IT work experience

Gaining IT work experience through an internship or placement while at university will stand you in good stead for entering the cutting-edge tech industry

What are tech internships?

An information technology (IT) or tech internship involves carrying out work experience or on-the-job training at an organisation where your primary duties will be focused on technology.

These structured programmes are often aimed at school, college and university students, although many are open to graduates and those without any higher-level qualifications.

Internships usually last two to three months during the summer (between June and August), although they can be shorter (spring weeks).

This differs from an industry work placement, which takes place during university term time and lasts up to a year.

Do you need work experience to get an IT job?

Many entry-level IT roles don't require any experience, so you may be able to find a job with just your existing certifications. However, for the most highly competitive graduate positions, anything that can help you stand out from other candidates can only be viewed as positive.

If you don't have any IT work experience and are still at college or university, explore the latest tech internships to see whether anything fits with your career aspirations.

For those studying at school or sixth-form college, explore Year 12 work experience.

What tech internships are available?

You can complete an internship in many areas, from traditional IT roles to working on the latest technologies, including:

artificial intelligence (AI)
cloud computing
cyber security
database management
IT support
network engineering
software engineering
software development
systems administration
tech sales.

Which companies offer IT internships?

Amazon - with a rolling start date from January to September, internship positions are available in several operational areas, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Amazon Logistics (AMZL). In a project management role, you'll get to develop your data analytics skills.
Apple - the tech giant runs summer internships in various teams such as research engineering, GPU (graphics processing unit) physical design, hardware modelling, and machine learning.
BAE Systems - 12-week summer internships are available in various roles, including business analyst, operational cyber engineer, data consultant and security consultant.
Barclays - 10-week cyber and security, developer, and technology analyst internships take place each summer at their Knutsford site in Cheshire.
BP - an 11-week summer internship in science and technology.
Deloitte UK - the professional services firm runs a four to six-week Summer Vacation Scheme for university students. You can work in technology or cyber, data and digital.
EY - a four-week paid summer internship in technology consulting, where you can help clients solve challenges with their cyber security or AI.
GCHQ - as well as 10-week internships in its intelligence mission teams, there's a Cyber Insights Summer School where you'll learn how to use innovative technologies.
HSBC - technology interns can choose to focus on cyber security and spend eight to 10 weeks working with teams to solve real business problems.
IBM - summer internships are offered in consulting and technology. You'll get to work with clients by taking part in a consulting project or technology initiative.
Jane Street - a 10 to 12-week technology internship in machine learning or software engineering.
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co - the Data & Analytics Summer Internship allows students to develop data science, machine learning and AI skills.
Lloyds Banking Group - summer internships in cyber security are held in Edinburgh and Leeds.
National Grid - gain on-the-job training with a 12-week summer in cyber security, IT or systems operations.
Ocado Group - with a software engineering internship at Ocado Technology, interns will spend 10 weeks working on a live project.
Tesco - prospective interns can select from a range of cyber, online, software development and technical internships at its Hertfordshire campus.

What about spring weeks?

If you're unsure which IT path to pursue, consider participating in spring weeks.

These unique programmes provide a condensed introduction to IT, typically lasting for one to two weeks during the Easter break.

IT organisations that run spring weeks include:

Spring weeks can be highly competitive, so it's recommended that you apply early in the academic year to increase your chances of securing a placement.

What are the benefits of an IT internship?

Internships in the IT sector offer valuable opportunities for aspiring professionals to:

gain practical experience and work on real-world projects
apply their theoretical knowledge
develop key technical skills
adopt problem-solving techniques
collaborate with industry professionals
build a strong network of connections, including mentors
attend workshops and industry events

Adding this work experience to your CV can make a significant difference when looking to secure full-time employment after graduation.

What do tech internships involve?

All technology summer internships will offer an insight into what it's like working for a leading organisation. The exact nature of the training will depend on the specifics of the programme and the area of IT you'll be focusing on, such as cyber security or software engineering.

For example, those on Amazon's 12-week Data Centre Technician Internship in London will work 40 hours per week:

troubleshooting hardware in servers
understanding the importance of meeting targets with assigned tickets
performing supervised server hardware repairs on drives and motherboards
interacting with third-party vendors and contractors working on site.

As a technology developer intern at Barclays, you'll get to design, install, test and maintain new systems. You'll be expected to find innovative solutions to complex problems for the bank's clients and customers.

In this role, you'll learn about global financial markets and work in a technical environment that uses:

C++
Hadoop
Java
Linux
Python
Unix.

Read more about programming languages and systems at IT courses.

Jane Street has described a typical day on an internship at its York and London offices:

Breakfast buffet - available until 10am.
Class - discover how to write performance-sensitive code or learn about machine learning or even poker.
Project updates - connect with your mentor about how your project is going.
Lunch - choose from the buffet selection or order from a local restaurant.
Independent project - spend time working on this.
Class - join other interns in 'mock trading,' learn why the company uses OCaml (programming language) or explore the complexities of heuristics (mental shortcuts) and biases.
Event - go to a sports game, have a meal with your team or explore the city with other interns.

What are the entry requirements?

To be accepted onto a tech-focused internship programme, you'll typically need to be a second or final-year university student expected to achieve a specific grade in a related subject.

For instance, the National Grid's Cyber Security Summer Internship based in Warwick takes on penultimate-year students on track for a 2:1 in cyber security or an IT degree with a cyber component.

Deloitte UK also looks for students in their penultimate year at university but asks for a 2:1 or above in any discipline. Graduates about to pursue a Masters course are eligible for the programme.

Lloyds Banking Group seeks second-year students on course for a 2:2 or above in any subject while HSBC's programme is open to students from all backgrounds who have a passion for technology.

Finally, the advert for Amazon's Data Centre Technician Internship explains that it's looking for students:

studying IT certifications or a Bachelors degree in related fields such as IT or computer hardware repair
with excellent written and verbal communication skills
who work well in a team environment
displaying excellent time management skills.

The employer also states that a basic knowledge of Linux and any experience in networking would be an advantage.

When and how do I apply for work experience in IT?

In most cases, you'll apply for work experience online by completing an application form on the employer's website.

The deadlines for application submissions vary between each programme.

For example, applications for BT's programme open in September. Your internship would then take place between June and September of the following year.

Barclays starts accepting applications in June for next year's intake.

On the other hand, National Grid recruits on a rolling basis for its June programmes, although they add that assessment centres are held between December and the end of March.

The Ocado application process involves the following stages:

online application
60-minute online test
technical interview with two engineers
values assessment interview.

Consider how to ask employers for work experience.

Will I be paid?

As a tech intern, you'll be entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for your age group - see GOV.UK - National Minimum Wage rates. However, most employers in the sector pay more than this.

Here are the latest wages on offer for 2025 summer internships in IT (all salaries are pro rata):

BAE Systems - £23,100.
Barclays - £40,000.
BP - £35,200 for the Science and Technology Summer Internship.
IBM - £22,500.
National Grid - £24,109.
Tesco - £26,000.

Most IT interns get paid between £22,000 and £26,000 (pro rata), although salaries can go as high as £40,000.

Does IT work experience result in a permanent job?

Completing an IT or tech internship with a company puts you in a good position to get a full-time job with them - especially if you make a strong impact through your work.

This is why former interns fill many graduate roles. Indeed, some recruiters, including Deloitte UK, HSBC and National Grid, state that interns may be offered a position on a relevant graduate scheme after completing the programme. Get the lowdown on technology graduate schemes.

Even if it doesn't result in a permanent job, the employer insists that the work experience will provide a great foundation for your future career.

Find out more

Consider doing an IT apprenticeship.
Get an overview of the UK's IT industry.
Read about student jobs at university.