15 Internships for Undergraduates in the UK
Doing an internship in college is one of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between academic theory and the professional world. For undergraduates, these placements offer a chance to test a career path while building a network of industry mentors who can guide your future decisions. Beyond the boost to your CV, you’ll gain exposure to projects that cannot be replicated in a lecture hall.
Why should I do an internship in college?
Doing an internship during your college years is one of the smartest moves you can make. Internships allow you to develop specialized technical skills and workplace etiquette, significantly increasing your employability. Developing these soft skills early ensures you enter the workforce with the confidence to work on complex problems. You also get the chance to meet professionals who can write recommendations or even help you land a full-time job later, giving you a professional head start before you graduate.
Zeroing in on the right internship could be a challenge, though. To make your search easier, we’ve curated a list of internships for undergraduates in the UK below.
1. Civil Service Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme (SIP)
Location: Various UK locations
Stipend: £452/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 200–250 interns
Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: November 5
Eligibility: Undergraduates in their final two years of study with a 2:2 or higher in any degree, from lower socio-economic backgrounds, right to work in the UK, and meet eligibility requirements relating to Civil Service Nationality Rules
The Civil Service Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme (SIP) is a highly selective initiative in the United Kingdom specifically designed to provide students from underrepresented socio-economic backgrounds with a pathway into senior government leadership. It provides a high-level introduction to the Civil Service by placing students in specific government departments to work on live policy projects. You will engage in research, assist with policy document creation, and shadow senior civil servants during high-stakes meetings. Successful completion grants a ‘Fast Pass’, allowing you to skip the initial stages of the Fast Stream graduate application. It serves as a direct pipeline into the UK’s public sector leadership track.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; full financial aid available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Several cohorts year-round, including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
This virtual internship matches students with fast-growing startups and NGOs for 8-week project-based placements. You work 10–15 hours per week on real-world tasks such as building machine learning models, developing go-to-market strategies, or conducting deep-market research in sectors like AI, HealthTech, and Finance. The experience is structured around weekly meetings with a company manager or CEO and culminates in a final presentation of a tangible deliverable. You’ll receive a certificate of completion and a letter of recommendation from your host company mentor based on performance. Apply now!
3. Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Programme
Location: Goldman Sachs, London/Birmingham
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 400–600 interns
Dates: 9–10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Bachelor's or Master's students in their last two years of study
The Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Programme in the UK is a premier ten-week internship designed for undergraduate students to gain experience in the financial services industry. It offers an immersive experience within one of the firm's divisions, including Engineering, Investment Banking, and Asset Management. You begin with an orientation that introduces you to the firm's culture and the technical requirements of your specific role. Throughout the summer, you work on real-world projects alongside experienced professionals and receive formal mentorship. The program includes various networking events and educational seminars to broaden your understanding of global markets.
4. NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) Undergraduate Student Internship Programme
Location: Various UK Universities
Stipend: £13.45 – £14.80/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 18 internships
Dates: 140 hours; flexible 4-week to 8-week placements
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current undergraduates from UK Higher Education institutions
The NIHR School for Primary Care Research Undergraduate Student Internship Programme provides university students with a paid, four-to-eight-week research placement at a leading UK institution to gain practical experience and insight into the field of academic primary care. It aims to encourage students to pursue careers in primary care research. You will join multidisciplinary teams to work on projects ranging from mental health studies to secondary data analysis of clinical trials. Tasks often include defining inclusion/exclusion criteria for literature reviews and assisting in the collection of quantitative data. The program includes training in research methods and opportunities to attend workshops and seminars.
5. Google Student Researcher Programme
Location: Multiple locations, including London
Stipend: Paid, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Flexible durations of 12 to 24 weeks; typically starting between January and July
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related technical field; must be returning to the degree program after the internship
This program allows students to work directly with Google research teams on applied research projects in areas like machine learning and data science. You’ll be treated as junior researchers, contributing to the development of algorithms or the analysis of large-scale datasets. The role involves collaborating with full-time researchers to solve complex technical problems and potentially contributing to academic publications. Mentors provide guidance on technical execution and career development within the tech industry. It is highly technical and requires a strong foundation in programming and mathematics.
6. BAE Systems Summer Internship
Location: Several locations in the UK
Stipend: £24,300 (pro rata)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 100+ placements
Dates: 12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January – February
Eligibility: Undergraduates on course for a 2:2 bachelor’s degree in a related subject; cybersecurity and finance placements have specific requirements; must meet UK residency and security clearance (BPSS/SC) requirements
BAE Systems offers placements across engineering, business consulting, and data science disciplines. You’ll receive a formal induction and be paired with a buddy to help you navigate the complex organizational structure. If you’re in the engineering track, you may work on the design and lifecycle of naval vessels or the development of software for aerospace systems. Business-focused interns assist in strategic decision-making and project management for large-scale defense contracts. The program emphasizes the application of theoretical knowledge to mission-critical technologies used by the UK military.
7. ICR Undergraduate Summer Scholarship Scheme
Location: Institute of Cancer Research, Chelsea/Sutton, London
Stipend: £350/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; at least 6 students
Dates: 6–8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 28
Eligibility: Undergraduates at UK Higher Education institutions who are in the middle years of their undergraduate degrees; students in their first or last year of study, and enrolled in a course outside the UK, are not eligible
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) Undergraduate Summer Scholarship Scheme is a prestigious program designed to provide students with hands-on experience in a world-leading cancer research environment. You will work under the supervision of leading academics on specific cancer research projects involving molecular biology, pharmacology, or genetics. The program is designed to give you a realistic view of the research environment and encourage you to consider postgraduate studies. You’ll participate in lab meetings, journal clubs, and scientific conferences held at the institute.
8. AstraZeneca Summer Internships
Location: Cambridge, Macclesfield, Speke, and Luton
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 50–80 interns
Dates: 10–12 weeks in the summer (May – September)
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: Undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students (18+) who have at least one year of schooling left; have the right to work in the UK
AstraZeneca offers several undergraduate opportunities in the UK, primarily categorized into 10–12 week summer internships and 12-month industrial placements for undergraduates to work within their research and development or manufacturing divisions. You may contribute to the drug discovery process or assist in optimizing production workflows for life-saving medicines. The program involves using advanced laboratory equipment and participating in team meetings to discuss experimental results. You’ll be assigned a supervisor who provides technical training and guides you through a specific research project.
9. Warner Bros. Discovery Undergraduate Placement Internship
Location: London, UK (hybrid options available)
Stipend: £24,000 to £25,000 per year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; over 100 interns
Dates: 12 months, usually starting in late June or early July
Application Deadline: Mid-November
Eligibility: Current second-year university students seeking a third-year placement
This placement immerses you in the world of global entertainment and sports broadcasting, covering topics like digital media production, brand marketing, and market analysis across networks like TNT Sports. Throughout the year, you will manage content updates on digital platforms, track key viewership metrics, and help produce creative assets for major campaigns. You will also conduct competitor research to keep your team informed on industry trends. The program stands out by offering unique insider access, including executive speaker sessions, advance screenings, and extensive networking events. By the end, you will have developed skills in data interpretation, project management, and professional communication.
10. National Grid Summer Internship
Location: Various UK sites
Stipend: £24,109 (pro rata)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: 8–12 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Late March/April
Eligibility: Penultimate year undergraduates on track for a 2.2 degree or above; must have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship
This internship for undergraduates immerses you in the UK's energy infrastructure and the transition to net-zero carbon emissions. It places you in technical or strategic roles, such as Network Design, Asset Management, or Electricity Transmission, where you assist with live engineering projects and data analysis. The experience includes site visits to substations and control centers to showcase the practical challenges of energy distribution. You work under the guidance of industry experts and receive structured professional development training throughout the summer. Successful interns are fast-tracked onto the National Grid’s Graduate Development Programme.
11. Sky Business Programmes
Location: Osterley, London
Stipend: £27,010–£30,000 (pro rata)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 10–20 interns
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically in November
Eligibility: Penultimate year undergraduates who have the right to work in the UK
These placements immerse undergraduates in the UK in three distinct pathways. Commercial Strategy interns analyze market trends and competitor activity across TV, broadband, and mobile sectors to optimize pricing and sales plans. Marketing interns assist in building advertising campaigns and exploring customer insights, while strategy interns work alongside senior leaders on high-level corporate projects. All interns are paired with a graduate mentor and a manager, participating in Learning Labs to develop professional skills. Successful completion of any track provides a direct pipeline for a full-time offer for the Business Graduate Programme.
12. Philippa Fawcett Internship Programme
Location: Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge
Stipend: National Living Wage + holiday pay
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; up to 6 students
Dates: July 6 – August 28
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: Women, trans women, and non-binary mathematics students who are in their second year or above (undergraduate) or pursuing a Master’s degree
Named after the first woman to top the Mathematical Tripos, this internship is designed to address gender imbalance in mathematics research by supporting women and non-binary students. You will carry out a self-contained research project alongside a supervisor and a dedicated PhD mentor who provides guidance on academic career paths. Beyond technical research, the program focuses on community building through organized networking events, social gatherings, and academic workshops. The program ends with a formal report and a presentation at the annual Cambridge Mathematics Placements showcase.
13. WSP Summer Placements
Location: Various UK locations
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 120 students
Dates: 6–8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Undergraduates (penultimate year) studying relevant degrees; must be on track for at least a 2:2
WSP offers internships for undergraduates in the UK, where you’ll be placed in teams like Acoustics, Bridge Engineering, Transport Planning, or Thermal Transition (Energy). You will work on real project deliverables, ranging from technical drawings and site surveys to environmental impact reports. The program focuses on sustainable engineering solutions and allows you to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on high-profile infrastructure projects across the UK. WSP also offers a scholarship program for high-achieving interns to support their final years of study.
14. Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cambridge Institute Summer Research Programme
Location: Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge
Stipend: Real Living Wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–12 students
Dates: July 6 – September 4
Application Deadline: April 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate and master’s students in their penultimate year of study at a UK Higher Education institute
The Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute Undergraduate Summer Research Programme is an intensive 8-9-week paid placement that embeds high-achieving science students within world-leading research groups to provide hands-on laboratory training and motivate the next generation of oncology specialists. You’ll be placed within multidisciplinary research groups to work on projects that bridge biology, engineering, and data science. Typical tasks include lab-based experiments, data analysis, and contributing to ongoing studies aimed at predicting cancer before symptoms appear. Weekly workshops are held to build professional skills in areas such as entrepreneurship, critical literature analysis, and scientific ethics.
15. Cambridge Mathematics Open Internships
Location: Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge
Stipend: National Living Wage + holiday pay
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; up to 3 students
Dates: July 6 – August 28
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: Mathematics students who are in their second year or above (undergraduate) or pursuing a Master’s degree
This internship gives undergraduates in the UK the opportunity to experience high-level mathematical research within the University of Cambridge's world-class facilities. You will work on individual research projects under the supervision of Faculty members, focusing on pure or applied mathematics topics. You’ll be integrated into research groups, attending lab meetings, seminars, and coffee mornings. The program specifically aims to support students from underrepresented backgrounds in mathematics to encourage them toward postgraduate study. The experience culminates in a presentation day where you showcase your findings to the wider faculty.
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