Frequently Asked Questions & Standard Responses: CHINA SIP
(For the 2nd round in 2014)
General Information on the programmeWhat is China SIP? / The UK-China Partners in Education (UKCPIE) Action Plan was signed in October 2011 in a bid to forge stronger links in higher education, vocational education and skills training. The pilot will be “a work placement programme for UK students to provide them with the opportunity to learn about Chinese business, culture and language”. The Ministry of Education approached Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL NI) and the British Council to establish an internship pilot scheme in SuzhouIndustrial Park.
Where can I find more information? / Contact
What would I gain by doing a SIP internship? / The prime aim is to provide students with an opportunity to live and work in China for an extended period of time, developing an awareness of the culture and language and gaining invaluable professional skills, knowledge and experience that will enhance their employability within a globally mobile workforce. Such initiatives are welcomed by employers in the UK who are looking for well-rounded trainees with some life experience and an awareness of the world around them.
Eligibility & application process
Am I eligible? / Full time students at an English or NorthernIrishUniversity completing:
- Undergraduate Degree
- Master’s
- PGCE
- PhD
Applicants must have a high standard of English.
Is there an age limit? / There is no age limit
How do I apply? / Students apply directly to vacancies advertised on the Chinese coordinating partner’s website
Will I need to submit references? How many? / 2 references are needed and applicants will have to provide the contact details of 2 referees (not necessarily from their university).However, if you are successful in the application, you will be required to submit evidence of approval of suspending your study for the internship, the evidence could be a document from your university Registry Office
What is the interview process? / If you pass the initial screening, each SIP employer will get in touch with you via email to agree an interview time. Interview will be conducted over Skype and each interview will be different.
Who is going to interview me? / You will be interviewed directly by SIP employers.
How and where will I be interviewed? / You will be interviewed over Skype and there will be no need to travel to a specific location.
How many jobs can I apply for? / Each candidate can apply to up to 2 vacancies.
When I can expect a final decision? / Please refer to the proposed timeline for the specific dates and procedures. You will be notified of the final decision by British Council UK before the official paper document such as offer is sent to you.
Will I be in touch with my employer before I leave for China to ask questions about uniform, hours, shifts, weekend work…? / Yes, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of your interview. Once you are notified of the final decision, you will have two weeks to decide whether you will accept it. The offer will be given to the candidate on reserve if you decide to reject it or no decision is made within 2 weeks.
Will I be given a contract of employment by my employer? / You will be required to sign 2 agreements:
- With theSIP company
- With the British Council UK
Vaccinations, visa and travel
Do I need a medical check-up before I go? / Yes, students have to undergo a medical check-up in the UK. Once in China they will have to do a 2nd medical check-up as part of the Residence Permit application process costing RMB960 (roughly £96).
Do I need vaccinations? / We recommend that students consult their GP at their local surgery and follow their guidelines.
What type of visa will I need?
It might take up to 6 weeks for you to get your visa so you need to consider this if you have a holiday planned. / UK students will apply for anX visa (£20 standard service) which is valid for 3 months from date of issue and will expire after entry. Soochow University will subsequently help students register with the local immigration bureau and apply for a Residence Permit which will grant students multiple entries. The cost is RMB800 (roughly £80) and is to be covered by the interns. To apply for the Residence Permit, the interns will have to do a 2nd physical check (they need to do one in the UK to apply for the X visa), and the full cost is RMB960. This cost will need to be covered by the interns themselves. Soochow University liaise with the interns and local Government on the precise nature of the secondary checks required, as immigration policy changes from time to time.
It is advised to submit the application at least one month in advance of the planned date of entry. Application made too early may cause the expiry of the visa but if an application is submitted too late, there might not be enough time for the application to be processed.
After submitting the application, if the documents are well prepared, it will normally take four working days for the application to be processed, but the time may vary dependent on a case by case basis.
If you intend to travel urgently, you may apply for the express service and collect the visa on the third working day, in which case you will need to pay an extra fee. Express service is not guaranteed in the Chinese Embassy or the Chinese Consulate General, and the eligibility for express service is judged on a case by case basis.
Do I organise my own visa? / Yes, students will have to organise their own China entry visas in the UK.
Do I have to pay for my visa? / Yes,
What sort of insurance will I need? / The insurance provided by the Chinese government covers inpatient treatment only and you will have to get additional private insurance, at your own cost, before leaving the UK to cover you for the duration of their internship. The costs vary depending on the insurance companies and the maximum amount of the medical cover offered.
Students from other programmes have used the following companies:
STA Single trip policy for 12 months:
- Premium - £495 (up to £10M medical cover)
- Standard - £427 (up to £1M medical cover)
- Basic - £292
COE premium - £185 (up to £5M medical cover)
budget - £330 (£5M medical cover)
silver - £478 (£10M medical cover)
Gold - £615 (£15M medical cover)
Black - £895 (unlimited medical cover)
Please note that you may be required to produce a copy of a valid insurance certificate to the British Council, or Chinese authorities on request. It is therefore a condition of your internship that you take out adequate cover prior to departure.
When am I expected to depart for China? / Please refer to the proposed timeline for the specific dates and procedures.
Do I book my own travel? / Yes, you are expected to book your own flights to China and cover the cost. It is important that you try your best to adhere to the proposed travel days in order to coordinate with the other members of your group, so you are able to avail of arranged local travel etc.
Which airport should I fly into? / Shanghai Pudong International Airport(PVG) or Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. All interns for this year will be advised to travel together from UK to Shanghai, you will be picked up at the airport in shanghai.
How will I travel from the airport to SIP? / SIP is about 2 hours by train from ShanghaiPudongInternationalAirport,or 30 minutes from Shanghai Hongqiao Station. The detailed information on travel from Shanghai to Suzhou is available on the website of Soochow University
How much should I budget for my flights? / Approximately £1000~1500
Will others be travelling with me? / Please refer to the proposed timeline for the specific dates and procedures.
Will I be met on arrival at the airport? / Yes, if you travel together as advised.
What is my return date? Will this be needed before I can book my flight? / Your return date will depend on your particular internship. The host company will let you know the date.
What is the proposed timetable for the whole programme? / Please refer to the proposed timeline for the specific dates and procedures.
Accommodation
What should I expect? / If host companies are able to provide free accommodation, this has been made clear on the advertisement of the job vacancies. Those whose company cannot offer accommodation, you will stay on the campus of SoochowUniversity.
Accommodation provided by SoochowUniversity will cost RMB800 per bed per month (to be paid by Ministry of Education). Two interns will share one room. If spare rooms are available, they can choose to have their own room but they will have to pay for the extra bed. There are no kitchen or Laundry facilities in the building. Bedding will be provided but they are not new. They are leftovers from previous students and washed clean. If interns want to buy new bedding, they can buy from the university at a price of RMB400 per set.
Money matters
What is the exchange rate? / RMB9.5 equal to approximately £1
How much money will I need on arrival? / At least £200 to cover your cost during the first month before you get paid.
What is the cost of living ie price of essential grocery items? / The canteen at the Soochow University is cheap and open 7 days a week and during holidays for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Some items can be very expensive such as coffee at around RMB20-30 per cup.
What other bills may I need to pay for such as electricity, heating, air conditioning? / Wifi will be available free of charge. There will be no phone in the rooms but mobiles can be bought cheaply.
When will I get paid? / You will get paid monthly.
How much and how will I get paid? / Details of stipend will be made clear in each vacancy advertised. Host companies will help the interns open a debit bank account and their stipend will be transferred to their accounts at the end of each month.
Can I use my credit card in SIP? / Yes.
Will I be taxed in China? / You will - be taxed. We will advise you wherever possible of the rate of tax paid by interns from the initial pilot group who had worked on similar positions.
Work
What are the working hours in China? / The normal working hours are 9am to 5pm but this will depend on the type of work you are required to do and the type of company.
How many days of leave on average? / This will depend on each company.
What are the public holidays in China? / Around 13 days per year.
Am I permitted to return home for a visit? / Yes, you will be able to go home for a visit during allowed holidays.
Am I permitted to travel to neighbouring countries? / Yes, you will be able to travel to neighbouring countries with your multiple-entry visa.
Will the business language of my co-workers be Chinese or English? / This will depend and will usually be a mixture of Mandarin and English but you will be assigned an English-speaking mentor in your host company.
Do I need any Chinese language ability? / No, you do not need to know Mandarin however lessons will be provided and mandatory on Saturday. Course arrangements will be provided by SoochowUniversity.
Getting about in SIP
Is there public transport in the area? / Yes, SIP has a good bus and train service. You will also be able to hire a bike.
How far isShanghai? / Approximately 40 miles west of Shanghai
How will I commute to work? / By bus, by bike or simply on foot if you host company is close enough to your accommodation.
Support & Welfare
How far away is the BC China office? / Shanghai city centre approximately 40 miles from SIP and very easy to get to by train and the underground.
Who is going to look after me in China? / Interns are expected to strictly follow the rules and regulations. The mentor assigned to you at your host company will be the first contact person who looks after your work and life matters during working hours; The Overseas Education College of Soochow University also offers pastoral care for those staying on their campus after work. You may need to ask your mentor for approval of any personal or sick leave in advance, and you must notify your mentor if you want to go out with your friends over the weekend.
Will the company mentor be fully briefed? / The mentors will be invited at the in-country briefing
Will the SIP students have an opportunity to meet up regularly once in SIP? / You will meet each week for your Mandarin lessons.
Will we have a designated person in BC China or/and BC UK to look after us? / BC Chinawill give you contact names and details in case of emergency.
After I finish
Am I required to complete any reports? / During your internship there will be an opportunity for you to complete a feedback form pon a regular (monthly) basis. In addition, , there will be an evaluation process and a focus group questionnaire at the end of the placement. Your views, opinions and experiences are very important to us. Your feedback helps us to steer the programme for future groups. We are happy to receive both positive and negative feedback to aid the learning process for all stakeholders.
Upon completion, do I receive a certificate or participation? / Your host company will issue you a certificate upon completion of your internship.
Can I remain in China and take up a full time job with my employer or any other employer? / Yes, if you are available and your employer offers you a contract. This will be done independently of the British Council.
Can I remain for a holiday after the work placement ends? / It depends on your visa expiry date.
Others
Why does this programme involve SoochowUniversity in China? / SoochowUniversity, (Soochow is spelled as Suzhou in Chinese pinyin), through its OverseasEducation College, provides pastoral care after your work for interns who are staying on their campus.
SoochowUniversity is going to offer mandarin lessons to all interns;
As there is no visa category particularly for internship in China at present, students will have to be firstly recruited as international students of SoochowUniversity and then dispatched to the host companies in SIP.