Internship in England for International Students: Requirements and Opportunities

England, with its rich history, diverse culture, and status as a global hub, offers unparalleled internship opportunities for international students. An internship in England can be a transformative experience, providing invaluable professional experience, cultural immersion, and a competitive edge in the global job market. This article outlines the requirements, opportunities, and benefits of pursuing an internship in England as an international student.

Why Intern in England?

England holds a prominent position in the global landscape, serving as the world headquarters for numerous large international corporations and maintaining its status as a major hub in the business world. London, in particular, stands out as the largest city in Europe and boasts the biggest economy, making it an ideal location for international internships.

A Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: London is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, home to various industries like fintech, marketing, and communications.

Cultural and Professional Growth: Interns engage in dynamic work environments, blending professional growth with history and culture.

Diverse Opportunities: Whether you’re a college student looking for summer internships in London or a graduate seeking an internship to launch your career, opportunities exist in all career fields.

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Boost Your Resume: The largest city in Europe and by far its biggest economy, London stands out on a resume.

Cultural Experience: Internships in London provide an entire cultural experience.

Cities of Opportunity

While London offers the most opportunities, other cities in England also provide valuable internship experiences:

London: A mesmerizing mix of culture, architecture, global cuisine, fashion, nightlife and business, it would be an understatement to say that London has it all. London is home to the headquarters of many of the world’s most well-known companies.
Birmingham: England’s second-largest city behind London and is home to fine dining and culture.

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Liverpool: A manufacturing city known for its music (The Beatles!) and sports scenes.

Types of Internships Available

England offers internships in a wide range of fields, catering to diverse academic backgrounds and career aspirations. Some popular fields include:

Business: As the world headquarters for many large international corporations, England has always been a major hub in the business world.
Law: The common law system practiced in England and the wider UK is also practiced in the US, Australia, Canada, India, and other countries that are former colonies.
Media & Communications: Marketing and communications are ever-growing fields and England is an exciting place to learn more about them.

Requirements for International Students

To successfully undertake an internship in England, international students must meet specific requirements related to eligibility, visa applications, and other essential criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

Age: Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Student Status: Typically, applicants need to be full-time degree-level students. Unfortunately, distance learning is not permitted on this visa.
Recent Graduates: Recent graduates are also eligible, provided they start their UK internship within 24 months of their graduation date.
Previous Internships: Applicants must not have interned at their host company before. It is possible to be sponsored twice, but it must be at different UK companies and not exceed 12 months over both internships.
Insurance: Applicants must have travel insurance that includes a minimum of USD $100,000 medical cover and repatriation of mortal remains.
Academic Standing: Students need to be in good standing at their home school
GPA: A 2.5 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
Academic Level: At least sophomore standing prior to application; rising junior status at time of program departure.

Visa Requirements

To intern in the UK, international students typically need a Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa, specifically the Tier 5 / Temporary Work - Government Authorized Exchange (GAE) Worker visa.

Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work): You are required to apply and receive a Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work) before your departure from the United States. As an intern, you will be applying for the Government Authorised Exchange Visa (Temporary Work).

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Passport Validity: To apply for a visa, you must have a passport that is valid for at least 180 days beyond the end of your internship program. If you do not already have a valid passport, you should apply for or renew your passport immediately.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Once you have accepted an internship position, API will work with Fragomen to supply the required documentation needed to receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This document is required to submit your visa application.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about you and the internship you will be doing while in London. Your CoS will be issued through Fragomen who partners with API and is authorized by the UK Home Office as a sponsoring agency to issue the CoS on behalf of your employer in order to obtain your visa.
- API will share the following documentation with Fragomen, as is required for the CoS: CV/Resume, Transcript, Passport, and information about your internship position.

*Note: Irish nationals and UK residents with EUSS/Student/Graduate Routes are exempted from a visa.

Visa Application Process

Secure a Sponsorship: First, secure a sponsorship from an authorized US visa sponsor.
Apply for a Visa: Then, apply for a visa from the US Embassy.
Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Once you have accepted an internship position, the sponsoring organization will work to supply the required documentation needed to receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Submit Visa Application: Participants are advised to submit their visa application and schedule their biometrics appointment at least 6 weeks in advance of their planned departure.
Priority Service: Before attending your biometrics appointment you should decide if you want to register for priority processing of your visa for an extra fee. If you pay for ‘Priority Service’ the visa is generally issued within 3-7 business days.

Visa Costs

Visa cost varies between USD 160 - 1800, subject to your program duration and other factors. The Intern Group’s program fee does not cover the visa cost and other associated expenses. Internships over 6 months are subject to an additional charge.

*Please note: You will be responsible for all fees related to acquisition of the certificate of sponsorship and visa.

Additional Visa Information

Consulates may change their rules, fees, and regulations at any time. Be advised that API does not have any control over consular procedures, and requirements vary greatly between consulates. For this reason, your primary source of information regarding visas should be your local consulate.

Additionally, students who plan on traveling outside of the UK during their intern abroad session may require additional documentation beyond the Government Authorised Exchange visa for that travel.

Finding Internship Opportunities

Several avenues exist for international students to find internships in England. These include online job boards and internship program providers.

Online Job Boards: While you can find international internships in English through various online job board sites
Internship Program Providers: Internship program providers can take the legwork out of the experience. Program providers have links to companies that are often multi-nationals and leaders in their field.

Internship Program Providers

Several organizations specialize in facilitating internships for international students in England. These providers offer various levels of support, including visa assistance, accommodation, and cultural integration programs.

CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in London will open doors for you to explore England's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad. CIEE London offers a range of housing options, including residence halls or shared apartments, to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home.
BUNAC (British Universities North America Club) / JENZA: BUNAC is one of the largest A-Rated sponsors for the UK’s Temporary Work Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa. Together with our sibling brand, JENZA, they provide the sponsorship and support for international students to intern in the UK for 1-12 months.
API (Academic Programs International): API will work with Fragomen to supply the required documentation needed to receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
The Intern Group: The Intern Group provides every participant with access to experienced visa specialists. They are here every step of the way towards a successful application, and make your visa process straightforward and stress-free. The Intern Group provides a transcript option through their partner Florida A&M University for a small additional fee.

Preparing Your Application

Check Eligibility: Check that you meet the eligibility requirements.
Prepare Application Materials: Submit any necessary documents or paperwork.
Ace the Interview: Practice and prepare for interviews.

Accommodation Options

Many internship programs offer various accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets.

Residence Halls: Standard Housing: A dorm-style studio features twin bunk beds and includes access to compact shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Shared Apartments: Select Housing: Shared apartment with twin or triple bedrooms. Each apartment features a living area, fully equipped kitchen, and laundry facilities with a washing machine.
Private Bedrooms in Shared Living Spaces: Every intern in London has their own private bedroom, giving you a personal and familiar place to return to at the end of the day.

Cultural Integration and Support

Internship programs often include cultural activities and support services to help international students adjust to life in England.

CIEE: Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while building career skills, expanding your professional network, and immersing yourself in British culture. CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in London will open doors for you to explore England's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
The Intern Group: Our full-time London team offers 24/7 support with local expertise, from start to finish. The team will also provide a thorough welcome orientation to help you settle into the city and feel at ease. We also partner with Talkspace to provide all our participants with fully anonymous access to a licensed online therapist for up to 3 months.

Work Culture and Social Etiquette

Knowing a little about the work culture and social etiquette will make your transition as an intern in England a lot smoother! Workplaces in England place high importance on teamwork and tend to be sociable both in the office and out, with outings to the pub after work being regular occurrences.

Financial Considerations

Program Fees: CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee.
Living Expenses: Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses.
Minimum Wage: If an intern is classified as a worker in the UK, they are entitled to the national minimum wage which starts at $9.37 USD (£7.49) for 18 to 20-year-olds.

Benefits of Interning in England

Interning in England offers numerous benefits, both personally and professionally.

Professional Experience: Turn your academic achievements into professional work experience.
Career Advancement: Interns benefit from career advancement tools before, during, and following their London internship program.
Cultural Exposure: The UK is known for being multicultural and forward-thinking. In an increasingly globalized world, international experience is highly valued by employers.
European Perspective: A 4-in-1 deal for your British bucket and spade list, you can live and intern in the UK and travel to other countries in Europe.
Personal Growth: Immersing yourself in a different cultural and professional environment with an overseas internship can help set you apart from other candidates and boost your future employability. You’ll learn from leaders in your field, build your network, and grow personally as well as professionally by living in one of the most dynamic and diverse places in the world.

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