Guaranteed internships with every Master's degree
Stand out from the crowd by choosing a postgraduate degree at Aston University London.
Aston University London's Postgraduate Guaranteed Internship Scheme means you get more than a degree; you will graduate with an industry internship and the experience and skills employers around the world are looking for. We have a network of global employers with exciting opportunities available for Aston students.
How does it work?
We guarantee an internship to all full-time students studying a taught Master’s programme at either our London campus, including MA and MSc programmes, for students joining Aston in the 25/26 or 26/27 academic year.
It is open to both international and UK students, and there is no charge to register or participate in the scheme.
Our multi award-winning Careers and Placements Team will work with you to secure your industry internship which you will complete part-time, taking no more than 20 hours per week. The precise hours and timing will depend on each employer’s requirement, but will fit around your study timetable.
The duration of the internship will usually be around two months, but could range from around one month up to six months.
Aston internship stories
See how internships have shaped the future of three Aston students.
Who’s it for?
The guaranteed internship scheme is open to all MA and MSc students taught in person at our London campus, who are beginning their programme in September 2025, January 2026, April 2026, May 2026, September 2026, January 2027, April 2027 or May 2027. It is not dependent on prior experience.
What if I don’t want to do an industry placement?
No worries, taking part in the programme is entirely optional (with the exception of students studying a course with a mandatory clinical placement). There are a wide range of other career-boosting activities, including the Aston Global Advantage and careers support from our multi-award winning Careers and Placements Team, which is available both during your study and for three years after you graduate.
This sounds too good to be true – what’s the catch?
There’s no catch, but there are a few things you will need to do once you have enrolled on your course.
Students must register for the scheme in the stated time frame, the timing and registration process will be communicated to you once you have enrolled on your course (you can’t register before you have fully enrolled). This is not an application which you pass or fail, it is just to register your interest in participating. There is no cost to register or participate in the scheme (though you may incur some travel costs for in-person internships).
You will need to actively engage with the opportunities communicated and will need to follow the employer/organisation’s application process. You can apply for any of the first three types of internship (excluding students on courses with a mandatory clinical placement) but we cannot guarantee which type you will secure.
Read our full terms and conditions.
International students – will this affect my rights to work in the UK?
International students will typically be able to work for up to 20 hours per week during term-time. Whether your internship is paid or unpaid, it will be classed as work and therefore is included within your allocated allowance (with the exception of students completing a mandatory clinical placement). So for example, if your internship is 12 hours per week, you would only be permitted to do a further 8 hours of work per week, during the period your internship is taking place.
Make sure you check your visa carefully to understand what your working entitlement is. If you are unsure we would suggest you ask our International Student Advice team by emailing astoninternational@aston.ac.uk before commencing additional work. This is to ensure you do not inadvertently go over the 20 hour limit.
My work placement experience at Aston
Linh recalls her experience of moving to the UK and how completing an internship at Aston gave her the perfect career start.
From working on TEDx Aston University, to completing a paid internship at a company in Birmingham city centre, Linh gained invaluable experience and contacts.
Linh completed a Master’s in Strategic Marketing Management at Aston.
