History & Heritage Internships in the UK

Could there be a better place to see history come alive? We doubt it.

united kingdom

History & Heritage

Scholarships up to £1000 are available

In Scotland you can see, walk, and reach out and touch the past, making it a History and Heritage major’s fantasy. You can’t crest a hill in the Highlands without a castle coming into view and giving you shivers of the past. Expertly-restored historic houses dot the countryside. Even on a short stroll through Edinburgh you will encounter an 800-year old castle and New Town streets that have changed little in 200 years.

Of course it’s not just the historic sites that bring you to Scotland; it’s the prehistoric sites. The landscape includes Iron age hillforts, 5,000-year-old tombs and most spectacular of all: Skara Brae (the “Scottish Pompeii”). Skara Brae is a Stone Age village that is older than Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Giza. Uncovered by chance after a fierce storm in 1850, it is now the best-preserved Neolithic village in northern Europe and offers compelling insights into what life was like for people living 5,000 years ago.

Skara Brae is part of the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’, a collection of places that were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. It is among several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scotland including the Old and New Town in Edinburgh, the St Kilda archipelago, an 8th-century village New Lanark, and The Forth Bridge.

Scotland takes its history and heritage very seriously and Edinburgh is home to many of the most magnificent historical and cultural sites in the country. Major museums, archives, libraries, historic houses and archaeological sites are based in or around the city.

Edinburgh is an ideal place to live, breathe and experience history, and also learn about heritage and historic preservation.

At A Glance

History & Heritage Internships 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 to expect from a History or Heritage internship

The sense of time travel from just walking to the shops is one (big) reason you’ll want to intern in Scotland. The other reason will be access; access to incredible historic material and artifacts, access to esteemed heritage and archival professionals, and access to iconic institutions.

There are many potential organisations and departments you could be placed with, depending on your interests and career goals. Shadowing an archival professional is a possibility. You could be working with archive materials, interpreting and handling original documents, manuscripts, or records. Or you may be embedded into a museum’s private collection, helping to analyse content, determining historical context and contributing to a catalogue for future researchers. You can expect to get hands-on experience, guidance, and maybe even the chance to conduct secondary research of your own.

A placement on the operations side would be different, assisting a manager or curator with the day-to-day running of a museum, library or heritage site. You could be involved in registration, documentation, exhibitions or developing resources and support materials.

Alternatively, you might be involved in the engagement activities of a library, museum or private collection. This would be exciting and people-facing work including running events, outreach programmes, and educational exhibits. You might be drawn to marketing activities, helping with the website, social media channels, or press releases.

Wherever your placement, it’s guaranteed to absorbing and fascinating experience for someone interested in a career in this field. You’ll be steeped in history and surrounded by others who share your passion. An unforgettable experience in an unforgettable place.

Possible placements

Public engagement department of a museum
Local history library
Education and outreach programme with a museum or historic society
Photographic, music or public record archive
Restored historic house
Assist curator in gallery or museum
Major library

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.