Internship programme

Please note the below application opening and closing dates:

September/entry:
Applications open: 14 February
Deadline to apply: 1 May

January entry:
Applications open: 7 August
Deadline to apply: 1 October 

Applications may be considered after these dates if places are still available but it is in your interest to apply as early as possible, as applications are considered on a rolling basis. Late applicants may not be able to obtain housing on campus or register for their preferred modules. Please contact us if you wish to submit a late application on study-abroad@qmul.ac.uk.

Academic requirements for the Queen Mary London Internship Programme are the same as our main Study Abroad programme:

• You must be enrolled at an overseas institution on a Bachelors level degree and have already completed a minimum of one year of university-level study.
• You must have a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or international equivalent: if you are graded on a different grading scheme, you are still welcome to apply – we welcome a range of international qualifications.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact us at study-abroad@qmul.ac.uk.

Further details can be found here on our academic information page. 

If your first language is not English or you have not studied in an English-speaking education system, we will need you to prove your English language proficiency.

This still applies to you if:

• your first language is English but you have not studied in an English-speaking education system
•  you hold a UK passport and your first language is English, but you have not studied in an English-speaking education system

All students must meet the English language requirement for Study Abroad Programmes.

We also accept a range of accepted English tests and qualifications to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency.

Approved English language tests must have been taken within the validity date stated, which are measured against the proposed course start date.

Students can either apply directly to Queen Mary via our main application portal or via Arcadia (please note that additional fees will apply if using Arcadia as a programme provider). 

Please follow our step-by-step instructions in the Application Guidance carefully in order to submit a correct and complete application for assessment.

Following your initial application to Queen Mary, Arcadia will then ask you to complete their Internship Placement Questionnaire, through which you will provide them with details of your placement preferences.  

You will need to submit the following documents as part of your application:

• Our academic requirement is an overall GPA of 3.0 or above from your current academic semester.
  You will need to provide scanned copies of your original official transcript to confirm that the qualification has been awarded and satisfies our entry criteria.  If your qualification documents are not in English you will also need to provide official certified translations. All documents provided should be colour scans, either on headed paper or with an institutional stamp.
• Your offer is conditional upon the receipt of at least one satisfactory academic reference. The reference should comment on your suitability for study, to include details of academic performance to date and potential to succeed on your chosen programme.  Queen Mary reserves the right to make the final decision on determining if the reference is satisfactory.
• All students from countries where the native language is not English, must meet the English language requirement for Study Abroad Programmes.  We accept a range of accepted English tests and qualifications to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency.  Accepted English language tests must have been taken within the validity date stated, which are measured against the proposed course start date.
• A copy of your CV (resumé)
• A copy of your passport picture page

After acceptance onto the Queen Mary Study Abroad programme, you will need to complete the Internship Placement Questionnaire which will be sent to you by Arcadia.

You can still apply to the programme without all the required documents, however only a conditional offer can be made until the missing documents are received.

Your application will be initially assessed by the Queen Mary team and you will be made either a conditional or unconditional offer to the Study Abroad programme dependent on you meeting the academic requirements of the programme.

Your application will be then be further reviewed by Arcadia and you will be sent the Internship Placement Questionnaire to complete. 

Arcadia guarantees the offer of an internship placement once you are accepted onto the programme and every effort is made to accommodate your placement preferences. However, we cannot guarantee any particular field or organisation (including type and size). All programme participants must therefore maintain a high degree of flexibility in the placement search.

You must have submitted all required documentation (including your CV and Internship Placement Questionnaire) to proceed with the internship application with Arcadia. 

If Arcadia is unable to accept you onto the internship programme, or Arcadia is not able to meet your internship preferences, you will be able to continue with the main Study Abroad programme at Queen Mary and choose a fourth module. 

The cost of the internship is included in the Queen Mary Study Abroad programme fee.  Additional fees will be applied if students apply through Arcadia as a programme provider.

Internships are offered with a variety of organisations in the following sectors:
Accounting
Advertising
Arts
Business
Film & TV
Hospitality
Journalism pp
Law
Marketing
Non-Government Parliament & Politics
Psychology & Health Services
Public Relations

Will there be an interview?
Yes, you will be required to interview for the placement offered, this may be prior to arrival by phone, Zoom etc. but some employers prefer to meet in person following arrival.

How many days and hours per week will I intern?
Three days per week for 10 weeks. The hours per day are typically 7-9 hours including lunch. Depending on your QM class timetable half days can also be worked by arrangement with your internship placement to make up the required number of hours.

Can I intern for more than 3 days and 27 hours per week?
No, it is a requirement of your visa that you do not intern for more hours than specified in the programme - this is usually between 21 and 27 hours per week, typically 24.

Are the internships paid?
No, these are unpaid internships.

I am not happy with the internship offered; what should I do?
Immediately contact your placement adviser at Arcadia to discuss.

Is there a seminar/tutorial alongside the internship?
Yes. The seminar/tutorials meets twice per term as a group, but students will be assigned an individual academic project supervisor with whom they will meet four times over the course of the term. These meetings will be arranged directly between the academic project supervisor and the student. They usually take place at Arcadia’s London Center but can take place elsewhere by arrangement.

Where does the seminar/tutorial meet?
At Arcadia’s London office: 16/17 Southampton Place, Holborn, London WC1A 2AJ (closest Underground station: Holborn)

Who teaches the seminar/tutorial meeting?
The Course Convenor for INPR 310 is Chris McMillan. Chris leads the academic side of the class, and assigns the academic project supervisors.

What is the content of the seminar/tutorial?
The primary assessment is an academic research project of 4000 words, for which the student will be assigned an academic supervisor to provide guidance (you’ll meet with them individually four times over the course of the term). The research project is worth 80% of the grade, with a group presentation at the end of the term worth 20%.

Will I receive academic credit?
Arcadia University will award four credits for the internship.

Will the internship appear on my Queen Mary transcript?
No, only your Queen Mary modules will appear on your Queen Mary transcript.

Will I get a transcript from Arcadia?
Yes, you will receive a transcript from Arcadia listing the Internship course.

How many Queen Mary modules should I choose when doing an internship?
You will be able to select three modules on the Queen Mary module registration system.

How to I choose Queen Mary modules if I do not know the days when I will intern?
When available, you should view the timetables and try to keep free a minimum of two full days per week to intern. You will also have the opportunity to make changes to your schedule (space permitting) once you have arrived in London. The internship placement will be 3 days per week. This can be either 3 full days, or 2 full days and 2 half days around your QM modules.

I have applied for an internship but have changed my mind; can I withdraw and just study at Queen Mary?
Yes, this is possible, though please be aware of the amount of time and work which Arcadia staff will dedicate to placing you. If you have doubts or concerns these should be discussed with Arcadia at the earliest opportunity.

I started my internship but I do not like it; what do I do?
Speak with the staff at Arcadia immediately.

Where do I go for help during my internship placement?
Speak with the staff at Arcadia immediately.

Can I intern elsewhere if I change my mind after being placed?
Arcadia regards students to have made a commitment to their placement following acceptance after the interview, so would only move a student in the event of an unforeseen and irreconcilable issue arising and after the supervisor at the placement has had an opportunity to address the student’s concerns. So it cannot be because a student has simply changed their mind. Students are encouraged to speak with Arcadia’s placement staff who can offer support if any issues arise.

All students undertaking an internship will need to apply for Student immigration permission. Queen Mary will provide you with further guidance and instructions once you have accepted your place on the Study Abroad Programme.  Further information about visas and immigration can be found on the Queen Mary Advice and Counselling Service Student Immigration Advice Website.

Please note that students will not be enrolled onto the Internship Programme without the correct Student immigration permission, it is therefore essential that students do not travel before their immigration permission is granted.

Queen Mary is only able to issue CAS Numbers (required for Student Visa applications) to unconditional offer holders.

Who are Arcadia University, the College of Global Studies?
Arcadia University is a private university offering bachelor's, masters and doctoral degrees, based in Philadelphia, USA. Arcadia is a pioneer in the field of Study Abroad and has operated programmes for more than 40 years. Arcadia has 10 centres and offices around the world through its College of Global Studies.

How long have Queen Mary and Arcadia University worked together?
Queen Mary and Arcadia’s London centre have a longstanding relationship having worked together for over 20 years in London, jointly managing the provision of study abroad programmes and hosting students studying abroad from all parts of the USA. The internship programme is however a new venture, having launched in January 2020.

Why does Queen Mary not deliver its own internships for students enrolling on the Study Abroad Programme at Queen Mary?
Queen Mary does not have the resources to deliver internships for Study Abroad students.