Although every internship is unique, we try to ensure that they provide the following common elements:
- Full-time work for 2-12 weeks during the summer vacation
- A defined project, which creates real value for the host organisation and a valuable learning experience for the student
- Interaction with an assigned supervisor or mentor within the host organisation
- A stipend, or some assistance with travel or accommodation
- Payment at the national living wage or above, if the internship is in the UK and in the for-profit sector
- An international experience or access to an internship placement in the UK that is not readily available through alternative internship programmes
From first year undergraduates to DPhil researchers, students in all subject areas and at all levels of study can enjoy the benefits of undertaking an internship.
What are the benefits of an internship?
Students who’ve taken part in the programme have told us that internships helped them in the following ways:
Develop your professional skills
I am so glad that I decided to undertake this internship! It equipped with so many vital skills for applying for entry-level roles in publishing and gave me a real taste of the industry. I was really lucky to have such a supportive manager and an opportunity to ask questions, take on real responsibility, and provide my own suggestions. It really felt like a proper job and a nice change from an academic environment. Completing this internship raised my confidence to pursue my publishing career ambitions!
Saidakhon Azizova, Hertford College, Final year undergraduate, BA English Language and Literature, Intern at Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research, Germany (remote working)
Gain insight into a new industry sector
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I have always wanted to work in museums, since I was a child, so the opportunity to go behind the scenes and help preserve valuable specimens was really rewarding. It was great to gain a better understanding of what experience and qualifications I would need to work in conservation and museums one day.
Rosa Parker, Lady Margaret Hall, First Year Undergraduate, MBiol Biology, Intern at University of Oxford Museum of Natural History
Realise your professional goals
This has been the most rewarding internship that I have undertaken so far in my career. This is because it was so closely associated to what I actually want to do. In some ways, this internship helped me realise my professional goals. I absolutely loved working in the photograph collections. Researching, cataloguing, producing knowledge as part of this internship, allowed me to both contribute knowledge and to make the contribution of knowledge accessible to communities globally.
Aayushi Gupta, Kellogg College, First Year Postgraduate, MPhil Visual, Material, and Museum Anthropology, Intern at Centre for Historic Houses, India (both remote working and in-person)
Develop career ideas
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with The Brilliant Club and would highly recommend this organisation to any future interns. I feel as though I was able to gain valuable insight into the access / education sector, and was fully supported throughout the experience. What really amazed me throughout my time with The Brilliant Club, and what I think will stay with me wherever I work in the future, was how much the staff cared about making sure that everything was right for each individual child, which I think was really inspirational. This internship has confirmed to me that I would like to work in an education charity in the future. I can't recommend The Brilliant Club enough.
Harry Twohig, Mansfield College, Second Year Undergraduate, BA History, Intern at The Brilliant Club (remote working)
Make a genuine impact
I very much enjoyed my time with TNG on this internship. I felt that I had a lot of ownership over the work that I did and was very pleased that I got to see some of it made publicly available during my internship. The internship confirmed for me that programming is a career path I could go into successfully.
Matthew Colpus, St Catherine’s College, Third Year Undergraduate, MMathComSci Mathematics and Computer science, Intern at TNG Technology Consulting, Germany (remote working)
Gain valuable experience while working remotely
I have gained an invaluable insight into the operation of a think tank and the real-world impact of its work. Through attending weekly team meetings, I was able to get an insight into the workings of Igarape, and in particular its "think and do" ethos, in that it seeks to produce research reports highlighting (often technological) solutions to the challenges it studies. I had an amazing time with Igarape. Everyone made me feel very welcome and supported, despite the placement being conducted virtually. I was given independence to pursue projects how I saw fit, but still made to feel that staff were invested in my progress and that my work was important to the organisation.
Edmund Kelly, Merton College, Second year Undergraduate, BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Intern at Igarapé Institute, Brazil (remote working)
