Engineering Internships
With engineering driving the future of tech, innovation and sustainability, there’s never been a better time to get involved in this dynamic industry.
Not sure where to start? An internship will give you the skills, experience and network to set your engineering career in motion - without the commitment of a year-long placement. Here's a breakdown:
DURATION: One to three months | FOR: 2nd, 3rd years and graduates | AVERAGE SALARY: Just over £20,000 | AVERAGE RATING: 4.5/5 | WHEN TO APPLY: Sep-Mar
This guide has all the facts to help you choose the right engineering internship for you, plus real stories and advice from interns who have been in your shoes. Let's go.
What is an engineering internship?
Competition for placements can be fierce. So if you don’t manage to secure one (or you’re just short on time), internships are another great way of getting some industry experience to complement your degree.
On an engineering internship, you’ll get a feel for what area you want to work in and what life as an engineer is really like - plus start building essential skills for success, including:
Analytical thinking
Problem solving
Communication
Commercial awareness
Resilience
Although you can find internships all year round, most take place in the summer holidays and typically last up to a few months. So you may even be able to squeeze in more than one!
What does an engineering intern do?
As an engineering intern, over one to three months you’ll work with experienced professionals on projects with impact, while receiving invaluable feedback and guidance to help you reach your full potential.
But don’t just take our word for it - let’s hear from a couple of students who have completed an engineering internship...
I was surprised by how much the team trusted me to carry out tasks myself, allowing me to actively learn skills required for the role. I like to ask lots of questions, and the whole team was very willing to answer and support wherever they could. SUMMER INTERN, BURO HAPPOLD
During my time with the Rail North team, I analysed drawings and used software apps like Midas to see if the proposed designs met requirements and if there were any risks of failure. I also worked on a bridge design project with a group of other interns, where I developed my collaboration, communication and presentation skills. CIVIL ENGINEERING INTERN, ARCADIS
Why is it important to do an internship?
Whether you end up discovering your dream career or learning that a role isn’t right for you, you’ll never regret doing an internship in engineering. Here’s four reasons why:
EXPERIENCE ENGINEERING
Forget hypothetical scenarios - this is your chance to contribute to live projects and see first-hand how you could drive real change in the world around you as an engineer.
BUILD INDUSTRY CONTACTS
Meet people who’ve been where you are, and learn from their insights and mentoring. Stay in touch after your internship to create a strong professional support system around you.
GAIN SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE
Pushing you beyond your comfort zone, an internship helps you develop problem-solving skills, resilience and confidence - qualities employers look for when hiring graduates.
FAST-TRACK YOUR FUTURE
Internships open lots of doors in the engineering industry, with employers using them to spot talented candidates for their placements and graduate schemes.
Read our Guide to Internships to learn more.
Which companies offer the best engineering internships?
These engineering companies consistently rank highly for internships in our Top 100 Student Employers table, as voted for by thousands of university students across the UK.
How much do engineering interns earn?
According to the reviews left by university students on Higherin, the average salary for an engineering internship is around £20,000 pro rata.
Tons of companies, however, offer significantly higher salaries in a bid to hire the best students. BP’s summer engineering internship, for instance, comes with a hefty pro rata salary of £33k to £43k, plus perks like paid holidays, subsidised restaurants and on-site sports facilities.
If you continue with a career in engineering after graduating, you can expect to see your salary skyrocket. The Engineer Salary Survey revealed that salaries are on the rise in the UK, with the average engineer making £65,000 a year.
How to get an internship in engineering
Ready to see where an internship could take you? Aside from applying as early as possible, there are a few things you can do to get ahead of the game…
Tailor your internship CV and cover letter to show you have the exact skills the recruiter is looking for (using the job description as a guide).
Use the Higherin jobs board to find engineering internship jobs in seconds. Filter your search to your area, your industry or even a particular employer.
Be prepared to talk about your strengths and passion for engineering in video and face-to-face interviews, using specific examples to back up your answers.
Hundreds of brilliant engineering companies run quality internships for students from all years, and all degrees. So whether you’re studying Mechanical Engineering, History or Zoology, they want to hear from you.
Apply for Engineering Internships
Register Your Interest - Civil Engineer Summer Internship
at Arcadis
- Internship (1 Month+)
- Nationwide
Register Your Interest - Structural & Bridge Engineer Summer Internship
at Arcadis
- Internship (1 Month+)
- Nationwide
Register Your Interest - UK Summer Internship
at Babcock International Group
- Internship (1 Month+)
- Nationwide
Register Your Interest - Intellectual Property Workshop for 1st Years
at Bristows
- Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
- Virtual
Register Your Interest - Intellectual Property Workshop for Scientists and Engineers
at Bristows
- Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
- London
Register Your Interest - Network Rail UK Internship Programme 2026
at Network Rail
- Internship (1 Month+)
- Nationwide
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