Students based
in the UK

Frequently asked questions

This page lists the most common questions students ask about the IAESTE programme. Please scroll down and read these carefully before going on to apply.

Am I eligible?

You can apply for a placement through IAESTE UK provided you are:

A UK resident and currently enrolled at a UK institution as a full-time student of engineering, science, computer science, agriculture, architecture or related fields; please note that we cannot accept applications from international students who are in the UK on a student visa or completing only one year of their studies at a UK institution (e.g. ERASMUS students).
An undergraduate at least in your second year of study and over the age of 19; preference will be given to students who are not in their final year; students in their first year cannot apply – this is because IAESTE employers always require a student who has completed at least two years of their course.

Note: students studying outside the UK should contact their national IAESTE offices at home. To locate these visit www.iaeste.org.

What can IAESTE offer me?

IAESTE training placements are available in industrial and commercial organisations, research institutes, local government bodies, state enterprises, consultancies, laboratories and academic institutions, covering a wide range of disciplines. Normally the placements are for eight to 12 weeks in the summer months, although longer-term placements of up to a year are sometimes available. Unfortunately, because of the timing of IAESTE’s administrative cycle, IAESTE placements cannot meet the requirements of students seeking year-long placements as part of a sandwich course.

There are four broad categories of work offered through IAESTE:

Research & Development offers: Offers in this category are often laboratory based, dealing with specialised work. They entail some element of diagnostic analysis, testing and evaluation with some theoretical content. Such offers will normally be filled by advanced level students. These offers could also be useful for diploma, project or thesis work.
Professional Offers: These offers entail specialised professional work and the level of skill normally found in more advanced students. They often deal with special project work, possibly in a design office, in technical management or in testing services.
Working Environment Offers: These offers cover operational activity and usually involve on-site or assembly work related to the production process. Through these placements students gain experience in a hands-on working environment. Such offers are suitable to students at the beginning or middle of their studies.
Non specific offers: These offers are not confined to students from a particular subject field. They cover activites such as general administrative and office work experience, outdoor work, or language teaching.

What can I offer IAESTE?

Are you:

Open to new experiences?
Interested in other cultures?
Keen to gain an international work perspective?
Flexible, adaptable, enthusiatic?

We are looking for highly motivated students who will make the most of an IAESTE placement abroad both academically and culturally. Too many students cannot imagine themselves on a work placement in a non-English speaking country, yet that is where some of IAESTE’s most exciting and challenging opportunities lie. Work experience in another country will teach you much about yourself, about your own culture and aspirations, and will affect the career choices you make in the future. If you can demonstrate commitment and a sense of adventure IAESTE can provide work experience which will definitely stand out on your CV.

Where can IAESTE take me?

There are currently member IAESTE organisations in over 80 countries. In 2008 IAESTE UK exchanged at least one trainee with over 60 countries. To learn more about IAESTE in other countries and which countries are members go to the international IAESTE website www.iaeste.org.

Will I need a foreign language?

IAESTE UK makes every effort to secure foreign training offers that specify that English is the working language, and the majority of placements available do not require you to speak a foreign language, although it is advisable to learn at least some basic expressions before departure. If there is a language requirement then it will be stated on the Offer Form.

What will I be paid?

Rates of pay vary from country to country and often from company to company. Participating employers are asked to pay trainees enough to cover the local cost of living, which includes food, accommodation and travel to and from work.

What will it cost me?

The fee for a successfully arranged placement is £100. This sum will be refunded if the placement you are selected for is withdrawn for any reason.

How do I get there?

You will have to meet your own travel expenses and make your own travel arrangements. Consider costs carefully, especially for long distance flights, before applying. A return ticket must be purchased before departure but do not make firm bookings or payments until you have been accepted by the foreign employer. It would be a good idea to check whether your institution or department offers grants or scholarships towards travel to course-related training placements abroad. If you are a student member of a professional institution you should contact them to see whether there are travel grants available for international work experience.

Will I be met and where will I stay?

Accommodation will be arranged by the host IAESTE organisation or by your foreign employer. Details of this and any reception arrangements will be sent to you after you have been accepted for training. In several countries IAESTE National offices are student run, and in the majority of countries local students volunteer to organise social activities for foreign IAESTE trainees. Where the network of such student local committees is extensive, you will probably be met by a student upon arrival in the host nation.

Do I need a visa or work permit?

A work permit or trainee’s visa is generally required outside the European Union. The IAESTE office in the receiving country will forward information on conditions of employment relating to foreign nationals and issue specific IAESTE documents for securing a visa/permit once you have been accepted for training by your foreign employer. It is then up to individual trainees to apply to embassies or consulates for work permits or visas.

Will I need insurance?

All trainees must arrange personal travel insurance (depending on the country to be visited) and may need to take out health, accident and life insurance as well. Details of requirements will be supplied when you are accepted for training.

How do I apply?

Depending on whether you are based at a university in Northern Ireland or England, Wales or Scotland, follow the link on the left hand side of this page, or click here:

Students based in England, Scotland and Wales
Students based in Northern Ireland

Students based in the UK