How to Find an Internship in London

Internships offer a way to gain professional experience, hone skills in your field, and build your resume. And an internship abroad? Well, that’s your ticket to improving your career prospects, all while tapping into the benefits (and fun!) of studying abroad.

It’s no wonder you have your sights set on London. A hub for international business and a center for culture and the arts, London delivers opportunity after opportunity for all sorts of majors. Figuring out how to find an internship in London is the first step to developing real skills related to your degree in an iconic city.

From the West End to the South Bank, London will fill every stage of your internship experience with chances to learn about your academic field—and to learn about yourself, your future, and another country and culture. Here’s what you need to know to get that internship offer.

Does England have internship visa requirements?

Depending on your nationality, you’ll need to secure a visa for the UK before your internship.

If you don’t hold a UK passport, getting a visa is one of the first requirements to intern in London. Though the exact visa you’ll need depends on your specific circumstances, most interns end up getting what’s known as a Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work).

Providers like Beyond Academy will help guide you through the visa process and make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for your visa if you need one. For the temporary work visa, this includes getting a certificate of sponsorship. (It’s not literally a piece of paper—the certificate of sponsorship is a reference number with information about your job.)

Your internship sponsor will give you your certificate of sponsorship reference number for your visa application. You’ll also need a valid passport to get a visa, so apply for or renew yours ASAP if you need to do so.

4 other requirements to intern in London

Keep these general requirements in mind as you search for your dream internship:

• Age and student status: Many internship programs will require you to be at least 18 years old. To be eligible for your visa, you’ll likely need to demonstrate that you’re a full-time student or recent graduate. Other options may exist depending on your circumstances and program, so get in touch with your program provider if this doesn’t describe you. Your program may also require you to have completed a minimum number of credits or years of study, for example requiring you to have at least sophomore standing before you apply.
• Application documents: You’ll need key documents like a cover letter and resume whether you’re applying to an internship program or applying directly to a company. You may also need documents like official transcripts, letters of reference, and forms indicating that your home school approves your program. Even if you aren’t required to show approval before you apply, you should still speak with people at your home school about your plans—especially if you want to get academic credit for your experience!
• GPA and academic credentials: Internship programs may require you to meet a minimum GPA, such as a 2.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale. Depending on your internship, you may also need to show experience or prior study in the field in which you want to intern.
• Language: If you’re an English speaker, you can jet off to London to intern without worrying about a language barrier. Non-U.S. citizens may need to demonstrate English proficiency through test scores (such as IELTS or TOEFL).

How to find an internship in London

Ready to find your dream internship in London?

London, with its reputation as a cultural, economic, and political nucleus not just in the United Kingdom but around the world, offers an ideal place to get work experience in just about any field. Whether you studied abroad in the UK and you’re looking for a way back or you’ve pinpointed an internship as the way to go abroad for the very first time, you’ll feel the benefits of interning abroad long after you first step off the plane. Get started with these steps:

1. Choose your academic focus

Think about your academic and career goals to find an internship in a field that sets you up for future success. London is an ideal place to gain experience no matter if your interests lie in finance, politics, theater (excuse us, theatre), or anything in between. Your London internship will deliver a serious resume boost thanks to the real-world, practical knowledge you build in your academic field.

2. Decide when to go

Before you find an internship in London, you need to decide the best time to intern abroad. Consider factors like your class schedule, other work commitments, and personal factors like time you’ll spend away from family and friends. Strategizing ahead of time will help you make the most of your experience whether you’re planning to head across the pond for a long-term internship or a summer internship between semesters.

3. Choose a program

This part is important—ask the right questions and do your research!

Now comes the fun part! Once you know when you want to intern in London and what you want your focus to be, it’s time to choose the internship program in London that will get you there. As you research programs, ask the right questions to narrow down your options and find programs that fit your academic and personal goals.

For example, Beyond Academy offers a highly rated (9.52/10 at the time of publication) internship experience in London in your preferred field. You’ll gain career coaching, CV support, immersive workshops, social events, and so much more!

Perks like these can take some of the stress out of finding an internship in London, and can make your time abroad even more meaningful.

4. Make sure you meet requirements

Before you hit send on your application, make sure you’re eligible for the program. Do you meet any GPA requirements? Have you completed enough academic credits? Check what your chosen program requires so you can prepare for your internship and put together a knock-their-socks-off application. Providers like Beyond Academy can help you make sure you tick all the necessary boxes!

5. Prepare your documents and apply

You’ve confirmed you meet all the program requirements, so gather required documents to apply. Have any documents you need, such as your CV/resume detailing your academic background and relevant work and volunteer experience, transcripts(s), and letters of reference, ready to go before you hit submit.

Some programs may even allow you to add supplemental materials if your GPA doesn’t meet the standard requirement. Check with program advisors and take the time to carefully prepare documents that can give you a better chance of landing the internship you want in London.

6. Budget for your time abroad

If you’ll need a scholarship to intern in London, start applying months in advance.

Although you’ll be working, you may not earn money for an internship. You may even have to foot the bill for a program abroad. You’ll want to make sure you understand costs and fees associated with your internship as well as the cost of living in London ahead of time to budget for your time abroad.

Some good news: There are plenty of scholarships for internships abroad out there. Do your research and apply for scholarships so you can use your pounds for fun (food tours along Brick Lane, anyone?).

7. Apply for your visa if necessary

If you need a visa for your internship in London, look into the requirements to apply for your visa and get started well in advance. You don’t want paperwork snafus to hold up your time abroad. Working with a program provider that offers visa support and guidance can streamline the process so you can worry about important things, like packing for your internship and planning visits to all those galleries, gardens, and palaces.

8. Book your flight

You’ve got your internship placement and you’re longing for workdays in London. It’s time to get your flight! You’ll be building your international network and gaining real-world work experience in no time.

Get matched with 5 internship programs in London for free!

Launch your future career in one of the most iconic cities in the world!

There’s no doubt that this is one of the best (and most fun) decisions you’ll make.

No matter if you’re planning to add an internship to your study abroad experience or you’re looking to focus solely on your work, you can’t beat this city for a career-powering internship destination. Getting an internship is just the first step. With an international experience like this on your resume, you’re well on your way to letting London fuel your future.

Explore ALL Internships in London on GoAbroad.com

This article was written with help from Beyond Academy. Beyond Academy values global experience and skills-based learning, and strives to empower travelers to take charge of their lives. They offer internship programs across Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia.