ or Turing funding.
- Paid work, for example with organisations such as Camp America.
- Fundraising activities.
- Costs of studying a qualification or course, where 50% of the content is covered as part of your programme.
- Short-term elective placements.
- Aspects of opportunities such as cost of food, clothing, equipment, loss of earnings or insurance for specific items such as laptops and mobile phones.
- Activities with organisations such as Plan My Gap Year, International Citizen Service (ICS), Go For Life, SLV Global or similar initiatives
The Fund encourages students’ employability through unique experiences and opportunities, therefore it would not support a continuation or extension of a previous successful application.
In addition to the above, the Fund cannot be applied retrospectively to activities which have commenced, or taken place, prior to the point of application. Group applications can not be accepted.
How to apply
The Student Opportunity Fund is open for application. You are advised to apply as early in the academic year as possible and as early as possible before your opportunity so that your application can go through the process and your payment arrive in time
Who can help with my application?
It is strongly advised that you get in touch with the Careers team before applying to the Fund. You can use the ask a question service or book an appointment via the Careers website. The team can help you find suitable opportunities and provide support in submitting a strong application.
Ready to apply?
To apply for financial support from the Fund please visit the Careers Portal.
The following will be requested as part of your application:
- Your Personal Tutor or Course Leader email contact, that we will contact to confirm the activity is not a compulsory element of your course or module and that it is a credible opportunity
- Evidence of the opportunity, for example, screenshot of the email offering the opportunity or a screenshot of the conference itinerary breakdown of the budget and costs (with evidence)
Payment
If your application is successful, payment will be made directly to your bank account via BACS. This can take up to ten working days from our Finance department receiving the relevant paperwork.
You will be required to sign to accept the Fund’s terms and conditions and complete a risk assessment of your opportunity prior to payment being made. The allocated funds must only be used for the purpose specified within your application. It is your responsibility to make the relevant arrangements for the activity to take place once your funding has been confirmed.
Any money you are allocated does not have to be repaid. The only exception is where the project, activity or opportunity does not take place. In these circumstances, the Scholarships team must be notified without delay and you will be required to repay any previously awarded funds to the University.
Sharing your story
Upon successful completion of your opportunity, you will be required to complete an online survey and make an appointment with a Careers Adviser to discuss how the opportunity has enhanced your employability.
We will also ask you to become a Fund Ambassador, working with the Scholarships team to promote the fund, sharing your story and enthusiasm with your peers.
Contact us
If you have any queries about the Student Opportunity Fund, you can get in touch with us and we will be happy to assist you.