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The UK is the perfect place to do your internship. London and most other UK cities offer exciting internships to boost your work experience and open the doors to some of the best career opportunities in the world. London is an international hub of commerce, trade, media, fashion, retail, construction, finance and so much more. All you need to do is follow these tips to make your dreams of an internship in the UK a reality!
FIND AN INTERNSHIP
There are so many internships on offer in the UK, you should not have any problems finding the right one for you. Make sure to do your research, plan ahead and are prepared to take on a professional role in the company you want to work for. Ask your university about work placements and organised internships in the UK, look into volunteering opportunities in your field or contact your dream employers directly.
ARRANGE A VISA
If you’ve studied at a UK university, you may be eligible to join the Graduate Talent Pool.
If you are travelling to the UK from another EU country, there are currently no visa restrictions in place. However, things are likely to change in the future so it is best to double check immigration and entry requirements before making any travel plans.
From outside the EU, there is an International Visa available which has a few eligibility requirements that you should familiarise yourself with. These cover student status, English language proficiency and restrictions surrounding self-funding during your internship. This visa will cost in the region of US$1000.
Certain commonwealth countries can apply for the Youth Mobility Visa which also has some stipulations and will set you back around £200GBP.
MANAGE YOUR FINANCE
For those applying for visas, you will need proof of income or savings to show you can sustain yourself for the duration of your internship. The UK can be expensive, especially if you’re living in London. It may suit you best to find a paid position. Sometimes, though, the perfect internship may not cover your cost of living, so be sure to plan ahead, to save and to budget realistically.
ARRANGE ACCOMMODATION
The most important part of planning ahead is to arrange where you’re going to live during your internship. This can also be the most expensive part of your stay in the UK. Make sure you find someplace that is easy to commute to and from your new workplace as living centrally in most UK cities will most likely be out of your price range. Also check if your accommodation covers all bills as these can often stack up once you’ve paid council tax, electricity, gas, water, tv and internet. You can find rooms where all bills are included in the price. There are services available to help you find the perfect accommodation, so it’s a good idea to let them do the hard work for you.
GET TO THE UK
You’re most likely flying to one of the UK’s major airports which are accessible from all corners of the world. The only concerns you should have are how much it costs and weight restrictions with your airline. Plan ahead by searching for the best fares on skyscanner or momondo and make sure to check each airline for weight limits. The last thing you need is to get stuck with extra charges for overweight baggage.
Above all, interning in the UK should be a fun experience, so once you’ve made all your plans, just make the most of your experience and enjoy all that the UK has to offer.
