The Graduate European Programme

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain,
- aware of the challenges facing European professionals today
- in line with the policies developed by the European Union; to promote the mobility of European professionals and to improve training programmes including the learning of European languages
- faced with the increasing demand from graduates wishing to complete their professional training process in the United Kingdom
- conscious of the current difficulties in finding jobs
organises the “The Graduate European Programme” which offers recent graduates WORK EXPERIENCE within different kinds of companies in Greater London.

Please note that a minimum of 15 participants is required to run the programme.

The next edition of the programme is due to start in September 2013.

Application forms are now active. Deadline for applications is Friday 14th June at 3:00 pm (GMT).

See the full description of the programme and deadlines here:

• Programme

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

In order to deal with enquiries regarding the Graduate European Programme, we have prepared a list of the most frequently asked questions by prospective candidates that will help you solve many of the doubts you may have.
In the event they do not, please send us an e-mail at info@spanishchamber.co.uk

Please read carefully through all the questions before submitting your application or contacting us.

1. What is the GEP?
2. Who can apply?
3. I have a different background but I am interested in the programme. Can I apply?
4. I have already submitted my application. What’s next now?
5. I have received a scholarship/grant to carry out a 3-month internship abroad. Is the GEP an option for me?
6. I do not have an English certificate. Can I submit my application for the selection process?
7. I already have an English certificate. Do I need to take the English tests?
8. What is the cost of the programme and what does it account for?
9. I am a native English speaker. Do I also have to attend English lessons and workshops if I am selected for the programme?
10. I am not sure I will finish my degree on time before the deadline for applications submission is over. Can I still be considered for the programme?
11. When does the application period open?
12. Can I choose the sectors / companies for my internship in my application form?
13. What companies participate in the programme and when will I know the one I will do an internship at?
14. What will my schedule be like once I have started my internship?
15. Are the internships paid?
16. What are the chances of being hired after my internship?
17. Is there any financial help available?

Download application forms here:

• Candidates

• Companies

 


- Terms and conditions for candidates 2013/2014
- Terms and conditions for companies 2013/2014

FAQ´s

1. What is the GEP?
The Graduate European Programme is a full time 6-month work experience programme for graduates, that encourages professional mobility and assists with the learning of other languages, as stated in the policies of the European Commission.
The programme offers work experience within different kinds of companies in Greater London. Alongside the actual work experience the participants undertake 96 -hour Business English classes held two evenings per week and 20-hour International Business Workshops held fortnightly in the afternoon. The language-based Business English classes have a total of 96 hours and are specially designed for this programme. At the end of the course an exam is taken to achieve a University of Cambridge qualification (Cambridge Business English Certificate or BEC).
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2. Who can apply?
University graduates with a background in Business, Economics or Marketing are encouraged to apply as these profiles are usually requested by the participating companies.
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3. I have a different background but I am interested in the programme. Can I apply?
It is possible to submit your application, but please be aware that even though you successfully pass all the elements of the selection process, your participation will eventually depend on the fact that there are suitable internship offers within a sector in which your academic background could be relevant.
There are, however, other available alternatives to the Graduate European Programme for those whose academic background may not be suitable. Please contact us so that we can provide you with this information.
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4. I have already submitted my application. What’s next now?
If your application has been submitted correctly, you will be contacted by the Spanish Chamber to confirm the receipt of your application and to schedule a telephone interview. Please note this may take a few days after your application has been submitted.
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5. I have received a scholarship/grant to carry out a 3-month internship abroad. Is the GEP an option for me?
The GEP has a set length of 6 months starting in September and participants must first succeed in all elements of the selection process before being formally admitted to the programme. For shorter internships or different beginning dates, we suggest that you contact one of our member companies MUNDIALENGUA, which among their services include the search for internships across different business sectors.
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6. I do not have an English certificate. Can I submit my application for the selection process?
The programme requires candidates to have a high level of English, both written and spoken, but it is not compulsory to possess an English certificate when submitting your application as you may have acquired your English skills via other means (i.e. an exchange in an English speaking country). However, interviews and English tests will be taken in order to assess all candidates competence in the English language.
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7. I already have an English certificate. Do I need to take the English tests?
Yes. Due to the different certificates and exams currently available, the English test included in the selection process for the programme is the only way to ensure all candidates are faced with the same challenges in an English exam. Please note there are no additional fees for taking this exam.
Candidates will be informed about the place and time where the English test will take place. Those candidates who do not eventually take the exam will be automatically withdrawn from the selection process.
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8. What is the cost of the programme and what does it account for?
The Graduate European Programme has a cost of £2,200.00. Aside from the search of suitable companies, this amount covers 96 hours of Business English classes, 20 hours of workshops, enrolment to take the “University of Cambridge Business English Certificate (BEC)” exam, 6-month medical insurance and public liability insurance, management and administration expenses. Please note this amount must be paid in full by the participants before the programme starts and according to the deadlines described within the programme information in the link above.
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9. I am a native English speaker. Do I also have to attend English lessons and workshops if I am selected for the programme?
The programme is mainly intended for non-native English speakers as it is complemented with English classes.
Native English speakers can also apply if they have a suitable academic background as described above and once they have successfully been admitted to the programme, they can decide whether to attend or not the English classes. However, please note that the cost of the programme will remain the same as the Graduate European Programme includes both work experience and this academic side.
For other alternatives to the GEP, check question 3.
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10. I am not sure I will finish my degree on time before the deadline for applications submission is over. Can I still be considered for the programme?
If you are at your last year at university, you are encouraged to submit your application before the deadline, which is usually in June/July.
Please note that the programme does not begin until September, when successful candidates arrive in London to start the programme, and therefore you will have time between the deadline and the beginning of the programme to take your last exams. If you need to discuss your personal circumstances about this matter, please contact us at info@spanishchamber.co.uk
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11. When does the application period open?
Although there is not a set date in which the programme opens each year, the start date for submitting applications is usually April. Once the application period opens we will publish the necessary online forms so that you can send the requested information. Please note that the application period usually remains open for about 3 months. For further details about important dates to remember for the current edition, consult the programme description on this webpage. Please note that the updated programme description for each GEP edition will be available only once the application period has been opened for that year.
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12.Can I choose the sectors / companies for my internship in my application form?
Candidates are encouraged to inform about sectors in which they have interest to be involved in through their work experience to provide a guideline for the matches between the available internships from participating companies and the candidates’ profiles. In any case, the Spanish Chamber cannot guarantee the internship will be eventually carried out in one of the preferred sectors and candidates must be fully aware that once admitted in the programme, they will have to conduct interviews with companies, which will have the ultimate decision deciding whether the candidate is suitable for that particular internship experience. Please read the Terms & Conditions for participants for further information.
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13. What companies participate in the programme and when will I know the one I will do an internship at?
Different companies have been taking part in the programme since it was launched back in the 90’s. Companies of any size can take part in the programme provided they are based in the Greater London area .
Companies can be either Spanish, British or from other nationalities. Companies submit their participation form in a similar way to candidates which means each year there are a different set of hosting companies taking part in the programme. Please bear in mind that no information about participating companies will be revealed to participants until the induction week in September.
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14. What will my schedule be like once I have started my internship?
Participants will carry out a full-time internship and will follow their respective companies’ office hours from Monday to Friday, except for the days in which they need to attend English classes and seminars and when they would need to leave a bit earlier.
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15. Are the internships paid?
The placements are unpaid, but the Chamber endeavours to ensure that the participants will receive a minimum weekly payment of £95 from their placement companies to contribute towards lunch and travel expenses for days worked.
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16. What are the chances of being hired after my internship?
Please note that the aim of the GEP is to provide work experience within London-based companies for a period of 6 months. After your placement is over, the Spanish Chamber cannot guarantee what will happen afterwards as the Chamber will no longer be involved in this process. It will depend on both the hosting company and its circumstances as well as on the candidate. Statistics vary from year to year, but based on previous editions of the programme a fair amount of participants have been hired whilst others have received an offer to extend their internship.
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17. Is there any financial help available?
Please note that the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain does not provide any grants, scholarships or other kind of financial support for the programme. However, participants in previous editions have applied for Leonardo grants through their respective universities.
Please note that the Spanish Chamber is in no way at all involved either in the management or application process for these grants and it is up to the candidates to request the necessary information personally and directly to the appropriate institutions.
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