Spending the day at Thorpe Park during a music internship in London

Music Internships in London

Four young men from Liverpool recorded most of their albums in a single London studio, and a zebra crossing outside it became one of the most photographed in the world. That studio, Abbey Road, still records film scores and chart hits today, and it stands as a reminder that London has been writing, recording and exporting music for more than a century, from music hall to the British Invasion, punk, Britpop and grime.

The industry behind the sound is based in the same city. Major record companies, the organizations that license and collect royalties for songwriters, and many of the country's leading managers, agents and publishers have offices here, alongside venues ranging from tiny pub rooms to the Royal Albert Hall. For interns, that concentration means exposure to nearly every part of the music business, within a few Tube stops of each other.

Whether you're a university student, recent graduate, gap year student or career changer, a music internship in London can help you build practical experience within an industry that has long set the pace for popular culture.

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.

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24Guaranteed Internship
Vetted roles in leading London record labels, publishers, venues and music organizations.

14Complete Overseas Support
Visa assistance, London housing, social & cultural events and 24/7 staff support included. 

22Global Career Network
Join 15,000+ alumni with dynamic workshops, networking events, and employer references. 

Example music host organizations

We've previously placed interns with organizations across London's record labels, music publishers, live venues, artist management and music promotion sectors. The organizations featured represent examples of the types of professional environments where participants have gained experience.

Why do a music internship in London?

London's music industry works as a chain, and each link sits close to the next. Artists develop their sound in small venues, labels and managers scout talent at those same shows, publishers place songs in films and advertising, and promoters build tours that stretch from the capital to festival fields across Europe. Interns can see how a song moves along that chain, and how professionals in each role depend on the others.

The city also supports a wide variety of genres. Classical music has a major stage in the Proms, a summer season of daily concerts running for weeks, while jazz clubs, electronic nights and grime and drill scenes each have their own networks of venues, radio shows and independent labels. Because British artists reach audiences around the world, London-based teams think globally from the start, planning releases and promotion across several territories at once. Add the pull of institutions that teach, archive and celebrate music, and the city offers a broad education in how music is made and sold.

London is particularly strong in areas such as record labels and A&R, music publishing and sync, live venues and promotion, and artist management, offering exposure to an industry with worldwide reach.

Experience music in a city that exports its sound

Studio heritage
See how the legacy of historic recording studios continues to shape the way music is made and marketed.

Deep specialization
Explore the sector across labels, publishing, live venues, management, classical music and music PR.

Industry density
Build connections with professionals across the business who work within a few Tube stops of each other.

Genre range
Learn how pop, jazz, classical, electronic and grime scenes each build audiences in their own ways.

Meeting other interns on the first day of a music internship in London

Explore music internships in London

London's music landscape spans major and independent labels, publishers, venues, management firms, promoters and classical institutions. Your internship could give you the opportunity to see how organizations support artists and reach audiences, with tasks suited to your experience and under the guidance of experienced music professionals.

Live Venues & Promotion

Venues of every size depend on careful scheduling and promotion to fill their rooms. You could support gig listings, artist communications or ticketing promotion.

You could work on: Gig listing support · Artist communications · Ticketing promotion · Venue administration support

Music PR & Press

Getting a release noticed means building press lists, pitching to writers and planning campaigns. You could support media outreach, press list development or campaign tracking.

You could work on: Media outreach support · Press list development · Campaign tracking · Social content support

Streaming, Radio & Digital Content

Streaming services, radio stations and music publications shape what listeners discover. You could support content research, editorial scheduling or audience data analysis.

You could work on: Content research · Editorial scheduling support · Audience data analysis · Newsletter support

Music Education & Community Programs

Schools and community organizations bring instruments and lessons to young people across the capital. You could support program administration, resource preparation or participant communications.

You could work on: Program administration support · Resource preparation · Participant communications · Event coordination

Looking for music internships outside of London? Explore our international music internships to discover opportunities across a range of destinations. 

Example music internship roles in London

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

  • Music Business Development Intern
  • Cultural Experience Intern
  • Music Education Intern
  • Artist Development Intern
  • Arts Administration & Cultural Operations Intern
  • Production & Events Assistant Intern
  • Music Content & Social Media Intern
  • Artist Management & Label Support Intern

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

Explore more example music and performing arts roles >

Having afternoon tea during a music internship in London

What can you gain from a music internship in London?

A music internship in London goes beyond a single line on your CV. It's a chance to see how one of the world's leading music capitals operates behind the scenes, developing practical skills through work that supports artists and audiences.

  • Build London music industry experience

    International music experience on your CV shows future employers you've worked in a city that has shaped popular music for generations.

  • Work on real music projects

    Put your knowledge into practice through projects that could involve label releases, publishing administration, venue promotion or artist management, depending on your placement.

  • Grow your music industry network

    Connect with professionals across labels, venues and agencies while building relationships with fellow interns from around the world.

  • Understand how music earns a living

    See how royalties, ticketing, streaming and sync licensing combine to support artists throughout their careers.

  • Experience London's music culture

    Gain insight into how history, variety and international reach shape the way music is made and sold. 

At a comedy gig during a music 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 music interns in London

Hunter Saillen
Hunter Saillen
Watch their story
Scarlett Freeman
Scarlett Freeman
Watch their story
Chloe Schneider
Chloe Schneider
Watch their story

"This experience has taught me a lot. It's been great to explore London by myself, make new friends along the way and learn more about the music industry, which is what I want to work in. I chose to come to London because it's one of the music capitals of the world, and I knew it would be one of the best places to make the most of my internship experience. There's so much going on here, and the vibe of the city is incredible. On the weekends, there's always something to do. Naturally, I go to a lot of concerts and clubs, but there's also so much more to explore, from tourist attractions and fascinating, free museums to simply hanging out with the friends I've made here." - Hunter Saillen, music intern in London

"I loved how helpful everyone was and how The Intern Group was willing to help make my dreams come true and further my career. That was a huge, eye-opening experience for me. When I first applied to The Intern Group, I thought it would be difficult or even impossible to get an internship in the music industry because it's such a competitive field. I assumed they'd want proof that I was qualified in a lot of ways. While they did see my résumé, I really feel like I wouldn't have been able to get the position and opportunities I had without the help of The Intern Group." - Scarlett Freeman, London music intern

Taking a ride on the London Eye during a music internship

Is a London music internship right for you?

A London music internship could be a great fit if you're drawn to the business and culture behind the songs.

Whether you're a university student, recent graduate, gap year student or career changer, you can build practical music industry skills while experiencing how organizations in London support artists and reach audiences. It's an opportunity to build your CV, expand your professional network and discover where a career in music could take you.

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

Living as a music intern in London means standing in the arena at the Royal Albert Hall for the Proms, low-priced standing tickets putting a world-class orchestra within easy reach on a summer evening. Denmark Street's guitar shops make for a tempting lunchtime browse, the historic lane where British songwriters once gathered still humming with instruments.

A late set at Ronnie Scott's in Soho, where jazz greats have played for decades, is a rite of passage for anyone who loves live music. Posing on the Abbey Road crossing for the obligatory photo is a playful way to treat out-of-town visitors.

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Having a picnic during a music internship in London

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