Speak to your course supervisor or manager. There is usually a careers advice service, or volunteer and travel service in each university. Some departments have their own. 

Your university might have a specific travel bursary for volunteer trips abroad, so ask your course leaders as a starting point. 

Each bursary, trust, and grant-making body will have different criteria. Vocational Impact can help you complete the paperwork for this once you have registered with us. Our main advice is to focus on one funding body at a time. Many will ask if you are applying to others, so be careful not to kill your chances by not being focused enough. 

You will need to provide the specific details of the placement, and your reasons for undertaking one – remember our list of what to include on our Tell the World page. 

Sometimes universities will want to know how the work you will be doing will impact them as an institution. Others may want you to describe your research proposals or the methodology behind your work. You will often have to provide reports in return and monitor your placement as part of the agreement of the grant. Data is king, and reflective essays are often required as a term of the bursary. Don’t worry if they ask for this – at Vocational Impact, we ask you to observe your learning and how the placement affects you personally and professionally. The project leaders will also help you with this while you are out there. 

Some bursaries and grants are set amounts. In some cases, you’ll have to ask for a specific amount. We are very open about the costs of the trip and can provide details about where and how this money is spent. We are also governed by the UK Charity Commission so this adds an extra layer of security for the grant-making body.