Communications Internships in the UK

The Scottish PR and communications industry is distinct from the rest of the UK’s.

united kingdom

Communications

Scholarships up to £1000 are available

The sector might be small by London standards but it is still thriving with hundreds of boutique and medium-sized agencies and several consultancy giants such as Weber Shandwick.

The work offers juicy creative challenges, usually requiring a localised identity and content relatable to discerning Scottish audiences. The result can include harnessing the Scottish sense of humour for product marketing (see Irn Bru brand for an iconic example) or bringing a fresh twist to the communications needs of a public sector body (see the award-winning organ donor campaign We Need Everybody).

Many agencies split their client portfolio between small businesses, household-name brands, and contracts with the Scottish Government and its funded agencies. More than 3,100 people work in PR in Scotland. That number multiplies when it includes areas of advertising, marketing and digital strategy are closely interlinked with PR.

Event marketing is its own thriving sector. Edinburgh in particular has 12 festivals a year covering everything from jazz and science to books, comedy, storytelling and film. The city is also home to the biggest arts festival in the world: The Edinburgh Fringe. Only the World Cup and the Olympics sell more tickets.

Scotland’s PR, communications and event marketing sector is an exciting and creative place to cut your teeth in this discipline, and you’re guaranteed to have very interesting work to add to your portfolio when you get home.

At A Glance

Communications in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Start Date

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Duration

8, 10 or 12 Weeks

Apply By

12 weeks prior to start date

Fees

8-week programme fee: £10,050

10-week programme fee: £11,400

12-week programme fee: £12,750

What's included?

Airfare, materials for placement, visas and associated costs, mandatory health insurance, meals and spending money aren’t included.

*Student residences are an extra fee and subject to availability. If residences aren’t available, homestays are the alternative option.

Application fee

£95 Non refundable

Commitment fee

£500 Non refundable

Scholarship

up to £1000

What you can expect from a Communications Internship

When the time comes to interview for graduate jobs, you’ll be asked what brands, audiences, and markets you have worked on. Employers want to see real-world experience and results in your resumé and an international internship will catch their attention.

To make yourself more attractive to employers, use your internship to improve your copywriting skills and prove your attention to detail. The most sought-after experience when hiring for junior roles is social media and influencer marketing, so keep that in mind when you offer to help an account manager.

Even in the same agency, the work can range widely. One day you could be embedded with the public affairs team, assisting with research or focus groups that will inform a client’s strategy on political and policy matters. Alternatively you could be working on the consumer side of the house, helping develop strategic lists of influencers for a digital product launch or helping put together press packs for visiting journalists. You’ll attend meetings and participate in brainstorm sessions, getting valuable exposure to senior creatives and management.

Whether in-house or agency side, your tasks could include media monitoring, conducting research and analysis, media outreach, content creation and performing digital searches.

There is always something on in Edinburgh so you’re just as likely to be placed with an events management company or a large annual festival. This would involve on-the-ground work and logistics, and possibly digital PR, marketing and social media in advance of the event.

Potential placements

Large communications consultancy
Boutique PR agency
Event management company
In-house marketing department
PR department of a public sector body

Why Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a vibrant, perfectly-sized and simply beautiful city. With a huge student population and unparalleled historical heritage, it manages to be both young and timeless at the same time.

The Old Town is dominated by the 800-year old Edinburgh Castle, looming over the city like a set piece from Game of Thrones that they never took down. Even if you had no interest in architecture before you get here, you will spend the months walking around marvelling at your surroundings like you’re part of an Oscar-winning set design. Look out for Ancient Greek influences in New Town – Edinburgh was once known as the ‘Athens of the North’.

Edinburgh is small by North American standards. Just a population of just 500,000 people, getting around is easy and you can walk almost anywhere. It is also one of the safest cities in the UK with a low crime rate, and was recently voted the third most welcoming city in the world by readers of Conde Nast Traveller.

Edinburgh punches above its weight in cultural and artistic offerings. It is home to world-class museums, galleries and some of the biggest festivals in the world. Visitors come year-round in their millions. In 2017, Edinburgh Castle welcomed two million visitors in just twelve months.

The summer is an electrifying time to be in the city as it becomes the centre of the Arts universe when the International Festival and legendary Edinburgh Fringe take over. There’s a city-wide carnival atmosphere of non-stop celebration and artistic exploration.

In winter, you will not find a more atmospheric place to wander cobbled streets and winding laneways and write a medieval horror screenplay. The famous Edinburgh Christmas Market will keep you busy and warm with shopping, rides, mazes, and ice skating.

Year-round, this is a city designated by UNESCO as a “City of Literature.” There are 12 festivals a year celebrating everything from jazz and science to books, comedy, storytelling and of course film.

The international airport and centrally located railway station mean you’re well connected for a weekend away in the UK or any nearby European city.

"I coordinated an major event within the organization and developed my leadership skills. I also designed a logo with various software programs, and got to practice my public speaking by going on the radio to talk.

A Advice to future interns; "Patience and remembering that it is important to produce work that I am proud of, but at the end of the day I have to produce work that my supervisor/and or clients are happy with." It was an amazing experience to be able to gain internship experience and be able to travel around Ireland over the weekends, I really would recommend this program. I think that it is a great way to gain/improve personal and professional skills through the duration of your time here that you thought you would be able to do or have.

LaurenUniversity of New Mexico, USA - International Studies and Environmental Science Intern

"Coming to the program, you can definitely learn something new in your career field. With the great opportunity to meet a group of new friendly people."

SophieUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA - Computer Science Intern - 2016

Where Will I Live?

You’ll stay in modern, purpose-built student accommodation just a few minute’s walk from both Old and New Town.

These contemporary studio apartments are built to high specifications with every creature comfort. Bedrooms are private, en-suite, with big beds and generous storage space. You’ll share common areas with a few other students creating a warm community feel. There are high-gloss kitchens, flat-screen TV’s, and lots of lounging areas. There’s also a private on-site gym, on-site laundry, on-site cinema, and dedicated commons rooms for reading, study, and even games (try the giant Jenga – it’s harder than it looks). Of course there’s high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi throughout the building.

You’ll always feel safe, with secure electronic access, on-site management with a 24-hour helpline, and CCTV.

Unpaid internship placement
Accommodation (student residence or homestay)*
Application, résumé, cover letter and interview guidance
Excursions and social activities
Robust virtual orientation prior to starting the placement
Online learning portal
Cultural highlights and virtual events throughout the programme
24/7 in-country support
£100 stipend towards a professional development course of your choosing
Certificate of completion
Alumni network
Optional airport transfer (extra fee)
Optional academic credit through our School of Record or your home university (extra fee)

Airfare, materials for placement, Tier 5 visa and associated costs, mandatory health insurance, meals and spending money aren’t included.

Costs

We’re small, which helps us keep our fees competitive despite the fully customised programme we offer each student.

8-week programme fee: £10,050
10-week programme fee: £11,400
12-week programme fee: £12,750

There’s an application fee of £95 and a participant commitment fee of £500 that are both non-refundable. Airfare, materials for placement, mandatory health insurance, lunches and spending money aren’t included.

Visa

To take part in an internship in the UK, you must have a Tier 5 visa. As of January 2021, this also includes EU/EEA nationals.

This visa is issued by the British government and allows you to stay in the UK for up to six months. The application process is complex, so we have partnered with a specialist company that will guide you through it all. They provide detailed instructions and are available for any questions during the process. The visa requires you to pay two additional fees:

£679 GBP – This will be paid by you directly to our partners, as they need to issue the visa documents you need to apply.
£259 GBP – This fee will be paid by you directly to the UK government when you submit your online visa application.

Professional Development Course

Learn International is dedicated to the commitment of lifelong learning. As such, your internship programme will include up to a £100 stipend towards enrolment onto a professional development course of your choosing to enroll in and complete while you’re on your internship.

For interns who decide not to avail of this opportunity, there will be no additional discount or cash back. Additional terms and conditions apply. Ask your Learn International Internship Coordinator for more information.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships up to £1000 off the programme price. They are competitive, so act quickly and apply here now!

The scholarship application has two parts: a one-page essay about how the placement will contribute to your academic and career goals, and a choice of how you might record your internship experience. You can choose to either:

Write a weekly blog.
Submit a weekly video blog.

All scholarship recipients will also be required to:

Submit weekly photos we can use for social media and marketing
Write a testimonial at the end of the programme.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline is based on when you’re available to intern.

Applications must be received at least 14 weeks before your intended start date.

Arrival Dates

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with arrival dates available on most Saturdays throughout the year. Please speak with a Learn International Coordinator to confirm whether your intended arrival date is possible.