Enterprise Placement Year

Enterprise Placement Year (EPY) Essential Information 2023/24

• What do I need for a successful EPY?

  Self-motivation, enthusiasm, commercial awareness and a drive to start a business or commence self-employment/freelancing opportunities. You are expected to commit to working full time on your business.

• What would I miss from a regular work-based placement?

  Employment experience, an employer’s reference and perhaps, a reliable income

• What is the application process for EPY?

  If you are happy that the option could suit your plans please submit an application.  This will be considered by a panel, if successful you will be invited to prepare a short video of up to 3 minutes to showcase your plans for your Enterprise Placement Year using a format and approach that works for communicating your plans.

• When does EPY start/finish?

  Students are free to take up their EPY as soon as examination period ends in May 2023.  There will be a compulsory EPY on-boarding during September and EPY ends on 1^st June 2024.

• What about money?

  EPY is an unpaid placement, make sure you have researched the impact on your maintenance allowance and any other entitlements so you are in a position to plan ahead.  You will be supported to apply for Scholarships, business competitions and funding during 2023/24.  All applicants will have a business mentor to support applications to opportunities for funding.

•  What about a part-time job?

  We understand that you need to cover your living expenses but any part-time job must not exceed 16 hours a week or interfere with your proper engagement with all aspects of the EPY scheme. To help you plan, we strongly suggest that you do NOT work on Tuesdays, as this is the core day for EPY activity.

• Am I sure to be allocated a place?

  No.

  There are invariably more applicants than we can properly support, so the number of students on EPY is limited. In addition, students who already have a business or are in the stages of being ready to launch their business will be given priority.

• Can I work with another student? 

  Yes, we accept business partnerships but only comprising 3 students; no more than 3.

• Am I on my own with EPY? 

  The success, or otherwise, of your EPY will be very much down to your own efforts. The Enterprise Placement Team will support you with regular catch-ups, information, facilities, opportunities and advice from experienced Business Advisors. However, you will need to be efficient and business-like in all your actions for the duration of EPY; this is not, by any means, a ‘soft option’ for a placement!

• Can International (outside the EU) students apply?

  Whilst your visa will allow you to study in the UK, it may not include the permission necessary to be on placement or become self-employed so EPY may not be appropriate for you.  We recommend you consult the Compliance Manager at Student Administration based at Coleraine Campus for further information.