- Why should I apply through Club 21?

While you can often arrange internships with a company of your choice directly, a Club 21 placement offers several advantages:

• Club 21 placements are exclusively available to University of Glasgow students – they are additional opportunities over and above those available to the public.
• We check all opportunities for suitability – you can be confident of having a useful and fulfilling placement experience through Club 21.
• We offer thorough feedback on unsuccessful applications – either way, your efforts won’t be wasted.

- Do I have to register for Club 21?

All registered University of Glasgow students are eligible to apply for Club 21 placements - you do not need to register with us. There is no charge for applying through Club 21.

Club 21 placements are advertised through the student email system, so please check your inbox regularly.

You will find a full list of current placement opportunities and application details on this site. You should read the terms and prerequisites of each placement carefully before you apply.

- Who can apply to Club 21?

All fully registered undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University of Glasgow are eligible to apply for Club 21 placements. Club 21 is for students of all ages – mature students are welcome to apply.

You can apply to do a Club 21 placement in any year of study, although you may find it easier to balance your workload with university work in second or third year.

If you are an international student, you must ensure that you know the terms of your student visa with regards to your right to work in the UK. You should investigate any necessary right to work arrangements before applying for a Club 21 placement. Please contact the International Student Support Team for any queries relating to working in the UK as an international student.

If you are currently on an Erasmus placement overseas, you will still need to be available for any interviews or assessment events set by the placement company. It is advisable to check the relevant placement advertisement for details, or to contact us for further advice if the advertisement does not specify.

- Am I guaranteed a placement?

No. Club 21 is a very popular work experience programme and the selection process is highly competitive.

If your application is unsuccessful you are welcome to request feedback from Sheena McBeth on how you could improve any future applications. You may also find our resources on filling in application forms helpful.

- At what times of year are placements available?

Most Club 21 placements take place during the summer vacation. However, placements are offered all year round (particularly for voluntary placements).

You should consider the workload of your programme of study before applying for a Club 21 placement. Try to pick a time of year that doesn’t clash with deadlines or examinations.

You should also include details of any holidays you have planned or other dates you are unable to work in your application. Erasmus students should note that some placements require students to start at the beginning of June – check the placement advertisement carefully.

- Do I need any particular qualifications or experience?

Placements are intended to help you build experience. As such, most organisations do not require any formal experience or qualifications. Where experience is required, this will be made clear in the relevant placement advertisement.

You should not forget that voluntary work and/or extra-curricular activities can also serve as relevant experience for many roles. If you wish to discuss your eligibility for a placement in more detail, please contact Sheena McBeth.

- How many Club 21 applications can I make?

You can apply for as many Club 21 placements as you wish, but we advise you to concentrate your efforts on one or two that really interest you. You are far more likely to succeed with a targeted and considered application than a scattergun approach.

You may wish to make an appointment with a Careers Adviser to discuss which placements are most relevant to you.

Please remember that you must submit 2 copies of your CV and 2 copies of your application form per placement – you cannot apply for multiple placements with the same paperwork.

- Will you check my application for me?

A member of our Careers Adviser team will be happy to go through your application with you. See the make an appointment page for more details.

It is very important that you leave yourself plenty of time to complete your application and that you check it thoroughly before submitting it. Spelling and grammar are very important and will be taken into account at every stage of the selection process.

- I’ve applied. What happens next?

We will consider your application to assess whether it matches the person specification as advertised by the company. If your application is considered suitable, it will be sent to the placement company.

You will be contacted by letter or email within 5 days of the closing date to inform you whether or not your form has been forwarded to the placement company. If you did not meet the selection criteria, you are welcome to request further feedback.

Organisations ordinarily take around 2 to 3 weeks to process applications and select candidates for interview. We will contact you to advise you of any significant delays. Please do not contact us for further updates until three weeks have elapsed.

Please note that the decision to invite a candidate for interview rests entirely with the placement organisation – a forwarded application is not a guarantee of an interview.

- Will I be expected to attend an interview?

You should always expect to attend an interview if your application gets past the initial stages. You may also be required to attend a half day or full day assessment centre for some organisations.

If you are unable to attend an interview in person, we may be able to arrange a telephone interview instead. However, this is offered entirely at the discretion of the organisation.

For advice on succeeding in interviews, see interviews in the guidance section.

- Can I request feedback on an unsuccessful application?

You are welcome to request feedback from Sheena McBeth on how to improve your future applications. You may also find our resources on filling in application forms helpful.

- What hours will I be expected to work?

Your hours will vary depending on the nature and needs of the business, but most organisations expect you to work 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. It is possible but unlikely that you will need to work evenings or weekends. As always, it is important to read the placement advertisement very carefully in order to understand the demands of the role.

- Will I be paid?

All Club 21 placements are paid unless the role is specified as being voluntary (normally work with charities). Paid placements must offer equal to or more than the UK National Minimum Wage. Unpaid placements will always be offered on a part time / flexible basis so as to ensure that you can continue to support yourself with any part time work you undertake.

- How long will my placement be?

Most Club 21 placements take place during the summer vacation, although some companies offer placements during term time or spring break. Most summer placements are 6 – 12 weeks in duration, although this can vary considerably. You should always refer to the placement advertisement for duration details.

- I have a holiday booked. Will this affect my chances?

Not necessarily. It is often possible to arrange earlier start or end dates, or even to take a break in the middle of a placement.

You should make a note of any holidays you have planned or other dates you are unable to work on your application. The sooner the organisation is made aware of any holiday dates, the more likely they are to be able to accommodate them. However, any alternative arrangements are made entirely at the placement organisation’s discretion.

- What sort of duties will I be performing?

The type and range of work that you will undertake on your placement will vary greatly from organisation to organisation. You may work on a standalone defined project or experience several facets of the business. Check the placement advertisement for specifics.

A Club 21 placement is intended to give you a genuine and hands-on experience, so while there may be some 'menial' aspects, you can also expect to be treated as if you were a permanent employee. Expect to be given real responsibilities and challenges.

- Where will my placement be located?

Most Club 21 placements take place in Glasgow or the Central area, but this is not always the case. Check all advertisements carefully.

- Will I get help with travel or accommodation costs?

Any financial assistance is made available at the discretion of each individual organisation. Check the advertisement for details.