Fashion Internships in the UK

The British fashion industry is a creative and economic powerhouse, employing nearly one million people.

united kingdom

fashion

Scholarships up to £1000 are available

The British fashion industry is a creative and economic powerhouse, employing nearly one million people. Many major brands have come from the UK, including Burberry and Paul Smith.

London is at the centre of it. It has been a global fashion city for decades, spawning the careers of many big designers and employing almost 50,000 people in the industry.

Designer Vivienne Westwood started her career with a boutique on Kings Road in the early 1970s, and her company is still based in London. Londoner Stella McCartney has also kept the head office of her fashion empire in West London, near Notting Hill.

Each September, the city becomes the centre of the fashion universe for London Fashion Week. LFW attracts 5,000 industry professionals to over 80 catwalk shows for five days, boosting the London economy over £30m each season.

At A Glance

Fashion 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

Interning in Fashion

An internship is essential for starting a career in the fashion industry. This is the chance to learn from experienced industry professionals and start building your network.

Global internships maximize your employability by proving your ambition and adding to your portfolio.

Fashion is a global business with many brands having international operations. Contacts made in London will be valuable in New York, Paris and elsewhere.

There is no typical fashion internship. We’ll match you with a firm that best suits your Major and career goals. You could be assisting a photographer or stylist, writing copy for an online fashion blog, or working back stage in a costume department.

Possible Placements

International Clothing Brand
Clothing Manufacturer
Luxury Brand
Fashion Magazine Publisher
Production Costume Designer
Buying Department of a Fashion Retailer
Millinery studio
Photography Studio
Marketing Department of a Fashion Retailer
Online Fashion Blog

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.”

"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

Learn International provided me with a great internship and cultural experience in a place I had never been before. Ireland is a fantastic place and Learn International has worked tirelessly to make me as comfortable and happy as possible in a place very new to me. Whether it was finding me the perfect placement or even helping me do the simpler things such as catching a bus, they were there with me every step of the way. My time in Ireland has been incredible and without Learn International I am not sure it would have been possible.

ColinColby-Sawyer College, New Hampshire - Physiotherapy 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. 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.