Help with gaining work experience

You can find a range events and workshops that will give you tips and advice for searching and applying for internships, casual work, and placements. 

Check Handshake for the latest events and workshops taking place in-person and virtually. Click on 'Events' from the list of options on the left.

The University has several schemes to help you connect with paid internship opportunities on campus and with recommended employers. These are available to all UK and international students studying at Exeter.

The internships can take place during term-time offering you flexible hours to work around your schedule, or they can be full-time during the summer.

Student Campus Partnership (SCP)

Internships working for the University at Exeter and Penryn campuses.

Student Business Partnership (SBP)

Internships working for local businesses.

Access to Internships (A2i)

A2i is a funded scheme reserved for undergraduate students who meet Widening Participation (WP) criteria. Eligible students are supported to secure an internship that is funded by the University. 

Professional Pathways

Professional Pathways takes place in June and July each year and is open to current Exeter students. It involves a week of sector specific training delivered by industry experts followed by a paid 35 hour internship.

Looking for your next step after you graduate?

The Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) scheme offers early career roles that are perfect for graduates.  These are based at the University of Exeter and with recommended employers in the southwest.

There are a variety of websites that promote internship opportunities during term-time and over the summer.

Check the sites below to search for opportunities.

• Prospects
• Target Jobs

These sites will also provide you with useful information about internships, how to apply, creating a CV, and tips for writing an application.

You can also explore a range of internship opportunities with different companies on Handshake. You can search by company name, sector, and job title to find the kind of internship you're looking for. Tip Use the filter option (top right) to perform targeted searches. Or if you have a specific company in mind, search for them to see what they are offering.

Placements are classed as credit-bearing work experience allowing you to develop your skills in the workplace in between academic study.

There are different work placement modules available ranging from a week’s work experience to a whole year in industry. To learn more visit the Work Placements webpage.

The Global Leaders Experience is a week-long immersive visit to a fascinating city where you will be faced with exciting challenges you would not ordinarily face in the UK. You are taken abroad and submerged in local life to tackle a global challenge. Students go beneath the surface of the city and develop their self-leadership and employability in the process. 

Professional Pathways takes place in June each year and is open to all UK and international students studying at Exeter. It involves a week of sector specific training delivered by industry experts followed by a paid 35 hour internship.

The Pathways include:

• Arts, Culture & Heritage
• Charity & Development
• Marketing
• Scientific Laboratories

Learn more.

You can gain insights into a range of different companies with the Virtual Experience programmes at Forage.

You can also view the Prospects’ guide to virtual work experience. 

Working part-time is a great way to develop transferable skills and earn money while you study. You can gain excellent experience and meet new people working in sectors such as retail and hospitality in your local area, or in outlets on campus.

• Learn about student and graduate employment on campus here.
• Find on-campus work using Handshake.
• Search for part-time jobs on Handshake.

Every Friday, the Career Zone will feature the 'Top 5 Jobs' on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Through volunteering you can take part in a rewarding experience that allows you to give back, develop your skills, and build your CV at the same time.

The best place to look for volunteering opportunities is the Students’ Guild and the Students' Union. You will find a variety of options which range from student led projects, to opportunities with external organisations including charities. 

You will also find volunteering roles on Handshake. Select the 'volunteer' option in the filters section.

Book a 1:1 appointment to get support with...

• Your CV
• Cover letters & application forms
• Your LinkedIn profile
• Help searching for jobs & work experience

Contact the Career Zone via the Live Chat icon at the bottom of this page, or you can phone us on +44 (0)1392 724493. You can also request an appointment by emailing careers@exeter.ac.uk

My Career Zone Digital has all kinds of resources, including videos, articles, and courses to help you gain work experience. Key resources to explore include: 

• 'Work experience – Supporting your journey to success’ This is an online programme specifically designed for students looking for work experience.

Are you an Exeter graduate? Take a look at our Careers Support for Graduates programme. 

Learn how other students like you have secured work experience and what this has meant for them. The Career Zone Blog includes case studies that are focused on internships and work experience covering all of the different programmes and schemes that are supported by the University. 

Take a look.

Our podcasts cover a range of careers topics such as:

• Careers wellbeing tips - how to de-stress job hunting
• Plan: I know what I want to do, but how do I get there?
• Compete: How to succeed in getting a job
• Having trouble finding a placement?
• Work placements – are they worth it?
• Preparing for career fairs and employer events

You can find many more episodes on Spotify and iTunes.