Eligibility criteria

Our commitment to the College’s EDI Strategy

We encourage applications from all interested people from traditionally under-represented groups in academia, including but not exclusive to those who identify as:

  • Black, Asian or from an ethnic minority background (BAME)
  • LGBTQ+
  • A person with a disability or accessibility needs (including physical and mental health needs).

As well as those who:

  • are the first to attend university in their immediate family.

Who are we looking for?

Update December 2023: 

We continuously review and revise the eligibility criteria based on the needs of the applicants we are seeking to attract as well as market developments.

  • The Julia Anderson Training Programme no longer accepts applications from those with more than 2 months work experience, paid or unpaid.
  • The Julia Anderson Training Programme no longer accepts applications from those studying vocational degrees in healthcare such as medicine and dentistry. 

Whilst we appreciate this opportunity is attractive to those studying vocational degrees in healthcare, given the ethos of this particular programme we want to encourage more applications from those with backgrounds outside of healthcare. There are numerous other opportunities for those studying vocational degrees in healthcare who wish to explore other career options. Such roles include: Research Assistant, Health Care Assistant, Clinical Trials Practitioner/ Research Nurse, Consultant (Healthcare) at an agency… 

Anyone applying for the Julia Anderson Training Programme must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Must have the right to work in the UK
      • Candidates who have a student visa would be able to work up to 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during holidays
  2. Must have no, or limited, prior paid and/or unpaid work experience at a university or organisation related to health, academia, science, technology, or business management. After The Julia Anderson Training Programme no longer accepts applications from those with more than 2 months work experience, paid or unpaid. With business management we understand this to mean any role related to working in an office, business, or academic setting. This includes any of the following roles: academic tutor, academic assistant, teaching assistant, marketing assistant, social media assistant, nurse, pharmacist, operations assistant, etc. We consider the following types of experience as “limited” in relation to this training programme:
      • Up to two months full-time (or part-time equivalent) in a paid or unpaid, structured role at a university or organisation related to health, science, technology, or business management
      • Work experience that is part of your course curriculum, e.g. placements, studentships, year in industry, intercalation
      • Work experience / apprenticeship at an organisation unrelated to health, science, technology, or business management – e.g. retail, hospitality, leisure
      • Voluntary work experience in any organisation/industry
  3. Must not have previously undertaken a paid internship/training programme before which lasted more than two months.
  4. Must be aged 18 and above. This opportunity is open to eligible applicants who are:
    • school leavers
    • undergraduate students and graduates educated up to master’s degree level or equivalent
    • job seekers or those in receipt of universal credit
    • anyone looking for a career change who meet criterion number 2

Please note, this list is not exhaustive.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to verify whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the Julia Anderson Training Programme. To ensure this training opportunity is offered to those we are trying to reach, anyone found to have falsified or misrepresented their prior work experience may be disqualified from the programme at any stage of the application process.

We appreciate that everyone’s circumstances are different. Therefore, if you do not meet all of the criteria but you feel you have a justifiable reason to be considered for the training programme you will have the opportunity to explain this in the application form.

In addition to the above criteria, applicants must demonstrate that they meet the requirements relevant to the training post they are applying to (as specified in the Person Specification).

Please also note:  

  • There is no upper age limit or minimum grades required for this training programme. All Successful candidates will only be required to provide evidence of their education history and/or that they are currently studying. 
  • Prospective or current PhD candidates are ineligible to be considered for this training programme.  
  • For trainees to get the maximum benefit from the opportunity and participate in the mentorship scheme, we would expect individuals to attend the office at least three days a week. 

We also expect trainees to complete the full duration of the training programme for which you would receive a certificate. 

Additional requirements

For trainees to get the maximum benefit from the opportunity and participate in the mentorship scheme, we would expect individuals to attend the office at least three days a week.

Frequently asked questions

Is the programme only open to people from underrepresented backgrounds in academia? i.e., people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds.

The programme is open to all early career professionals (e.g., current undergraduate and postgraduate students) who have not completed an internship/training programme before. Applicants will not be shortlisted based on protected characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc. On the application form, there is a section titled “Equality and Diversity” but the information from this section will not be visible to the shortlisting team. We only collect such data to improve our marketing strategy to ensure we share this opportunity with people from underrepresented backgrounds in academia.

Is the programme only open to current students or recent graduates from Imperial?

No, this opportunity is open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria outlined in the “Who are we looking for?” section of the programme website.

What if I have completed an internship/training programme either as part of my course or through another institution or company?

This opportunity is currently aimed at people who have never completed an internship or training programme before. This would be defined as a formal or structured role which takes place over at least two months. This would often have a job description or role responsibilities attached, or production of certain deliverables or outputs. If you have previously undertaken an internship or placement of this nature which lasted longer than two months you would not be eligible to apply.  

We would still welcome applications for trainees who have undertaken an internship or work experience assignments which were shorter than two months. We would define work experience as something which is short term in nature, e.g., 1-2 weeks. The aim of such work experience would be to gain exposure to a role or type of business. This could involve job shadowing different teams or individuals within an organisation or undertaking ad hoc assignments depending on the need of the organisation or your own personal development.  

We appreciate that some courses include a mandatory internship/placement. However, in line with the aim of this programme, we will accept applications from trainees who have undertaken a professional structured training or intern experience provided that this was in line with the course curriculum and unpaid. 

If you believe you still have a justifiable reason to be considered for this opportunity, or are unclear about eligibility, please contact ighi.training@imperial.ac.uk. 

Can I apply for more than one training post?

You are more than welcome to apply to and interview for more than one training post. You will need tosubmit an application form for each of the placements that interest you. However, if you are offered more than one training post, you will need to choose one to pursue.

Can I apply if I have a PhD?

The programme is aimed at current students and graduates from undergraduate and master’s level or equivalent courses. The responsibilities of the training posts have been designed for people who are at that stage in their career and educational journey. We therefore would not encourage applications from anyone who is currently undertaking or has completed a PhD. If you believe you still have a justifiable reason to be considered for this opportunity, please contact ighi.training@imperial.ac.uk. Please note, we at IGHI advertise other roles throughout the year that are more suitable for those with a PhD and/or clinical training. These posts are advertised here on our website.

Can I apply if I have clinical training?

The programme is aimed at people who have limited prior work experience at a university or organisation related to health, science, technology or business management. Therefore, clinical training as a doctor, nurse, or allied healthcare professional would exclude you from being eligible for this training programme. Please note, we at IGHI advertise other roles throughout the year that are more suitable for those with a PhD and/or clinical training. These posts are advertised here on our website.

Where will the post be based? Is this open for remote applicants?

To enable our Trainees to network with colleagues and get the most out of your experience, we expect you to work at our offices in St Mary's Hospital in Paddington for three days a week, with the other two days spent working from home. Travel may also be required to our South Kensington campus.

The safety and wellbeing of our staff and incoming trainees is our top priority. We continue to follow the UK Government and College guidelines regarding working on site. 

Can I apply if I am an international student or based outside of the UK?

Please note that all trainee applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, it is currently challenging to arrange VISAs for short-term placements at this level.

I am currently claiming welfare benefits / universal credit can I apply?

Yes, you are welcome to apply. However, we strongly recommend that you investigate/research the impact that this paid role will have upon your welfare benefits.