Aston University’s Guaranteed Postgraduate Internship Scheme is available to MA and MSc students studying full-time campus-based programmes at Aston University’s Birmingham or London campuses.

Participation is optional and free of charge. Students in programmes with mandatory placements (e.g. clinical) are not eligible.

For answers to frequently asked questions, use the buttons below.

Is it really guaranteed?

Is an internship really guaranteed?

Yes, for all eligible Masters students studying full-time at our Birmingham and London campuses, you are guaranteed an internship, as long as you do the following: 

• Let us know you would like to take part in the scheme
  Within a few weeks of starting your course, our Careers & Placements Team will send you an email to ask if you would like to participate and we will give you a deadline by which you have to let us know.
   
• Fill in your preferences form and register on the Aston Futures Portal 
  The email you receive will include our preferences survey form, which lets us know which of the three internship types you would like to explore (online, face to face/hybrid employer, face to face/hybrid Aston University). You will need to fill out that form and submit it online within the deadline date given in the email. 
   
• Engage with the employer/provider selection processes in a professional and timely manner 
  Depending on the type of internship you choose to pursue, you may only need to fill in one application form, for others you will need to also take part in an interview or other selection methods. You must do this in a timely and professional manner.
   
• Whilst taking part in your internship, you must behave in professional manner 
  You must behave professionally at all times and abide by the rules of the organisation providing the internship. If the organisation brought the internship to an end earlier than planned due to you not following the employers rules, being late, or behaving in some other way which was unprofessional, we would not be able to offer you an alternative internship.

You can read the Scheme’s full terms and conditions here.

Am I guaranteed a high quality professional internship – or could I be stuck doing the photocopying and making tea and coffee?

Yes, we guarantee you a professional internship. We carefully select providers and partners to ensure you will get an experience that will help develop the skills employers look for. Of course, like any job, you may get asked to do some related administration tasks. If you have any concerns whilst on your placement, we have a dedicated Placements Support Team who you can reach out to and we can talk to the host employer on your behalf. 

I don’t have much work experience, how can you guarantee an employer will select me?

As a Master's student you will have skills and qualities employers are looking for. Where needed, we will help guide and coach you to improve your interview skills, and can assist with CV writing, cover letter creation and other important skills. 

Am I guaranteed a paid internship?

No, we cannot guarantee which type of internship you will take part in, and therefore you may take part in an online internship which is not paid. We recognise that some students will prefer a paid internship so we have structured the scheme so you can choose to try to secure a paid internship first, and, if unsuccessful, you will still be able to do an online internship. All three types of internship will provide the skills employers are looking for and will be a valuable addition to your CV. 

Is there a fee?

No - there is no cost to register or participate in the Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme.

Who is eligible?

Who is eligible for the scheme?

The Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme is available to MA and MSc students studying full-time campus-based programmes at Aston University’s Birmingham or London campus. 

The scheme is open to students starting in January, April or September 2026. 

Participation is optional and free of charge. 

Which courses are eligible?

The guarantee applies to all full time MSc and MA programmes studied full-time in person in Birmingham or London. A small number of our programmes have a mandatory internship/placement – these are guaranteed and secured by your course team. Students on these programmes are not eligible for an additional internship through the broader scheme.

Is an internship guaranteed for every student, even if they don’t have prior work experience?

Yes - the scheme guarantees an internship to every eligible student who registers on time and actively engages with the process, regardless of prior work experience or prior qualifications. Students can apply for any of the three types of internships (in-person at Aston University, in-person or hybrid at an external employer, or online), but the University cannot guarantee which type you will secure. 

I’m an international student - will this affect my rights to work in the UK?

International students can participate. All types of internship – both paid and unpaid - are considered work under visa rules - meaning hours worked count towards their 20-hour per week limit during term time. If the internship is (for example) 12 hours per week, students may only do up to 8 more hours per week of other work at the same time. Students uncertain about their visa should consult the University’s International Advice team. 

You can find additional information in the international students section.

Not interested in an internship?

That’s OK - participation in the scheme is optional. However, note that if your course includes a mandatory clinical placement then you must complete this. The University offers other practical careers support such as the Aston Global Advantage, Careers & Placements services and other career-boosting activities during study and up to three years after graduation. 

Types of internship

Types of internship

There are three types of internship available.

An online internship:

• In collaboration with our partner, Virtual Internships, opportunities exist with hundred of employers across the world
• Aston students have taken part in online internships for a range of organisations, including Lendsqr, Medicidiom and The Smart Container Company.
• This will be unpaid.

An internship working for Aston University:

• A range of roles are available across our academic schools, research activity and professional services. Some examples are: Pharmacy Assistant, Enquiries and Conversion Assistant and Applied AI Support Intern.
• It may include a mix of in-person (on-site) and online work
• These internships are paid at a rate of £16.08 per hour.

An internship working for an external employer

• This may be in-person (on-site), online or a mix of the two
• These roles will be paid. The rate of pay will be determined by the employer

Will the internship be in-person, hybrid or online?

Depending on which of the above three types of internships that you choose, internships can be in-person (on-site), online, or hybrid (a mix of in-person and online).

Are the internships based in Birmingham / London or could they be elsewhere in the UK or overseas?

Our online internships provide opportunities working for companies across the world. Our Aston internships will take place at whichever campus you receive your teaching - Birmingham or London. For the in-person employer internships, many will be within the local region - occasionally some opportunities will be further afield.

What is an online internship?

Our online internships offer the same opportunity to work on live projects, developing the skills and experience employers are looking for, all from the comfort of your home.

You use digital tools - like email, video calls, project management apps, and shared documents – to communicate with your colleagues, meet with your line manager and carry out projects.

"The opportunity to work with a global team remotely pushed me to grow professionally and adapt to the demands of a remote work environment. I gained valuable industry insights and built connections that will help shape my future career"
Prathana Singh, Aston Master's graduate and Finance internship at Lendsqr

 

Some of the benefits of an online internship include:

• Learning how to build relationships in a remote working environment
  Many professional job roles now operate fully or partially online, ensuring the experience gained from being part of a team who only meet remotely, and learning how to build strong working relationships with your manager and colleagues in a virtual environment - will be highly valuable for your future career.
   
• Real work experience
  Just like traditional internships, you gain practical skills, work on projects, and learn how a company or industry operates. The type of work is the same as those offered in our face-to-face opportunities, but with a wider choice of employers as you can access organisations across the world.
   
• Flexible schedule
  Many online internships offer flexible hours, making them easier to fit around University or other commitments, plus you have the benefit of not having any travel time.
   
• Global opportunities
  You can intern for organisations located anywhere in the world, broadening your experience and networking opportunities.

Which companies offer internships?

Past students have completed internships at large multinationals such as GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), IBM, Microsoft, Samsung, Network Rail, Aldi, The Prince’s Trust, and Rolls Royce, as well as with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Is an online internship as good for my CV as a face-to-face internship?

You can be assured that the online internships we offer are high quality experiences that are recognised by prestigious employers across the world, such as Amazon. Working with a provider called Virtual Internships, we are able to offer professional online work experiences with hundreds of global employers.

Do online internships really improve employability?

Yes, online internships offer practical experience and networking opportunities. According to the University’s partner provider, Virtual Internships, 92% of interns said they were satisfied with their internship, 91% said the placement matched their chosen industry and 90% said they gained value and learned from the experience.

Results across Virtual Internships show 1 in 3 of their online interns are hired by the organsation they completed their internship at, and intern satisfaction is 95%, with interns saying they developed essential career skills.

You can hear about the online internship experience of Pamela, an Aston graduate who's now a Strategy Consultant at Amazon in the video below.

 

Will my internship be related to my field of study and/or interests?

Wherever possible, the University attempts to match internships to your field of study or career ambitions. However, this is not guaranteed - sometimes you may be offered a placement that develops more general professional or transferable skills.

How will I find internship opportunities with an external employer?

External employer internships sourced by the University will be advertised via the student portal (Aston Futures) under “Postgraduate Internships”. Students may also search for internships themselves online, as long as the opportunity fits their schedule.

How many hours a week are the internships?

The number of hours depends on the internship, but during term time it will not exceed 20 hours per week, in line with UK visa regulations (for international students). This applies to both paid and unpaid internships.

How long does the internship last?

Internships usually last around two months, but depending on the type and employer, the duration can range from about one month up to six months. Internships will not normally exceed your course duration.

Are the internships paid or unpaid?

It depends on the type of internship you undertake:

• All internships at Aston University will be paid, at a rate of £16.08 per hour.
• Internships with external employers are generally paid according to the National Minimum Wage (though exceptions may apply for charities, voluntary organisations etc.)
• Online internships via the third-party provider, Virtual Internships, are unpaid.

Can I apply for multiple internship opportunities?

Yes - you can apply for multiple internships. However, you can only accept one internship offer. You must reply to any offers you receive in a timely manner – usually within two working days.

Will I still have enough time to apply for and complete an online internship if I’m unsuccessful in securing an internship working for Aston University or an internship with an external employer?

Yes - there are four opportunities during the academic year to apply for internships. This means if you focus on Aston University or external employer placements first during the initial months, you can still apply for an online internship later in the year. Alternatively, you can choose an online internship early on as one of your options.

Will the internships be flexible and can I negotiate with employer?

It depends on the employer and the nature of the work/project. Flexibility or ability to negotiate terms is not guaranteed - this will vary case by case.

How do I apply?

How do I apply to the Postgraduate Guaranteed Internships Scheme?

How do I register for the Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme?

You’ll receive an email from the University’s Careers and Placements team within the first few months of your course, including a link to a “Preference Survey.” You must complete this survey by the deadline provided to register onto the scheme.

How do I secure an internship?

Our Careers and Placements Team helps by sourcing and quality-checking internship opportunities, then sharing them with eligible students. We support you through your application processes - including CV writing, interviews, and other selection stages.

How will I find internship opportunities with an external employer?

External employer internships sourced by the University will be advertised via the student portal (Aston Futures) under “Postgraduate Internships”. Students may also search for internships themselves online, as long as the opportunity fits their schedule.

Can I apply for multiple internships opportunities?

Yes - you can apply for multiple internships. However, you can only accept one internship offer.

Will I still have enough time to apply for and complete an online internship if I’m unsuccessful in securing an internship working for Aston University or an internship with an external company?

Yes - there are four opportunities during the academic year to apply for internships. This means if you focus on Aston University or external employer placements first during the initial months, you can still apply for an online internship later in the year. Alternatively, you can choose an online internship early on as one of your options.

Who can help me through the application process?

Our University’s Careers and Placements Team is available to help. We support you in finding opportunities, application processes, CV and interview preparation, and more.

Is there a fee to apply?

No - there is no cost to register or participate in the Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme.

International students

I’m an international student - will this affect my rights to work in the UK?

International students can participate. The internship is considered work, whether it is paid or unpaid, under visa rules - meaning hours worked count towards your 20-hour per week limit during term time. If the internship is (for example) 12 hours per week, students may only do up to 8 more hours per week of other work at the same time. Students uncertain about their visa should consult the University’s International Advice team.

If you already have other part-time employment, then the total hours of that employment plus the internship must not exceed 20 hours per week. Exceeding the 20-hour limit may lead to withdrawal from your course and loss of CAS (visa sponsorship).

How many hours a week are the internships?

The number of hours depends on the internship, but during term time it will not exceed 20 hours per week, in line with UK visa regulations (for international students). This applies to both paid and unpaid internships.

Can I get visa support for overseas internships?

We do not anticipate students will travel to other countries to take part in their internship. However, should this occur, the University only provides visa advice related to UK immigration. For internships overseas, you would need to seek independent legal advice. 

Are the internships based in Birmingham / London or could they be elsewhere in the UK or overseas?

Online internships will be available with employers across the world, with no travel required. Internships for Aston will be based at the campus where you undertake your studies  - either Birmingham or London. Face to face internships with employers are usually in the West Midlands region. Some may be further afield, though this will be made clear in the information provided.

Careers support

What careers support does the University offer?

At Aston, we don’t just prepare you for a job – we prepare you for a successful, fulfilling career. Our award-winning Careers and Placements team is committed to helping you at every step of the way. At Aston University, you don’t just learn – you learn to lead. Whether you would like to study or work abroad, secure a professional placement or consider starting your own business, we can help.

Find out more on our Careers and Placements team.

Will students have a university contact or supervisor during the internship?

Yes - students will continue to have access to university support during their internship.

How will I manage my classes and assignments during an internship?

Participation in the internship scheme is optional - you should carefully consider whether and how you can balance the internship with your course workload. Your studies must come first. The University notes that there are often quieter periods when internships may fit more easily.

Can the internship be extended or lead to a job offer?

Possibly - while a full-time job after the internship is not guaranteed, some employers may choose to extend internships or offer further opportunities based on performance. This is entirely at the discretion of the employer.