Internship and placement schemes

We are committed to investing time and resources into informing and inspiring the next generation of young scientists, in particular, those from underserved groups in alignment with our Research Inclusion Strategy.

The University of Exeter is committed to enabling social mobility through education and via their Access and Participation Plan, have set out their strategic aims and objectives for widening participation for groups experiencing barriers in higher education. We will utilise this framework and work in tandem with the University and NHS Trusts to propel our initiatives and Centre aims forwards.

We will provide opportunities for undergraduate and masters students at the University of Exeter to experience and get involved with research early in their training, facilitated by a range of internships and placements. Details of these are outlined below.

Our Internship Scheme

Our  internship programme is facilitated by the Universities Student Campus Partnership Scheme, with two separate pathways available:

• Pathway 1 aims to engage and attract undergraduate and students (doctors, nurses and radiographers) at the University of Exeter in the early stages of their academic studies to consider a career in health and social care research. These funded internships will be offered within one of our five research themes on a part-time basis, allowing students to fit this around their studies and other commitments.
• Pathway 2 aims to engage undergraduate students, completing their studies at the University of Exeter in a relevant discipline, including, but not limited to Medical Studies, Data Science and Biosciences, to consider a career in translational biomedical research. These funded internships will be offered within one of our five research themes on a full-time basis over the summer period.
  

Internship programmes we support

• HDRUK Black Internship Programme – we are delighted to be supporting this programme that tackles underrepresentation of Black people within the health data science sector. We hosted our first intern in the summer of 2024 and are delighted to welcome another intern for summer 2025.
• NIHR Undergraduate Internship Programme – aims to engage and attract students from underrepresented professions in the early stages of their academic studies to consider a career in health and social care research. Applications are to be submitted by early to mid-career researchers, where they can apply to host up to 3 interns. These internships can last between 2-8 weeks, and include a stipend for the student, travel and accommodation expenses, a training and development fund and a contribution towards supervisory costs. The NIHR Exeter BRC are happy to support our members in their application to this programme.
• Access to Internships – supports University of Exeter undergraduate students, meeting the widening participation criteria (ensuring equity of opportunities for those from underrepresented groups) to complete a 140 hour paid internship. The NIHR Exeter BRC are happy to facilitate and support these internships, should a researcher within the BRC want to support a student(s) through this scheme.