HR Internships

What are HR internships?

As a paid HR intern, you'll take on real responsibility and work on projects that truly matter. Lasting between 4 to 12 weeks, you’ll complete your summer internship during the holidays between your second and third year of study, developing practical skills and gaining hands-on experience with Human Resources functions in a live workplace environment.

HR covers a wide range of areas, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore what interests you most. Depending on the organisation, you might work in:

• Recruitment and talent acquisition

• Employee relations

• Learning and development

• HR operations and administration

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

• Compensation and benefits

• Performance management

• HR analytics and reporting

HR Insight Schemes

Want to explore HR before committing to a longer internship? An insight scheme gives you a focused look into how HR teams operate, typically lasting anywhere from one day to four weeks.

These shorter experiences are ideal for first-year students, though you can still apply as a second year. Companies use them to identify promising candidates for future internships, placements, and graduate programs.

During an insight scheme, you might:

• Attend presentations from HR professionals and senior leaders

• Work on case studies or short projects

• Learn how different HR functions connect and support the business

• Shadow HR team members to see what the role actually involves day-to-day

• Rotate through different areas like recruitment, employee relations, or learning and development

Insight schemes help you figure out if HR is genuinely the right fit for you as a future career. You'll build confidence, develop a clearer sense of what HR professionals do, and make connections that could benefit you down the line. They also demonstrate initiative on your CV.

So what’s it like to be an HR intern? Let’s find out what it’s really like…

How much do HR interns earn?

One major perk of HR internships? You'll earn a full-time salary throughout. The average HR intern makes just over £24,000 pro rata, but depending on your employer, you could earn significantly more.

If your internship is based in London, expect higher earnings than opportunities outside the capital. As a full-time employee, you'll also be entitled to benefits such as healthcare, paid training, and even gym memberships - so check the job description carefully when job hunting.

When and how to apply for an HR internship

Most HR internships begin during the summer, with companies advertising positions from September through December. Competition can be strong for these opportunities, so submitting your application early gives you an advantage.

Here's something important to remember: internships exist to help you build the experience needed for a graduate role after uni. You're not expected to have extensive prior experience already. What matters is demonstrating you've got the right skills for the role -  you've likely built more than you realise through university projects, societies, and part-time work.

Your CV and Cover Letter

Every strong application begins here. This is where you highlight both your soft skills and any technical abilities you've picked up. Reflect on university projects, society involvement, part-time jobs - anything relevant to the positions you're pursuing.

Customise your CV for each application. Recruiters can spot a generic, copy-pasted CV and cover letter immediately, so tailor your documents to each role and company.

Assessment Centres and Interviews

When your CV catches an employer's eye, you'll get invited to an assessment centre. These involve various activities designed to showcase your abilities and let employers see how you perform in real situations. Most companies explain exactly what their assessment day involves on their careers pages, so you can prepare with confidence.