Pharmaceutical Internships

What is a pharmaceutical internship?

A pharmaceutical internship is a short-term work placement, usually lasting one to four months during the summer, where you get the chance to gain real-world experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry. Internships are aimed at students at university, especially those studying science-related subjects like biology, chemistry, pharmacy or biomedical science.

During an internship, you might work in areas such as lab research, drug development, quality assurance, data analysis or regulatory affairs. You’ll be supervised by professionals, contribute to real projects, and get a taste of what it’s like to work in this sector.

And you will get paid! Internships are also a great way to build skills, grow your CV, and make connections that can lead to future job opportunities. Many big pharmaceutical companies offer summer internships for students looking to explore future careers in science and healthcare.

Why should you do a pharmaceutical internship?

A pharmaceutical internship is a great way to get your foot in the door of one of the world’s most important and fast-growing industries. Whether you’re interested in research, lab work, or the business side of medicine, an internship gives you the chance to see how the industry works from the inside.

It’s also a great way to build practical skills that go beyond the classroom. You’ll work on real projects, learn from experienced professionals, and start developing the kind of knowledge employers look for. Plus, internships look great on your CV and can make your future applications, whether for jobs, apprenticeships, or graduate schemes, stand out.

Even better, internships often lead to long-term opportunities. Many students are offered placements, graduate schemes, or even full-time jobs later on at the same company. So if you're curious about science, healthcare, or making a real impact through medicine, a pharmaceutical internship is a smart step forward.

Ever wondered what it’s like to work at AstraZeneca? Here’s what an intern said about their time with them:

How much do pharmaceutical interns get paid?

Pharmaceutical internship pay in the UK can vary quite a bit depending on the company, location, and type of role. Some pharmacy interns earn around £16,000 per year, especially in clinical or technical roles. 

Larger pharmaceutical companies such as GSK, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca are more likely to offer competitive pay, particularly for internships that require specialist skills like research or data analysis. This will however also depend on where your internship is based. If it’s based in London, you can expect a little more to help cover living costs. 

This is only the beginning, though. With a pharmaceutical internship under your belt, you have the chance of being paid much more in your next role! The techniques, knowledge and specialist knowledge required to work in this industry can command top salaries and benefits.

How to apply for a pharmaceutical internship

Pharmaceutical internships tend to go live in September, the year before the summer the internship will happen. And they tend to be quite popular, so you want to get started as soon as possible.

You want to do your research. It’s so important for you to know what exactly you want from your internship so you know what to look for. But do remember you will most likely be rotating around a couple of departments. 

Use Higherin to find the perfect internship for you.  We have tons of pharma internships every single year, so definitely check us out. 

Make sure you’re ready for the application process. Get your internship CV and internship cover letter sorted, as quite often those are requested near the beginning of the application stage.