General inquiries about Internship UK

General inquiries about working in the UK

Why is an internship a good idea?

Increasingly to compete in the modern job market, many organisations are looking for applicants who have proven skills and a solid work ethic. An Internship can provide students with a range of transferable skills and competences to help build up your future career. An internship can also be a major asset to your CV, whether you a searching for a new job or looking for more work experience. Our internship programmes will not only enhance your desirability and determination within the international job market, but also provide you with an opportunity to embrace new cultural experiences and meet people from around the world. Overall, with an internship you have the opportunity to gain a global perspective and gain a greater international attitude to life and work.

Background of our internship programmes

As an affiliate of Gift-Tours.com, Internship-UK is dedicated towards providing work experience and training to students from all over the world. Our internship programmes are carefully designed for each of our inters. Form the start of your internship, we provide an initial induction course, to ensure that our interns are prepared for the tasks and projects they will be undertaking. We provide a mentor to guide new interns into their internship programme and learn all the necessary skills for their internship. Over time we provide projects and unsupervised work to our interns with the chance of promotion and more responsibilities in our company.

Do students need to have particular qualifications to carry out a work placement in one of our international companies?

We do appreciate students who already have work experience in the field they want to apply for as an intern. However, we will be happy to work with trainees who have relatively little experience or not at all. Therefore, you will be given a training at the beginning of your work placement. You will have the opportunity to work in one of our diverse departments of the company: Marketing, Sales, Human Resources etc. If you have any questions about our work placements' offers or if you need any help, please Contact us!

How can I apply to Internship UK?

Potential student interns may apply to one of our internships via our main on-line page at Internship-UK. Our initial application process consists of 45 on-line questions designed to assess the background and characteristics of candidates and target interns who can bring a positive attitude to our companies. After the initial application process, if you meet the requirements of our work placement offers; successful applicants will have two phone interviews with our HR team and one last interview with our manager and CEO. Alternatively if you live in the UK we can arrange a face to face interview at our head office in New Romney Kent.

Is it necessary to work on my English before beginning my work placement in the UK?

English is the language during working hours, thus in order to work effectively our interns have to be able to communicate easily with their colleagues and international or UK customers. The initial phone interview that we conduct, is a good way for us to assess your level of English and then we will be able to find the most suitable work placement regarding your linguistic skills. Over the course of your internship, you will be practising the English Language each day and will have the chance to improve your language skills. Besides as you will be practising the English language each day you will have the chance to strongly improve your language skills and gain work experience. On top of that, you will have the opportunity to learn from all our interns a range other languages among our diverse, multicultural team. While it is not directly affiliated with our internship programme we can offer a range of English lessons with our Learn English programme.

Expectations of students during their internship?

Interns are required to work for a minimum of 40 hours per week. Our shifts are flexible to fit the hours during which you work best. Initially, new interns will start off as trainees and depending on your work efforts, will be promoted. The tasks of interns will vary on department. Interns will be able to work independently as well as in collaborative projects. We ask that our interns come with a thirst to learn and an open mind. As our interns work on a range of projects and tasks we ask that you have good time management skills and good communication and interpersonal skills, to meet the ever competitive job market. Our interns are expected to develop a range of transferable skills and competences

What are the deadlines to apply and the duration of internships?

Applications for our internship programmes are on a rolling basis. You can apply for an internship placement any time throughout the year for the duration of your choice. Typically our Internships range from two weeks to six months. However, in order to receive the maximum amount of potential from our programmes we take presidency on interns who are looking for a placement that is longer than three months.

What documentation is required in order to attend an internship with Internship-UK?

Students who wish to join our internship programme must obtain a valid working visa through the British government or one of the provided in the Work UK Guide. It is a necessary document needed to enter the country as well as work at our company. In addition as a prequirement all applicants must be on a be on a ERASMUS scholarship or Leonardo programme. For more information on obtaining a work visa and how to apply visit the UK border agency or contact your university or current institution. If you are a European Union citizen you can travel to the UK with your ID card. However we strongly recommend you to bring your passport. If you come from abroad you need a valid passport.

Do interns need a work permit to carry out a work placement in the UK?

For citizens in the European Union you do not need a work permit to carry out a work placement in the UK. Non-European Union citizens must provide a valid work permit to gain work experience in the UK which enables them to work full time. (40 hours a week) At Internship UK we are not able to provide this work paper. We ask that all applicants who are thinking of undertaking an internship programme secure their work permits before applying. We have the right to ask for your work permit before processing your application.

I am no longer a student can I still apply for an internship?

At Internship UK we welcome applicants from all over the world who are keen motivated people looking to gain practical experience in the field of their choice. However, to be formally accepted you must still be affiliated with a university or institution and be on an ERASMUS scholarship or Leonardo programme.

Is this Internship paid or unpaid? How will I finance my internship?

Like most internship programmes in the UK, our internship programme is unpaid. Interns can inquire about financial support or scholarships for work placements in the UK, through your school or learning provider. To find more information on the availability of grants and scholarships visit our Scholarships & Grants page.

How much spending money do I need?

If you are thinking of applying for an internship in London, we advise that you budget your finances accordingly. If you are thinking of applying to our head office in New Romney you will need substantially less disposable cash, as we can provide our interns with an all inclusive package that covers all your basic living expenses.

What Insurance will I need?

Ask that our interns secure their own comprehensive travel and sickness cover for the duration of their internship. This will cover you with all necessary medical expenses. If you are taken ill, or have an accident, the NHS (National Health Service) will help you. You may have to pay a consultation fee to the Doctor, but all costs will be covered by your insurance. If your internship is longer than three months, we would like you to register with your near GP. (General Practitioner)

Where can I get further information about accommodations in the UK (type, price, area etc.)?

We offer at our London office single rooms and double rooms in a flatshare. If you need further information about our accommodations, please visit (www.flat-share.com) our web site. At our head office in New Romney we make sure that our interns have a range of suitable, convenient accommodation to our offices with rooms located between 5 to 15 minutes walk from the office, at the Littlestone Hotel. For more information on the type of accommodation that we provide for our interns visit our Accommodation page.

May Interns find their own accommodation rather than what is provided by the company?

This option is appropriate for students who already have accommodation in the UK. For our London office we do offer several flat shares options to our interns during their stay. At our head office in New Romney our stance has been that it is more beneficial for our interns to live in the accommodation provided. Our accommodation in New Romney is located close to our office and provides many facilities and activities for our interns to relax and unwind. Including a home cinema, wireless internet access, laundry facilities, parking, pool table, a foosball table, barbecue and many more facilities all at an affordable price. For more information and details about the types of accommodation the we provide at Internship UK visit our Accommodation page.

How many students work as interns in your company?

Due to the nature of our recruitment process, at Internship-UK the number of people working at our company changes throughout the year. The number of interns may lower or increase depending upon seasonal changes and ongoing projects.

How to get to our offices in London and New Romney?

London office: The London office is easily accessible via the tube. From Heathrow, you will be able to take the Picadilly Line to Manor House.

New Romney office: To get to our head office in New Romney you should take the National Rail to Ashford International. (Kent) From there we can arrange for a pick up. Or by bus, take the number 11 from Ashford international to New Romney. For more information about our offices and how to get our offices visit our work placement page.

What is the difference between the London and New Romney office?

Our London office is considerably small in size and only specialises in the field of property management. Furthermore, at our London office you will be expected to work more independently as you will have less face contact time with the management team. As such the work carried out in our London office is on a considerably smaller scale compared to the opportunities available at our head office.

At our Head office in New Romney this is where our core operations occur and as such this is where you will develop your skills in a more integrated way, benefiting from more contact with management who will be able to support and review your progress and development.

Can I bring my car with me?

If you would like to bring your own car or rent a car for the duration of your internship, remember to bring an International Driving Licence with you. At our offices in New Romney we can provide free parking for our interns who are thinking of bringing their own transportation.

Do students receive a certificate at the end of their internship?

Upon the completion of your internship, students will be given a certificate online via our website and a detailed report of what they have accomplished during your work placement. If you have performed particularly well during your placement, our CEO can provide you with a reference letter, to help get your career under-way.

Do interns require special working papers to carry out their work experience in the UK?

Interns are required to obtain working papers in the UK in order to gain legal access into the country for work opportunities.

Do interns need a passport to come to the UK?

Passports are needed to leave and enter countries, especially the UK. Beware of special stamps that you may need upon entering the UK.

What is there to do during your spare time in the UK?

In our London office our houses and facilities are easily accessible to the tube stations that runs throughout the city. During your days off, interns have the opportunity to visit all the sights and sounds of London. At our head office in New Romney, there is easy access to the use the buses and trains to get to neighbouring towns and cities. In New Romney there is a beach only a few minutes away, golf course and a gym as well as several facilities on hand available for our interns to use, such as free internet and a home cinema. Our staff regularly organise many social activities throughout the week and weekends to promote greater sense of integration and community life.

Does Internship UK provide food for interns?

At Internship UK, at our London office we provide catering facilities for our interns during working hours. At our head office in New Romney we have catering facilities for our interns during the week, to provide regular meals throughout the day exclusively at the Littlestone hotel.

How do you open up a bank account in the UK?

For most of our interns there is no need to open a bank account in the UK. Opening a bank account in the UK is can be quite complicated. Since our internship programmes are unpaid bearing all the transaction fees while using your current account can be a more convenient option. Nevertheless, if you would like open up a bank account in the UK, you should check if your bank has a partnership with one of the UK's banks.

Banks will ask you to provide documentation that confirms some or all of the following details:

• Your identity
• Your student status
• Your address in the United Kingdom
• Your overseas address

Where can I get a UK SIM card for my mobile phone?

There are several shops throughout the UK where you can buy a SIM card for your phone. Our staff will be glad to help you sort out a SIM when you arrive in the UK. One of the cheapest options is to buy a pay as you go phone or a SIM card.

Contact us!

You can apply directly or if you have any question please send us an email to our Human Resources department.

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