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SME Internship Programme with Durham University

Are you a County Durham based SME?  Could your business benefit from the support and knowledge of a Durham University Intern?

If so the Durham SME Internship Programme, funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund may be just what your business needs!
Request Application Pack
Young woman with shoulder length blonde hair, dressed in black with a florescent orange high vis jacket, looks at the camera. She is inside a huge warehouse with blue and yellow steel shelves standing from floor to ceiling, stacked with pallets of various food items

3 logos, Funded by UK Government, Durham University and Durham County Council

Project Offer - 50:50 match funding for a Durham University 3 month Internship

The Programme offers 50:50 match funding for the salary of a full-time or part-time internship of up to 3 months (or part-time equivalent) for a Durham University student or graduate*, providing your business with access to high-level skills at a lower financial risk, along with the added benefit of recruitment process guidance and support.

*based on a salary of £20,820.80 per annum 

Request Application Pack

How will your SME Benefit?

  • Access to High-Level Skills and Knowledge
    Benefit from the advanced skills and knowledge of Durham University's students and graduates, bringing fresh ideas and up-to-date expertise to your business.
  • 50:50 match funding for Interns
    Make it more affordable to bring an intern on board.
  • Comprehensive Recruitment and Onboarding Support
    Receive full support with recruitment and onboarding, ensuring a seamless process and a good match for your company's needs.
  • Your choice of Candidate
    Working in partnership with the University, your SME has full autonomy to chose a high calibre Durham University student or graduate ensuring the candidate meets the values and skills needs of your business. 
  • Valuable Additional Resource
    Interns provide a valuable additional resource, helping to manage workloads, complete projects, and support your team.
  • Reduced-risk Employment Trial
    Enjoy a supportive and reduced-risk environment to trial employment, allowing you to evaluate potential long-term hires without a full commitment.
  • High-Quality Candidates
    Experience the high quality of a Durham University intern, who can bring enthusiasm, innovation, and a strong work ethic to your company.
A group of young professionals sits around computers chatting

University student
The intern has completed around 90 hours’ worth of work which involves rebuilding one of the Android applications from scratch... they are performing at a very high level to our company’s delight.
Coltraco Ultrasonics
Employer
A scientist wearing a lab coat looks closely at a vial in a lab setting

Impact

Results of an independent report commissioned to evaluate a similar previous SME Internship project, Durham Internships & Collaborative Enterprise Project (DICE).

Find out more about DICE
30% of SMEs increased collective turnover
75% of SMEs experienced growth
55% of SMEs developed new products or services
62% of SMEs took on a new member of staff
We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Durham University SME Internship Programme and for the comprehensive support provided by the University during the recruitment process. Our intern Will has settled in well with the team and has added dynamism to an important area of research for the Company looking at advanced antenna design techniques at millimeter wave and terahertz frequencies with the support of university Professors. We highly recommend this programme to other SMEs looking to innovate with the help of talented interns, and to assist in the development of the next generation of Engineers.
Viper RF Limited
Internship host SME

Eligibility

  • Your business must be a SME* 
  • Your SME must have a base in County Durham
  • Internship must offer a developmental, graduate level work experience to the intern
  • SME’s must provide required evidence of payment to the intern to Durham University
  • Limited to one application per SME.

*Staff headcount not more than 250 AND either Annual turnover not more than £36m OR Balance sheet total not more than £18m

Request Application Pack

Recruitment Resources

Staff from Careers and Enterprise team in the Palatine Building

Find Out More

SME Applications are open now. Project funding is allocated on a rolling first come first served basis.

Further Details and Request an application pack
I am thoroughly enjoying my internship at the intelligent technology firm, ITPS. Working within an SME in County Durham has offered me unique opportunities to take on diverse responsibilities and contribute directly to impactful projects. I am working on data science projects involving the analysis, visualisation and prediction of data in order to optimise efficiency and gain valuable business insights. This experience has enhanced my skills in coding, cleaning realistic datasets, learning to use a variety of software, communicating across departments and presenting findings. Being in an SME has allowed me to work closely with decision-makers, providing valuable industry experience.
Esme Cheung
ITPS Data Science intern

3 logos, Funded by UK Government, Durham University and Durham County Council

This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with Durham County Council.

   

Get in Touch

Get in touch and a member of our team will get back to you.

Careers & Enterprise Centre

The Palatine Centre

Durham University

Stockton Road

Durham

DH1 3LE, UK