From rolling green hills to bustling cities, a millennia of literary masterpieces to incredible modern art, tea to crumpets, England is an easy country to fall in love with. For such a small country, there are so many wonderful things here! Or maybe you’re just interested in the Harry Potter-themed stuff….We won’t judge.
FYI: You’ll have to get yourself to Scotland for this one.
Either way, England is a great place to visit and an even better place for a summer internship abroad. But where in England is the best place for summer internships? There are tons of different options for location, and they all have different pros and cons. We’ve listed some of our favorites here to help you make a decision that’s right for you.
What makes these the best?
If you want to try a summer internships in England, chances are you have thought about interning in London. London is an awesome city filled with tons of culture, history, and adventure. We get it!
But there are tons of incredible cities in England. Some (*cough, most) are cheaper than living in London, and many have just as much amazing history and architecture. All of the locations for summer internships on our list are wonderful for different reasons, and they all deserve their moment in the spotlight.
And a summer internship in any of these cities will allow you to experience key parts of British culture. You’ll sip afternoon tea, drive on the other side of the road, and maybe even pick up some British slang. All these destinations are different but you’ll have an awesome time interning abroad in any of them!
Where to find summer internships in England
1. Bristol
Summer internships in England will expose you to moments of pure magic!
As a coastal city, Bristol was known in the 1500s for being a jumping off point for voyages to North America. Today, the docks have been adapted as part of the city’s historical heritage. The SS Great Britain is a stunning example of the city’s coastal heritage. You’ll have a blast exploring the ship in a hands-on way, climbing up the rigging, and other awesome experiences.
Bristol is also the home of the world-famous muralist, Banksy. You can explore the city by touring all of Banksy’s incredible art pieces. The art scene in general is huge here! The city was designated “City of Film” by UNESCO in 2017. There are tons of theaters and theater companies, perfect for seeing shows on weekends out with your new friends.
Bristol is even part of the “Creative Cities Network.” All this and more makes it perfect for creative type internships. We’re talking film, theater, and other visual arts! The city also has a large aerospace industry, perfect for our aspiring rocket-scientists out there.
Recommended summer internship programs in Bristol:
- API International Internships in Bristol, England by Academic Programs International
- Paid Business Placements in Australia, Nepal, Thailand, and UK
- Browse ALL summer internship programs in Bristol
2. Bath
If you’re thinking of actual bathtubs right now, you’re not 100% wrong. Bath was named for its famous Roman-era baths. It’s also home to the only hot springs in all of England! If luxurious soaking is your thing, you’ve come to the right place.
Popular summer internships in England for international students here include au pair and hospitality. Au pair internships consist of you living with a family and caring for the children while also teaching them English. Due to the nature of the internship, this typically requires a longer contract. Hospitality internships will likely put you in the middle of the spa and soaking scene!
Bath’s gorgeous cityscape includes Georgian architecture coupled with ancient temples with Roman influences. Many buildings are built with a special local bath stone, a beautiful honey-colored stone. The golden stonework lends the city a certain elegance that you’ll absolutely love!
3. York
Walk the line between historic and modern in York.
Did we invent time travel or are you just visiting York? York’s medieval charm has endured the centuries and we’re here for it. Stroll along the 13th century walls that encircle the city and maybe stop to read some Shakespeare while you’re at it.
At the city’s center lays the York Minster, possibly the most beautiful (and definitely the largest) Gothic cathedral in all of Europe. And our chocoholics out there will be thrilled to know that the chocolate scene in York is huge and has been for centuries!
York internships are focused on the budding culinary scene (just think of the chocolate internships) and the centuries of history the city holds. History nerds rejoice and apply to internships here immediately! Tourism is also big in York and there are a handful of related internships involving hospitality.
4. Manchester
As the third-most visited city in England, Manchester is a great balance of big city life without the sky-high cost of living in London. Manchester is most well-known for sports, but the performing arts scene here is great as well! With such a big city, there’s something for everyone here.
Between sports clubs, teams, and coaches, the sports scene is huge. Plenty of Manchester internships are in sporting organizations as a result. You don’t have to intern in sports to get a taste of the sports scene in Manchester. Visit Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium to see one of the two huge premier football league clubs.
Beyond sports, the city is also a great place for arts and shopping! Amazing opera, performing arts, and other music-related entertainment is practically in your backyard when you intern in Manchester. And because of the size of Manchester, there are plenty of opportunities to intern in practically anything you want! The amount of options here can almost be overwhelming. We’ve got you there, too.
Recommended summer internship programs in Manchester:
- Manchester Internship Program by CRCC Asia
- TEFL Internship Abroad by i-to-i TEFL
- Browse ALL summer internship programs in Manchester
5. Brighton
Hoping for beach trips during summer internships in England? You’re in luck!
Known as the "unofficial gay capital of the UK", Brighton is also one of the happiest cities in all of England, making it perfect for summer internships. The arts scene is big here with art festivals galore, including England’s second biggest art festival (Brighton Festival) each May. Brighton is known for even more festivals — Festival Fringe, Pride Festival, and more.
Brighton’s proximity to both London and the coast has made it a huge business hub. A lot of the summer internships for international students here are involved with business or finance industry. The city is also home to several software and information technology companies, earning it a nickname of “Silicone Beach.” Media and information technology internships are popular here as a result.
When you’re not at your internship or attending one of the city’s many festivals, you can pop over to London for a perfect day trip! Take a day to see Big Ben, the Westminster Bridge, ride the London Eye, and then go home after. You’ll see the incredible sights and still avoid the traffic and pollution of a big city.
Recommended summer internship programs in Brighton:
- ESL - Language Courses and Internship Abroad
- Browse ALL summer internship programs in Brighton
6. Birmingham
Birmingham is all the pros of living in a big city without most of the cons. It’s considerably cheaper than London, while still providing a host of museums and theaters for you to experience. There are six universities in the city, which means tons of interesting students, both foreign and native, for you to have adventures with!
For our shopaholics out there, there’s Birmingham’s Bullring. The area has been central to the city since the middle ages and now boasts some of the best shopping centers out there. Plus, its location in the center of England makes it perfect for long weekend trips to see other beautiful parts of the country.
As the second largest city in England, Birmingham offers plenty of summer internship opportunities. The city played a large role in the industrial revolution in England, and its manufacturing industry still thrives today. Because of this, many internships in Birmingham involve things like electrical engineering. It’s a big city though, and offers plenty of varied internship opportunities, from fashion to hotel work!
Recommended summer internship programs in Birmingham:
- Get a TEFL Internship Abroad with an i-to-i TEFL Course
- Browse ALL summer internship programs in Birmingham
7. Cambridge
St. John’s College is a must-see during your internship in Cambridge.
Cambridge University was founded in 1209 and has played a crucial role in forming this incredible city. The city’s huge student population means there are internships galore here! The Cambridge Biomedical Campus in particular is one of the biggest health science and medical research centers. Because of the proximity, internships in medicine and research abound here in Cambridge.
It’s impossible to intern in Cambridge without experiencing profound awe at its incredible cultural heritage. The architecture alone is enough reason to intern there, with buildings that look straight out of the middle ages (because they are). You can wander the winding cobblestone streets and experience the city exactly like other students and wanderers before you.
And, between the botanical gardens and the King’s College Chapel, you’ll have tons of incredible sights to see and experience. Punting — using a long pole to propel and steer a boat — in Cambridge’s many waterways will become your new favorite pastime! And you’ll fall in love with the traditional sticky Chelsea buns that are common in the area. Interning in Cambridge will make an amazing summer for you!
Recommended summer internship programs in Cambridge:
- Paid internships in the Cambridge by PIC Management
- Browse ALL summer internship programs in Cambridge
8. London
When you think about summer internships in England, London is likely the first city that comes to mind and for good reason! London is one of the most iconic cities in the entire world and has been a major hub for over two millennia. The city is a stunning mix of historical buildings and cultural heritage while still being full of innovation and modern life. Basically, it’s the perfect place for summer internships in England for international students.
The best part about summer internships in London, England is the numerous types of internships available. It’s a huge city; if you can imagine it, London probably has an internship for it. Some of their specialties include finance, music, business, fashion, medicine, and tourism.
Just because there are so many types of internships doesn’t mean it’s not competitive! London is a popular city for summer internships and you’ll have to fight for your intern spot. Check out some of our resume tips for interning abroad to help you stand out from the competition.
Recommended summer internship programs in England:
- International Internships & Volunteer Programs in London by The Intern Group
- Browse ALL summer internship programs in London
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You’re ready for a summer internship in England!
There will be plenty of opportunities to soak up the rays during summer internships in England!
You might be nervous when you start your summer internship. Chances are, the first day or even the first week will be hard. Hang in there! It will be worth it. England’s gentle charm will win you over. And the internship in England will look super on your resume as well!
By the time you come home, you’ll be all about afternoon tea and crumpets. You’ll be an expert at taking the tube and driving on the left side of the road. And, most importantly, you’ll have grown and learned a ton of new skills that will help you, both professionally and personally, for years to come! No matter where you go, you’ll have a blast.
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