Student-led Internship scheme
SGSSS supports students to complete an internship with an organisation of your choosing through the Student-Led Internship Scheme.
The Student-Led Internship Scheme is designed to give you the chance to build networks with an organisation that is particularly relevant to your areas of interest or research. The SGSSS supports with the set-up of the Student-Led Internship placements and can provide match-funding to support host organisations.
The Student-Led Internship Scheme is open to any social science PhD researcher in Scotland, regardless of funder. Projects can last for 3 months (full-time), 6 months (part-time). Interns will be paid the equivalent of UKRI doctoral stipend levels and up to £2400 expenses.
Please note: if you are interested in working with Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland, or another public sector agency – SGSSS already works with these organisations through the Internships Open Competition. Please contact us before reaching out to any contacts in these organisations.
Key contact: SGSSS Team – team@sgsss.ac.uk. You can also find more information in our Internships FAQs.
Who is eligible to do a student-led internship?
Student-led internships can be organised by any Social Science PhD researcher, regardless of funding status, provided that you meet our eligibility criteria below:
- You must be a PhD student registered at a Scottish university in a social science discipline
- You must be in your 2nd or 3rd year of study, with more than 6 months left of your PhD at the start of the internship
- You must be eligible to work in the UK
How does the application work?
The Student-led Internship Scheme is designed to support researchers who already have contacts in a non-academic organisation, or who know which organisation they would like to work with. To apply for the scheme, students will be asked to complete an internship proposal form with their non-academic partner and then send this to the SGSSS. SGSSS will review applications on a rolling basis and support with the logistical set-up and payment for the internship. To request a proposal form, email team@sgsss.ac.uk.
Is there a cost to the host organisation?
Yes. The standard contribution for a host organisation is £6100 per internship. This contributes to the student’s stipend, expenses, and the administrative costs of running the internship.
I know an organisation that I would like to do an internship with, but don't have any contacts there. Can you help?
The Student-led Internships Scheme is principally designed to help researchers set up a project with a host organisation that they already know and have contacts with. However, we can try to help you broker relationships with people in an organisation that you would like to work with if you do not have pre-existing contacts there. To request support, contact team@sgsss.ac.uk.
“My work with RBS has shown me that industry is interested in what the academic community has to say. It has given me confidence that my research skills can make an impact. The experience has also taught me how to operate in a commercial context, where quick decisions and clear communication are essential. These are valuable lessons I am going to carry forward in the way I approach industry engagement for the rest of my academic career.”
– Student-led Intern with RBS
