This could be part-time of up to 20 hours a week during term time or full time during vacation periods (summer vacation lasts for 3 months) and take place over weeks or months. Some students may have the opportunity to take a full year out of their degree to undertake an internship or as a recent graduate (see term datesLink opens in a new window). You will need to consider in the context of your project/opportunity, timings and any necessary training period.

For the most part, a student would see themselves as a high-potential worker who is currently learning about a role, organisation or sector to further their employability.

Internships are usually a two-way relationship between an individual and the employer and for the most part a “normal” employment relationship and are usually sourced by the individual. In practical terms, this means you will:

• consider your business need and internship requirements
• design an opportunity and provide a clear role description setting out the roles and responsibilities, skills and experience required, working hours, salary and working arrangements see Recruiting: Advertising
• upload to myAdvantage in line with our Vacancy Advertising Code of PracticeLink opens in a new window 
• recruit and select students using the same methods and standards that apply to regular recruitment, to fulfil your legal responsibilities with regards to recruitment and equality legislation, including Right to Work checks
• make offers in writing
• send out pre-internship welcome and induction information
• accept liability and responsibility for students on internships in the same way as for all other employees
• form learning and development plans based on your usual processes and objectives
• address any issues within your organisation, as with any other member of your team

Our Employer Guide: How to optimise your intern's contribution can help you:

• design a quality internship
• hear insights into students’ expectations
• understand your responsibilities
• preparing for, host and bring the internship to an end.

For a 12-month internship during their studies, a student (who does not require a student visa) will need to have completed paperwork with the University by 30th June confirming the details of their internship, to be able to take aVoluntary Year Out for Work Experience Scheme. You will need to have completed any selection, offer and acceptance activities well in advance – we recommend doing this by the end of May at the very latest.

Warwick’s student population includes around 30% International students, who can bring diversity and a global perspective to your business. Student visa holders may have visa restrictions that differ from UK students – it is the student’s responsibility to abide by their visa, and your responsibility as an employer to check your employees’ right to work in the UK. To see the advice we give these students about working hours etc. please see our student-facing Immigration Service webpages about working on a Student visa.

Warwick students currently undertake a more traditional undergraduate study format. This means that for many Warwick students, vacation internships, part-time work and volunteering are the most popular and in-demand routes to work experience. The Warwick Advance Programme will enable employers to offer work experience and internship schemes to students from certain socio-economic backgrounds and increase their recruitment prospects.

Interns are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (now National Living Wage of 21+)Link opens in a new window. You will need to allow time for scoping out the potential experience and uploading to the myAdvantage jobs portal, and for recruitment, induction/training and ongoing management/supervision of the student. You will need to ensure that they have appropriate access to equipment (e.g. computer) and a workstation.