From Potential to Profession

Why Internships Matter for Ignite Students

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, the Ignite Programme is helping students from underrepresented backgrounds to undertake paid internships, an increasingly crucial stepping stone into graduate careers.

Today’s graduate job market is fiercely competitive, and internships are often seen to provide candidates with an edge. Placements are a growing route by which graduates can obtain entry-level roles in professional careers, with a recent poll by the Sutton Trust finding that 51% of graduates have undertaken an internship. This marks a growth of 12% since 2018. Internships offer an opportunity for students and graduates to build professional and interpersonal skills, gain insight into a workplace and obtain real-world experience.

Internships can give applicants a distinct advantage when being interviewed and showcases the industry knowledge they have gained through the job. The Sutton Trust recently reported that almost a third of graduates said they could only access their current job thanks to an internship, emphasising how much value they hold.

However, the path to obtaining an internship has barriers, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for students from low-income backgrounds to access placements. The Sutton Trust conducts research that aims to identify the root causes of low social mobility. A recent report published by the Trust found a 12% drop in the likelihood of working-class graduates participating in internships, with the proportion completing one now at just 36%, compared to 55% of their middle-class peers. This gap in representation has grown significantly since 2018, with 26% of working-class respondents stating they could not afford to take on an internship. With essential living costs higher than the maximum maintenance loan for 57% of students outside of London, the need for paid internship opportunities for less represented social groups has never been greater.

That’s why we’re so proud to offer our Ignite students paid internships that open doors – and futures – that might otherwise remain closed.

Your support funds Ignite’s internships, which aim to bridge the widening gap for students and create a fairer pathway to post-university success. Thanks to you, students gain insight, learn how to communicate and form relationships in a professional environment by working with teams across the University. Their chosen internal placement provides a range of useful short- and long-term gains, including additional income and beneficial new abilities to carry forward into their career.

Internships are a true highlight of the Ignite programme every year, offering a tangible opportunity to help level the playing field for students who require it the most. By taking on an Ignite placement, students develop empowering skills that will help them to grow, thrive and reach a higher level of social mobility, setting them up for a positive future.

“Without this internship, I wouldn’t have had the same exposure to academic research or the opportunity to build practical experience in a structured way. It gave me a head start on skills I’ll need for future research projects and boosted my confidence in applying what I learn in lectures to real-world tasks. It also helped me build professional relationships and feel more connected to the university outside my course.” Jamie, Ignite bursary recipient speaking about their recent internship.

Internships are one of the most valued aspects of the Ignite Programme, and your support makes them possible. Together, we’re helping students to develop the skills, experience and networks they need to succeed.