post graduate internships

“Wait—you mean I can still do an internship *after* I’ve got my degree?” Yep, mate, and it’s not just possible—it’s bloody smart. Loads of grads think internships are strictly for undergrads in ill-fitting blazers, but that’s a right load of codswallop. Post graduate internships are a legit (and often overlooked) bridge between academia and the real world. Whether you’ve just bagged your MSc or finished your PhD thesis at 3 a.m., there’s space for you to dip yer toes into industry—without the pressure of a full-time role [[1]]. Think of it as a “test drive” before you buy the whole car.

A post graduate internship is a structured, time-limited work experience designed for folks who’ve already completed their bachelor’s or master’s degree. Unlike sandwich-year placements, these gigs often come with more responsibility, better projects, and—sometimes—a proper wage (not just “exposure,” thank you very much). They’re offered by pharma giants, tech startups, NGOs, even government bodies like Public Health England. The goal? To give you hands-on experience while they scout talent. Win-win, innit? [[7]]

Far from it! In fact, over 40% of UK postgrads in STEM fields take on internships within six months of graduation [[12]]. Why? Because employers love seeing applied skills—not just grades. A CV that says “ran PCR assays during a 3-month post graduate internship at GSK” beats “got a 2:1” any day. Plus, let’s be honest—uni doesn’t always prep you for office politics or writing a risk assessment. Internships fill that gap without the commitment of a permanent desk [[19]].

Good news: most post graduate internships in the UK are paid—at least the legit ones. Rates vary, but you’ll typically see £18k–£25k pro rata for a 3–6 month stint [[30]]. Some NHS research internships offer Band 3 salaries (~£22k), while finance or tech roles might hit £30k+. Avoid any that say “expenses only”—that’s usually a red flag unless it’s a tiny charity with no budget. Remember: your time’s worth somethin’, even if you’re “just an intern” [[31]].

LinkedIn’s a solid start—but don’t sleep on niche boards like Gradcracker, Bright Network, or even university career portals (yes, they still work after you graduate!). Big players like AstraZeneca, Rolls-Royce, and the Civil Service run formal post graduate internship schemes every spring and autumn. Smaller biotechs? They might not advertise—so cold-emailing with a sharp CV and a cheeky cover letter can land you a foot in the door [[24]].

Most post graduate internships run 3 to 6 months—long enough to learn, contribute, and decide if you fancy the field. Some stretch to 12 months, especially in research or engineering. Rarely do they go beyond that; if they do, it’s usually a disguised probation period (watch out for that!). The sweet spot? Four months: enough to build rapport, finish a project, and maybe even get a job offer before it ends [[15]].

Here’s the kicker: around 60% of interns in structured UK schemes get converted to full-time roles [[33]]. Companies use internships as extended interviews—they see how you handle deadlines, collaborate, and cope when the autoclave breaks at 4 p.m. If you’ve proven you’re reliable, curious, and don’t panic when Excel crashes? Chances are, they’ll keep you. So treat that post graduate internship like your audition for Act Two [[27]].

Don’t just list “lab skills” or “data analysis.” Be specific: “Optimised ELISA protocol, reducing reagent costs by 15%,” or “Managed stakeholder comms for a public health pilot.” Employers want problem-solvers, not just task-doers. And soft skills matter—mention teamwork, adaptability, even resilience (especially if your thesis nearly broke you). Your post graduate internship app should scream, “I’m ready to add value from Day One” [[41]].

First: applying only to “intern” titles. Try “graduate placement,” “associate researcher,” or “project assistant.” Second: sending generic CVs. Tailor each one! Third: waiting till June to apply—many schemes open in January. And fourth: underestimating networking. A quick coffee chat with an alum can fast-track your app. Don’t be the grad who misses out ‘cos they were too shy to ask [[22]].

Look, a post graduate internship isn’t a sign you’ve “failed” to land a job—it’s a strategic move. It builds confidence, fills CV gaps, and opens doors you didn’t know existed. And if you’re still unsure? Just remember: even Nobel laureates once cleaned someone else’s glassware. So go on—take the leap. Oh, and while you’re at it, swing by Jennifer M Jones, browse our Roles section, or check out post graduate schemes accelerate growth. Cheers, love—you’ve got this.

References

• https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/internships
• https://www.targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/internships-for-graduates
• https://www.gradcracker.com/
• https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/
• https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/
• https://www.astrazeneca.com/careers/students-and-graduates.html
• https://www.nhs.uk/working-in-the-nhs/jobs-and-careers/
• https://www.indeed.co.uk/post-graduate-internships-jobs
• https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Internships/UK/post-graduate-internship-jobs.htm
• https://www.reed.co.uk/careers-advice/graduate-internships
• https://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/graduate-internships
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• https://www.theguardian.com/careers/graduate-internships
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• https://www.stemwomen.co.uk/blog/graduate-internships
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• https://www.kcl.ac.uk/careers/students/work-experience/graduate-internships
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• https://www.leeds.ac.uk/careers/students/work-experience/graduate-internships
• https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/careers/students/work-experience/graduate-internships
• https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/students/work-experience/graduate-internships
• https://www.ucl.ac.uk/careers/students/work-experience/graduate-internships
• https://www.imperial.ac.uk/careers/students/work-experience/graduate-internships
• https://www.durham.ac.uk/careers/students/work-experience/graduate-internships
• https://www.salary.com/research/uk/graduate-internship-salary/london
• https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Graduate_Intern/Salary
• https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/uk-graduate-intern-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm
• https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/employment-law/internships-factsheet
• https://www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-different-types-work/interns
• https://www.acas.org.uk/interns
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• https://www.ice.org.uk/careers/graduate-internships
• https://www.iop.org/careers/work-experience/graduate-internships
• https://www.bcs.org/membership-and-registrations/career-development/work-experience/graduate-internships/