How to find an internship in the UK

Doing an internship in the UK is still possible after Brexit, but finding a company is no longer the only thing you need to consider. If you are coming from France or another European country, you must also check that your immigration status allows you to undertake the internship.

The most effective approach is therefore to do both at the same time: look for opportunities that match your profile and check your right to work in the UK before accepting an offer.

Can you do an internship in the UK after Brexit?

Yes. Brexit has not stopped French and other European citizens from doing internships in the UK, but freedom of movement between the European Union and the UK has ended. European citizenship alone therefore no longer automatically gives you the right to work in the UK.

The process mainly depends on your situation:

• You have settled status or pre-settled status: this status allows you to work in the UK, subject to its validity and your individual circumstances.
• You are already studying in the UK with a Student visa: your visa may allow certain types of work or placements, but the conditions depend in particular on your course and education provider.
• You are coming to the UK specifically for an internship: you may need an appropriate work visa and a sponsor.
• You have another immigration status: check the conditions attached to that status before accepting the internship.

If you already have status under the EU Settlement Scheme, check the rights attached to your status. If you are studying in the UK, the rules on working are explained in our guide to the UK Student visa.

Where to look for an internship in the UK

Internships are advertised on many of the same platforms as jobs for students and recent graduates. Useful search terms include internship, work placement, summer internship and graduate internship.

Job websites and professional platforms

Several platforms allow you to search for internships by location, sector and experience level:

• LinkedIn: useful both for finding vacancies and identifying recruiters or team managers;
• Indeed: provides access to a large number of opportunities advertised directly by companies and recruiters;
• Glassdoor: combines job vacancies with information about companies;
• targetjobs: particularly focused on students and recent graduates;
• Milkround: also features opportunities aimed at students and young professionals.

Company websites

If you have already identified companies you would like to work for, check their Careers pages directly. Large companies often have dedicated sections for students and recent graduates, with recruitment calendars that differ from those for standard vacancies.

Speculative applications can also be worthwhile when approaching smaller organisations. Identify the relevant team or manager and send a short, personalised application rather than a generic message sent to multiple companies.

Universities and schools

If your internship is part of your studies, start with your institution's careers service. Some universities have partnerships with UK employers or offer placements that are directly integrated into their courses.

Some UK degrees also include a sandwich year or industrial placement, with a period of professional experience between two years of study.

When should you start looking for an internship in the UK?

There is no single deadline. Large companies sometimes recruit interns several months before the programme starts, particularly for summer internships and highly structured programmes. SMEs and start-ups may advertise opportunities much closer to the proposed start date.

Starting early is particularly useful if you also need to obtain a visa, find accommodation and organise your move to the UK. For highly competitive programmes, check each company's recruitment calendar directly rather than waiting for a particular time of year.

How to prepare your application

A UK internship application will usually involve a CV accompanied, depending on the company, by a cover letter or an online application form.

Prepare a UK-style CV

Your CV should be clear, easy to read and tailored to the internship you are applying for. For a student or recent graduate, one or two pages will generally be sufficient.

Avoid personal information that is not relevant to the recruitment process, such as your marital status. A photograph is generally not expected on a UK CV.

Instead, highlight:

• your education;
• relevant professional, voluntary or academic experience;
• your technical skills;
• the languages you speak;
• specific achievements that demonstrate your skills.

Write a cover letter

Your cover letter should not simply repeat your CV. Its main purpose is to explain why you want to join the company and how your profile matches the internship being offered.

Personalise it for each application and support your claims with specific examples. Our guide to writing a UK cover letter explains the appropriate structure and wording in more detail.

Improve your LinkedIn profile

Your LinkedIn profile should be consistent with your CV. Clearly state your field, your main skills and the type of opportunity you are looking for. You can also follow companies that interest you and contact recruiters or professionals in your sector when appropriate.

Prepare a portfolio if necessary

In design, communications, web development, architecture and other creative or technical fields, a portfolio can carry more weight than a long cover letter. Select a few relevant examples of your work and briefly explain your role in each project.

What visa do you need for an internship in the UK?

If you do not already have an immigration status that allows you to work in the UK, one route that may be suitable for an internship is the Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange visa.

This immigration route is intended for temporary stays under an approved scheme, including opportunities to gain experience or undertake professional training. Finding a company willing to take you on is therefore not enough: the internship must be part of a scheme that meets the requirements of this visa route.

Certificate of Sponsorship

To apply for this visa, you need a Certificate of Sponsorship or sponsorship reference provided under the relevant scheme.

The sponsor is not necessarily the company where you will undertake your internship. Depending on the programme, an approved third-party organisation may act as the sponsor.

Financial requirements

You will generally need to have at least £1,270 available to support yourself in the UK. This money must normally have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the final day falling within the 31 days before your application.

You may not need to provide this evidence in certain circumstances, including if your sponsor certifies that it will cover your costs up to the required amount or if you meet certain conditions relating to time already spent in the UK.

How much does the visa cost?

The application fee for the Government Authorised Exchange visa is currently £340 per person.

You will generally also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), for which the standard amount applicable to this category is £1,035 per year. The amount you actually pay depends in particular on the length of your visa.

Can you come to the UK as a visitor to do an internship?

Generally, no. Visitor status does not allow you to come to the UK to work for a UK company, whether the work is paid or unpaid. UK rules specifically include work placements and internships among the work activities that visitors cannot normally undertake, unless the activity falls within one of the specifically permitted activities.

An ETA is not permission to work either. It allows certain travellers to visit the UK without a visa for eligible stays, but it does not change the activities permitted during the visit. The rules are explained in our guide to the UK ETA.

Does an internship in the UK have to be paid?

The term intern does not, by itself, have a specific legal status in the UK. Whether you are entitled to the minimum wage depends on the actual working relationship between you and the organisation.

If you are legally classed as a worker, you are normally entitled to the National Minimum Wage applicable to your circumstances. A company cannot avoid this requirement simply by describing a position as an “unpaid internship” or asking you to sign a document stating that you are a volunteer.

When can an internship be unpaid?

There are several exceptions. These include:

• certain students undertaking a compulsory placement of less than one year as part of a UK-based further or higher education course;
• certain people who are genuine volunteers for a charity, voluntary organisation or certain public bodies;
• work shadowing, where the person only observes a professional and does not carry out work themselves.

The situation must therefore be assessed according to the work actually carried out and the relationship with the host organisation, rather than simply the title given to the experience.

What rights do interns have in the UK?

Your rights also depend on your legal status. An intern who is classed as a worker may, in particular, be entitled to the minimum wage and rights relating to working time and paid holiday.

For adult workers, the average working week is generally limited to 48 hours, calculated over a reference period, unless, for example, the worker voluntarily chooses to opt out of this limit where the regulations allow it.

Workers are also generally entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year, calculated proportionally where the working relationship covers only part of the year.

Before accepting an internship, ask for a written document specifying at least the dates, duties, working hours, workplace, any remuneration and the conditions that apply.

What level of English do you need for an internship?

There is no universal English-language level required for every internship. Expectations depend on the role and the company.

An internship in communications, consulting or customer relations will naturally require greater fluency than a highly technical position with more limited communication. Rather than treating B2 as a general requirement, check the language skills specified in each vacancy.

During an interview, you will mainly need to be able to explain your background, skills, motivation and experience clearly enough to work effectively with the team.

What budget should you plan for an internship in the UK?

Before accepting an offer, compare any remuneration with the actual cost of your stay. Accommodation will often be the largest expense, particularly in London.

You should also budget for transport, food, household bills, your phone and, if you need a visa, immigration and healthcare fees.

If your internship is in the capital, our guide to understanding rental prices in London will help you prepare a more realistic budget.

How to make the most of your internship in the UK

Once you join the company, expectations are not fundamentally different from those in an international professional environment: be punctual, ask questions when instructions are unclear and gradually demonstrate that you can work independently.

Ask your manager for regular feedback rather than waiting until the end of the internship. Keep a record of the projects you worked on and the results you achieved as well: these can strengthen your CV and provide useful examples in future interviews.

At the end of the internship, you can ask your manager for a professional reference and stay in touch with the people you met. If you would then like to continue your career in the country, see our guide to finding a job in the UK.

FAQ about internships in the UK

Can a French citizen do an internship in the UK after Brexit?

Yes, but French citizenship no longer automatically gives you the right to work in the UK. You must have an immigration status that allows you to undertake the internship or, where required, obtain an appropriate visa.

Do you need a visa for an internship in London?

It depends on your status. Someone who already has the right to work in the UK does not necessarily need a new visa. However, if you are coming specifically to the UK for the internship without already having this right, a route such as the Government Authorised Exchange visa may be required if you meet its conditions.

Can you do an internship in the UK with an ETA?

An ETA is not a work visa and does not, by itself, give you the right to undertake an internship with a UK company. Visitors generally cannot undertake a work placement or internship unless the activity is expressly permitted under the applicable rules.

Are unpaid internships legal in the UK?

In some situations, yes. However, simply calling an opportunity an “unpaid internship” does not make it lawful. If your relationship with the company legally makes you a worker, you are normally entitled to the minimum wage unless an exemption applies.

How far in advance should you look for an internship?

There is no universal timeframe. Large internship programmes and some summer internships recruit several months in advance, while smaller companies may advertise opportunities much later. Allow more time if you also need to obtain a visa and organise your move to the UK.

Is a French internship agreement enough to work in the UK?

No. An internship agreement with your school or university may regulate the placement from an academic perspective, but it does not replace immigration permission. You must also have the right to undertake the activity in the UK.

Summary

To find an internship in the UK, start by looking for opportunities on professional platforms, company websites and through your educational institution, while checking from the outset that you have the right to work in the country.

• Search for terms including internship, work placement and summer internship.
• Tailor your CV and cover letter to each application.
• Do not assume that an ETA or visitor status allows you to undertake an internship.
• If you need a Government Authorised Exchange visa, plan ahead for sponsorship, financial evidence and the associated fees.
• Check whether you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage before accepting an unpaid internship.
• Calculate your budget taking accommodation, transport and, where applicable, visa costs into account.