Give yourself the edge when applying for jobs with a two-month online internship placement with a company based in China. You can select which industry sector you’d like to gain experience in and choose a start date that suits you.

Speak to our partners to find out more about which industries and companies they offer online internships in and the additional training and development opportunities available to you during the placement.

Virtual Internships China Skills Training Programme (for applicants from England, Scotland and Wales) – apply by the 17th Feb 2023.

Pagoda Projects  China Skills Training Programme for applicants from Scotland – applications are now closed.

Why should I apply?

Whatever your ambitions for the future, an online upskilling programme with a Regional Host Company and guest speakers delivering meaningful workshops can help you stand out from the crowd. New industries and work opportunities in China are rising faster than the skyscrapers that accommodate them. Companies across the world will value your international experience and increased cultural awareness.

You’ll also benefit from access to online training courses, mentors and coaches to develop your business and cultural awareness, offering you valuable insight into the customs and traditions of China.

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • be currently enrolled at, or graduated in the last two years from, a university in England, Scotland or Wales
  • have completed at least one academic year at university
  • be a UK passport holder if studying in England or Wales
  • be a UK or EU passport holder if studying in Scotland
  • have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a 2:1 degree
  • meet our student finance eligibility criteria
  • not be in receipt of any other Generation UK funding. You cannot apply if you have previously been on a Generation UK internship, or taken part in a Generation UK scholarship programme.

If you aren't eligible, please take a look at our other opportunities to study, train or work abroad.

Student finance eligibility criteria

China Skills Training Programme is committed to social mobility and widening participation in the higher education sector. We focus on helping talented first-generation scholars and students from low-income backgrounds.

To be eligible for the China Skills Training Programme, you must meet one of the following criteria, depending on which year you began your studies. If you’re currently a postgraduate student, you must have met the criteria during your undergraduate degree.

SECTION 1: COURSE STARTED BEFORE 2016

● In receipt of or have received a Maintenance Grant from Student Finance England or Wales.

● In receipt of or have received SAAS bursary for Scottish students.

 Please provide the following documentation as evidence:

● Full scanned copy of your Student Finance/SAAS financial support letter detailing your tuition fees and maintenance loan and grant entitlements.

SECTION 2: COURSE STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 2016 OR AFTER

England

Students receiving funding support from Student Finance England will need to provide information of their student living status while studying, as well as official documentation that details the following support received from Student Finance England:

● Living with parents – in receipt of a maintenance loan of £3,597 or above

● Not living with parents and studying outside London - in receipt of a maintenance loan of £4,845 or above.

● Not living with parents and studying in London - in receipt of a maintenance loan of £7,724 or above.

Please provide the following documentation as evidence:

● Official signed letter from your university registrar on university letterhead detailing your student living status based on the above three options, your official home address and your official term time address.

● Full scanned copy of your Student Finance England financial support letter detailing your tuition fees and maintenance loan entitlements.

Scotland

In receipt of a SAAS Bursary. More information on this can be found on the Student Awards Agency Scotland website.

Please provide the following documentation as evidence:

● Full scanned copy of your Student Awards Agency Scotland financial support letter detailing your tuition fees and maintenance loan entitlements.

Wales

In receipt of a Welsh Government Learning Grant. More information on this can be found on the Student Finance Wales website.

Please provide the following documentation as evidence:

● Full scanned copy of your Student Finance Wales financial support letter detailing your tuition fees and maintenance loan entitlements

Will my application cost me anything?

No – all online internships are fully funded. Generation UK funding covers: all placement fees,  dedicated support during your online placement;

You will also have access to:

  • online training opportunities
  • weekly online Mandarin classes
  • regular live online events
  • mentorship and coaching
  • post-programme support.

Do I need to speak Mandarin?

No, you don’t need any prior Chinese experience. Your language skills do not form part of your application.

During your online programme, all your projects will be in English and an English-speaking supervisor will support and manage you on your placement. You’ll improve your Mandarin throughout the placement through weekly online lessons.

When do internships start?

The online programme has 2 start dates available. Choose the date that best suits you.

  1. 30th of January 2023 on Pagoda Projects
  2. 27th of February 2023 on Virtual Internships

The placements we offer funding for are for a 5-8 week programme.

You must be available for the entire duration of the programme. It is not possible to extend internships beyond the agreed programmes. We do not provide funding retrospectively for placements obtained independently through our delivery partners, or in other companies.

What is the selection process?

Online internships are competitive. Funding will be awarded to candidates who have a strong academic record and can demonstrate an interest in China. There are three stages of assessment:

  • written application
  • telephone/video interview
  • final selection by the British Council.

We consider the following in assessing your application:

  • academic achievement
  • your interest in your chosen industry
  • your interest in China.

Apply online

We work with two partners: Virtual Internships and Pagoda Projects to deliver the online internships. Apply directly to one of them for Generation UK funding, using the application forms on their websites. Please note, you can only apply to one of our delivery partners. If you apply to both, your applications will be disqualified.

Make sure you have electronic copies of the following documentation ready to submit during the application process:

  • a scanned copy of your passport
  • your scanned student finance documents – see student finance eligibility criteria
  • A copy of your registry letter from your university
  • your CV.

Please submit clear, scanned copies of your documents. We cannot accept illegible documents or photographs of documents unless otherwise specified. Your application will not be considered if you do not submit the correct documentation.

When applying, take care to stay on the dedicated Generation UK page and submit your application on this page. Do not click any other apply buttons that direct away from this page. You’ll receive an automatic response from our delivery partner when they have received your application. We are unable to comment on unsuccessful applications.

Further information

If you have questions, email us at gen.uk@britishcouncil.org.cn or david.wang@britishcouncil.org.cn;

External links

UK institutions please don’t forward the opportunity to your students or recent graduates directly but please redirect them to the following external websites: Virtual internships and Pagoda Projects for application/information.