Part-time internships during your studies

Part-time internships are usually with small companies and start-ups.

Occasionally, companies reach out to us offering internships with flexible hours.

Networking can help you find these opportunities.

Finding your own opportunity

• Approach companies directly.
• Explain why you want to intern there.
• Highlight the skills you can offer and how they add value.
• Avoid simply asking for experience.

Summer internships

Summer internships are typically full-time positions in large companies, often requiring you to be a penultimate year undergraduate. Masters and MBA students usually find part-time opportunities in smaller firms during the summer.

Graduate internships

Graduate internships last 6-12 months and are in both large and small companies. These positions are advertised throughout the year based on business needs. In some sectors, like Banking, these are known as “off-cycle” internships.

To apply:

• Start your search at the end of the summer exam period.
• Treat the application process like a job application.
• Focus on what you can contribute rather than what you will gain.

MBA internships

MBA internships with multinational companies are advertised on job boards or company websites. These full-time positions are more suited to the two-year MBA model and take place in the summer between the first and second years of study.

If you’re in a one-year MBA programme, consider exploring other options. The BBS Careers team sources part-time, off-cycle, and end-of-study internships. Contact the team to find and apply for internships.

• Contact the team

1. Do you need to intern?

If you already have work experience, an internship might not be necessary. However, it can be beneficial if you’re:

• Trying to enter a competitive field where relevant experience is crucial, such as Investment Banking.
• Applying for a direct-entry role that emphasises work experience over transferable skills.

If you already have work experience, you might not need to.

2. Are you an international student seeking UK experience?

Consider applying for a part-time job or volunteering.

3. Balancing internships with full-time Masters or MBA studies. 

Due to the demanding academic schedule, interning while studying full-time can be challenging. You can still develop valuable skills through other means.

Ideas to develop skills:

• Participate in extracurricular programmes.
• Join or start a student society relevant to your career goals. 
• Apply for a leadership positions, such as becoming a Student Rep.
• Research, create and publish content on business topics.
• Volunteer for a charity; offering solutions to problems or creating opportunities.
• Engage in company boot camps, hackathons, business competitions, and trading challenges.
• Complete projects on platforms such as MindSumo.

Your reasons for seeking an internship may vary. You might want to explore a particular career or sector, gain experience, build contacts, or deepen your knowledge in your chosen field.

In a competitive market, having work experience on your CV is crucial. It helps you understand your career preferences and gain insights into roles and companies before securing a permanent job.

Before you start looking for an internship, consider the following:

• The occupations and industries you’re interested in and the work experience needed for a career in that area.
• Your existing skills and experiences and how you’d like to develop them further.
• When you want to gain experience and how much time you can commit.
• The location where you want to work and your travel capabilities.

Unsure of the best path for you? Discuss your options with the BBS Careers team. Book an appointment to explore your opportunities.

• Book an appointment with an adviser

‘B-Experienced Internships’ offer a mix of in-person, hybrid, and remote internships exclusively for current undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as recent graduates from the University of Birmingham.

• Find out about B-Experienced Internship Programme