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

Yes. Visa requirements for an entrepreneurship internship in London depend on your nationality and length of stay. See full visa requirements >

Can UK citizens do a politics 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 politics interns in London?

Politics interns are placed with a mix of public affairs consultancies, policy think tanks, advocacy organizations, parliamentary offices and international bodies, depending on your interests and experience. Discover example host organizations >

How long are politics internships in London?

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

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

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

How can I get a politics internship in London?

To get a politics internship in London, start by identifying which side of politics interests you most, whether that's public affairs, policy research, campaigns or international relations, 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 politics internship that matches your profile and goals.

Meeting other interns during a politics internship in London

Politics Internships in London

London is one of the world's great political capitals, home to the UK Parliament, the civil service departments that turn policy into practice, and a genuinely influential ecosystem of public affairs firms, advocacy groups and research institutes that shape debate well beyond Britain's borders. As a major diplomatic hub hosting embassies from nearly every country on earth, the city also offers a front-row seat to international relations playing out in real time. For interns, that density offers a rare, practical view of how political decisions actually get made and contested.

Whether you're a university student, recent graduate, gap year student or career changer, a politics internship in London can help you build practical experience within one of the world's most consequential political environments.

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.

Guaranteed Internship
Vetted roles in leading London political, policy and public affairs organizations.

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

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

Example political host organizations in London

We've previously placed interns with organizations across London's public affairs, policy research, advocacy and international relations sectors. The organizations featured represent examples of the types of professional environments where participants have gained experience.

Why do a politics internship in London?

Westminster remains the centre of UK political life, and the density of institutions clustered around it, Parliament itself, government departments, party headquarters and the lobby journalists who cover them, means political decisions get made, debated and reported on within an unusually compact area. Working near that world offers genuine exposure to how legislation actually moves, how government departments operate day to day, and how public pressure shapes political outcomes in real time.

London's public affairs and think tank scene has grown into one of the most influential in the world, with research institutes producing policy work that regularly shapes government thinking and consultancies managing genuinely high-stakes lobbying campaigns on behalf of major industries. As a global diplomatic hub hosting one of the largest concentrations of embassies anywhere, the city also gives interns exposure to international relations and foreign policy work rarely available at the same scale elsewhere.

The city is particularly strong in areas such as public affairs, policy research, parliamentary support and international relations, giving you exposure to nearly every corner of how political influence actually operates.

Experience politics at the centre of UK and global affairs

Westminster access
See how Parliament, government departments and party politics interact within a genuinely compact political centre.

Deep specialization
Explore politics across public affairs, policy research, campaigns and international relations.

International networking
Build connections within one of the world's most significant diplomatic and political communities.

Real-time policy exposure
Learn how legislation, lobbying and public pressure actually shape political outcomes as they happen.

Explore politics internships in London

London's political landscape spans Parliament and government departments, public affairs consultancies, policy think tanks, advocacy organizations and international bodies. Your internship could give you the opportunity to see how organizations in the city shape and respond to political decisions with national and international consequences.

Public Affairs & Government Relations

London's public affairs consultancies manage lobbying and government relations campaigns on behalf of major industries and organizations, work that requires genuine understanding of how political influence actually operates. Your internship could involve supporting stakeholder research, briefing preparation or monitoring.

You could work on: Stakeholder research · Briefing preparation · Policy monitoring · Meeting coordination

Policy Research & Think Tanks

London's think tanks produce research that regularly shapes government policy and public debate, work built on genuine rigour rather than partisan talking points. You could support research projects, report drafting or event coordination.

You could work on: Research support · Report drafting · Data analysis · Event coordination

International Relations & Diplomacy

With one of the world's largest concentrations of embassies and international organizations, London offers real exposure to how diplomacy and foreign policy actually get conducted. You could support briefing preparation, research or event coordination.

You could work on: Briefing preparation · Diplomatic research · Event coordination · Correspondence support

NGO & Advocacy

London's advocacy organizations campaign on issues ranging from human rights to environmental policy, work that requires genuine strategic thinking about how to influence public and political opinion. You could support campaign research, policy analysis or stakeholder engagement.

You could work on: Campaign research · Policy analysis · Stakeholder engagement · Report drafting

Political Communications

Communicating political messaging clearly and persuasively is a genuine skill, and London's political communications teams work under constant media scrutiny. You could support media monitoring, briefing preparation or content drafting.

You could work on: Media monitoring · Briefing preparation · Content drafting · Press research

Public Policy Analysis

Understanding how a policy proposal will actually play out requires genuine analytical rigour, and London's policy analysts work across issues spanning the entire scope of government. You could support policy research, data analysis or report preparation.

You could work on: Policy research · Data analysis · Report preparation · Comparative research

Example politics internship roles in London

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

Campaign Strategy Intern
Political Communications Intern
Global Projects Coordinator
Policy & Communications Intern
Impact Operations Lead
Climate Policy Analyst
International Relations Intern
Digital Campaigns Fellow

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

Explore more example Politics roles >

Afternoon tea during a politics internship in London

What can you gain from a politics internship in London?

A politics internship in London offers more than a line on your CV. It's a chance to see how political decisions actually get made and contested at the centre of UK and global affairs, developing practical skills through work with genuinely real stakes.

Build London politics experience

Add international politics experience to your CV and show future employers that you've worked within one of the world's most consequential political environments.
Work on real political projects

Put your knowledge into practice through projects that could involve public affairs, policy research, campaigns or international relations, depending on your placement.
Grow your international political network

Connect with professionals across London's public affairs, policy and diplomatic sectors while building relationships with fellow interns from around the world.
Understand how political influence actually operates

See how lobbying, research and public pressure combine to shape political outcomes in real time.
Experience London's political culture

Gain insight into how Westminster's institutions, think tanks and diplomatic community combine to shape political debate on a global scale.

At a picnic in London during a politics internship

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 was working with the events team, which I found really riveting. I came to London because I wanted to learn more about the London political system, and I definitely got to achieve that. I was able to go to Parliament a few times for London Climate Action Week, where we held an event, as well as for a financial roundtable. It was really interesting because it covered the political side of things, but also looked at AI's impact on these different areas." - Ella Kay, politics intern in London

"I chose London because my family is all from England, but I've never been, so I've always wanted to visit and see where most of my background comes from. I thought that was really exciting, and that's why I wanted to come here." - Kaitlyn Potter, London intern

On the tube during a politics internship in London

Is a London politics internship right for you?

A London politics internship could be a great fit if you want hands-on exposure to how political decisions actually get made at one of the world's most significant political centres.

Whether you're a university student, recent graduate, gap year student or career changer, you can build practical political skills while experiencing how organizations in London shape policy, campaigns and international relations. It's an opportunity to build your CV, expand your professional network and discover where a career in politics could take you.

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

Living as a politics intern in London means Westminster's pubs and cafés start to feel like an extension of the office, genuine policy conversations happen just as often over a coffee near Parliament Square as they do in a formal meeting. Think tank panels and public lectures run most weeknights if you want to expand your understanding of an issue, often free and open to anyone willing to show up.

Weekends offer a different rhythm entirely, a wander through a market, a gallery visit, or simply catching up with fellow interns over a meal while comparing notes on which political story dominated your week.

Out for dinner during a London politics internship

FAQs

: Yes. Visa requirements for an entrepreneurship 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.
: Politics interns are placed with a mix of public affairs consultancies, policy think tanks, advocacy organizations, parliamentary offices and international bodies, 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 politics degree or previous professional experience to apply for a politics internship in London. The right qualifications will depend on the internship placement, but relevant studies in politics, international relations, public policy or a related subject can be useful.

Transferable skills such as research, writing, analytical thinking and clear communication can also help you succeed in a politics role. Your placement is matched to your experience, interests and career goals.
: To get a politics internship in London, start by identifying which side of politics interests you most, whether that's public affairs, policy research, campaigns or international relations, 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 politics 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.