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

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

Can UK citizens do a finance internship in the UK?

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 finance interns in London?

Finance interns are placed with a mix of investment banks, asset managers, insurance firms, fintech companies and accounting practices, depending on your interests and experience. Discover example host organizations >

How long are finance internships in London?

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

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

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

How can I get a finance internship in London?

To get a finance internship in London, start by identifying which side of finance interests you most, whether that's investment banking, asset management, insurance or fintech, 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 finance internship that matches your profile and goals.

Going to a theme park during a finance internship in London

Finance Internships in London

London didn't just develop a finance industry, it built the infrastructure the rest of the world still uses to price risk, move capital and settle deals.

The City of London and Canary Wharf together form one of the two or three most important financial centres on the planet, home to global investment banks, some of the largest asset managers in the world, and an insurance market so influential that "Lloyd's of London" has become shorthand for the industry itself. For interns, that concentration of financial firepower offers a genuinely rare vantage point on how modern markets actually function.

Whether you're a university student, recent graduate, gap year student or career changer, a finance internship in London can help you build real technical understanding within one of the most consequential financial markets in the world.

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 finance host organizations in London

We've previously placed interns with organizations across London's banking, asset management, insurance and fintech sectors. The organizations featured represent examples of the types of professional environments where participants have gained experience.

Why do a finance internship in London?

Every major global bank maintains a serious presence in London, and many run their European or international operations out of the City specifically, drawn by deep pools of talent, a time zone that bridges Asian and American markets, and centuries of accumulated financial infrastructure that's genuinely difficult to replicate elsewhere. That density means interns can be exposed to trading floors, deal teams and research desks all within the same square mile.

Beyond banking, London's asset management industry oversees trillions of pounds on behalf of pension funds, insurers and private investors worldwide, while the city's insurance market, anchored by Lloyd's, continues to underwrite some of the most complex risks on earth, from shipping fleets to satellite launches. Layer in a fintech scene that's used London's regulatory expertise as a launchpad for digital banking and payments innovation, and finance students get access to a genuinely complete picture of how capital actually moves.

The city is particularly strong in areas such as investment banking, asset management, insurance and fintech, giving you exposure to nearly every corner of modern financial services within a single market.

Experience finance at a global capital markets hub

Trading floor access
See how London's investment banks and trading desks operate at the centre of global capital markets.

Deep specialization
Explore finance across investment banking, asset management, insurance and fintech.

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

Regulatory sophistication
Learn how London's regulatory environment has shaped both traditional finance and the fintech innovation built alongside it.

Hanging out with interns during a finance internship in London

Explore finance internships in London

London's finance landscape spans global investment banks, asset managers, insurance markets and a fast-growing fintech scene. Your internship could give you the opportunity to see how organizations in the city manage capital, risk and returns for clients around the world.

Asset & Wealth Management

With so many of the world's largest asset managers based in London, interns get a real look at how institutional and private capital gets allocated across markets. You could support portfolio research, performance reporting or client materials.

You could work on: Portfolio research · Performance reporting · Client materials · Market monitoring

Corporate Finance

London's corporate finance teams, both in-house and advisory, work on everything from budgeting to raising capital for growing businesses. You could support financial planning, valuation work or reporting projects.

You could work on: Financial planning · Valuation support · Budget analysis · Reporting

Financial Analysis & Research

Equity research and financial analysis remain core to how London's institutions form views on markets and individual companies. You could support building financial models, tracking market data or drafting research summaries.

You could work on: Financial modelling · Data tracking · Research summaries · Company analysis

Insurance & Risk

Anchored by Lloyd's of London, the city's insurance market underwrites some of the most complex risks in the world, from natural catastrophes to specialist commercial coverage. You could support underwriting research, claims analysis or risk assessment projects.

You could work on: Underwriting research · Claims analysis · Risk assessment · Policy documentation

Fintech & Digital Finance

London's fintech sector has built on the city's deep regulatory expertise to become one of the world's leading hubs for digital banking, payments and blockchain innovation. You could contribute to product development, compliance support or market research for a fintech company.

You could work on: Product research · Compliance support · Market analysis · User research

Accounting & Audit

London hosts the headquarters or major offices of the world's largest accounting firms, giving interns exposure to how financial statements get prepared, reviewed and verified at scale. You could support bookkeeping, audit preparation or financial reporting.

You could work on: Bookkeeping support · Audit preparation · Financial reporting · Reconciliation

Example finance internship roles in London

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

Investment Research Intern
Strategic Finance Intern
Corporate Finance Intern
E-commerce Finance Intern
Business Development and Finance Intern
Investment Analyst Intern
Sustainable Finance Analyst Intern
Private Equity Finance Intern

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

Explore more example Finance roles >

Going to the West End during a finance internship in London

What can you gain from a finance internship in London?

A finance internship in London offers more than a line on your CV. It's a chance to see how one of the world's most important financial centres actually functions, developing practical, technical skills through work with genuinely high stakes.

Build London finance experience

Add international finance experience to your CV and show future employers that you've worked within one of the most respected financial markets in the world.
Work on real financial projects

Put your knowledge into practice through projects that could involve financial modelling, research, compliance or risk analysis, depending on your placement.
Grow your international finance network

Connect with professionals across London's banking, asset management and insurance sectors while building relationships with fellow interns from around the world.
Understand global capital markets

See how decisions made in the City and Canary Wharf ripple across markets well beyond the UK's own borders.
Experience London's financial culture

Gain insight into how tradition, regulation and innovation combine to shape one of the world's most sophisticated financial ecosystems.

Going to a comedy gig during a finance 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 our interns in London

"I’m working for a company which provides financial education for young people aged 11 to 25. I’ve been involved in projects as an Education Assistant and Education Officer, and I also visit schools across London to support freelancers, where I get to observe and participate in workshops.

My biggest achievement has been the relationships I’ve built with my colleagues. I really feel that the team appreciates my work, and I know I could come back to London and be greeted with a big smile. This placement has helped me develop the skills I already had while learning new ones, particularly my communication skills, both face-to-face and via email. I’m really grateful for the experience because it’s helped me realise what I want to do in the future: work in economic development and education." - Shanell Cartagena, finance intern in London

At a rooftop bar during a finance internship in London

Is a London finance internship right for you?

A London finance internship could be a great fit if you want hands-on exposure to one of the most influential financial markets in the world.

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

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

Living as a finance intern in London means adjusting to early starts, particularly if your desk has any connection to markets that open before the UK wakes up, but the trade-off is a city that rewards you generously once the workday ends.

Weekday evenings might mean drinks near the City's glass towers, while weekends open up gallery visits, riverside walks or a market in Notting Hill or Borough. The Tube makes the whole city easy to navigate, and fellow interns tend to become the people you lean on to make sense of London's size and pace.

FAQs

: Visa requirements for a finance 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.
: Finance interns are placed with a mix of investment banks, asset managers, insurance firms, fintech companies and accounting practices, 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 finance degree or previous professional experience to apply for a finance internship in London. The right qualifications will depend on the internship placement, but relevant studies in finance, economics, accounting or a related subject can be useful.

Transferable skills such as analytical thinking, attention to detail, numeracy and clear communication can also help you succeed in a finance role. Your placement is matched to your experience, interests and career goals.
: To get a finance internship in London, start by identifying which side of finance interests you most, whether that's investment banking, asset management, insurance or fintech, 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 finance 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.