Art and Photography Internships in the UK

The UK is a creative hotbed, with a rich artistic heritage that has translated into a thriving contemporary art scene.

internship

Art & Photography

Scholarships up to £1000 are available

Some of the most influential artists and photographers of the past 50 years have come from the British Isles.

Subversive artists such as Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Banksy are credited with shocking and shaking up the art world. Now such pieces as Emin’s My Bed, Hirst’s shark preserved in formaldehyde, and any of Banksy’s spray-painted canvas are considered iconic and have sold for millions of pounds.

The UK capital is one of the dominant forces in the world’s contemporary art market, second only to New York. Its collections are the envy of the world. Three of the top 10 most visited art museums on the planet are in London: the British Museum, Tate Modern and the National Gallery.

London has also produced household-name photographers including legendary portrait photographer David Bailey, renowned fashion photographer Nick Knight, and award-winning photojournalist Don McCullin.

At A Glance

Art and Photography Internships in London, 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

Art & Photography Internships

Art placements are among are most varied and exciting internships.

Some days you’ll be on location or in the studio, assisting an artist or photographer and getting invaluable insights into the creative process.

Other days you’ll be behind-the-scenes on the business and administration sides of a creative enterprise that so few of us see. This could involve marketing and social media, event planning, curating, buyer and collector liaison and giving guided tours. Past interns found that seeing all the moving parts behind an exhibition, gallery opening or book launch was an invaluable learning experience.

Professional photographers in the UK are likely to be freelance, and offer a range of services including portrait and aerial photography, photojournalism and the video recording of special events. As an assistant on location or in the studio, you may be responsible for the equipment and lights, managing the subjects, or tasked with getting alternative angles and extra shots. Such a placement will also teach you the importance of post-production in this industry and you’ll learn professional Photoshop and Lightroom techniques first-hand.

Photography interns can also be placed in print and online magazines, where they learn about layout, print processes, and editorial styles and standards.

Your ‘book’ or portfolio is everything in these industries. An internship gives you the chance to build and expand it, showcasing your talents while exposed to the day-to-day realities of a studio or gallery.

Immerse yourself in London’s creative energy, and it will inspire and shape your own.

Possible Placements

Artist’s studio
Contemporary art gallery
Graphic design studio
Jewelry design studio
Photojournalism agency
Sports photo agency
Photo desk at a newspaper
Portrait & wedding photography studio
Arts events company
Art book publisher

Why London?

London a global, vibrant and diverse city. Its 10 million residents come from all over the world, creating a cosmopolitan cocktail of cuisine, fashion and culture that is uniquely London. Its architecture is as diverse as the population: you’ll find Georgian town houses, Victorian palaces and glittering skyscrapers yards away from each other. In fact, one London intern said the best advice she ever got was to walk a different route home from work every day. Each commute was a discovery.

The city is a global hub of business and finance, but it is equally a creative and cultural heavyweight. London is renowned for its theatre, and over 1,000 museums and galleries line the streets. The nightlife and restaurant scene is legendary. We include excursions and social activities in the internship programme so you’ll get to explore along with other interns.

London is a young city: a higher proportion of its population is aged 20–34 years-old than the rest of England. It’s also the most popular destination for international study. Over 100,000 students come to the capital every year, more than any other European city. Student discounts are plentiful on the high street, and you’ll find special student rates on everything from transport to theatre shows.

There are endless ways to spend your time here. It would take many lifetimes to see the whole city. As writer Samuel Johnson put it: “If you are tired of London, you are tired of life.”

With the help of Learn International my visit to Dublin could not have been better. They assisted me immediately with any concern I had and were eager to hear about all of my experiences anytime I did something new. I shared many stories about my internship and how great my colleagues were. My internship allowed me to travel to different wedding destinations and see the historic venues Ireland had to offer. My advisor from Learn International was very personal with the way she assisted and interacted with me. I truly feel I had a friend by my side in times of need or just for lunch!

Speaking of food, Ireland wasn’t short of amazing places to eat and enjoy night life. I’ll never forget the evenings I spent watching performers dancing in pubs, streets and restaurants just to entertain us! The way the performers interacted with one another and the crowd really made for a genuine and friendly vibe in Ireland. I think about the six weeks I spent in Ireland almost everyday.

It has changed the aspirations I have in life and made my desires more meaningful. It is remarkable how big of an impact this country and program has had on me. I would not change it for a thing.

Sydnie RoperNew Mexico State University - Photography Internship

Where Will I Live?

You’ll stay in purpose-built student accommodation in London. These are dotted around the city so we’ll put you in the one closest to your placement company. Our student residences tend to be in Zone 1 or 2, so you’ll always be close to shops, restaurants, nightlife and transport links.

All bedrooms are en-suite with free super-fast WiFi. There’s a wardrobe, fitted study desk with chair, and TV for each student. You’ll share a common room and kitchen with other students, which is a great way to meet others. Past interns have loved the community vibe.

You’ll always feel safe and taken care of here, with dedicated hospitality, maintenance and security teams on-site.

As every Londoner knows, getting across this busy city at rush hour takes time. Similarly, your commute may be up to an hour.

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
Oyster card for zones 1 and 2 for the first week of placement
£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.