Work Experience for Postgraduates

Exclusive internship opportunities

The University offer a range of bespoke internship programmes, which are open to postgraduate students. These paid opportunities range from working with SMEs, to social enterprises to completing an internship virtually, without needing to leave the comfort of your home:

• B-Experienced Internship Programme - Bespoke internship opportunities exclusively for UoB students and graduates

Finding opportunities

• Careers Connect vacancy search: The University's careers database advertises internships, part time work in career settings, volunteering and other work experience vacancies. Just select "Internship", "Summer Internship", "Work experience", "Postgraduate Job Opportunity", or "Volunteering", when you search for vacancies. 
• Insight Into... career sectors: Use these pages to look at sector specific resources, including useful websites and hand-outs.
• Prospects: Use the job profiles to help you explore career options and discover relevant employers hiring in the field. 
• Find work experience and internships: We have a specific resource dedicated to how to go about finding opportunities.
• Part-time work opportunities on campus for UoB students

A large proportion of work experience opportunities aren't advertised, it's what is called the hidden jobs market. Therefore, you might find that in order to secure the role you want, you will need to approach an organisation speculatively

Approaching an employer

We have a dedicated page on speculative application preparation, take a look for some useful advice. 

Application guidance

When approaching a company speculatively by email, you need to ensure you attach your CV and write a stand out cover letter. We have guidance on CVs and Cover Letters, or you can come along to one of our Top Tips workshops, no need to book just turn up when you're free. 

If you find your perfect work experience opportunity and you are unsure how you are going to fund it, take a look at the resources below:

• Postgraduate funding database
• Funding for doctoral students
• Additional sources of funding

Book an appointment

Book a careers advice appointment to see a member of your College Careers Network team for specialist help and advice in your area. You can book a one to one appointment to discuss internships, starting a business, and careers guidance.

Canvas resources

Enrol onto one of our postgraduate Canvas courses, where you will find information on career planning, case studies from alumni, presentations from previous events and updates on relevant job vacancies.

• Enrol on Postgraduate Professional Development canvas course

• Enrol on PGR Careers Outside of Academia Canvas course

Postgraduate careers events

Visit our postgraduate events page for all upcoming workshops, presentations and events for postgraduates.

Postgraduate careers website

For further support, visit the Careers Network postgraduate website.

I don't know where to start

Take a look at the Finding Work Experience section on this web page, and if you want further guidance, book a careers advice appointment to see your College Internships Officer.

Are there opportunities specifically for postgraduates?

Yes! Take a look at our Exclusive Internship Opportunities in the Finding Work Experience section on this web page, these are all paid opportunities and only open to students at the University of Birmingham. We also advertise postgraduate specific opportunities, the University's careers database, Careers Connect.

How will I fit an opportunity around my studies?

First of all, be realistic! Don't sign up to anything that you aren't going to be able to commit to whilst you're studying. We do advertise part time opportunities, as well as short term full time roles, so keep a look out.

Can I get financial support for my work experience?

The Funding section on this web page lists some useful resources you can access for financial support for your work experience.