How to find an internship: Tips for students

Top tips Internship Career

Internships offer students invaluable work experience, and they’re a great place to meet fellow graduates and lifelong mentors. We also have guides targeted to finding graduate jobs once you have graduated, and finished your time at university.

If you’re wondering how to find an internship in the UK, you’re in the right place. We’ll explore all the different types of internships on offer, and how you can successfully apply to one. 

What is an internship?

An internship is a period of work experience lasting a few weeks or months during which a student can learn new skills for a specific role. There are many great benefits to completing an internship, including the following listed below. 

  • Gaining professional experience to include on your CV
  • Developing your soft and hard skills 
  • Building your professional network 
  • Helping you decide whether you’ve chosen the right career path

An internship is different from a university placement. 

A university placement is when a student takes a year out of their undergraduate degree to work a full-time job at a specific company. It’s typically a compulsory part of their degree, and students return to university to complete their final year. 

Types of internships

There are a few different types of paid internships nowadays. Let’s explore them below. 

Spring week internships

A spring week internship is a period of work experience lasting about a week over the Easter break. Big finance companies commonly host spring week internships but other industries are now also starting to offer them. 

Summer internships

Summer internships usually take place during the summer of a student's penultimate year. They’re a lot longer than spring week internships and last between 4 to 12 weeks. 

Graduate internships

Graduate internships are job placements students undertake after completing their studies. They’re full-time, paid graduate positions that can last up to a few years, depending on the type of programme you’re part of. 

Off-cycle internships

Since most internships run during the summer holiday, off-cycle internships occur in the spring, autumn or winter. This type of internship typically lasts for 3 to 6 months and occurs during a student’s final year. 

Virtual internships

Also known as ‘remote internships’, virtual internships are those you can do from home. They’re the same as any other internship where you gain valuable work experience - they’re just done online. 

Virtual internships gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing students to still gain employment and networking experience while staying at home. 

How to find internships

There are a couple of places you can start your internship search. 

If you’re looking for internships near you, make sure to check local job boards or websites. You can also attend career fairs or industry-specific networking events in the UK. Some examples include The UK Careers Fair and the London Job Show.  

How to apply for internships

The internship application process will vary depending on the company and its unique requirements. A typical application requires a CV, cover letter and letter of recommendation. You may also need to attend an interview (or two). 

  • Write a CV and cover letter You’ll need to submit a CV detailing your education, skills and references, as well as a cover letter motivating why you want the internship. 
  • Prepare a letter of recommendation This is a letter written by an educator or professional recommending you for the internship you’re applying for. 
  • Attend an interview As part of the application process, you may need to attend a few interviews. The best way to prepare is to practise with a friend or loved one. 

How to write a cover letter for internships

A cover letter (sometimes referred to as a letter of motivation) is an important part of your internship application - it’s the perfect place to explain why you are a good candidate. 

  • Customise your cover letter for each internship application in order to stand out from other applicants
  • Structure your cover letter so the most important and interesting points come first - keep your cover letter to a 1-pager if possible
  • Highlight any extracurricular activities or experience you have that would make you a strong candidate
  • Make sure to proofread your cover letter or ask somebody else to look over it for mistakes

If you’re looking for more tips on how to write a motivation letter for an internship, here’s a good example

FAQs

How long are internships?

How long your internship lasts will depend on the type and the company you’re working for. Sometimes, an internship lasts a few weeks, and others last up to a year. 

Summer internships, for example, can last up to 12 weeks (a whole semester long) while graduate internships can last up to a year or longer. 

How can I get internships with no experience?

Since you haven’t been working yet, it’s not typically a requirement that you have a few years of work experience under your belt. You can highlight extracurricular activities, hobbies, short courses or skill-specific experiences in your CV and cover letter to help strengthen your internship application. 

Apprenticeship vs internship: What’s the difference?

Apprenticeships are paid positions that can lead to industry-recognised certifications and a potential full-time job with the company. 

An internship is usually shorter and targeted to students or graduates. It offers work experience and the opportunity to explore a specific industry. 

How do I find remote internships?

It may be tricky to find fully remote internships, but they do exist. Your best bet is to search online for remote internships or discuss with the hiring manager what flexible working options are available. 

Are internships paid or unpaid?

The internship details should stipulate whether it's an unpaid or paid internship, so make sure to look when you’re applying.  

Whether an internship is paid depends on the employer and whether the intern is classified as a worker, volunteer or employee. Workers are entitled to the National Minimum Wage

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Eve D

I'm the Copy and Content Manager at iQ, responsible for bringing you content to help you have your best year yet. I went to King's College and studied War there. My best year yet? Moving into a blue house in 2024. Home is where the heart is.