planesThe International Relations Office is committed to supporting students to gain overseas experience. There are many great programmes which will expose students to new international communities, cultures and practices all over the world.

Below you will find programmes which are available for Imperial students to attend. Please note that these programmes and their providers are external to Imperial. If you have any queries regarding specific programmes please contact the relevant organisation. As with any programme, students are advised to undertake thorough research before applying. Imperial College is not responsible for the content of external sites.

 If you have a programme you think the IRO should be advertising please contact Laura Bulmerl.bulmer@imperial.ac.uk

External opportunities

East Asia

Some of the information below is about previous programmes. This page will be updated with information about the future programmes as soon as it is available.

CHINA

Generation UK-China 

The Generation UK – China campaign was launched by the British Council in 2013. By 2020, it aims to help 80,000 students from the UK boost their employability and long-term job prospects, and develop a global mind-set through study and work experience opportunities in China.

The Generation UK – China campaign is supported by all four government administrations in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).

INTERNSHIP

Applications now open for the Generation UK - China funded internship programme

Spend two months next year interning in an industry of your choice in one of the world's most fascinating countries! With six exciting locations and over 15 different industry sectors to choose from, whether that's business, engineering, law etc., there's a wealth of experience and adventure waiting at your feet!

Whether you're a current undergraduate or recent graduate looking to get on the career ladder, placements are available all year round to suit all schedules!

Funding covers all internship placement fees, accommodation, comprehensive travel insurance, business and cultural activities, as well as your airport pick-up and dedicated support throughout your placement. Interns are responsible for flights, visa, subsistence and any other expenses.

There are detailed eligibility requirements for this programme. To find out more about the programme, if you are eligible and how you can apply, please click here.

The final deadline to submit your application is 13 January 2020 (11:59pm UK time).


JAPAN

JSPS Summer Programme 

Application Deadline: 15th January 2020

Fellowship to take place during fixed period: 9 June 2020 to 19 August 2020

The JSPS Summer Programme provides the opportunity for current MPhil or PhD students to receive a one week orientation on Japanese culture and research systems on arrival and then move to a host institution in Japan of their choice and approved by JSPS, to conduct collaborative research activities for 2 months during the summer.

Value of award: Return international airfare, maintenance allowance (534,000, JPY), research support allowance (158,500 JPY) and overseas travel and accident insurance policy are provided.

Eligibility: Applicants must be a British national and a current MPhil or PhD student based at a UK university or research institution at the time of application. Eligible research fields are not limited. For the 2019 Programme, 18 fellowship places are available for UK nationals.

Applications should be sent to the British Council Tokyo. Click here for a link to application guidelines and form are available on the JSPS London website

 Click here to read case studies written by former UK JSPS Summer Programme Fellows 

Any enquiries should be sent to: science@britishcouncil.or.jp

 


 JAPAN

The University of Tokyo Summer Internship Program (UTSIP)  2020 programme details will be available in December 2019 

This summer internship program  organised by the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences provides an opportunity for students to expose themselves to cutting-edge research in the natural sciences and social sciences. 

Participants spend one week taking introductory Japanese language classes and attending interdisciplinary lectures on the natural science and social sciences. The remaining 6 weeks are spent completing a research placement. Full details of possible research fields can be found on the programme website. The working language is English. A scholarship is provided.

Programme Dates:

Program A           June 3 (Mon) to July 12 (Fri), 2018

Program B           June 24 (Mon) to August 2 (Fri), 2019

Further information about the scheme, the eligibility criteria and the application process can be found on the programme website: http://www.ilo.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/summer_en If you have any questions please contact the programme organiser directly.  


Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Research Internship Programme

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) offers talented students opportunities to gain experience in our cutting-edge laboratories as Research Interns. These short-term funded placements, usually from 2 to 6 months, give students the opportunity to gain experience. They work under the direction of a professor at OIST and contribute to the research activities of OIST.

Eligibility: Currently enrolled UG and PG students and recent graduates.

General Fields of Research
・Chemistry
・ Environmental and Ecological Sciences
・ Marine Sciences
・ Mathamatical and Computational Sciences
・ Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
・ Neuroscience
・ Physics
About research projects and internship availability: 

Application: Research Intern places are awarded four times a year on a competitive basis.

Funding: A generous financial package is available to selected interns including travel expenses, accommodation and a stipend.

For full details of the programme and the application process please visit: https://groups.oist.jp/grad/research-interns



£1,000 Royal Society of Asian Affairs award for travel to Asia

The Royal Society for Asian Affairs invites applications from individuals, who will be aged 21-28 at the time of the proposed trip, for the RSAA Travel Award 

Applicants should submit a proposal of no more than two sides of A4, involving travel in a country or countries of Asia in 2020 and relating to the geography, history, politics, environment, conservation, culture or art of the area to be visited. Any part of Asia, from eastern Turkey and the Middle East to Japan, may be chosen. 

For more information please visit: https://rsaa.org.uk/awards/travel-award/

Applications deadline: 30 November 2019


CRCC Asia Inclusion Scholarship Initiative 2020: CRCC Asia have opened applications for 5 fully-funded inclusion scholarships for students from diverse backgrounds to undertake a one-month internship in Beijing or Ho Chi Minh City. This represents CRCC Asia’s pledge to UUKi’s Go International: Stand Out campaign. The scholarships will support BAME and Jewish students, students with disabilities, students from care leaver communities and women in STEM.

The deadline for applications is Saturday 30 November.  

 

Europe

SWITZERLAND

Amgen Scholars Programme  - Application deadline 3 February 2020

ETH Zurich offers 15 scholarships for a summer research stay within the Amgen Scholars Programme. The programme applies to students studying for a Bachelor’s degree at a European university.

The ten-week programme covers nine weeks of intensive research in a state-of-the art laboratory in Zurich or Basel. Working as part of a research team, you will have the opportunity to interact with leading scientists and doctoral students.

A closing highlight of the programme is the joint symposium for all European Amgen Scholars in Cambridge, UK.

In addition to conducting hands-on research, as an Amgen Scholar at ETH you will attend workshops and events offering both insights into state-of-the art research and the opportunity to learn cross-cutting skills such as communication, scientific writing and intercultural skills.  

Please find further details on the Websites: https://www.ethz.ch/amgenscholars http://www.amgenscholars.com/europe-program 

Application deadline is 3 February 2020. 


Student Summer Research Fellowship 

The Computer Science Department at ETH Zurich offers a summer research fellowship for undergraduate and graduate students over the summer months (1 July – 31 August 2020). Applications for the programme are open to all students – international students are particularly encouraged (deadline: 15 December 2019). The department is committed to increasing diversity in the computer science area.

The programme offers you:

  •  Research experience: fellows will pursue a research project that aligns with a chosen area of their interest as part of a research group in our department. This includes interacting and collaborating with group members. 
  • Networking and socialising: a number of on-site socialising events will help fellows to get to know people outside their respective research groups, including current ETH students at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Stipend: fellows will receive a monthly allowance to cover housing and living expenses. Travel and visa expenses will be covered as well.
  • Accommodation: assistance is provided for finding affordable housing during the research stay, once a candidate is accepted into the programme. We will also provide information regarding visa applications (where required). 

Please find further details on our Website: https://www.inf.ethz.ch/ssr-fellowship.html


École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), one of the two Swiss Institutes of Technology offer Imperial students the opportunity to undertake a paid research placement at EPFL. 

Placements are max. 3 months in duration and students will receive a stipend and a contribution to travel costs. Placements are available to third and fourth year undergraduate and taught masters students. The working language for placements is English. The timing of the placements can be fully flexible.

Placements can be organised throughout the year. Full details can be found on the website:  https://futuretudiant.epfl.ch/researchinternships

South and Southeast Asia

The information below is about previous programmes. This page will be updated as soon as new information is available.

INDIA

Generation UK-India 

1. Teach in India Application Deadline 19 February 2016

Eligibility

To be eligible you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old at the age of applying
  • Hold a UK passport or have completed all your secondary and higher education in the UK
  • Be a native English speaker (or have a high proficiency in English i.e. full mastery of English across all 4 skills equivalent to user (Common European Framework C2) IELTS Band 8/9 in each of 4 sections of the academic module or Aptis level C.)
  • Have completed at least one year of higher education. This opportunity is also open to people who have graduated
  • Have a permanent address in the UK – you may need to provide proof of this address

2. Work in India: Tata Consultancy Services internships: Application Deadline 31 March 2016

These internships may be of particular interest for candidates from a science, technology, engineering and mathematics background, however, they are open to applicants from any discipline and successful applicants should be able to demonstrate an aptitude, enthusiasm and eagerness to learn about technology. This is an opportunity to get involved and learn but also to contribute your ideas and skills to a fast paced and innovative organisation.

In order to be considered for a TCS internship it is essential that you:

  • have a permanent address in the UK
  • have the right to work in the UK
  • be a native English speaker or have high proficiency in English
  • have completed secondary or higher education in the UK 
  • have achieved a minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor’s degree or have completed a Masters or a PhD from a UK institution by July 2016.
  • have completed the most recent university level qualification a maximum of 3 years prior to the date of application

For more detailed information please visit: http://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-create-india

North America

The information below is about previous programmes. This page will be updated as soon as new information is available.

USA

Argonne National Laboratory, based just outside of Chicago, is seeking students for their graduate and undergraduate Research Aide Programmes. UK students are eligible to apply.

Undergraduate Research Aide

The Research Aide program offers temporary employment opportunities to college/university students to provide the opportunity to apply technical knowledge and skills while assisting Argonne scientific and engineering staff on key mission science projects.

Overview

As salaried temporary employees, students are assigned specific technical tasks determined by their division. Understanding the scientific basis for the temporary employee's work is generally not emphasized.

The maximum time allowable on a Research Aide appointment is 5 1/2 months.

Financial Information

Salaries are competitive and are based upon the field of study and academic year status of the student.

Apartment type lodging facility is available on site along with a number off-site lodging facilities are available.

Deadlines

Undergraduates must submit an application by March 1st, 2015 

For more information and to apply please visit the programme website


N.B. If you are a female student from Imperial College who is studying for a degree in Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Life Sciences or Geology and you would like to undertake an international research placement with a leading female scientist in a similar institution you may be eligible to apply for a bursary from the Stevenson Fund