International Internships

What is an international internship?

International internships are short work experiences where you’ll work for a company based outside the UK. You’ll spend your time developing your skills and gaining super valuable work experience while you learn a whole new culture. They usually last between four weeks and six months (some last one year).

So what makes them different doing an internship in the UK? You're not just building your CV. You're also becoming more culturally aware, learning to adapt and gaining independence. All skills that employers love.

Where can you do an international internship?

You can work anywhere, whether it’s an international business, a local startup or even a government office. You’ll find opportunities in a wide range of industries, including finance, engineering, communications, sales, healthcare, hospitality and loads more.

Some destinations are easier for UK students to work in than others. Popular destinations for UK students include:

• United States. Particularly for tech, finance and media internships

• Australia. Popular for hospitality, conservation and business roles

• Europe. Easy to get to for shorter internships, with schemes in Germany, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland

• Asia. Growing opportunities in China, Singapore, Japan and India.

Big names like KPMG run global internship schemes where you might end up working with clients in Tokyo or Mumbai.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, organisations like JENZA organise working holidays and internships across countries such as Canada and New Zealand. They specialise in arranging pre-vetted jobs in hospitality, retail, ski resorts and construction. Basically, paid work that lets you earn while you travel.

Your university might also have partnerships with overseas companies or institutions, so it’s worth asking your careers advisors.

Conservation and volunteer opportunities abroad

If environmental or community work is your thing, international volunteer programs (wildlife conservation, teaching English and community development) could be the path for you. 

These are usually unpaid, and you’ll need to pay program fees. They’re great for personal growth if they fit your career goals; just be clear about what you want from them.

Why do an international internship?

There are so many great reasons as to why you should do an international internship. Here are some of them:

• Understand your industry better. You’ll be able to see firsthand how your industry works in different countries, bringing a whole new set of knowledge to your skills

• Build an international network. The people you meet during your internship can help throughout your career, whether that's through references, future jobs or just valuable connections

• Gain independence and confidence. Living in a whole new country is your chance to immerse yourself in a new language, meet new people and experience a new way of living

• Develop your skills. Internships are a fantastic way of sharpening up your soft skills as well as developing the technical skills needed for your industry

• Get your foot in the door. With around 140 applications per role, graduate jobs right out of uni are competitive, so doing an internship will increase your chances by giving you all the work experience and skills employers are looking for.

Want to know more about internships? Read our full guide.

Do international internships pay?

The short answer is, some do, and some don’t. Let’s explore.

Paid internships are standard if you’re going for roles in finance, engineering, consultancy and tech. Global companies like KPMG, Deloitte, J.P. Morgan and Google pay their international interns a proper wage, sometimes helping out with relocation costs, including accommodation or flight reimbursement. 

Unpaid internships are more common in creative industries and conservation roles. If you're not getting paid, make sure you know exactly what's covered and what you'll need to fund yourself.

Some costs you’ll need to think about will include:

• Visas

• Flights

• Vaccinations

• Travel insurance

• Medical insurance

• Food

• Rent

• Bills.

If an internship is unpaid, think hard about whether you can actually afford it and if the experience is worth the cost. They can add up quickly.

How to fund your international internship

If you’re worried about the financial parts of getting an international internship, there are ways to get funded. Let’s explore.

The Turing Scheme

The Turing Scheme provides funding for UK students to study or work abroad. Your uni applies on your behalf and helps cover travel, accommodation and living costs (though not everything). Currently, there's £78 million available, with extra support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Check if your university is a Turing partner and read our complete Turing Scheme guide to find out everything you need to know.

As of 17th December 2025, the Government have announced that the UK is rejoining the Erasmus Student Exchange Programme. There’s not much information about it yet, but it’s another future option.

University grants and bursaries

Many universities offer their own funding for international placements - usually £500-£2,000 grants or ongoing bursaries. Check with your student finance office or careers service.

Employer funding

Some companies cover flights, accommodation or relocation costs as part of their internship package. Always ask about this when you get an offer.

Grants

The government can help cover part of the costs for students studying or working abroad. Find out more here. Other grants include the Fulbright Commission, if you’re looking to travel to the US.

Some students opt to self-fund, whether through family support, a part-time job or their savings. If you are self-funding, make sure you fully understand the potential costs of doing an international internship.

How to find and apply for an international internship

International internships are super competitive, and spaces fill up very quickly, so you’ll need to get applying as soon as possible. Scheme applications usually open up at the end of summer, one year before they start.

If you’ve found a scheme you love, you’ll start with an application form where you’ll include a CV and cover letter. You’ll then be invited to a virtual assessment centre where you’ll take part in group tasks and a final interview. You might also need to take a language test for non-English speaking countries.

Watch out for internship scammers

Unfortunately, scammers target students looking for international opportunities. Here's how to spot the red flags:

Don’t trust it if…

• They ask for money upfront (for application fees, processing, etc)

• They ask for your bank details or passport details with no job offer or contract

• The job offer comes before you’ve had an interview

• They pressure you to decide immediately

• They randomly send you messages on WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessenger and email

• The company doesn’t have a website or social media.

Do…

• Research the company properly

• Triple-check contact details independently

• Ask your uni's careers service if they've heard of the company

• Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.

Always stick to applying directly to reputable companies or through your university.

If you think you’ve been scammed, you can report it to Action Fraud. And if you’ve paid any money, call your bank ASAP.

International internships might need a lot of planning, but they’re so worth it. You'll build skills, gain confidence in a new country and create connections that last.