Internships

Internships vary in length but can last as long as 12 months. They can be paid or unpaid. Some employers use internships as a way of identifying future employees that they may wish to recruit.

There are also supported internships for young people with special needs or a disability.

How to apply for an internship

Our Vacancy Service advertises our internal Santander Universities Employability Programme, as well as external internships. Typically, students will secure internships by applying for vacancies advertised online or by networking to uncover hidden vacancies.

Attend a Careers Fair at the university and speak directly to employers who have a variety of opportunities on offer.

Useful websites to use are:

• Handshake - students
• Handshake - alumni
• Prospects
• TargetJobs
• RateMyPlacement
• Gradcracker (STEM opportunities)

You can expect a competitive recruitment process – be prepared for this, by visiting our CVs, Applications and Interviews pages or accessing support from an adviser.

When searching for opportunities, it is important to consider both large and small to medium-sized employers (SMEs), as often SMEs recruitment windows can be longer.

Do apply early to give yourself the best chance of securing a place.

What if I can't find an internship?

If you are in a position where you are finding it hard to secure a role, you should consider virtual internships, volunteering or part-time work.

Virtual Internships

A virtual internship is one where you work remotely. The benefit is that you don’t have to travel to work. It could make getting experience in a big city a possibility if the cost of travel and living expenses are a barrier. If you can work around time differences, you could even work anywhere in the world. 

On a virtual internship, you'll meet with staff, work together on projects and learn about the organisation online, using tools like email and video conferencing. You may take part in webinars and online company social events.

Find out more about  virtual internships and how they work. Look at these advertisements for virtual internships.

The Santander Universities Internship Programme

Applications for this year's Santander Internship Programme in the Greater Manchester area are open until August 2024.

It offers paid supervised work that allows you to apply your skills and knowledge in a real work setting, building experience and employability skills. The programme also supports the development of core skills like leadership, communication, and team working.

The Programme provides a taste of potential career paths, access to industry leaders and professionals, and opportunities across various sectors lasting around 90 hours based on employer needs. 

Interns will be paid at the Real Living Wage, currently £12.00 per hour and could earn up to £420.00 per week based on a 35-hour week. 

Eligibility criteria

To participate in the programme:

• You must be either a final year student or have graduated within the last three years.
• You must be able to work a 35-hour week. However, opportunities can be flexible, but hours and duration should be discussed with the employer.
• You can only work for one organisation over the course of the internship.
• You can only access the Santander Internship Programme if you have not previously participated in a Santander Funded Internship. 
• If you are in full-time study, you can only work full-time during the inter-trimester breaks. 
• If you take up part-time work whilst studying, you must make sure that your studies are not negatively affected. 
• You must have the necessary right to work in the UK, so if you're an international student or graduate, please be aware that you may be subject to visa restrictions. Please check your eligibility before applying. For internships, employers will carry out the right to work check before you start your employment. 

How to apply

All vacancies and opportunities offered through the Santander Universities Internship Programme are advertised on Handshake. If you've checked your eligibility:

• Select the role you wish to apply for via our Vacancies page. Funded internships will be labelled "Santander" and numbered. 
• Create a CV and covering letter that is tailored to the role for which you are applying, then attend a Careers & Enterprise drop-in to get your CV reviewed by an adviser. 
• Apply by emailing your completed CV and covering letter to business@salford.ac.uk as a Word or PDF attachment. Be sure to include the name and reference number of the role you are applying for in the subject line, along with your student ID number. 
• Your CV will be checked for suitability, and we will let you know if it has been forwarded to the employer. 
• The employer will contact you if you are successful. Please note timescales may vary depending on the employer and the volume of applications. 
• Once you have accepted an opportunity are required to register and confirm this through the Santander BECAS website.