Build your skills, and experience working across the globe, all from the comfort of your own home.
What’s on offer
This is your exclusive opportunity to take part in a four- or six-week online global summer internship programme. You will work remotely with one of over 13,000 approved host companies in one of 80+ countries on key projects within their business. The programme includes extensive skills development training and practical international work experience to help you become a career ready graduate.
You can decide whether you want to gain experience 'in' a specific country or within a specific industry virtually. There are opportunities available virtually in China, Vietnam, Canada, Spain, USA and more.
Internships range across sectors including:
- environment and sustainability
- media and communications
- international development
- legal
- healthcare and pharmaceutical
- engineering
- computer science
- business.
Internship experience was the most important attribute employers look for when hiring graduates (NACE Job Outlook, 2022).
According to the Virtual Internships participant survey, 2024:
- 86% of Sussex interns were satisfied with their internship at their host company
- 23% of all interns rated their programme 10 out of 10
- 53% shared they have a disability, suggesting their internship was accessible and inclusive
- 31% of students who completed their end of programme evaluation were offered an internship extension.
Final year Anthropology student, Tamar Honnah, shares how her confidence grew by putting herself out of her comfort zone and asking for opportunities. Read about Tamar’s online internship experience with Thrive with Mentoring.
"The opportunity to work with people who had a different social and cultural background was extremely valuable. The people I worked with were very kind, which helped me have the confidence to establish a great relationship with them.” - Online Global Internship Participant 2024
Key information
Our programme is run by Virtual Internships.
- All programme fees are covered and you will receive a generous bursary of £1,512 to contribute towards your living costs (equivalent to the UK real Living Wage at £12.60 an hour).
- The online global summer internships are part-time opportunities. You can choose either: 4 weeks x 30 hours per week or 6 weeks x 20 hours per week (a total of 120 hours).
- You can choose from two start dates: 21 July or 4 August 2025.
- All successful applicants are guaranteed an online internship with an international organisation, in a career field of your choice.
- You do not need to find your own internship. The Virtual Internships team will work to match you with an appropriate organisation for you.
You will get access to support from the Virtual Internships team, including:
- pre-internship orientation sessions to prepare you for the linear placement process and successful internship experience
- weekly check-ins and coaching calls from the Intern Experience Team from the time of application
- CareerBridge – a Global Internship Curriculum walking you through key employability skills such as communication, career management, time management and remote working
- a full end of programme report, including supervisor evaluation, student assessment and Global Career Management Plan
- a strong alumni network at the programme conclusion.
Watch Sussex students talk about their experience of an online internship.
To gain work experience with a UK employer, you can apply for the UK Summer Internships.
"I originally applied for the virtual internship to gain real-world experience and insights into my neuropsychology career path. After completing the programme, I’ve become more confident, productive, and equipped with a wide range of both hard and soft skills.” - Online Global Internship Participant 2024
Eligibility
The programme is open to second, third or final year undergraduates.
If you are in:
- year two, you can only accept either a UK Summer Internship or an Online Global Summer Internship or the Junior Research Associate Scheme
- your final year, you can only accept a UK Summer Internship or an Online Global Summer Internship.
How to apply
Applications for the Online Global Summer Internship open on Monday 3 March and close on Sunday 27 April 2025.
Stage 1 of the application process is to complete our application form:
If you are successful, you will progress to stage 2. We will email you a link to apply for the programme with the internship provider, Virtual Internships.
Read about Marlena’s online internship with OwlCrate in Canada.
Equality in employment
You are protected from discrimination in the workplace and through the recruitment process, and we can advise on disclosure issues and your rights in work. We have tailored resources available for our diverse student body. Find out more about your rights at work.
We offer extended appointments for students with a disability and/or long-term health condition, and care leavers.
Contact internships@sussex.ac.uk with any questions on equality in the workplace.