Postgraduate Internships: How to Find an Internship for Masters Students

Postgraduate internships are a great way to get real-world experience. You can grow your network and make your CV stand out. Whether you're studying a Masters full-time or part-time, an internship can add to what you learn in class and help guide your future career.

Finding the right internship during your Masters can really make a difference but, where do you begin? There are different kinds of internships, and how they fit around your studies counts. In this guide, I’ll explain how postgraduate internships work, where to look for them, and what to think about before applying. Whether you want to improve your job chances or try out a new field, this guide will help you take the next step.

An internship is a short-term role that gives you real experience in a particular field. It’s often done during or after your studies and usually lasts around three to four months. Some are paid, some aren’t, and some offer just enough money for the bus fare and a sandwich.

It’s a chance to take what you’ve learned in lectures and see how it works in real life. You’ll find internships in all sorts of sectors like business, science, the arts, healthcare, and more. Some run part-time during term, others happen full-time over the summer.

For Masters students, internships can be genuinely helpful. They offer:

• A taste of what your future job might actually involve

• A way to build key skills like communication, time management, and pretending to understand office jargon

• A chance to meet people in the industry, which is often how jobs happen

• Something concrete to add to your CV, which shows you didn’t just sit in the library all year

• A clearer idea of what kind of career path suits you (or what definitely doesn’t)

In short, it’s a chance to test the waters, gain real skills, and show future employers you’re ready for what’s ahead.

Finding a postgraduate internship takes some planning—but there are lots of options out there once you know what to look for.

Start with the basics

Before you begin, think about:

• Where you want to work?

• What kind of role interests you?

• When can you fit an internship around your course?

Some students manage part-time placements during term time. Others wait for reading weeks or holidays. Both can work—just be honest about your schedule.

Know your options

Internships vary. You’ll find roles at:

• Small businesses where you may get more responsibility and variety

• Large companies which often have structured programmes and recognisable names for your CV

Also, consider whether you want a paid or unpaid placement. It’s reasonable to want paid work, especially if you can’t juggle a part-time job alongside your internship. But if the perfect role is unpaid, check if your university offers any funding to help with costs like travel or accommodation.

The goal is to find something relevant to your career goals, but don’t worry if it’s not a perfect match, you’ll still gain valuable experience and skills!

Where to look

There’s no single place to find internships—so cast a wide net. Start with:

• Your department: Tutors, lecturers, and course emails often share relevant opportunities.

• Careers service: Many universities have exclusive listings and strong industry links.

• On-campus roles: Some unis offer flexible, paid internships in admin, marketing, or research.

• University programmes: These often pair students with local businesses or organisations.

• Job websites: Platforms like Indeed, Reed, and Prospects post regular internship listings.

• Industry-specific boards: Sites like SimplyLawJobs or Gradcracker focus on certain fields.

Not every internship is advertised, so it pays to be proactive. If there’s a company you admire, consider sending a speculative application, which is a short, polite message with your CV that could lead to something. It’s also worth keeping your LinkedIn profile updated and letting people know you’re looking, as many organisations post roles there first. Don’t forget to ask around too. Your friends, course mates, and alumni can be great sources of tips and referrals. You could even start a group chat or shared page to help each other spot new opportunities.

Once you’ve found an internship, it’s time to focus on your application. Most will ask for a CV and covering letter, though some may want a portfolio or other materials.

• CV: A document with relevant experience and skills. You can include your Masters and quickly touch on the modules or projects you're doing whilst deleting any irrelevant or outdated info.

• Covering letter: This is your chance to shine. You can explain how your Masters has prepared you and highlight your key achievements if they are relevant to the role. Keep it personal, specific and under one page.

If you get an interview, you can prepare by researching the company and checking their social media to understand their brand. Have a few questions ready to show you’re interested and engaged too.

After your internship, stay in touch. You never know when freelance work or a job opportunity might come your way.

Many Masters courses abroad, for example in Europe, are two years long.

One benefit of this is that students are able to enjoy a full summer holiday between their first and second years of study.

Many students take advantage of this time by carrying out an internship or work placement, so that when they finish their course, they already have experience and industry contacts in place.

If you’re interested in doing a Masters outside the UK, take a look at our study abroad section, which offers country-by-country guides to postgraduate study across the world.

I know I’ve given you loads of tips already, but how about some final tips to really get you feeling ready and prepped to go!

It really can feel like a lot of pressure finding a postgraduate internship during your Masters but with the right approach, it’s more than possible – I’ve been there and made it through so, here are my key takeaways:

• Use all the support around you: Your university careers team, course tutors, and even classmates, friends and family can all be really helpful when it comes to spotting opportunities or preparing applications.

• Stay open and realistic: Not every internship will be perfect, and some might not work with your schedule but that’s okay. Focus on what fits your goals and what you can manage alongside your studies.

• Don’t stress too much about finding the “perfect” role: Any real-world experience is valuable. Be curious, ask questions, and take each opportunity as a chance to learn something new.

• Don’t give up whilst hunting: Keep looking and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, you’ll be surprised how that internship can even find you!