Real Estate Internships

The UK property industry is booming. With the government investing around £600 billion to develop 1.5 million new homes by 2029, opportunities for talented students like yourself are on the rise.

Real estate isn’t just about selling houses, it’s a vast industry where the work you do could have a serious impact on the places we live and work in. It’s filled with people who are creative, business-minded and love solving problems.

A real estate internship is your ticket to this world. You’ll gain hands-on experience, make connections and build a career, all before you graduate.

DURATION: One and six months | FOR: 2nd and 3rd year students | AVG SALARY: £18,000 | AVG RATING: 4.5/5 | WHEN TO APPLY: SEP - JAN

Jump To:

What is a real estate internship? What types of internships can I do? How much do real estate interns earn? Which companies could I work for? Will I get offered a job at the end of my internship? How can I apply?

What is a real estate internship?

As a real estate intern, you'll dive into a full-time role where you'll build real-world skills while discovering what makes the property industry move. Property is super diverse and offers a variety of internships, from commercial development to sustainable housing. So you’ll be able to find an internship that genuinely interests you.

During your internship, you’ll shadow professionals, take on real tasks and work on some exciting projects. Your day to do will depend on the route you take, but you could find yourself:

Helping to value properties
Assisting with property management tasks
Learning about planning regulations and applications
Maintain and update property software
Visiting building sites.

Real estate internships typically run between one and six months, with most happening during summer break. You'll get a structured scheme packed with career-boosting benefits like mentorship from industry pros, networking with potential employers, and a proper full-time salary.

Most companies look for second and third-year students, but if you're eager to get ahead earlier, insight days are a fantastic idea. These shorter experiences (lasting from one day to two weeks) give you a taste of the property industry and help you make connections before internship season even begins. They’re perfect if you want to test-drive a career before you go the full distance.

What types of internships could I do?

Estate agents aren’t the only companies offering internships. In fact, you don’t have to sell houses at all. There are loads of internships available that’ll match your interests and career goals. Here’s a breakdown of some of the many pathways you can do:

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

You'll help keep properties running smoothly for tenants and owners. Tasks can include:

Responding to tenant maintenance requests
Conducting property inspections
Coordinating repairs with contractors.

VALUATIONS

You’ll learn how to determine what properties are actually worth on the market. You’ll get on with:

Researching properties in the area
Assisting with property viewings
Helping prepare valuation reports.

PLANNING

Shaping how towns and cities develop, you’ll be:

Researching local planning policies
Supporting planning application preparation
Attending site visits to assess potential.

SALES AGENT

You'll dive into the exciting world of property sales. Your tasks can include:

Arranging viewings with potential buyers
Creating property listings
Supporting price negotiations.

LETTINGS AGENT

You'll help match tenants with their ideal rental properties. Some of your tasks will include:

Scheduling rental property viewings
Screening potential tenants
Preparing rental agreements.

Not quite sure what it’s actually like to be an intern? We’ve got you. Higherin is home to thousands of student-written reviews, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at work experience life.

Here’s what a Planning Insight Intern from Savills had to say about their internship...

“It was really insightful to learn about the different roles in the company and how they all interact with each other. Being involved with such a large company and very complex planning applications meant different departments had to communicate with each other and share knowledge on how best to deal with different projects.” Planning Insight Intern, Savills

How much do real estate interns earn?

On average, real estate interns earn around £18,000 pro rata. This can also depend on the pathway you’ve chosen. So you might be able to earn a lot more.

Here’s the best part, internships can lead to all sorts of future opportunities. Want to get a bit more experience before you graduate? A placement is a fantastic idea and you could earn between £22,000 and £26,000 for the year. A graduate can earn anywhere between £26,000 and £35,000 per year.

Which companies could I work for?

Whether it’s a global consultancy or your local estate agent, there are so many companies offering some of the very best in internships. Here’s where you could kickstart your career:

FGP Surveyors

4.5/5 (3 Reviews)

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Galliford Try

4/5 (7 Reviews)

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Marlborough Highways

4.4/5 (10 Reviews)

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PM+M Solutions for Business LLP

4.5/5 (21 Reviews)

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The Army

3.5/5 (36 Reviews)

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ESG Limited

4.7/5 (14 Reviews)

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VIEW MORE PROPERTY BUSINESSES

Here’s what this residential lettings intern thought about their time at Knight Frank:

I hugely enjoyed my work placement with Knight Frank. It was an insightful opportunity to learn a huge amount about the residential lettings sector as well as other service lines offered by a global real estate consultancy firm whilst also developing key employability skills along the way. It was also a great way to network and meet others involved in the industry. Residential Lettings Intern, Knight Frank

READ REAL ESTATE JOB REVIEWS

Will I get offered a job at the end of my internship?

Internships are short-term and don’t always lead to a permanent job offer. Don’t be too bummed out though, internships really are worth it.

Loads of employers look towards students they’ve worked with before when it comes to graduate schemes. So if you did a brilliant job, you could just be getting a call back.

Always strive to do your best, even if there isn’t the promise of a job at the end. An internship is work experience gold and looks so good on your CV. Getting in a couple of these before you graduate will go a long way in helping you secure a career in property once you’re done at university.

How can I apply?

Here’s how to secure a place on a real estate internship.

You’ll start with an online application form where you'll share your experience so far, university details, and contact information. You’ll then need to include your CV and cover letter. That’s your chance to truly shine.

Remember to tailor your CV and cover letter to each job you apply for. Don’t worry about having technical skills, you’ll pick these up. Soft skills are what’ll impress, so match them with past experiences.

Employers really value enthusiasm. So make sure your passion shines through. Talk about your hobbies, the societies you’re in, your subscription to Property&Home. It all counts!

If your CV and cover letter impress, you’ll be invited for an interview (video or in-person). Some companies will bring you in for assessment days filled with group activities, presentations and a final interview.

Ready to apply? We’re thrilled. Start your journey today.

FIND A REAL ESTATE INTERNSHIP