UWE Bristol internship scheme 2026/27

Gain paid work experience, develop your skills and build confidence through an internship alongside your studies.

Internship opportunities

The UWE Bristol Internship Scheme launches on Monday 25 January 2027.

Our internships offer opportunities across a wide range of sectors and can help you gain experience related to your course, career goals and interests.

Internships will be advertised on Career Toolkit from the launch date. You’ll apply directly to the organisation, which will manage the recruitment process and select the successful candidate.

More opportunities will be added throughout the spring, so keep checking Career Toolkit.

148 hour part-time internships

Each internship provides 148 hours of paid work experience, usually completed over approximately 12 weeks, working around 12–14 hours per week.

Internships can be completed in person, remotely or through a mix of both. They must take place within the UK, and you’ll agree a working pattern with your employer that fits around your studies and the needs of the organisation.

Internships can start from February 2027 and must be completed by 31 July 2027.

UWE Bristol internship scheme

Watch to find out more about the scheme, and how and why to take part.

Key things to consider

Who can take part?

You can apply if you are:

a UK-domiciled or international undergraduate student
a UK-domiciled graduate who completed an undergraduate degree in 2026
a foundation year student on a UWE Bristol-accredited degree at a partner college, provided you can show that you will continue at UWE Bristol in September 2027.

The scheme is not available to:

postgraduate students, including Master’s and PhD students
UK-domiciled graduates who graduated in 2025 or earlier
international graduates.

Which organisations can offer internships?

Internships are offered by eligible organisations that:

employ fewer than 250 people, including SMEs and micro-organisations
are UK charities, social enterprises or public sector organisations
are based in South West England, including Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall or Dorset.

Are there any restrictions to taking part?

You cannot complete an internship with an organisation you have worked for before and you can only complete one internship per academic year.

International students must ensure that an internship meets their visa requirements. Check our guidance on working during your studies or speak to an Immigration Adviser.

What are my working hours and wages?

We recommend working up to 15 hours per week alongside your studies.
You’ll earn the 2026/27 Real Living Wage (confirmed in Oct 2026), paid through your employer’s payroll.

Benefits of doing an internship

Earn while you learn – gain 148 hours of paid work experience alongside your studies.

Improve your CV – develop experience that can help you stand out when applying for future opportunities.

Develop workplace skills – build practical and professional skills that employers value.

Build your confidence – take on new challenges, grow your professional network and gain confidence in the workplace.

Apply your learning – put the knowledge and skills from your course into practice.

Explore your options – discover different career paths and learn more about the roles and sectors that interest you.

Applying for an internship

There are two ways you can find an internship:

Apply for an advertised internship

Internship opportunities launch on Monday 25 January 2027 and will be advertised through Career Toolkit. You’ll apply directly to the organisation, which will manage the recruitment process and select the successful candidate. More opportunities will be added throughout the spring, so keep checking.

Approach an organisation yourself

If there’s an organisation you’d like to complete an internship with, encourage them to submit an internship proposal nominating you as the intern. You can refer them to our business and employer pages for more information. Organisations can submit proposals to UWE Bristol between 14 September and 18 November 2026. If their proposal is successful, we’ll be in touch with both you and the organisation to formalise the internship, which can start from February 2027 onwards. Funding is limited, so submitting a proposal does not guarantee that an internship will be created.

Making a speculative application

Don’t limit yourself to organisations or roles directly related to your degree. Think about the skills you’d like to develop and the sectors or types of work you’d like to explore. A good internship should give you a meaningful opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and confidence, with some element of training, mentoring or support. You can find guidance on making speculative applications through Career Toolkit.

CV, cover letter and LinkedIn help

CareerSet uses AI technology to provide feedback on your CV, cover letters and LinkedIn profile. You can also upload a job description to see how well your application is tailored to the role.

During your internship

You are employed by the organisation, not UWE Bristol. Your employer will recruit you and pay you directly through PAYE, usually weekly or monthly.
UWE Bristol provides an internship agreement that must be signed by you, your employer and the university.
You’ll need to complete a short pre-internship questionnaire and a feedback form at the end of your internship.
You’ll accrue 16 hours of paid leave during the internship. Holiday, working hours and sickness arrangements follow your employer’s policies.

Tax and National Insurance contributions

Your pay may be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions. Some students may initially be placed on an emergency tax code, which can temporarily result in more tax being deducted.

Find more information about paying tax as a student and claiming a tax refund if you think you have paid too much.

Employability Bursary

The UWE Bristol Employability Bursary supports eligible lower-income UK undergraduate students to take part in activities such as internships.

If you’re eligible, we’ll contact you after your employer confirms your internship. Bursaries are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Need help?

If you need help finding a specific opportunity or careers advice, visit Career Toolkit for resources on CVs, interviews, cover letters, networking, confidence-building and more.
Get quick advice or guidance by dropping in to chat with our friendly Peer Coaches in the Careers Lounge (Frenchay Campus, Level 2 Library). No booking needed – Monday to Friday, 10:00-16:00.
Looking for programme-specific support? Check out our college drop-ins for advice tailored to your college or school.
For help once you have found an internship or during your internship, please contact the Internships Team at uweinternships@uwe.ac.uk.