LJMU Funded internships and work-based learning

LJMU offers our second and final year students (level 5 and 6) the opportunity to apply for a paid 'Discovery Internship' that will enhance your employability skills and career insight. You will be paid a living wage for the internship, which can be completed part-time alongside your studies.

These paid internships will be working with a local organisation in the Liverpool City Region on a real life project that you can really get stuck into.  Read case studies from students who have previously completed a Discovery Internship.

There are 3 rounds of internships during the academic year, each with approximately 50 opportunities available, and the duration of the internships is 100 hours (unless otherwise stated).

  • Round 1 - open for applications in mid-September (at the start of the academic year)
  • Round 2 - open for applications in late November
  • Round 3 - open for applications in late February (the majority of the opportunities are 'Grad edition' internships for level 6 students only, but there are some internships that are open to both level 5 and 6 students - all opportunities are 140 hours in duration)

Discovery Internships are sourced by the LJMU Student Futures team and are advertised via Unitemps at LJMU, so you must be registered with Unitemps to be eligible to apply.

Discovery Internships are an opportunity for you to:

  • test out your career ideas and discover if this is the type of role you want to pursue in future
  • gain invaluable workplace skills and experience
  • learn more about yourself and working life
  • have examples/evidence to reference on future application forms and during interviews 
  • show your commitment and enthusiasm to any future employer
  • earn some money to offset the cost of living 

Eligible students can apply for a maximum of 3 internships in each round.    

Please note:
If you intend to apply for a Discovery Internship you must be registered with LJMU's Unitemps branch.

2025/26 Academic Year - timeline for Round 3 ('Grad edition' internships for L6 students only plus a small number of universal opportunities available to both L5 and 6 students)

  • Internships open for applications: Monday 23 February
  • Applications close: 11.59pm on Sunday 15 March
  • Interviews with host organisation: before Friday 24 April
  • Start date of internships: from Monday 11 May (this may vary slightly for different roles)
  • Internships completed by: 140 hours must be completed no later than Friday 10 July

Discovery Internships for care experienced and estranged students now available
There are 8 Discovery Internships available for care experienced and estranged students only.  You must be registered with Unitemps to apply and the closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Sunday 5 April.  Find out more and apply.

View internships (during application windows only)

Paid Co-creation Internships

Co-creation internships involve Student Futures collaborating with students from underrepresented groups in order to gain an understanding of their perspectives and to co-develop tailored careers and employability provision.  It’s not about Student Futures deciding what would be best for students, it’s about listening and creating provision together. The paid internships, which can vary in duration and fit around your studies, initially involve honest conversations to establish the scope of the project and require the interns to take ownership and lead on the project.

In previous years, Student Futures have offered Co-Creation internships around disability, sustainability, LGBTQ+, care experienced and estranged students, ethnically diverse students and students with mental health challenges.  The students have helped to create the webpages and resources listed.

Co-creation internships opportunities are advertised via Unitemps at LJMU, so make sure you are registered with them to be notified when opportunities become available. 

Support with your application for an internship

If you need help with your application for an internship, or want support preparing for an interview, you can book a 30-minute careers meeting with a Careers and Employability Adviser from the LJMU Student Futures team.

My LJMU internship at Sound City was a fantastic experience. It was great to work with others in a large crew on a very exciting project. Being in the thick of the action with only one opportunity to get things right was a huge adrenaline rush and something that cannot be replicated in the classroom. I was also able to work with some fantastic students who I’ve kept in touch with since and have had other opportunities for work off the back of that.

Sam O’Brien

Audio and Music Production graduate

Contact us

For more information about the internship programme contact Student Futures.