Journalism & Publishing Internships in the UK

The UK is a world leader in publishing. Journalism is part of the British heritage; the world’s first daily newspaper was printed in London in 1702.

united kingdom

internship

journalism & Publishing

Scholarships up to £1000 are available

The UK has one of the biggest readerships in Europe, as two-thirds of the population (42 million people) read a newspaper in print or digitally each week. Over 3,200 consumer magazine titles are published here.

The UK book market is the fifth largest in the world. There are roughly 8,000 publishing companies in the UK but many are small with fewer than 25 employees.

UK publishers have been pioneers in many ways. The first legislation to protect author’s copyright was enacted in the UK in 1709. The standard for ISBNs, the code on every book in your library, originated in the UK in the 1960s. British publishers have led the way in environmental issues, championing the use of sustainable paper and reducing harmful chemicals in production.

London is synonymous with many industries and journalism is one of them. It is where many iconic newspapers are headquartered including The Times and Sunday Times, The Guardian, and The Daily Telegraph. Fleet Street has been a centre of the printing industry since 1500, and the Associated Press and British Association of Journalists are still based there. London has more book publishers than anywhere else in the UK.

Oxford is home to lots of publishing houses including Wiley-Blackwell, Elsevier and many smaller publishers. The most famous is the Oxford University Press; the largest university press in the world and one of the oldest having being founded in 1586.

Notable publishing houses: Oxford University Press, Faber and Faber, Bloomsbury

At A Glance

Journalism & Publishing Internships in Oxford and 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

Journalism and Publishing Internships

Interning in some form has always existed in these industries. Before journalism courses, school leavers started out as ‘cub reporters’ at a newspaper and learned their craft through an apprenticeship.

Today, internship programmes have formalised this process, giving students the opportunity to get feedback on their copy and improve as writers. Crucially, it still includes mentorship from an editor.

When you apply for graduate roles, editors will look for clippings: your articles that were published. Real-world newsroom and magazine experience is the best way to earn these and learn from the industry professionals along the way.

Your placement may see you fact-checking, researching, sub-editing, proof-reading, and conducting interviews. Journalism is increasingly multimedia, so you could be submitting an audio report for a podcast or a video clip for a website just as often as you write for a print edition.

You’ll develop a fundamental understanding of how the industry works. You should see raw copy, the editing process, then layout and finally printing. Depending on your placement, you may even be involved in e-books and online editions.

You could equally find yourself in a glossy magazine or academic journal. You’ll learn how to write for a specific audience and to a house style. You’ll develop your editorial instincts and learn how to craft more accurate, concise articles.

An international internship gives an edge to a journalism résumé. You’ll get invaluable exposure to new political climates, readers, and of course, house styles. Your portfolio, résumé, and confidence will all be greatly expanded.

Possible Placements

Book publishing house
Regional newspaper
University printing press
Magazine publisher
Editorial services agency
Academic journal
Children’s book publisher

"I am glad my school partnered with Learn International and provided me with an internship experienced like nothing I could have experienced if I was home. The staff, other students and companies they paired me with were friendly, accommodating and supportive to my needs, skills, strengths and weakness."

Emilyanne Temple University, USA - Communication Intern

“So much of the program was meaningful to me. Working in Ireland and being able to live with such an amazing family that takes you in as if you are one of their own. The most meaningful aspect is being able to meet people from around the world that share the same passion I have. I was able to relate to these strangers and form friendships.” – Lina, University of California Los Angeles

LinaUniversity of California Los Angeles - Archaeology Intern

“I knew I wanted to go abroad, but I had no idea how amazing it would actually be. Interning through Learn International was easily one of the best decisions I ever made. Not only did I gain experience working abroad but I also got to learn about a new culture, come out of my shell and make many life-long friends. My internship through Learn International has since helped me get two internships back in the United States!”

MaddieUniversity of Dayton, Ohio, USA - Public Relations Intern

Where Will I Live?

You’ll stay in purpose-built student accommodation in London or in Oxford. Our student residences are always 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. Single and twin rooms are available. 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. Note that getting across a city like London at rush hour takes time, so 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 (London placements only)
£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.