Internships

Internships vary in length but can last as long as 12 months. They can be paid or unpaid. Some employers use internships as a way of identifying future employees that they may wish to recruit.

There are also supported internships for young people with special needs or a disability.

How to apply for an internship

Our Vacancy Service advertises external internships. Typically, students will secure internships by applying for vacancies advertised online or by networking to uncover hidden vacancies.

Attend a Careers Fair at the university and speak directly to employers who have a variety of opportunities on offer.

Useful websites to use are:

• Handshake - students
• Handshake - alumni
• Prospects
• TargetJobs
• RateMyPlacement
• Gradcracker (STEM opportunities)

You can expect a competitive recruitment process – be prepared for this, by visiting our CVs, Applications and Interviews pages or accessing support from an adviser.

When searching for opportunities, it is important to consider both large and small to medium-sized employers (SMEs), as often SMEs recruitment windows can be longer.

Do apply early to give yourself the best chance of securing a place.

What if I can't find an internship?

If you are in a position where you are finding it hard to secure a role, you should consider virtual internships, volunteering or part-time work.

Virtual Internships

A virtual internship is one where you work remotely. The benefit is that you don’t have to travel to work. It could make getting experience in a big city a possibility if the cost of travel and living expenses are a barrier. If you can work around time differences, you could even work anywhere in the world.

On a virtual internship, you'll meet with staff, work together on projects and learn about the organisation online, using tools like email and video conferencing. You may take part in webinars and online company social events.

Find out more about  virtual internships and how they work. Look at these advertisements for virtual internships.