Prospects.ac.uk

Internships

AuthorJemma Smith, senior editor
Posted on

Providing an invaluable opportunity to try a particular job or industry before embarking on a career in the field, internships allow you to sharpen your skills, widen your networks and improve your CV

What is an internship?

An internship is a period of entry-level work experience lasting for a fixed amount of time, anywhere between a week and 12 months.

They are typically undertaken by students and graduates looking to gain specific knowledge and relevant skills in a particular industry.

Employers use them to assess a student or graduate's capability and often recruit from their interns, rather than advertise their vacancies externally, so apply for an internship that you're really interested in.

Securing an internship isn't always easy and competition for opportunities can be fierce. If you're struggling to find a traditional in-person internship there are other ways to build your skills, such as virtual work experience, volunteering and temporary or part-time work.

What are micro internships?

Micro internships are short-term, often project-based periods of work experience that typically last a few days (two to five), but can run for a few weeks. These learning and development opportunities give you the chance to:

  • add relevant experience to your CV
  • build transferable skills
  • network with employers.

They're a useful option if you're struggling to find longer-term internships.

They can be completed in person or online and while the majority are paid, some programmes are voluntary.

What's the difference between internships and work placements?

People often confuse internships and work placements, but the two types of experience are different.

  • Internships are usually undertaken over the summer months or after graduation to gain experience in a particular field.
  • Work placements, also known as a year-in-industry or placement year, are taken as part of a degree. Students on a placement year are completing a module and receive academic credit for the year. Learn more about work placements.

How do I find internships in the UK?

Can I do an internship abroad?

Yes, a whole host of internships exist in other countries and there's a variety of organisations that provide internship opportunities:

  • Beyond Academy - offers immersive internship programmes in 18 industries and 14 cities, including London, New York and Tokyo.
  • BUNAC - offers TEFL China, Vietnam and Thailand programmes, as well as professional internships in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA.
  • Chatteris Education Foundation - supports less privileged students and runs graduate programmes for those looking to teach English in Hong Kong.
  • Intern Abroad HQ - helps you to plan, organise and carry out two-week to six-month internships around the world in areas such as business, medicine, psychology,  human rights, law, marketing and STEM.
  • JENZA Travel - explore Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the USA and the UK with JENZA Travel, providing support with working holiday visas, overseas internships, or funding for your adventures with a ski season.
  • Projects Abroad - provides internships in areas such as healthcare, law, business, engineering and journalism in destinations as varied as Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
  • The Fewer Things - delivers graduate English teaching programmes in Asia. Start your new adventure in China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand or Vietnam.
  • The Intern Group - provides remote internships and in-person programmes in Australia, Bangkok, Colombia, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, New York, and Tokyo.
  • The TEFL Institute - offers internship opportunities in various countries to those at the start of their TEFL careers.

Check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before travelling to a foreign country. If you have any questions or issues about your particular programme, contact your internship provider.

How long do internships last?

Internships can last a week to a year depending on the sector and employer. Student internships tend to be shorter in length than graduate ones. In the case of medical training, for example, you might be labelled as an 'intern' until you progress to the next professional level.

As their name suggests, summer internships tend to last the length of your summer break - typically for two or three months. Popular with both students and graduates, summer internships last long enough for you to get a taste of the job and gain valuable skills but don't require the commitment of longer programmes. To discover the different ways you can use the summer months to your advantage, see summer jobs and how to make the most of the summer break.

What about Spring week internships?

Spring week internship programmes, on the other hand, typically last a week during the Easter holidays. The purpose of these internships is to provide a glimpse into a company's day-to-day operations.

Primarily found in the finance and technology industries, they can be ideal for first or second-year undergraduate students who are uncertain about their future career path, as they provide practical experience and exposure to various roles.

What do internships involve?

It's a myth that interns only photocopy and make tea. These days interns are given more responsibility and spend their time at an organisation making a real impact.

What your internship involves will depend on your employer as they set the tasks. However, in general you can expect to:

  • assist with/collaborate on projects
  • attend meetings and training sessions
  • network with colleagues
  • oversee individual tasks
  • rotate around teams/departments to get a feel for how the business works
  • shadow employees.

Tasks might include administrative duties, research, competitor analysis or helping to generate ideas.

For example, on the Home and Clothing internship at Tesco interns:

  • build relationships with suppliers
  • create product ranges for stores
  • learn how fashion trends and customer tastes shape what the organisation offers
  • manage contracts.

Are interns paid?

If you're performing the role of a worker you should be paid. You will receive at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for your age, or the National Living Wage (NLW) for those aged 21 and over.

As of April 2025, the NMW for 18 to 20-year-olds is currently £10, while the NLW is set at £12.21. Some employers pay more than this, as according to job site Glassdoor, on average interns earn about £25,382 in the UK in 2025.

The majority of interns are classed as workers and you're only not a worker if you're shadowing someone. You're classed as a worker if:

  • you work set hours
  • perform the same duties as paid members of staff
  • meet deadlines
  • work unsupervised or supervise others.

However, consider the arrangement as a whole in determining your right to pay - work experience should be for your benefit, not the employer's. If you're part of the commercial operation of a business, you're entitled to payment.

Bear in mind that there are exemptions when it comes to pay for interns, such as:

a sandwich or work placement that's part of a higher education course

  • work shadowing
  • working for a registered charity
  • undertaking work experience or similar schemes with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

When looking for opportunities it's important that you know your rights. The majority of unpaid internships are found in the retail, creative arts and media industries. Some employers may offer to cover expenses but if you're completing the role of a worker this doesn't compare to being paid a fair wage.

While online internships are becoming increasingly popular, most are unpaid. Take this into consideration before signing up.

How do I apply for an internship?

The application process can be as competitive as applying for a permanent job, especially in industries where experience is essential such as:

Aim to apply at least six months in advance. For example, if you're looking for a summer internship apply between September and December of the previous year.

The bigger the organisation, the earlier you'll need to apply as competition for internships at large, well-known companies is fierce.

Many organisations set internship deadlines between January and March, with others operating rolling deadlines throughout the year - so do your research to ensure you don't miss out.

Application requirements differ between companies. For some, you may need to complete an online application form, attend an interview or an assessment centre, where you could be asked questions about your qualifications, skills and past experience. For other opportunities, submitting a CV and cover letter will suffice - take a look at our internship cover letter example.

You can also submit speculative applications to enquire about available internships. In this instance, use your initiative and call the company beforehand to find out who to send enquires to, along with their specific contact details.

While methods vary, all applications should:

  • demonstrate that you have the knowledge and motivation to benefit from the internship
  • emphasise why you want to work for that particular company
  • outline what you can offer the company
  • show that you match what they're looking for in an intern.

What are the entry requirements?

University students and recent graduates typically undertake internships to test the water before committing to a particular career. Employers therefore do not expect previous experience of the working world, but they will ask what experience and skills you've gained through your degree.

For example, if you're a current student wanting to do a graphic design internship you'll likely need previous experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. If you're applying for a graduate internship employers may also stipulate a preferred degree grade.

Is there an age limit on internships?

When you think of an intern the image of a university or college student usually comes to mind. While some opportunities may come with an age limit, often 18 to 25, not all work experience will be so restrictive.

If you're a mature student or a career changer it's best to do your research and check with the internship provider to find out whether any age restrictions apply.

What are the benefits of becoming an intern?

Doing an internship will:

  • ease the transition from study to work
  • increase your skills and knowledge
  • improve your understanding of a particular job or industry
  • provide you with useful industry contacts
  • show you other roles you may not have previously considered
  • help you to gain an insight into the way organisations operate and the challenges they face
  • provide you with networking opportunities
  • give you real work examples to use in future job interviews.

The benefits of internships include:

  • payment, by law the NMW is the least you should expect
  • subsidised travel or meals
  • attendance at in-company training courses
  • a supervisor who might be able to act as your referee in future job applications.

How do I make the most of an internship opportunity?

  • Set clear goals - What do you want to achieve from the experience? Before you even start your internship define what you want to learn or gain from your time at the company. Are you looking to develop certain skills to fill gaps in your CV? Perhaps your primary focus is on networking and building industry contacts? Do you want to explore different teams and departments to gain a better understanding of the role? Being aware of what you want to gain from your time as an intern will help you make the most of the opportunity.
  • Show initiative - If you've got a question, ask it. If you've completed work ahead of time, volunteer for additional tasks. If you've got a new idea or a suggestion for improvement, speak up. If you feel you've mastered a task or project, ask for more responsibility. Proactive interns who show enthusiasm and take initiative stand out for all the right reasons.
  • Build relationships - Step out of your comfort zone and speak to colleagues from different departments and seniority levels. Don't just build relationships with your mentor or fellow interns. Internship opportunities are the perfect way to widen your list of industry contacts.
  • Ask for, and act on feedback - One of the best ways to make use of your time as an intern is to regularly seek feedback on your progress and act on it to improve. What are you doing well? What could you do differently? Are there any gaps in your skills or experience? Are you meeting their expectations?
  • Track your achievements - To really make your internship count, make notes on the tasks you've completed and the projects you've worked on. Most importantly, keep a record of your biggest accomplishments. This will prove invaluable when it comes to updating your CV and applying for future roles.
  • Express your interest in job opportunities - Don't leave this until the last minute. If you're enjoying your internship let colleagues, mentors and managers know. In conversations, meetings and appraisals demonstrate your interest in long-term opportunities with the company. Enquire whether there are any current or upcoming vacancies and use the rapport you've built with colleagues to find out how you'd go about making this a reality.

Will an internship lead to a job offer?

It's true that some employers recruit for permanent roles from their pool of interns but this isn't always the case.

Some interns embark upon a placement to solely build their experience, while others do so in the hope of securing a permanent position. If this is your intention, check the likelihood of this happening with potential employers before applying.

To increase your chances of a job offer:

  • Make a good impression - Always be polite, smartly dressed and willing to take on tasks. Never be idle. If you complete a task ahead of time, ask for something else to do.
  • Be enthusiastic - Interns don't usually receive the most exciting jobs but no matter what you're asked to do, show enthusiasm for your work. Demonstrating that you can handle small, tedious, repetitive tasks with a positive attitude may inspire your employer to entrust you with bigger projects.
  • Develop a rapport with co-workers - Teamwork is important in the majority of roles, so showing your employer that you get along and fit in with your workmates can pay dividends.
  • Show appreciation - Once you've completed your internship, send an email of thanks to your supervisor. Thank them for giving you the opportunity and mention elements of the internship that you particularly enjoyed. Wish them luck with future projects and ask them to consider you for any future vacancies.

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