Introduction

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

The Internship Scheme is available to these students beginning their programme in September 2025, January 2026, April 2026, May 2026, September 2026, January 2027, April 2027 or May 2027.

Applying for the Internship Scheme is optional. There are no costs to register or to be accepted onto for the Internship Scheme.

* The Internship Scheme is not available to students whose degree programme already includes a mandatory internship/placement such as a clinical placement due to the integrated nature of existing professional experience.

About the internships

The three types of internship available under the Internship Scheme:

1. In-person internship with an external employer
This may include both in-person attendance and remote (online) working, at the discretion of the employer. Whether the internships is paid, unpaid, or unpaid but with some expenses paid will be at the discretion of the employer and will usually be stated when the internship opportunity is shared with prospective applicants. The rate of pay and/or expenses (if applicable) will be determined by the employer.

2. In-person internship at Aston University
This may include both in-person attendance and remote (online) working, at the discretion of the line manager. These internships will usually be paid. The rate of pay will be stated when the opportunity is shared with prospective applicants.

3. Online internships project-based internship with an employer
These internships are provided via a third party partner of the University.

Whilst we will try to accommodate a student’s preference and provide assistance to students during the application process, the University cannot guarantee:

• That a student will be accepted on to an internship of their choosing.
• That the internship will match a student’s specific area of study or sector interest.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Internship Scheme, students must:

• Be a registered postgraduate student studying a campus-based MA or MSc programme Aston University’s Birmingham or London campus.
• Complete and submit an expression of interest to the Careers and Placements Team by the deadline communicated to you within your first term of study. The University cannot guarantee an internship to students who do not register by the stated deadline.

Student Responsibilities

When applying for and undertaking an internship, students must:

• Proactively engage in seeking internship opportunities and with any application or selection process.
• Respond to communications from the Careers & Placements Team and/or the internship provider in a timely fashion during the on-boarding process.
• Conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner during the course of the internship and adhere to the rules and expectations of the internship provider.
• Ensure that they remain compliant with the terms of any visa they hold.

Failure to fulfil these responsibilities may result in the student losing their eligibility to take part in the Internship Scheme and/or their internship being brought to an end early.