Internship and Work Experience FAQs
How much should I pay a student?
There is no fixed level, and it varies with the industry and job, but it is important that they are paid at least the National Minimum Wage.
Part-time/casual work rates are £12.71 to £14.00 per hour on average, or more in a specialist skill sectors such as IT. Casual vacation work typically £400-£500 per week. The National Living Wage is currently is £12.71 per hour (from April 2026).
When are students available?
Students will be available at different times depending on the type of work that you want to recruit them for. Timings may be as follows:
Casual vacation work:
- Christmas vacation - available full-time from mid December through until January
- Easter vacation - available full-time from early-mid April (depending when Easter falls) for approx. 2 weeks
- Summer vacation - available full-time from mid-June until mid-September.
Please see our key dates page for more information on vacation periods.
Part-time work:
- Available all year round (though less available during summer period when students are away for an extended period).
When are students available to start internships?
Students are available to start work as soon as they complete their exams in late June or early July. Recruitment for positions starting in June can commence earlier in the year from February onwards.
Summer internships can be an ideal way to identify talent for future employment i.e. part-time hours during term-time or full time roles on completion of their courses.
Can I employ international students?
Whilst students are enrolled on a programme at The University of Manchester, students are eligible to work part time during their studies, full time during the summer or on a course related industrial placement.
For more information on recruiting international students during and after study, see our international students section.
