Placements, Internships and Spring Weeks Explained

The differences defined

Students often use the words "internship" and "placement" interchangeably, but employers treat them as very different programmes. Understanding the distinction matters because the application deadlines, eligibility rules and outcomes vary significantly.

Spring weeks (or insight weeks)

These are short, introductory programmes that typically last between three and five days. They are aimed specifically at first-year university students (or second-year students on a four-year course). Spring weeks are most common in highly competitive sectors like investment banking, corporate law and strategy consulting. The week usually involves a mix of presentations, networking events, group exercises and a small project. The goal is to give you a taste of the firm's culture and the work they do.

Summer internships

These are longer, more hands-on programmes that usually run for eight to twelve weeks over the summer break. They are primarily aimed at penultimate-year students (second-year students on a three-year degree). Internships exist in almost every sector, from engineering and tech to marketing and retail. You are placed in a specific team and given real project work. You are treated much like a junior employee rather than a visitor.

Industrial placements (or placement years)

A placement year is a full-time role that lasts between nine and twelve months. It is usually taken between your second and final year of university, extending your degree into a four-year "sandwich" course. Placements are deeply integrated into your academic programme. Your university usually has a dedicated placement team that helps you find a role, and you often complete academic assignments alongside your work. They are very common in engineering, sciences, business and technology.

Work shadowing and work experience

These are informal, short-term arrangements (often a few days to a week) where you observe someone doing their job. They are usually unpaid and are more common for school and college students rather than university students. They do not typically lead to graduate job offers.

Comparison at a glance

Here is how the three main routes compare side by side.

Timeline by year of study

Missing a deadline is the most common mistake students make with early careers programmes. Large employers recruit a full year in advance. If you wait until the summer to look for a summer internship, the structured programmes at top firms will already be closed.

First year of university

Your main focus should be on spring weeks and insight days. Applications for spring weeks at top banks and law firms open in September or October of your first year and close by December or January. Use your first year to join relevant university societies, attend employer presentations on campus, and build a basic CV.

Second year of university (or first year of a four-year course)

This is the most critical year for early careers applications. Applications for summer internships at large employers open in September and October. Many close by November or December. If you are on a sandwich degree, you will also be applying for full-year industrial placements during this time. Securing a summer internship at this stage is the primary route to getting a graduate job offer before your final year begins.

Final year of university

If you completed a summer internship in your penultimate year, you will likely be converting that into a graduate scheme offer. If you did not do an internship, you will be applying directly to graduate schemes and entry-level jobs alongside your final-year studies. These applications also peak in the autumn term.

Pay and your rights

There is a common misconception that internships and placements are unpaid. For structured programmes at established employers, this is rarely the case.

Under UK law, an intern is entitled to the National Minimum Wage if they count as a "worker". You are generally classed as a worker if you have set hours, are required to turn up, and are doing work that adds value to the company. This covers most summer internships. There are some important exceptions, according to gov.uk's guidance for interns:

• Required course placements. If you are required to do a placement of less than one year as part of a UK further or higher education course, you are not legally entitled to the minimum wage. In practice, most large employers still pay placement students well, but always check before you accept.
• Work shadowing. If you only observe and do no actual work, the employer does not have to pay you.
• Voluntary roles. Unpaid volunteering for a charity or voluntary organisation, with only expenses covered, is also exempt.

How much do they pay? Many large employers pay interns a pro-rata version of their graduate starting salary. For example, if a firm pays its graduates £35,000 a year, an intern might be paid at that same annual rate for the duration of their twelve-week contract. This often works out to between £2,000 and £3,000 per month before tax.

In sectors like retail, hospitality or smaller creative agencies, pay might be closer to the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage for your age group. You can check the current legal minimum rates on gov.uk.

Unpaid internships. You may see unpaid internships advertised, particularly in fashion, media, politics, or the charity sector. If you would be doing real work as a worker, and none of the exceptions above apply, an unpaid internship may not be legal. Before accepting one, also consider whether you can afford to work for free, especially if the role is based in London or another expensive city. Some universities and charities offer bursaries or grants to help students cover living costs during unpaid internships. Check with your university's careers service to see if this funding is available.

The return offer

The main reason students compete so hard for summer internships at large companies is the "return offer".

A return offer is exactly what it sounds like. If you perform well during your summer internship, the employer will offer you a place on their graduate scheme for the following autumn.

This is highly beneficial for both sides. The employer gets to test your skills and cultural fit for three months before committing to hiring you permanently. You get to test the employer and secure a job before you even start your final year of university, removing the stress of job hunting while you are trying to write a dissertation.

Conversion rates vary by sector and employer. Data from the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) consistently shows that a significant percentage of graduates hired by large firms are former interns from those same firms. In investment banking and professional services, the conversion rate from intern to graduate analyst can be very high.

If you are on an industrial placement, the outcome is similar. Many placement students are offered a permanent role or a place on a graduate scheme at their host company before they return to university for their final year.

How to apply

The application process for spring weeks and summer internships is often a condensed version of the graduate scheme process.

Where to find them

Start with EarlyBird and our Company Directory to browse live placements, internships, and insight programmes scraped directly from UK employers' careers sites. Also check your university's careers portal, as employers sometimes advertise internships exclusively to students at specific institutions, as well as Prospects and TargetJobs. For industrial placements, your university's dedicated placement team will have a list of approved partner employers.

When to apply

Applications for structured spring weeks, summer internships, and placement years open in September and October for the following year's intake, and many fill on a rolling basis before Christmas. Start researching in late summer so you are ready to submit as soon as portals open.

What the process looks like

For a spring week, you might only need to submit an online application form and complete a short situational judgement test. For a summer internship at a large firm, the process is more rigorous. You will likely face psychometric tests, a video interview, and an assessment centre. Smaller employers may simply ask for a CV and cover letter.

Employers do not expect first- or second-year students to have extensive industry experience. They are looking for potential, commercial awareness, and transferable skills. Use examples from part-time jobs, university group projects, sports teams, or society committees to demonstrate skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.

Research the company thoroughly before you apply. Read their recent press releases, understand their main competitors, and know why you want to work for them specifically, rather than just wanting a job in their sector.

Myths, corrected

"I need to do an internship in my first year to get one in my second year." You do not. Spring weeks are designed for first years precisely because they do not expect you to have prior industry experience. If you miss out on a spring week, you are not locked out of summer internships. Use your first year to build your CV through societies and part-time work.

"Internships are only for business and finance students." Every sector runs internships. Engineering firms, tech companies, scientific research labs, publishers, and manufacturing plants all take on summer interns and placement students.

"If I don't get a return offer, the internship was a waste of time." It was not. Having a recognised brand name on your CV significantly improves your chances of getting interviews for graduate schemes elsewhere. The skills you learn and the professional network you build are valuable even if you do not stay with that specific employer.

"I have to do a placement year." A sandwich degree with a placement year is an excellent option, but it is not mandatory. Many students complete three-year degrees and secure excellent graduate roles. If you are unsure, speak to your university's placement team early in your first year to understand how switching to a sandwich course works.

FAQ

• Can I do an internship if I have already graduated?↓

  Can I do an internship if I have already graduated?

  Most structured summer internships at large firms are strictly for current students who are returning to university for at least one more year. If you have already graduated, you should apply for graduate schemes, entry-level roles, or graduate internships (which are specific schemes designed for recent graduates, often run by the public sector or charities).

• Do I need a visa to do an internship in the UK?↓

  Do I need a visa to do an internship in the UK?

  If you are an international student on a Student visa, you can usually work full-time during official university vacations, and a placement that is an assessed part of your course is normally allowed. During term time, your working hours are limited. Always check the specific conditions of your visa and speak to your university's international student advice team before accepting an offer.

• How do I ask for a reference after my internship?↓

  How do I ask for a reference after my internship?

  On your final day, ask your direct line manager or the graduate recruitment team if they would be willing to act as a professional reference for you in the future. Get their corporate email address. Send a thank-you email a week later to keep the connection warm.

• What is the difference between an off-cycle internship and a summer internship?↓

  What is the difference between an off-cycle internship and a summer internship?

  A summer internship runs during the standard university summer break. An off-cycle internship takes place during the academic term (for example, a six-month internship from January to June). Off-cycle internships are more common in finance and are sometimes taken by students who take a semester off or have a flexible course structure.

Ready to get started?

Getting a placement or summer internship is one of the best ways to secure a top graduate job before you even finish university.

The next step is to start tracking deadlines and preparing your applications. Create a free EarlyBird account to get personalised internship recommendations and discover the best student employers in the UK.

Sign up for EarlyBird or browse our Company Directory to get started!