Do I need a visa to do a business internship in London?

Visa requirements for a business internship in London depend on your nationality and length of stay. See full visa requirements >

Can UK citizens do a business internship in London?

Eligibility for an international internship in London depends on your citizenship and residency history. If you solely hold a UK passport and have lived only in England & Wales for the past five years, you must join a program outside the UK.

What kind of companies host business interns in London?

Business interns are placed with a mix of management consultancies, retail companies, professional services firms and start-ups, depending on your interests and experience. Discover example host organizations >

How long are business internships in London?

Programs typically run from 4 to 24 weeks, with start dates available year-round.

What qualifications do I need for a business internship in London?

You don't necessarily need a business degree or previous professional experience to apply for a business internship in London. The right qualifications will depend on the internship placement, but relevant studies in business, management, economics or a related subject can be useful. Transferable skills such as communication, analytical thinking, organization and adaptability can also help you succeed in a business role. Your placement is matched to your experience, interests and career goals.

How can I get a business internship in London?

To get a business internship in London, start by identifying which side of business interests you most, whether that's strategy, consulting, operations or entrepreneurship, and consider how your education, skills and experience line up with it. You can then apply for an internship program and discuss your career goals, interests and placement preferences during the application process. At The Intern Group, you'll complete an online application and interview before working with the team to secure a business internship that matches your profile and goals.

Meeting interns during a business internship in London

Business Internships in London

London runs on deals, decisions and numbers, and few cities offer a closer look at how a global business capital actually operates day to day.

As the financial and commercial anchor of Europe, London houses everything from century-old institutions in the City to management consultancies advising the world's largest corporations, and a start-up scene raising serious capital just a short walk from Canary Wharf's trading floors. That density of activity means a business internship here rarely stays confined to one function, you'll likely see strategy, operations and finance overlap in ways textbooks rarely capture.

Whether you're a university student, recent graduate, gap year student or career changer, a business internship in London can help you build commercial understanding grounded in one of the world's most consequential markets.

Important eligibility information: If you solely hold a UK passport and have lived only in England & Wales for the past five years, you must join a program outside the UK.

Example business host organizations in London

We've previously placed interns with organizations across London's consulting, retail, professional services and start-up sectors. The organizations featured represent examples of the types of professional environments where participants have gained experience.

Why do a business internship in London?

The City of London and Canary Wharf together form one of the densest concentrations of financial and professional services firms on the planet, home to global banks, insurers, asset managers and the "Big Four" accounting firms that set standards followed well beyond Britain's borders. Working alongside that machinery, even briefly, exposes interns to decision-making processes and risk frameworks that shape markets far past the city limits.

Beyond finance, London's management consulting scene punches at a scale few other cities can match, with firms advising governments and multinationals on everything from restructuring to market entry. Layer in a retail sector built on some of the world's most recognizable brands and a start-up ecosystem that consistently attracts more venture funding than anywhere else in Europe, and business students get access to a genuinely varied set of commercial environments.

The city is particularly strong in industries such as consulting, retail, technology and professional services, giving you the chance to see how business strategy adapts across sectors that all compete for the same global capital.

Experience business at the centre of European commerce

Global financial hub
See how the City and Canary Wharf shape decisions with consequences reaching well beyond the UK.

Diverse industries
Explore business functions across finance, consulting, retail and technology.

International networking
Build connections with professionals working across one of the most internationally staffed business communities anywhere.

Strategic thinking
Learn how consultancies and corporations approach problem-solving for clients operating across dozens of markets.

Exploring London during a business internship in London

Explore business internships in London

London's business landscape spans multinational banks, global consultancies, retail headquarters and fast-scaling start-ups. Your internship could give you the opportunity to see how organizations in the city make decisions that ripple across international markets.

Business Strategy

Consultancies and corporate strategy teams in London routinely work on problems spanning multiple countries and currencies at once. Your internship could involve market research, competitive analysis or strategic planning support, depending on your host organization.

You could work on: Market research · Competitive analysis · Strategic planning · Presentation development

Business Analysis

London companies rely on business analysts to translate high-level goals into practical plans, often pulling together research, numbers and stakeholder input from across a company. You could support market sizing, business case development or performance tracking.

You could work on: Market sizing · Business case development · Performance tracking · Stakeholder research

Operations & Project Management

London businesses, particularly those managing operations across several countries, rely heavily on structured project management to keep initiatives on track. You could support process improvement, project coordination or reporting.

You could work on: Process mapping · Project coordination · Status reporting · Vendor communication

Business Development & Sales

From consultancies pitching new clients to start-ups chasing their next round of funding, business development plays a central role in how London companies grow. You could support lead research, proposal development or client outreach.

You could work on: Lead research · Proposal support · Client outreach · Pipeline tracking

Retail & Commercial Management

London's retail sector, home to some of the world's most recognizable brands, gives interns a close look at how commercial decisions play out on the ground. You could support merchandising, pricing analysis or store performance projects.

You could work on: Merchandising support · Pricing analysis · Store performance · Commercial reporting

International Business & Trade

As a historic trading hub with deep global connections, London remains central to how companies structure cross-border operations and partnerships. You could support market entry research, partnership analysis or trade documentation.

You could work on: Market entry research · Partnership analysis · Trade documentation · Regulatory research

Example business internship roles in London

Depending on your skills and interests, you could take on a role such as:

Business Development & Communications Intern
Data & Investment Analytics Intern
Digital Strategy & Creative Associate
International Business Development Intern
Business and Finance Intern
Business Analyst & Industry Solutions Researcher
Research Intern
Real Estate Operations Intern

Your exact role will depend on your host organization and placement.

Explore more example Business roles >

Going to the theater during a business internship in London

What can you gain from a business internship in London?

A business internship in London offers more than a line on your CV. It's a chance to see how one of the world's most influential commercial centres actually operates, developing practical skills through work with real, consequential stakes.

Build London business experience

Add international business experience to your CV and show future employers that you've worked within one of the world's most important financial and commercial hubs.
Work on real business projects

Put your knowledge into practice through projects that could involve strategy, operations, business development or commercial analysis, depending on your placement.
Grow your international business network

Connect with professionals across London's consulting and commercial sectors while building relationships with fellow interns from around the world.
Understand high-stakes decision-making

See how businesses and institutions in London weigh risk and opportunity when the consequences reach well beyond national borders.
Experience London's business culture

Gain insight into how tradition, scale and ambition combine across the City, Canary Wharf and the wider commercial landscape.

At a rooftop bar during a business internship in London

What's included in the London internship program?

Your program includes support designed to help you get the most from your international internship, from placement and accommodation to visa support, career coaching and 24/7 in-country support.

Explore the full London internship program >

Hear from business interns in London

"I'm so excited to share my experience. I chose London because it's close to Geneva, and I really like the culture here, as I was studying here six years ago. The people here are so friendly and welcoming, and I also wanted to work in an English-speaking country. That's why London was my first choice for an internship, and I'm so happy to be here." - Dana Anabekova, London business intern

"My biggest achievement during my internship, I would say, is the relationships I've created with my colleagues. I really think that I could come back to London and come into the office, and I would be greeted with a great smile. I've also been involved in so many different projects, and I really think the team appreciates my work. This placement has definitely helped me develop the skills I already have, as well as learn new ones. I think I've developed my communication skills, both face-to-face and via email. I'm also really grateful that I was able to have this experience because now I know what I want to do in the future, which is to go into economic development and education." - Shanell Cartagena, business intern in London

On the London Eye during a business internship in London

Is a London business internship right for you?

A London business internship could be a great fit if you want exposure to high-stakes decision-making within one of the world's most influential commercial centres.

Whether you're a university student, recent graduate, gap year student or career changer, you can build practical business skills while experiencing how organizations in London manage risk, strategy and growth across international markets. It's an opportunity to build your CV, expand your professional network and discover where a career in business could take you.

What is it like to live as a business intern in London?

Living as a business intern in London means squeezing in after-work drinks near the City's glass towers one evening and wandering a weekend market in Notting Hill or Borough the next. The Tube makes it easy to move between the buzz of the financial district and the slower pace of London's parks and neighbourhood pubs, and there's rarely a shortage of things to do once the workday ends, whether that's live theatre, gallery openings or simply exploring a new part of the city.

Fellow interns tend to become instant company for weekend plans, and the city's size means there's always somewhere new to discover.

Sightseeing during a business internship in London

FAQs

: Visa requirements for a business internship in London depend on your nationality and length of stay.

See full visa requirements >
: Eligibility for an international internship in London depends on your citizenship and residency history. If you solely hold a UK passport and have lived only in England & Wales for the past five years, you must join a program outside the UK.
: Business interns are placed with a mix of management consultancies, retail companies, professional services firms and start-ups, depending on your interests and experience.

Discover example host organizations >
: Programs typically run from 4 to 24 weeks, with start dates available year-round.
: You don't necessarily need a business degree or previous professional experience to apply for a business internship in London. The right qualifications will depend on the internship placement, but relevant studies in business, management, economics or a related subject can be useful.

Transferable skills such as communication, analytical thinking, organization and adaptability can also help you succeed in a business role. Your placement is matched to your experience, interests and career goals.
: To get a business internship in London, start by identifying which side of business interests you most, whether that's strategy, consulting, operations or entrepreneurship, and consider how your education, skills and experience line up with it.

You can then apply for an internship program and discuss your career goals, interests and placement preferences during the application process. At The Intern Group, you'll complete an online application and interview before working with the team to secure a business internship that matches your profile and goals.

Realize your potential with an international internship

1

Apply online

Complete our simple application form and tell us about your passions, qualifications, and experiential requirements.
2

Interview

If your interview is successful, confirm your enrollment with a tuition deposit.
3

Secure your internship

Collaborate in the internship placement process & accelerate your career.