Internships, popularly known as summer internships, are short-term employment opportunities for students during undergraduate courses. They provide skills required in their respective field along with professional experience. It can be an on-site or remote internship. Sometimes, students get confused between internships and work placements. Generally, internships are undertaken during the holiday or after graduation to gain experience in the field. While work placements are part of the degree, students receive academic credit for the year by it.
Internships in the UK for International students are vast and full of learning and permanent hiring opportunities. If the employer likes your work and is happy with your experience, it can help you get pre-placement offers. Also, some programs have a compulsory integrated internship in their coursework to get industry exposure.
Why Should International Students Opt For Internships?
A practical internship can pave the way for career success. A good summer internship is important for international students because of the following reasons:
- Improves Student’s CV or Resume: Many companies prefer candidates with prior experience in the related industry. Student internships give them a competitive advantage and the right industry exposure to achieve their career goals. Also, it gives an extra edge to students compared to others in the job application for a company.
- Extra Source of Income: A paid internship can help students earn extra money. It also helps with work permits after education and can help reduce the financial burden.
- Choosing a Field: Internship allows students to understand the field and helps them understand whether they want to pursue a career in the field or not. Also, it can help students to choose their master’s courses.
- Improve Skill Set: An internship can enhance the
- technical and soft skills needed for career growth.
- Ease your study-to-work transition.
- Improve your understanding of work culture.
- It provides you with an insight into operations and challenges in the organisation.
- Improves your confidence during the university placement place.
- Networking: You meet new people and forge strong connections with them. It will help them network and understand different work ethics in the intern group. It also provides you with some valuable contacts in the industry.
- New Job Opportunity: If UK employers find your performance exceptional, they may offer a full-time job offer. You must develop a good rapport with co-workers, be enthusiastic, show appreciation and make a good impression.
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Universities Offering Paid Internships in The UK for International Students
Many universities in the UK offer paid internships to international students. Here is the list of universities and colleges offering internships in the UK for international students:
| University | Tuition Fee in INR |
| Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge | 931260 |
| Coventry University, Central London | 1691370 |
| University of Sussex | 2403155 |
| University of Salford | 1384306 |
| University of Glasgow | 1646065 |
| Nottingham Trent University | 1726607 |
| Loughborough University | 2416243 |
| Queen Mary University of London | 2235024 |
| Sheffield Hallam University | 3229812 |
| Manchester Metropolitan University | 1711505 |
Tips for Finding Internships in the UK for International Students
Finding a suitable internship in a new country isn’t easy for any international student. Here are a few tips for finding perfect internships in the UK for international students:
- Pages and Groups on LinkedIn: The site is solely dedicated to professional networking. There are several pages and groups on LinkedIn that help students advance their careers. They post internship options regularly. Students can search for internships in the UK from the LinkedIn platform.
- Internship Portals: There are several internship portals in the UK where students can find and apply for internships. Some of the portals are:
- Student Circus: It is primarily for students with Tier 4 visas.
- Milkround: It has more than a thousand internship posts
- TARGET Jobs: They have internship options and professional advice from the experts on the platform.
- E4S: You can find short-term summer internships. Part-time jobs and full-time jobs on the platform.
- Rate My Placement: Students can find internships here. Also, the platform solves all queries related to finding one. You can also learn ways to excel in the internship through this platform.
- Government Website: Students can also check the official UK council government website. They post full-time, part-time, paid internships, apprenticeships, etc., for the students. You can easily find and apply for internships in the UK for international students through the website.
- Through University: All universities and colleges in the UK have a placement cell. University students can contact them for internship opportunities. They will suggest to you and help you with the resources and documents.
- Company Websites: Students can directly check the company website and apply for paid or unpaid internships. KPMG, Deloitte, EY, Bank of America, Rolls Royce, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and many more offer internships.
- Social Media: Nowadays, all big companies have a social media presence. They notify about internships on their social media pages. You can leverage the power of social media to apply for such internships.
- Use your Network: If you have a connection in the United Kingdom, family or friends, use them to see how they can help you find an internship.
- Abroad Internship: Here are some organizations that help international students find internships in the UK:
- AIESEC UK: They facilitate international student exchange programs through paid internships.
- Absolute Internship: They match UK university students and graduates with international internships in big cities worldwide.
- The Intern Group: It is a registered company in London, England. They provide in-person programs and remote internship offers to international students in Germany, the United States, Europe, Australia, and the United Kingdom. They offer internships in London, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Dublin, Madrid, New York, California, Toronto, Australia, Chile, Tokyo, Columbia, Shanghai, Barcelona, and Berlin.
- Beyond Academy: It accelerates careers by offering a unique internship program to students in 18 industries and 14 cities, including London, Tokyo, New Zealand, and New York.
- BUNAC: They offer professional internships in Australia, Canada, and the United States.
- Placement Year International: They offer paid internships and work placements to students in business, hospitality, sports, and leisure.
- City Internships: They provide internship opportunities in many cities across the world. The internships offered range in various sectors, including banking, finance, healthcare, law, technology, and marketing.
- CRCC Asia: They facilitate global internships in Japan, the UK, China, and Vietnam. Most internships are in finance, law, marketing, and business.
Points to remember before applying for Internships in the UK for International Students?
Before applying for internships in the UK for international students, check the following points:
- Length Of The Internship Programme: Most summer internships last 2 to 3 months, long enough to get a taste of the job and gain skills. But they can also last a week to a year, depending upon the employer and the respective field.
- Payment: In the UK, an intern should receive at least the National Minimum Wage per your age in a paid internship. Employers can also set hourly rates, but an intern is entitled to payment, except in the case of
- Working for charity foundations
- Work shadowing
- When it is part of a higher education course
- When working with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Requirements for applying for internships in the UK
The application process for internships in the UK for international students can be competitive. So make sure you apply at least six months in advance, during September, to not miss out on the opportunity. Applicants need the following documents:
- Fill out the application form
- Make a CV or Resume to showcase your skills, attitude towards the company, and strengths.
- Cover letter– It’s necessary to send a cover letter since it lets the employer know why you are best suited for this job. This is done by highlighting relevant skills and experience; therefore, you should always write a cover letter referencing the position you are applying for.
- Documents related to past educational degree
- Documents related to work experience, if any
Final Thoughts
The internship is a short-term period of work experience offered by various industries to national and international students. An internship is an essential part of a student’s study curriculum in some courses. It helps students to gain relevant technical and soft skills. Also, getting a good graduate job is difficult. Internships in the UK for international students can give an extra edge when interviewing for the target job. And earning some extra money through a paid internship never hurts!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there any age limit to applying for an internship in the UK?
A. Many internships are for college students, so they have an age limit of 18–25 years. While if you are a mature student or want to look for alternative career opportunities, check the age limit before applying.
Q. Does an internship require any previous experience in the field?
A. Employers do not expect students to have past work experience. They will look out for skills you have developed during the degree. Also, it is not about the technical skills; it is more about the soft skills you have. Also, some internships look for specific previous experience; for instance, if you are applying for graphic designer internships, you likely need experience with Adobe Illustrator.
Q. What are the top internship programs offered by UK universities for Indian students?
A. UK universities offer different internship programs in various fields:
1. MBA Global Business
2. International Fashion Management
3. International Marketing
4. Biotechnology with Professional Experience
5. Molecular Biology with Professional Experience
6. Digital Marketing
7. PR and Consulting
8. Pharmacology and Drug Discovery with Professional Experience
9. International Hospitality Management
10. International Tourism Management
11. International Events Management
12. International Tourism
13. Hospitality Management
Q. Are internships in the UK paid?
A. In general, internships in the UK are paid. Indeed, many paid internships are available in the United Kingdom for university students from abroad. However, there are a few employers who do not pay interns.
Q. When should I apply for internships in UK?
A. At least 3 to 6 months before the desired date, seeking an internship in the United Kingdom is advisable. If you want, you can easily apply for an internship. However, as there is no limitation on the number of hours worked during breaks, summer vacations are considered an ideal time for internships. You’re free to do internships without the burden of studying.
Q. Can I do an internship in the UK along with my studies?
A. Yes, students from all over the world can also intern in the United Kingdom upon completion of their studies. Your visas allow you to work up to 20 hours a week and research simultaneously, which you can use for internships. In contrast, the threshold is increased during summer vacations.
Q. What visa do I need for the UK internship?
A. It is essential to obtain a work permit before proceeding with the application for an internship. In the case of training that has been less than six months, students may proceed with their visitor visa application if they demonstrate an internship offer letter to UKVI and supporting documents showing a valid visit visa. In addition, if you decide on a course that consists of internship and work experience or career training, you can do an internship under the Tier 4 student visa.
Q. Can international students apply for internships in the UK?
A. Yes, internships in the United Kingdom can be arranged for students from abroad. It is necessary, however, to consider specific considerations and requirements. Ensuring that the internship complies with visa rules and that its employer has a UK-registered sponsor status is crucial.
Q. How do I stay updated on the UK internship opportunities and visa regulations?
A. You can be updated on the UK internship opportunities and visa regulation by regularly checking the official website of government and the best recruiting companies website which aligns with your interests.
Q. What are some common challenges for international students looking for internships in the UK?
A. Some common challenges for international student looking for internships in the UK can be-
1. Language Proficiency
2. Cultural Differences
3.Visa Requirements
But,these can be solved with preparation and support.
Q. What is the interview process for me for internships in the UK?
A. Interviews are conducted in different ways by the company. The discussion may be by telephone, videoconferencing, in-person interviews or assessment tests. Get started by looking into the company, then practice your questions for an interview.
Q. What are a few tips to secure best internships in the UK?
A. Most UK universities have their placement cells which supports in securing best internshipsbut their are other platforms too like-
1. Online forums
2. Linkedln
3. Other recruiting agencies.
