Pagoda Projects
Pagoda Projects Ltd is a Manchester-based international education company that designs and delivers in-person and online internship programmes plus the carbon-neutral Sustainable Global Experience for university students, primarily distributed through 50+ university partnerships and UK government schemes such as Generation UK and the Turing Scheme.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Pagoda Projects does
Pagoda Projects Ltd is a Manchester-based, privately held international education company founded in 2016 that designs and delivers internship programmes and short-term global experiences for university students. It serves three principal customer groups: (1) university students and recent graduates seeking international work experience, (2) UK and international universities looking to embed global mobility into curricula and meet widening-participation targets, and (3) host companies in destination cities that receive placed interns. The company operates a B2B2C model in which programmes are largely delivered through 50+ university partnerships and UK government funding schemes (Generation UK via the British Council, and the Turing Scheme), with a smaller direct-to-consumer application channel for non-partner university students.
The core product surface comprises in-person internships (destinations include Manchester, Vietnam, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Brussels, Bangkok, and Taipei), online internships, and the Sustainable Global Experience (SGE) — a carbon-neutral short-term mobility programme combining 12 hours of Carbon Literacy Project accredited training with a 5-day field trip to Amsterdam or Brussels. Underpinning these is the Pagoda Portal and App, a digital platform that handles applications, weekly check-ins, competency tracking against an 8-category framework (with badges), skills courses in intercultural fluency and employability, cultural mentor matching, event coordination, and lifetime alumni network access. Supporting technology includes Xero for invoicing and integrations with CNaught and Tree-Nation for carbon offsetting.
The company makes money primarily through university and government-funded programme fees, with a secondary stream of participant-paid programme fees (covering administrative costs, placement assistance, accommodation excluding Manchester, and travel insurance) plus a refundable deposit, and a referral programme offering fees to participants who refer new applicants. Pagoda was independently operated until January 2024, when it announced it was joining the Unseen Group, a collective of international education companies.
Pagoda Projects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pagoda Projects
- Legal name
- Pagoda Projects Ltd
- Website
- https://pagodaprojects.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Pagoda Projects Ltd is a Manchester-based international education company that designs and delivers in-person and online internship programmes plus the carbon-neutral Sustainable Global Experience for university students, primarily distributed through 50+ university partnerships and UK government schemes such as Generation UK and the Turing Scheme.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pagoda Projects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Education & Internship Services
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE), Short-Term & Summer/Winter Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAF), Virtual/Hybrid International Short-Term Academic Programs (EDAIAIAL)
Keywords
Where Pagoda Projects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pagoda Projects business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Programme Fees (Participant-paid): Participants pay programme fees covering administrative costs, placement assistance, accommodation (not including Manchester), and travel insurance. Fees do not include flights, visas, meals, activities, or daily expenses. A refundable deposit is also required to secure a place.
- University & Government-funded Programmes: The vast majority of Pagoda's programmes are funded through partnerships with universities (e.g., Generation UK, Turing Scheme) and government-funded organisations. Universities pay programme fees or receive bursaries/funding to cover participant costs, reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket costs for students.
- Referral Fees: Pagoda Projects may offer participants a referral fee in return for successfully referring a friend to Pagoda Projects programmes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | In-person Internship Programmes |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Online Internship Programmes |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Sustainable Global Experience (SGE) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Manchester Accommodation (Self-funded) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Pagoda Projects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pagoda Projects designs and delivers international internship programmes and sustainable global experiences for university students and recent graduates, offering in-person placements across Manchester, Vietnam, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Brussels, Bangkok and Taipei, online remote internships, and the Sustainable Global Experience (SGE) — a two-week carbon-neutral short-term mobility programme with embedded Carbon Literacy Training. Programmes are typically delivered through university partnerships or via government-funded schemes (Generation UK, Turing Scheme), and are supported by the Pagoda Portal and App, an eight-competency Pagoda Competencies Framework, and lifetime access to skills courses and an alumni network.
Product overview
Pagoda Projects operates as a unified platform offering international internship programmes and sustainable global experiences. The core offering comprises three main programme types: In-Person Internships (placements in Manchester, Vietnam, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Brussels, Bangkok, and Taipei), Online Internships (remote virtual placements), and the Sustainable Global Experience (SGE) - a carbon-neutral short-term mobility programme combining Carbon Literacy Training with field trips to Amsterdam or Brussels. All programmes are supported by the Pagoda Portal, which provides digital skills courses covering Intercultural Fluency, Employability, and Digital Competency, along with an eight-category competency framework for tracking participant development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sustainable Global Experience (SGE): Carbon-conscious study tours and short-term mobility program with Carbon Literacy Training at its core. The world's first carbon-neutral program focusing on UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Pagoda Portal
Products and services
- In-Person International Internships Global in-person internship placements in destinations including Manchester, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Brussels, Bangkok and Taipei, spanning sectors such as Business, Education, Engineering, Finance, IT, Law, Marketing, NGOs, and Sustainability; delivered for individual students and through university partnerships.
- Online International Internships Virtual internship programmes allowing students to gain international work experience remotely from their home country, with cultural mentorship, weekly check-ins and access to Pagoda's digital skills courses; available part-time (10–30 hours/week) or full-time depending on programme.
- Sustainable Global Experience (SGE) Carbon-conscious two-week short-term mobility programme combining 12 hours of Carbon Literacy Training (accredited by Manchester's Carbon Literacy Project) with a five-day sustainable field trip to Amsterdam or Brussels; focused on UN Sustainable Development Goals and climate education, and funded by university academic colleges and Access and Participation Plans.
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% of participants in digital programmes see an increase in cultural fluency
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Pagoda Projects
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Pagoda Projects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Pagoda Projects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- CNaughtcorePagoda Projects partnered with CNaught, a popular carbon credit marketplace, to offer carbon offsetting for participants' travel as part of its sustainability commitment. CNaught offsets Pagoda's carbon emissions through their platform.
- The IC GlobalcorePagoda Projects collaborated with The IC Global to host the 'Reigniting International: Enabling Recruitment and Enhancing the Student Experience' event, bringing together professionals in international education.
- Carbon Literacy Project (Manchester)corePagoda's 12-hour Carbon Literacy Training is accredited by Manchester's Carbon Literacy Project. Participants receive certificates recognised as a personal and professional commitment to tackling climate change. Over 1,700 organisations including NHS, BBC, and Manchester City Council have been empowered with Carbon Literacy Training.
- Unseen GroupcorePagoda Projects announced it is joining the Unseen Group, a collective of companies in international education, expanding its ecosystem and collaborative capabilities within the sector.
- Generation UK (British Council)flagshipGeneration UK – China was launched by the British Council in 2013 aiming to help 80,000 UK students gain international experience in China by 2020. Pagoda is the delivery partner providing funded internship placements with pastoral care and cross-cultural business skills development.
- De CeuvelminorDe Ceuvel is a sustainable development venue in Amsterdam that Pagoda uses as part of the SGE programme for students to explore clean technologies such as hydroponics.
- MetabolicminorMetabolic is a sustainability consultancy in Amsterdam where SGE programme students present circular approaches to sustainability as part of their experiential learning.
- Tree-NationminorPagoda Projects partners with Tree-Nation for carbon offsetting. The company displays the Tree-Nation CO2 label on its website, committing to carbon offsetting through Tree-Nation projects.
- University of AucklandcoreUniversity of Auckland partners with Pagoda Projects to provide global internship programmes for their students. Kate Coley (Employer Engagement Manager) cited Pagoda's extensive global industry connections and exemplary support to staff and students.
- UWE Bristol (Go Global / UWE Cares)flagshipPartnership since 2019 providing global internships for UWE students in Vietnam and Taipei, online programmes during the pandemic, and SGE programmes for care-experienced and estranged students. Funded by UWE academic colleges and Access and Participation Plan.
- De Montfort University (DMUglobal)corePagoda has been a supplier for #DMUglobal since 2014, sourcing internships and providing all necessary support for DMU students to work in exciting international environments.
- University of DundeecoreUniversity of Dundee has a partnership with Pagoda Projects for student internship programmes. Prof. Bill Russell (Dean) praised Pagoda's care and enthusiasm for student welfare and life-broadening experiences.
- Cardiff UniversitycoreCardiff University partners with Pagoda for internship programmes. Chris Gale (Intl Summer Programmes Manager) reported consistently high standards of internships and positive student feedback.
- Cardiff Metropolitan UniversitycoreCardiff Met students have participated in Pagoda programmes including Amsterdam SGE and online Easter Skills Programme. Paul Rowe (Director of Partnerships) described Pagoda as multi-award-winning.
- UCLANcoreUCLAN partners with Pagoda for student internship placements. Paul Rowe (Director of Partnerships) noted students gained life-changing experiences benefiting them personally and professionally.
- University of KentcoreUniversity of Kent students have participated in Pagoda internship programmes in Madrid with Turing Scheme funding.
- Turing SchemeflagshipThe Turing Scheme is the UK's global programme to support students to study and work abroad. Pagoda partners with universities to deliver Turing Scheme-funded internship programmes for UK home students, particularly those from widening participation backgrounds.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pagoda Projects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- AIESEC: Global youth-led organisation running international internship and volunteer exchange programmes in 100+ countries. Directly comparable to Pagoda's international internship offering, though significantly larger and focused on a broader volunteer/global-talent development mission.
- CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Large US-headquartered non-profit operating study abroad and internship programmes globally. Overlaps with Pagoda on multi-country international education programmes for university students, but operates at significantly larger scale and with broader portfolio.
- IES Abroad: US non-profit providing study abroad and internship programmes across many destinations with university credit integration. Comparable to Pagoda's university-channel GTM and academic-credit framing, but more established and broader in scope.
Direct peers
- Absolute Internship: International internship provider offering placements in multiple destinations with university partnership arrangements. Comparable business model, target student audience, and multi-country programme delivery to Pagoda.
- Connect-123: International internship and volunteer programme provider for students and graduates. Comparable in target customer (university students seeking global work experience), destinations, and academic-credit integration approach.
- The Intern Group: Provider of international internship programmes in multiple cities globally, often combined with academic credit or host university partnerships. Directly comparable to Pagoda's multi-city, multi-sector internship model and university-channel distribution.
- CRCC Asia: Specialist international internship provider focused primarily on Asia placements for university students. Closely comparable to Pagoda's original InternChina model and current Asia-heavy programme mix, with similar university-channel GTM and multi-destination offerings.
- Global Experiences: US-based provider of international internship programmes with university partnership arrangements. Comparable service offering and customer base to Pagoda, though Pagoda's UK-centric university channel is a key distinction.
Others
- Unseen Group:
- Generation UK (British Council): British Council programme funding UK student internships abroad — Pagoda is a delivery partner for Generation UK in China. Comparable as a key channel/funder, and partly an ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pagoda Projects social profiles
Digital presencePagoda Projects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pagoda Projects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Pagoda Projects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pagoda Projects M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pagoda Projects
What does Pagoda Projects do?
Pagoda Projects designs and delivers international internship programmes and sustainable global experiences for university students and recent graduates, offering in-person placements across Manchester, Vietnam, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Brussels, Bangkok and Taipei, online remote internships, and the Sustainable Global Experience (SGE) — a two-week carbon-neutral short-term mobility programme with embedded Carbon Literacy Training. Programmes are typically delivered through university partnerships or via government-funded schemes (Generation UK, Turing Scheme), and are supported by the Pagoda Portal and App, an eight-competency Pagoda Competencies Framework, and lifetime access to skills courses and an alumni network.
Is Pagoda Projects a public or private company?
Pagoda Projects is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Pagoda Projects founded?
Pagoda Projects was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Pagoda Projects based?
Pagoda Projects is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Pagoda Projects make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Programme Fees (Participant-paid) is the primary driver. The others are university & Government-funded Programmes and referral Fees.
Who are Pagoda Projects's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are AIESEC, CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) and IES Abroad. Direct peers are Absolute Internship, Connect-123, The Intern Group, CRCC Asia and Global Experiences. Others are Unseen Group and Generation UK (British Council).
Does Pagoda Projects have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pagoda Projects.
What industry is Pagoda Projects in?
Pagoda Projects's product category is International Education & Internship Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAFAA, Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry), with a secondary code of EDAIAAAE, Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs. Its SIC code is 8200.