Work experience and internships
Explore different ways of gaining work experience and where to find opportunities.
Types of work experience
Work experience includes internships, placements, shadowing and volunteering. Our work experience guide explains the different types of work experience available to you.
Deadlines
You can find internships and work experience with smaller organisations available year-round.
Large graduate recruiters often advertise internships in the autumn, with many targeting students in their penultimate year. Use Bright Network's internship deadline tracker to stay updated on key dates.
Search for opportunities
Search for work experience and internship opportunities from a variety of employers interested in University of Bristol students using mycareer.
Other websites that advertise work experience include:
- Prospects
- TargetJobs
- Bright Network
- Rate My Placement
- Milkround
- Gradcracker: science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) opportunities
- Student Ladder
- Student Circus: for international students
- LinkedIn internship search
- Forage: Virtual internships
This is not a complete list. For other websites and tips on finding hidden opportunities, see our guide to finding work experience, internships and placements.
Work experience opportunities offered by us
We work with a variety of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), charities and social enterprises to offer you internships, training and knowledge exchange opportunities.
- SME Internship Scheme
Gain paid work experience from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). - IKEEP: the Intrapreneurial Knowledge Exchange Programme
Get training and real-world industry experience. - City Challenges
Take part in a City Challenge and support a charity or social enterprise while gaining invaluable experience.
Get ready to start your work experience
Read our advice on how to make the most of your work experience or internship.
Events and training sessions
Browse upcoming events on finding work experience.
Further support
For further support, book an appointment (subject to availability) to discuss your work experience search in more detail.
Unsure if you need an appointment? Get in touch with your questions and we will direct you to the most relevant support.
Track your skills
Reflect on, record and develop the skills you are learning through these activities in My Skills.