How does the scholarship work?

The University of Surrey has formed an alliance with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Construction Skills and a broad range of leading companies in the profession. You will be matched with a suitable company mid way through your first year and that company will be responsible for your practical training throughout the course. The company will fund your scholarship, and in return you will spend a period training with them over the summer vacation at the end of each academic year. This extends to the Professional Training year at the end of Level 2. Scholars are paid by their companies during all training periods and training is monitored by the Department.
Training is designed to develop the bond between scholar and sponsor, such that there is a strong expectation that scholars will join their sponsors on graduation.  The Surrey Scholarship does recognize the changing needs of scholars as they learn more about Civil Engineering and, unlike other schemes, can enable a change of sponsor through its Alliance of  companies. However the care taken in the matching process means very few need this facility.
The Scholarship is open to students who can demonstrate a real interest and enthusiasm for civil engineering, and who appreciate the benefits of integrated academic and industrial training. The Scholarship is flexible in terms of entry.  The main entry point is through interview, prior to joining the University, and is described in the documents linked at the end of this overview.  Late applications may be possible for students on joining the civil engineering programme if places are available - a few scholars join later in the programme when they have better opportunity to demonstrate their interest.
History of Success
• The Scholarship has been running for more than ten years and has graduated over one hundred scholars into Alliance companies, many of whom now contribute in Scholarship activities with their company.
• The annual intake on the scholarship peaked at 30 in 2008 before the recession and remains above 20 now.
• We currently have over one hundred sponsored students on the Civil Engineering programme.
• The number of companies supporting the scheme is approximately 25 and has been stable for many years.
• Most companies have been working with the University training civil engineering students for many years.  New companies are carefully vetted by the Scholarship team before joining.
• The companies cover a very wide range of civil engineering activities in both design and construction.  They all share the belief that liaison through the Scholarship is an ideal route to graduate recruitment.
• At the outset of the scheme the University successfully petitioned the support of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• This unique support continues and the ICE are involved in management and training within the Scheme and host the main interviews at their London headquarters
• In 2007 the name changed from UniS/ICE to University of Surrey, ICE, Inspire Scholarship to reflect the change in funding and the University’s branding. The bursary payment rose to £3000 per annum as a result of the Inspire contribution.
• In 2010/11 a change in funding routes ended the Inspire contribution to all new scholars nationwide.  The industry bursary was then set at £1650 per annum.

What are the commitments?

• The Scholarship runs on an annual agreement – the company funds the scholarship each academic year and the scholar agrees to train with the company at the end of each period. A review takes place at the end of the training in preparation for the next year of the agreement
• The Company’s aim is to attract you to a long-term career with them through their investment in you and the opportunities made available to you.
• The Matching Process ensures that you are paired with a company you are suited to and are keen to join and one that wishes to sponsor you.
• We expect you to enter the Scheme with a strong commitment to Civil Engineering and to develop a loyalty to your sponsor, such that you will wish to join them on graduation.

What are the benefits?

• A scholarship bursary of £1650 for each year of your course.
• Salaried practical training with a leading company.
• Fast Track education combining academic and industrial experience to enhance your career potential.
• Many different sponsors covering a wide range of Civil Engineering interests