London isn’t just a city of red buses and double-deckers-it’s one of the top places in the world for students to land their first real job. If you’re studying in London or planning to move there, an internship isn’t just a line on your resume. It’s your foot in the door. But where do you even start looking? The city’s internship scene is huge, competitive, and full of hidden opportunities most students never find.
Start with your university’s careers service
Most universities in London-UCL, King’s, Imperial, LSE, and even smaller colleges-have dedicated careers teams that work directly with employers. These aren’t just generic job boards. They’re curated lists of internships that actually hire students. Many companies, especially startups and mid-sized firms, only post roles internally to university partners before opening them to the public.
At King’s College London, for example, over 60% of 2025’s summer internships were filled through the university portal before ever appearing on LinkedIn. Check your school’s portal weekly. Set up alerts. Talk to your careers advisor. They often know about roles that aren’t advertised anywhere else.
Check out London’s internship hubs
Some organizations specialize in connecting students with internships. They’re not recruiters-they’re matchmakers. Here are the top three that actually deliver:
- Reed Internships-Focuses on placements in marketing, media, and finance. They work with 400+ London-based companies and have a filter for "no experience needed."
- RateMyPlacement-A student-run platform with real reviews from past interns. You can see pay rates, workload, and whether people got return offers. Over 12,000 listings in London alone.
- Internwise-Runs weekly webinars with hiring managers from companies like BBC, Deloitte, and Monzo. Their application success rate is 3x higher than applying cold.
Don’t just sign up-show up. Attend their open nights. Ask questions. The people running these platforms remember who does.
Target industries that hire students in bulk
Not all internships are created equal. Some industries are built for student hires. They expect you to be inexperienced. They train you. And they often convert interns to full-time hires.
Media & Marketing: Agencies like WPP, Ogilvy, and smaller firms like The Branding Company hire 500+ student interns each year. You’ll work on real campaigns, not just coffee runs.
Tech & Startups: London has over 3,000 tech startups. Many, like Revolut, Depop, and Monzo, run 8-12 week summer programs with £250-£400/week stipends. Even if you’re not a coder, they need interns in UX research, content, and customer support.
Nonprofits & NGOs: Organizations like Oxfam, Amnesty International, and the British Red Cross offer unpaid internships-but they’re gold for your resume. You’ll get real project ownership and references that open doors later.
Finance & Consulting: Big names like PwC, KPMG, and EY have structured programs for undergrads. But don’t overlook boutique firms like Baringa or Fenchurch Advisory-they often give more responsibility and better mentorship.
Use LinkedIn the right way
LinkedIn isn’t just for job hunting. It’s for relationship building. Here’s how to do it right:
- Search for "internship London" and filter by "Posted in the last 7 days."
- Look for posts from hiring managers-not just job ads. People who say things like, "We’re hiring 3 interns this summer. DM me if you’re studying X and love Y."
- Send personalized messages. Not "I’m interested in your internship." Try: "Hi Sam, I saw your post about the marketing intern role. I’m a third-year Business student at Queen Mary and I’ve been following your campaign for EcoBrew. I’d love to hear how you picked the team."
- Follow 10 companies you admire. Turn on notifications. You’ll see when they post new roles before they go public.
One student at Goldsmiths landed a role at a design agency by commenting on a post with a mock-up of their own campaign. The hiring manager replied, "Send me your portfolio." That’s how it happens.
Don’t ignore the hidden market: pop-ups and events
Every month, London hosts internship fairs, speed networking events, and industry meetups. Most students don’t go. That’s your advantage.
- Student Job Fair at ExCeL-Held every February and September. Over 200 employers, including NHS, Google, and the Royal Opera House.
- London Internship Week-Organized by the Mayor’s office. Free workshops, panel talks, and direct interviews with 50+ companies.
- Meetup.com groups-Search for "London internships" or "student networking London." You’ll find weekly coffee chats with people who’ve been where you are.
Bring a printed CV. Wear something clean. Say your name and what you’re studying. Ask: "What’s one thing you wish you knew when you were starting out?" People love to help if you show curiosity, not desperation.
Watch out for scams and unpaid traps
Not every "opportunity" is real. Here’s how to spot the red flags:
- "Pay to apply"-If they ask for money, walk away. Legit internships pay you or cover expenses.
- "We’ll give you experience"-If they say you’re "lucky to get this chance," that’s code for unpaid labor. London has a minimum wage. Interns working 30+ hours a week should be paid.
- No company website-Google the company name + "scam." If you find nothing, that’s a warning.
- Vague job description-"Help with general tasks" or "be part of a team" are buzzwords for no real work.
Check the UK government’s internship guidelines. If the role doesn’t meet them, it’s not worth your time.
What to do if you get rejected
Most students get turned down at least once. That’s normal. The key isn’t to avoid rejection-it’s to learn from it.
After a rejection, ask for feedback. Most managers will give it if you’re polite. One student at UCL asked why she didn’t get into a PR internship. The answer? "Your cover letter was too generic. You didn’t mention our recent campaign for the Tate Modern." She spent the next week studying their social media, rewrote her application, and got in two weeks later.
Rejection isn’t a dead end. It’s a map.
Final tip: Start now-even if it’s small
You don’t need a six-month internship to make a difference. A two-week project with a local bookstore, a weekend volunteer role at a gallery, or helping a startup with their Instagram can turn into something bigger. One student in Camden started by organizing a book swap for a café. The owner hired her as a part-time social media assistant. Six months later, she was managing their whole campaign.
London’s internship scene rewards action, not perfection. Apply to ten places. Go to two events. Send five messages. That’s all it takes to get noticed.
Are internships in London paid?
Yes, most are-if you’re working 15+ hours a week. By law, interns must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage, unless they’re part of a university course. Many companies pay more, especially in tech and finance. Avoid unpaid roles unless they’re with charities and you’re getting real training and references.
Can international students get internships in London?
Yes, but you need the right visa. If you’re on a Student Visa (Tier 4), you can work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during holidays. Most internships count as work, so make sure your employer checks your visa status. Some companies won’t hire international students because of paperwork-but many do, especially in tech, media, and NGOs.
What’s the best time to apply for internships in London?
For summer internships, apply between January and March. For winter placements, apply in August-September. Some companies open applications as early as October for the following year. Don’t wait until April-most spots are filled by then. Even if you’re not sure you’re ready, apply anyway. You’ll get better with practice.
Do I need a degree to get an internship in London?
No. Many internships are open to students in their first or second year of university, or even to those taking gap years or vocational courses. Some roles, like at Google or the BBC, require you to be enrolled in higher education. But plenty of startups, nonprofits, and small businesses hire based on skills, not degrees. Build a portfolio, show initiative, and you’ll find opportunities.
How do I stand out in my internship application?
Show you’ve done your homework. Mention a recent project the company did. Link to something you created-a blog, a social media post, a design mock-up. Even if it’s simple, it proves you’re proactive. One applicant sent a 30-second video explaining why they wanted to work at the Tate Modern. They got the interview. The rest? They just showed up ready to learn.
London’s internship world isn’t about who has the best grades. It’s about who shows up, asks questions, and follows through. Start today. You’ve got more options than you think.