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Intern UK

Intern in the UK

UK visa sponsorship for 1-12 months

London called. It said: Want to spend your summer or semester abroad getting ahead or wondering what’s next after graduation? Put your career on the map with a professional internship in the UK.

LET’S TALK
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Girl doing interview
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English pub on sunny day
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The new home for BUNAC Intern in Britain
Access downloads + step-by-step guidance finding your UK internship on our Intern Hub
Not a student or graduate? Check out JENZA Work UK instead

Here’s the British tea

Why do an internship in the UK?

It would say on the tin...

What is Intern UK?

ASK US ANYTHING

Is it for me?

Price tag icon

From USD $1,655

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18+

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All nationalities (except UK)

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Full-time student or grad

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1-12 months in duration

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Depart any time of year

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Great for uni summers

Reasons to do a UK internship

Professional experience

Cultural exposure

European perspective

Man stands in front of a sea side cliff in the UK with green paper edges and a pink spray on the left.

Why us?

Internship in the UK experts

We’ve worked closely with the UK Government since 2009 to launch this unique program for students and graduates. Our sibling company, BUNAC, is one of the largest and oldest A-rated sponsors for the Temporary Work GAE visa required to intern in the UK.

Visa + cost

Who can apply for Intern UK?

Am I eligible?

You must be:

  • 18+
  • Either a full-time degree level student (unfortunately distance learning is not permitted on this visa); or a recent graduate who will start their UK internship within 24 months of the date on your graduation certificate
  • Must not have interned at your host company before. (We can sponsor you twice, but it must be at different UK companies and not exceed 12 months over both internships)
  • Must have travel insurance that includes a minimum of USD $100,000 medical cover and repatriation of mortal remains

Deposit


USD $115

Second payment


USD $1,540

Total

USD $1,655

APPLY NOW
  • UK visa sponsorship for 1-12 months*
  • Vetting of your internship
  • Vetting of your UK employer
  • Step-by-step visa guidance
  • Info on applying for your biometrics
  • Access to our Intern Hub resources
  • Accommodation and travel resources
  • Regular check-ins with our London team
  • 1-on-1 support before you go
  • 24/7 emergency help on the ground

*Internships over 6 months are subject to an additional £150 charge, see 'What's not included' for more

6+ month internships

For placements over 6 months, an additional employer compliance visit is required. A cost of £160 will be added to your program fee

UK visa fee

Paid directly to UKVI (UK Visa and Immigration) and currently costs £319

Support funds 

You must be able to show you have £1,270 when entering the UK

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

Required for placements over 6 months and costs £1,035

Site visit

If we need to visit your UK employer, this costs £115. Jump to FAQs for more

Travel insurance  

Travel insurance is a program requirement. Jump to FAQs for more

Flights 

We don’t recommend booking flights until your visa is approved 

SELT/IELTS

If English isn’t your first language, jump to FAQs for more

Travel after your internship

Get 10% off worldwide Contiki trips! Friends = benefits  

Balancing profit with purpose, JENZA only works for us if it works for others too. We donate 5% of profits to our Youth Access Scholarship Fund so that young people from under-served and lower-income backgrounds can experience working overseas. Find out more and apply for scholarship funding.
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Sixth largest economy in the world

The UK is one of the leading places in the world to intern. From big multinationals and international non-profits to independent start-ups, the UK hosts every type of business under the sun. (And despite the rainy reputation, we do get a lot of that too!).

Internships

What internships can I do?

Intern UK in numbers

15

The years we’ve been a government sponsor

4

Number of countries you can intern in

1966

JENZA Group's first UK student exchange program

10/10

Your resume after your UK internship

Criteria for your internship

When searching for your internship...

Why the UK?

Work goals + travel goals

1

The culture

Girls walk through market at night

The culture

Work hard play hard
The British workplace is known for being diverse and inclusive, and so it's a great place to grow personally as well as professionally – picking up the kind of soft skills and cultural sensitivity that is valued in any future role. The British work hard/play hard ethic is also world-renowned. Which means you’ll likely work your socks off – but do so with a bunch of fun new workmates and a city of post-work pubs, restaurants and parks to explore.

1

Girls walk through market at night

The culture

Work hard play hard
The British workplace is known for being diverse and inclusive, and so it's a great place to grow personally as well as professionally – picking up the kind of soft skills and cultural sensitivity that is valued in any future role. The British work hard/play hard ethic is also world-renowned. Which means you’ll likely work your socks off – but do so with a bunch of fun new workmates and a city of post-work pubs, restaurants and parks to explore.
Man hikes up snowy mountain

The size

Small is beautiful
Britain is small and imperfectly formed – with mountains, cliffs and jaggedy bits poking out everywhere! Which means (a) it has some of the most dramatic national parks and beautiful coastlines in Europe. And (b) it doesn’t take long to get anywhere. Well connected by train, you can be hiking in the wilds of Scotland, surfing in South Wales, or visiting a different chocolate-box English village every weekend.

2

Man hikes up snowy mountain

The size

Small is beautiful
Britain is small and imperfectly formed – with mountains, cliffs and jaggedy bits poking out everywhere! Which means (a) it has some of the most dramatic national parks and beautiful coastlines in Europe. And (b) it doesn’t take long to get anywhere. Well connected by train, you can be hiking in the wilds of Scotland, surfing in South Wales, or visiting a different chocolate-box English village every weekend.
People walk in city

The cities

Urban life
Most countries are blessed with a couple of iconic cities. Not Britain. London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Belfast... UK cities are known throughout the world for their historic architecture, music heritage and creative counter-culture. Larger than many European capitals, the UK’s regional cities are also hotbeds for businesses and the arts – giving you a more cost-effective alternative to interning in London.

3

People walk in city

The cities

Urban life
Most countries are blessed with a couple of iconic cities. Not Britain. London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Belfast... UK cities are known throughout the world for their historic architecture, music heritage and creative counter-culture. Larger than many European capitals, the UK’s regional cities are also hotbeds for businesses and the arts – giving you a more cost-effective alternative to interning in London.
Girl at Stonehenge

The history

Old timer
5,000-year-old neolithic stone circles, 1,500-year-old pubs, 900-year-old castles and palaces... you don’t need a history lesson to know that Britain is full of heritage and culture. There’s quite literally a museum or exhibition for everything. Or at the very least a statue of an old white dude on a horse missing a leg. And if museums aren’t your thing, just look up. That converted office block is probably older than your country’s constitution...

4

Girl at Stonehenge

The history

Old timer
5,000-year-old neolithic stone circles, 1,500-year-old pubs, 900-year-old castles and palaces... you don’t need a history lesson to know that Britain is full of heritage and culture. There’s quite literally a museum or exhibition for everything. Or at the very least a statue of an old white dude on a horse missing a leg. And if museums aren’t your thing, just look up. That converted office block is probably older than your country’s constitution...
Guy and girl on coast sunny day

The weather

All seasons
Hear us out. Unlike many countries, Britain has proper seasons. Which means Sunday roast dinners in front of roaring fires in winter, blossoming parks in spring, hot days laid out in fields and beaches in summer, and crisp country walks in autumn. Plus, at all those points in the year, you get to moan about it being either too cold, not cold enough, too hot, or not hot enough. Because that’s just what being an honourary Brit is about!

5

Guy and girl on coast sunny day

The weather

All seasons
Hear us out. Unlike many countries, Britain has proper seasons. Which means Sunday roast dinners in front of roaring fires in winter, blossoming parks in spring, hot days laid out in fields and beaches in summer, and crisp country walks in autumn. Plus, at all those points in the year, you get to moan about it being either too cold, not cold enough, too hot, or not hot enough. Because that’s just what being an honourary Brit is about!

Spotlight on

Interning in London

You can intern anywhere in the UK, but such is the draw of the UK’s capital – many interns head straight for the ‘Big Smoke’. A city where royal palaces sit alongside graffitied alleyways and Medieval cobbled streets, London has an energy all of its own. Yes, rent can be higher and you'll pay a few extra quid in a pub – but the pay-off to live in one of the most iconic cities in the world can be worth it. Plus, when it comes to internship opportunities, London is a powerhouse that attracts global talent from the worlds of finance to food.
NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE
London, Brixton
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What you say

I have accumulated valuable knowledge in my field that will definitely be beneficial for my future career.
Johanne, Digital Intern, London
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The Intern UK experts

Book a video call

The JENZA Travel Group has been running student work programs to the UK since 1966!* So when it comes to everything UK – from who can apply, what placements you can do, and how to fill out that pesky visa form – we know our stuff. Our dedicated team are based in the UK and Ireland to help you every step of the way.

*Also the year England last won the World Cup, which you won't hear about AT ALL when you're interning in the UK...

BOOK A CALL

How it works

When to apply for Intern UK

Your countdown to the UK

  • Check your eligibility in the visa + cost section, hit Apply now and create your profile to start your application. You can then access your online account anytime from the top of this page. Once you’ve paid your deposit, head to the ‘Documents’ section in your account and start uploading your supporting documents - this will include your CV, passport copy, transcript, reference and proof of support funds.

    1+ days

  • Once all your documents are uploaded, our intern team will review your submissions. They will approve these or provide feedback on any documents that may need to be amended and uploaded again.

    2 days

  • Follow the instructions in the ‘Employer Application’ section in your account to find your Employer Application & Agreement (EAA) form. This needs to be emailed with the instructions provided to your UK employer for them to fill out. This form is all about your internship, training plan and the company you are interning with.

    1+ days

  • Once the team receives your EAA form back from your employer, the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) processing time will begin. During this time, we will complete the employer screening process and once approved, start processing your CoS. Standard processing is 10 business days, but this can be reduced to 5 or 2 business days for an extra fee paid to JENZA. This is currently £165 for 5 business days, or £255 for 2 business days.

    2-10 days

  • Use your CoS and instructions provided to apply for your Temporary Work Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa with UKVI online. Your passport nationality and whether you have a biometric chip will determine whether or not you need to attend a biometrics appointment in person or whether you can provide these online. As a general rule, EU/EEA passport holders can do this online; US and all other passport holders will need to do this at a visa application centre in your home country - we will provide you with the locations of these.

    Once your biometrics are submitted, your Temporary Work Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa will be processed. Standard processing for visas is 15 business days, but this can be reduced to 5 or 2 business days for an extra fee paid to UKVI.

    2-15 days

  • Once you have your visa, it’s safe to book your flights. Make sure to arrive in the UK on or after your visa start date. You cannot enter before this date. If you do, your visa will not be activated. When it comes to travel insurance, it is a visa and program requirement that your policy covers certain aspects of your stay in the UK. We work with Global Secutive to offer cover that meets UKVI and program requirements. Find out more in our FAQs.

    1 day

  • Once you have arrived in the UK, you must upload a copy of your travel details and copy of your visa to your account. You will also have a UK entry form to complete within three days of starting your internship.
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Get it for free (ish)

Earn back your adventures

We know the most authentic voices come from our community. Whether you want to come on board as an ambassador, roadtester or as a one-off collaborator for blogs, vlogs or images – earn some extra $$ on the road with a content side hustle.

You shaped travel

What our roadtester had to say

“I wanted to do an internship in the UK compared to back home because it’s a good chance to learn about different cultures. You can travel, learn and gain experience at the same time.” Meet Samarth, our Intern UK roadtester, who left the US for a summer interning in London and travelling around Europe.

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All the inspo and intel

City skyline at sunset with tall skyscrapers and a colorful sky, viewed from above urban rooftops
People eating in colourful food market in Brixton London
Hand holding a burger over fries in a restaurant setting.
Three young women reading in London park
A row of Cotswold stone houses covered in greenery
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Snowy christmas market scene with stalls displaying sweets
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Friends = benefits

Unlock 10% off Contiki when you book with JENZA

Looking for a little pre or post trip action? We've teamed up with Contiki to bring you the ultimate work and travel dream team. Check your online account to access your 10% off code.

Got questions?

We’ve got answers

Not found what you're looking for? Hit 'Ask a question' and one of our JENZA Support Squad will come back to you - pen pal style.
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Let’s talk

Internship gurus
Get on the dog and bone (phone) for all the intel and info on interning in the UK.
GET IN TOUCH
  • An internship is a paid or voluntary (unpaid) position within a company where you are constantly learning and training under a mentor. Internship placements must not be made up of manual or administrative tasks, but should show clear progression – enhancing the skills you have, learning new skills, and getting exposure to different areas of the department or business. See the next FAQ for more.
  • Yes, you must be a full-time degree level student or you must have started your internship within 24 months of graduating. Other than UK passport holders, all nationalities can do Intern UK. Including overseas students currently studying at a UK university who either wish to intern over their summer holidays or after they graduate to put their academic achievements to work in a professional environment.
  • Other than healthcare and hospitality, you can intern in most industries. Your internship also doesn’t need to be connected to your degree subject, so you have the freedom to explore other career paths and routes. Speak to us about the sector you wish to intern in and we’ll let you know what is permitted on this visa.

  • When reaching out to UK employers, your internship offer must meet these requirements. This is to meet UK Government criteria for this visa, protect you as an intern, and ensure your experience is a valuable one:

    • Be a maximum of up 12 months in duration and at least 25 hours per week
    • Must be a supernumerary position, meaning that the role is designed for an intern and not a permanent employee
    • Your internship must include complex activities rather than routine tasks, and have a good level of rotation and clear objectives backed up by a detailed training plan
    • It must include enough supervision from your employer. We recommend the company can demonstrate a full-time staff member to intern ratio of 5:1, and no less than 3 
    • If it’s a paid internship, it must meet the UK National Minimum Wage legislation; and for voluntary internships, the UK Volunteer Rights legislation
    • All internships longer than six months must be paid
    • The company you intern with should be registered with Companies House for at least the last 12 months.
    • At least 30% of a hybrid internship must be based in the company’s registered office.
    • We do not offer sponsorship for fully remote internships.

  • We can sponsor you to do either a paid or voluntary (unpaid) internship. See the 'What must my UK internship include' above.

    If you do an unpaid internship, this will be a voluntary arrangement between you and your employer and your status would then be that of a 'volunteer'. However, being a volunteer does not simply mean that you are willing to work for no pay. Specifically, you and your employer must agree that you have no contract or formal arrangements and that you are under no obligation to perform any specific work or carry out instructions. You're able to come and go to work as you please and will have no expectation of, and will not receive, any payment or tangible benefit (including accommodation) for the work you do. JENZA will verify this with your employer before issuing the Certificate of Sponsorship.

    JENZA will consider the training plan and contact the employer to discuss the nature of the internship. We will look for good rotation around various departments/areas of an organisation and strong objectives for each period. JENZA are happy to consider a training plan before you apply for Intern UK.

    All internships over six months must be paid.

  • The National Minimum Wage legislation establishes the rules under which employees in the UK must be paid, and covers situations where unpaid employment is permitted. The current UK minimum wage depends on your age, find out more here. Your internship must be a supernumerary, career-enhancing and a limited duration opportunity. For paid internships, the level of remuneration will be agreed in advance between yourself and your employer.

  • Unfortunately not. Your visa and sponsorship are granted based on your application to complete a specific internship. If there is a problem at your internship, you should contact JENZA for assistance.

    You cannot do multiple internships during your sponsorship. However, we can sponsor you to return to the UK to do a second internship providing it is with a different employer.

  • Previously known as the Tier 5 visa, the Temporary Work GAE (Government Authorised Exchange) visa allows international students and graduates to come to the UK for a temporary period to do short-term work experience.
  • We can sponsor internships for up to 12 months in duration. Your visa is only valid for the duration of your internship and you cannot extend it.
  • You must apply for your visa from the country that matches the nationality of your passport. If you are looking to apply from a country that differs to your passport nationality, you must provide a valid visa proving your residential status in that country. If you are currently studying in the UK as an overseas student, you cannot apply from the UK unless you are switching your visa. See the next FAQ.

  • Yes, but you will need to meet the following criteria to switch your visa:

    • You must have completed a UK recognised Bachelor's or Master's degree during your Tier 4 visa.
    • You must be sponsored for the professional training or work experience which is required to gain a professional qualification or registration in the same field as your degree.

    Or

    • The internship is related directly to your degree.

    You must apply for and have the Temporary Work GAE visa before your Tier 4 visa expires. We recommend applying a minimum of 12 weeks before the expiry of the Tier 4 visa. If applying to switch in the UK, there is a biometrics fee payable. You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), even if you have already paid this for your Tier 4 visa. JENZA must be satisfied that any student switching from a Tier 4 to a Temporary Work GAE visa does not intend to remain in the UK beyond the end of their internship.

  • We will need to conduct a site visit prior to approving your internship for any company if any of the below statements apply:

    • Have fewer than 20 full-time employees
    • Have less than £3 million turnover
    • Have been trading as a UK company for less than 2 years

  • You are not permitted on this UK visa to get a casual, evening or weekend job alongside your internship.

  • You are responsible for finding your own internship placement. Many students find placements through their university careers office, study abroad departments or family contacts etc. If you don't have an internship lined up, we can recommend placement partners who will help you to secure an internship in the UK. You’ll also find free resources on our Intern Hub to help with your search - including a step-by-step guide to finding an internship, downloadable templates for resumes and cover letters, and a database of UK employers where past interns have worked.
  • Yes, it’s a visa and program requirement to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers for medical expenses and repatriation of at least USD $100,000. We work with Global Secutive to offer a policy that meets both the program and visa requirements. You can get a quote here

  • Nothing! We’ve always been the same team running identical UK internship programs, just with different brand names for different countries. As you can imagine, this got crazy confusing. So in 2024, JENZA became the new name for all our working holiday and intern programs, and BUNAC went back to its 1972 Americana roots, and became our summer camp brand.

    Due to its long-standing relationship with UKVI - UK Visas and Immigration BUNAC is still the sponsor name for Intern UK – so you can expect to see both the BUNAC and JENZA name on your paperwork and in your online account.

  • Didn't see your question? Ask our team here.

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