Although every internship is unique, we try to ensure that they provide the following common elements:
- Full-time work for 2-12 weeks during the summer vacation
- A defined project, which creates real value for the host organisation and a valuable learning experience for the student
- Interaction with an assigned supervisor or mentor within the host organisation
- A stipend, or some assistance with travel or accommodation
- Payment at the national living wage or above, if the internship is in the UK and in the for-profit sector
- An international experience or access to an internship placement in the UK that is not readily available through alternative internship programmes
From first year undergraduates to DPhil researchers, students in all subject areas and at all levels of study can enjoy the benefits of undertaking an internship.
What are the benefits of an internship?
Don’t just take our word for it! Students who’ve taken part in the programme have told us that internships helped them in the following ways:
Develop your professional skills
The work challenged me intellectually and practically, giving me the opportunity to apply research skills in a real-world context while adapting to local cultural and logistical considerations. Completing a comprehensive report and presenting my findings to the Board of Trustees gave me a sense of genuine contribution and impact, which was both rewarding and motivating. I have gained valuable skills in stakeholder engagement, cross-cultural communication, and problem solving—skills that will serve me in any future role.
Zuzanna Hebdzyńska, St. Anne's College, MSc Migration Studies, Final Year Postgraduate, 2025 Intern at The Nasio Trust, Kenya (in person)
Gain insight into a new industry sector
This internship has been an amazing opportunity to gain insight into a career in archives and to put my skills in TEI and medieval book history into practice. I have thoroughly enjoyed the chance to spend a long period of time with the Weston Library's collections and be able to explore them thoroughly from the perspective of an archivist and curator.
Lucian Shepherd, New College, MSt Modern Languages, Final Year Postgraduate, 2025 Intern at University of Oxford, Bodleian Libraries - Medieval Manuscripts (in person)
Realise your professional goals
This internship has absolutely confirmed my career ambitions. Before this, I had an interest in backend development, but this experience transformed that interest into a clear passion. The hands-on work in system design, performance optimisation, and robust testing showed me the kind of engineering I want to be a part of in the future. I am more confident than ever that I am on the right career path, and the skills and experiences I gained at FIDO will be the foundation for my future success.
Stefan Nedelcu, Keble College, MCompSci Computer Science, First Year Undergraduate, 2025 Intern at FIDO Tech, UK (hybrid)
Develop career ideas
It was such a unique experience that allowed me to explore potential opportunities in teaching. This has always been something that I have considered but being able to teach in a school and gain an insight into the demanding nature of the work, was a good way to assess whether this is truly a potential career for me. I have learned that I really enjoy teaching geography because I am so passionate about it and this is definitely something I could see myself doing in the future but more surprisingly, I discovered that I would like to explore the NGO pathway more seriously.
Madeleine George, Mansfield College, BA Geography, First Year Undergraduate, 2025 Intern at Akshar Foundation, India (in person)
Make a genuine impact
My biggest achievement was creating a network of researchers for Cornerstone Arts Centre, so that they can expand their programming to include cultural talks and lectures for the community in Didcot. I took initiative and reached out to possible partners and chaired meetings to facilitate these connections.
Alice Watkinson, Magdalen College, MSt English (650-1550), Final Year Postgraduate, 2025 Intern at South Oxfordshire District Council (hybrid)
Gain valuable experience while working remotely
My remote internship with ICG allowed for an exceptional work-life balance and a high degree of flexibility. The team was globally distributed, and we were all able to set working hours that suited our local time zones while still collaborating effectively throughout the day.
Satyam Agarwal, St. Hugh's College, MEng Engineering Science, Third Year Undergraduate, 2025 Intern at Illuminate Consulting Group, United States (remote)
Make connections and expand your network
The people I met throughout the month I had out there taught me a great deal, and I would say that my perception on life has definitely been altered by this trip. I have also made a number of friends who I will continue to talk to for a long time, both from Lira and beyond. When I return to the region, I know I have a number of people I will be able to visit, which is a lovely thing to know.
Sophia Dasa Kapsalis, Balliol College, MBiol Biology, Final Year Undergraduate, 2025 Intern at Plavio Uganda (in person)
Gain international experience
I had never experienced the rainforest or South America before, so everything was new to me, making for an incredibly exciting and unforgettable experience. I think the most enjoyable aspect was being able to see a huge variety of nature. I always got such a thrill when I saw a species I had never seen before, which has ignited my desire to travel more in order to explore and learn about new ecosystems.
Abbie Wilkins, Wadham College, MBiol Biology, Second Year Undergraduate, 2025 Intern at Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon, Peru (in person)
