Make it Happen Fund

About the fund

The Make It Happen fund is here to support Newcastle University students and recent graduates (within 12 months of graduation) with their career development.

You can apply for funding to support with the costs of:

• attending interviews, assessment centres and unpaid work experience
• attending a UK conference
• funding an extracurricular project or initiative
• relocation for a new job*

*eligibility criteria apply for relocation funding

Important information

Please read carefully before applying:

• check our Terms & Conditions
• for travel expenses, public transport is preferred. Mileage can be claimed at 45p per mile if using a private car
• you can apply for one Make it Happen fund per academic year
• funds are limited and awarded on a first come, first served basis
• please allow 5 working days for a response after applying
• you can email us with any questions not covered here. Please allow 5 working days for a response

Find out more below.

Attending interviews and assessment centres

Funding is available to support with the costs of:

• travelling to a job interview or assessment centre
• accommodation needed to attend a job interview or assessment centre 
• buying clothes for a job interview or assessment centre

Important information

• you can apply for up to £150 including a maximum of £50 for clothes
• funding can’t be used to cover food, drinks, or other subsistence costs

Interview or assessment centre funding criteria

• the interview or assessment centre must be upcoming or have taken place within the last 3 months
• you must provide an invitation (e.g. an email from the employer or institution)
• funding covers travel and accommodation costs not already paid by an employer (you may need to show evidence)
• you must provide receipts or proof of any payments made or expected

Before you apply

• some employers cover interview expenses. Check the job advert, employer emails, or their website. If it’s unclear, try searching the company name with “interview travel expenses”
• Totaljobs offers advice and a helpful email template for requesting reimbursement

Apply here

Unpaid work experience

The Careers Service don’t advertise unpaid internships. However, in some sectors, unpaid experience is common and is often needed to get a graduate job.

You can apply for support with the costs of unpaid work experience. Our funding covers travel or accommodation expenses that are not reimbursed by the employer.

Important information

• you can apply for up to £150
• funding can’t be used to cover food, drinks, or other subsistence costs

Work experience funding criteria

• the experience must be upcoming or have taken place in the last 3 months.
• it must be unpaid.
• funding is for travel and accommodation costs not already covered by an employer.
• you must provide receipts or proof of any payments made or expected
• the experience must not:
  - be part of your degree or count for academic credit
  - be a conference or lead to an external qualification
  - be part of a Careers Service scheme
• it must take place in the UK.
• it can happen during term time or holidays.

Before you apply

• it's important to understand your employment rights. Many unpaid internships are illegal and should be paid.
• read our advice on unpaid work experience

Apply here

Funding for projects and initiatives

You can apply for up to £500 to support extracurricular projects such as:

• NUSU projects
• art projects
• exhibitions, events, or conferences
• extra-curricular research trips
• community projects

Get inspired by a real-life example of a project supported by the fund.

Important information

These projects should enhance your student experience, help build skills or benefit the wider community:

• projects must be student-led and not part of your degree or contribute towards academic credit
• they should be one-off activities, not regular events or a way to fund a charity
• projects must not pose a risk to the reputation of the University in any way 
• you’ll need to provide proof of any costs already paid or expected, so keep receipts and relevant emails

Apply here

Attending a conference

Funding is available to support with the costs of attending a conference.

Important information

• conferences can be UK-based only. You can apply for up to £100 for travel and/or accommodation costs for an overnight stay
• if you’re receiving financial support from another source, unfortunately we can’t provide funding
• you’ll need to share proof of any payments made or expected (e.g. receipts, emails or train tickets)
• if the event has already happened, it must have been within the last 3 months

Apply here

Relocation for a new job

Relocation costs are the expenses you might have when moving to a new place for a job. This can include travel, moving your things, and settling into your new home. The amount can vary depending on your situation.

Some employers offer help with these costs to make the move easier, so check their website. Indeed have general information on employer relocation packages. 

If you’re eligible, you can apply for up to £250 from the Make it Happen fund to help with the cost of moving for work.

Important information 

To be eligible for our fund you must meet any of the following criteria:

• 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

Apply here

Questions

You can email us with any questions about the Make it Happen fund.

Please allow 5 working days for a response.