Develop your work experience, earn money, and build your confidence on a paid summer internship.
What’s on offer
If you are a second, third or final year undergraduate student, this is your exclusive opportunity to undertake a six-week internship with a UK employer during the summer vacation. All roles will start in June or July and are a great chance to:
- gain valuable paid work experience
- develop key transferable skills that employers look for
- explore different career options.
In 2025, over 100 paid internships will be advertised exclusively to second, third and final year Sussex undergraduates, meaning fewer applicants and a greater chance of securing a role.
In 2023, 96% of students would recommend their internship employer to other students. Also, 24% of employers said their intern has successfully taken up further/permanent employment with them.
Read about Alex’s experience of hosting a Sussex intern at Citizens Advice Brighton and Hove.
Key information
- This year’s internships come from organisations in a range of sectors, including charities and social enterprises, media production, PR and marketing, technology, software development, political parties and consultancy.
- Most are full-time, but many employers will consider part-time internships over a longer duration. Most internships are 225 hours in total over the summer vacation.
- There is a mixture of office-based, remote-working and hybrid roles.
- You are encouraged to apply early as vacancies may close at short notice.
- All advertising employers will have attended Disability Empowerment training by EmployAbility to ensure an inclusive, positive experience.
The Careers and Entrepreneurship team offer one-to-one appointments for anything careers-related, including requesting adjustments and informing an employer about a disability. Any information you provide will be in the strictest confidence, and only used for the purpose of providing the adjustments needed. You can book an appointment on CareerHub.
Explore our handpicked support for students applying for Career Lab UK Summer Internships which includes application tips, skills workshops, and support details.
To gain global experience whilst working remotely from anywhere in the world, you can apply for the Online Global Summer Internship Programme.
"This opportunity has opened new career prospects for me. I have been introduced to an amazing network of people, with inspiring passion projects, and have learned invaluable skills." - History and Politics second year student, who worked as a Marketing and Community Engagement Intern at intheflow.
Eligibility
Internships are a great way to discover different career options, including those not directly related to your current studies. Many of our roles are suitable for students from any degree course, with little to no work experience. Those which require knowledge, or a specific degree background, will say so in the advert.
- These opportunities are exclusive to Sussex second, third and final year undergraduate students.
- 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.
- In your final year, you can only accept a UK Summer Internship or an Online Global Summer Internship.
How to apply
Eligible students can browse and apply for Career Lab UK Summer Internships from 3 March 2025.
You are encouraged to apply early as internships may close at short notice once the position has been filled.
Carefully check each vacancy's closing date.
"From this experience, it has made me love engineering more as I've never had formal experience before." - Mechanical Engineering second year student, who worked as an Engineering & IT Intern at Shoreham Port.
Working hours and pay
Most internships are based in Sussex or the southeast, with office-based, hybrid and remote roles. There are full-time roles (around 37.5 hours per week), although part-time hours over a longer time period may be considered. For example, if you undertake a six-week internship, you can work 22.5 hours per week for 10 weeks instead of full-time. However, this will need to be agreed between you and your employer.
All internships are paid at least the real Living Wage (£12.60 per hour UK rate and £13.85 per hour London rate) and you will be working on real projects. You will earn between £2,835 and £3,116, depending on whether you opt for an internship within or outside of London.
To be eligible for Career Lab funding, all internships must take place in the UK and you must be located in the UK (including for remote roles).
- Holidays and paying tax
You will be entitled to holiday. The number of days will depend on the duration of the internship. If you undertake a full-time six-week internship you would be eligible for three days’ holiday.
Income tax and National Insurance will be deducted from your pay. There is no exemption for students working over the summer. If you will not be working again until next April, you can usually reclaim overpaid tax from HMRC.
- Making good quality applications
To have the highest chance of securing an internship, before submitting your application, we would recommend that you:
- explore activities in the Work Experience Preparation Programme, which has been designed to boost your confidence and tackle imposter syndrome
- book into any relevant events run by Careers and Entrepreneurship
- look at our resources on applying for jobs (including CVs and cover letters).
- 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. Email internships@sussex.ac.uk with any questions on equality in the workplace.
Accommodation and transport
Important: We are unable to contribute towards accommodation or transport costs. Any costs should be paid out of your wages. Think carefully about the role you are applying for and whether you can you commit to the internship if you are successful. Find out how to budget while at university.