Apply for funding to support with the costs of attending interviews or work experience, developing a project or initiative, or exploring a business idea.
About the Fund
Our Make It Happen Fund supports Newcastle University students and recent graduates to take the next step in their career development.
You can use a Make it Happen Fund bursary to enhance your skills and experience, access or create opportunities, and explore starting a business or self employment.
Funding is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis. You can only apply for one bursary per year.
Who is it for?
current Newcastle University students - all subjects and stages
recent graduates - up to 12 months after graduation
You can apply for funding to support with the costs of:
Funding is available to support with the costs of:
travelling to interviews, assessment centres or work experience
accommodation needed to attend an interview, assessment centre or work experience
buying new clothes for an interview or assessment centre
We recommend asking the employer if they can cover travel or accommodation costs for interviews before applying.
Funding can't be used for food and drink or other subsistence costs.
For travel expenses, it is expected that the funding will be used to cover the costs of using public transport, but mileage can be claimed at the rate of 45p per mile for private car journeys.
For students who meet additional criteria* funding is available to relocate to a new area for a new job.
How much is available?
up to £150 is available for work experience, interviews and assessment centres. A maximum of £50 is available for clothes
up to £250 is available for relocation costs
Application criteria
Work experience
If your work experience has already taken place, it must have taken place within the last three months.
The work experience should be unpaid or low paid.
The funding is intended for travel and accommodation costs that are not already covered by an employer.
The work experience activity cannot be part of your degree course, for academic credit, a conference or an external qualification.
It also should not be part of a Careers Service work experience scheme, such as our term-time internships.
The activity should be within the UK.
The activity can take place during term time or vacations.
Interviews and assessment centres
If your interview or assessment centre has already taken place, it must have taken place within the last three months.
You will need to provide your invitation to interview or assessment centre.
The funding is intended for travel and accommodation costs that are not already covered by an employer and you may be asked for evidence of this.
You will need to provide evidence of any payments you have already made, or expect to make.
*Students who meet any one of the following criteria can apply for a bursary of up to £250 to support with the costs of relocation:
entered the University through the PARTNERS programme
entered the University through the Realising Opportunities programme
be in receipt of the Opportunity Scholarship from Newcastle University
be in receipt of the Care Leaver Bursary from Newcastle University
be in receipt of the Student Parent Bursary from Newcastle University
be in receipt of a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or DSA
be a Mature Student (you were aged 21 or over on your first day at university)
have declared a Disability or Specific Learning Difficulty to the university
have a home address representative of a Low HE Participation Neighbourhood
have experienced time in care
from a Black or Minority Ethnic group and prior to university attended a state school/college in the UK
be a Student Carer (with sole or shared responsibility for the care of a relative due to illness, a disability, mental distress or substance abuse)*
if either/both of your parents/carers are serving or have served in the armed forces at key educational times or you have previously served in the armed forces yourself*
estranged and living independently of your family/carers due to a relationship breakdown*
from a Gypsy Roma travelling community*
have refugee status*
have experienced extreme personal and extenuating circumstances*
Funding is available to cover costs associated with extracurricular projects, for example:
NUSU projects
art projects
organising an exhibition, event or conference
extra-curricular research trips
community projects
Projects could contribute to your overall student experience, build skills and experience related to your field of study or career interest or have a positive impact for the wider community.
How much is available?
Up to £500 is available.
Application criteria
Projects should be student-led and extra-curricular, they should not be part of your degree programme or contribute towards academic credit.
Projects should not be a regular or recurring event, be a way to fund a charity or pose a risk to the reputation of the University in any way.
You will need to provide evidence of any payments already made, as well as any payments you expect to make.
Funding is available to cover the costs associated with testing a business idea, for example:
the costs of producing a product (eg buying materials or ingredients)
delivering or testing a service (eg market place rental fees, renting or buying equipment)
completing freelance work (eg licencing software) or any business related expense where you can demonstrate there is a clear, genuine need for finances to progress a pre-trading or early-stage business opportunity
How much is available?
Bursaries of up to £250 are available.
Application criteria
To be eligible for funding you will need to attend the START UP Essentials Workshop, and meet with a START UP Adviser to discuss your business idea.
