What is an internship?

An internship is a type of work experience that students take part in so that they can gain hands-on experience in the sector they want to work in once they graduate. They’re usually around one to four months but this depends on the company and sector. Like pretty much all jobs, you’ll have to apply and have an interview with the employer to land an internship.

Do you get paid for internships?

Most internships are paid. Interns who are classed as workers are entitled to at least the national minimum wage, but if your internship only involves shadowing then you may not be entitled to pay. The description of the internship you’re applying for might include how much it pays - read more about this in our ‘know your rights’ guide .

Can you do an internship during university?

You can do an internship during university – in fact, it’s widely encouraged so that you can get hands-on experience before you graduate. If you’d rather, you can also do an internship when you’ve already graduated.

How long are internships?

The length of an internship will depend on the company. Many internships take place during the summer holidays and will last around 8-10 weeks - but some companies might offer shorter or longer internships.

What’s an off-cycle internship?

An off-cycle internship is one that doesn’t run during the summer holidays – it might be in the autumn or winter and could last between 3-6 months. An off-cycle internship could be handy if you’re unable to do a traditional summer internship.