Internships

An internship is a type of formal work experience offered to university students. These opportunities usually have a fixed structure and last for a predetermined amount of time. Organisations that offer internships tend to provide plenty of opportunities for students to develop their skills and stay on with the organisation.

• For formal, structured internships, the employer will set the duration and number of hours you’ll be required to work.
• A summer internship typically lasts between four and ten weeks during the long university vacation.
• A year-long internship (also known as an industrial placement year or sandwich-year placement) can last from six to twelve months and is typically held during a year out from your degree.
• Vacation schemes are typically two weeks and a mini-pupillage can last up to a week.

An internship should be paid unless it meets certain criteria. For more information, view our guide on what is an internship. 

In 2020, many organisations offered virtual internships, which were fully-remote positions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While many employers have now returned to offering in-person opportunities, numerous employers still offer virtual internships.