What is the Graduate Internship Scheme?
Our Graduate Internship Scheme enables organisations across the UK to engage with Nottingham Trent University’s diverse graduate talent through a fully funded short-term internship.
The scheme supports graduates as they transition into the workplace while enabling organisations to benefit from graduate-level skills, fresh perspectives and additional support for business projects.
In 2023, Bristol-based Mocean discovered the Graduate Internship Scheme via a connection on LinkedIn. With an ambition to disrupt the events industry and diversify their product offering, but a skills gap in the current team to fulfil this, getting involved in the Graduate Internship Scheme presented an exciting solution.
Benefits to host organisations
This programme provides graduates with valuable opportunities to gain practical experience while enabling organisations to access motivated NTU graduates with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
It also allows businesses to explore how graduate roles could be effectively integrated into their operations, with many previous participants using the scheme to understand how a graduate role could be embedded within their organisation.
The scheme further supports host organisations in enhancing mentoring and leadership skills by providing guidance, sharing expertise and nurturing early-career talent, while offering a cost-effective solution for additional resource.
Key dates & information
For the 2026 Scheme:
- Internships will start on Monday 10 August 2026
- Positions are fully funded by Nottingham Trent University
- Internships run for either:
- 6 weeks full-time (37 hours per week), or
- 8 weeks part-time (22.5 hours per week)
Graduates are employed by NTU through Unitemps and work within the host organisation for the duration of the internship.
We are looking for organisations that can provide a supportive and inclusive environment, helping graduates gain confidence in the workplace while developing their knowledge and professional skills.
Recruitment and matching
NTU manages the recruitment and assessment process for the scheme. Graduates apply to the programme and are assessed through a structured process that considers:
- technical and transferable skills
- supporting statements aligned to role interests
- video interview responses
The Employability team then matches graduates to employer opportunities where there is a strong alignment between skills, interests and role requirements.
Supporting your graduate intern
To support host organisations in providing the best possible experience for graduates, we have developed the Host Organisation Guide, which provides an overview of expectations and best practices for integrating a graduate into your team
Additionally, NTU offers dedicated toolkits to support host organisations throughout the internship:
- The Induction & Onboarding Checklist ensures graduates receive a structured and welcoming introduction to the workplace.
- The Workplace Mentor Guide provides insights into effective mentoring, helping hosts foster professional growth and engagement.
- The Wellbeing Support Toolkit offers guidance on promoting a healthy work environment, ensuring interns feel valued and supported during their placement.
By taking advantage of these resources, host organisations can create a rewarding experience for both graduates and their business. We look forward to working with organisations to facilitate meaningful internship opportunities.
Register your interest
Employers interested in participating should complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) Form.
Expressions of interest are reviewed alongside graduate applications. Organisations may then be invited to submit full details of their internship vacancy where it is likely a suitable graduate match can be identified.
Submitting an EOI does not guarantee a match, as placements depend on the skills and interests of the graduate cohort.
Please note this page is for businesses who are interested in hosting a graduate intern through the scheme. If you are an NTU graduate interested in participating, please see more information here.
If you would like to learn more about the Graduate Internship Scheme or have any questions, please contact the NTU Employability team by emailing: grad.internship@ntu.ac.uk
Success stories
Bringing ideas to life
After running a successful business for over a decade, Karen Gee decided it was time to start something new. Initially, the idea of Rugby Hackers seemed unattainable - a lack of time or resources available for a dedicated project. That's where the NTU Graduate Internship Scheme stepped in, and seven passionate graduates teamed up with Karen to make her idea a reality.
Read the full article
"Stories make the world a better place"
In 2022, nine graduates supported Rehannah Mian at Magical Storybook to produce illustrations for her suite of downloadable read-along books. During this time, Rehannah's platform reached over two million subscribers. "I really appreciate having NTU's graduates working with me. They move my business on a lot, and it's fabulous to get such talent and positive energy in my office space."
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"It's a win-win"
Internal NTU departments also use the Graduate Internship Scheme to explore how graduate roles can support their team's growth. This is especially important in areas that are evolving and can leverage the innovative ideas and new perspectives of early career's talent. For Helen Puntha, Head of NTU Green Academy, the mutual benefits of the experience were clear: "The scheme is excellent. I feel it's a win-win: the graduate gained experience, we gained valuable skills and a fresh perspective and could get some work completed which we could not have otherwise resourced."
A pipeline for graduate employment
David Radley found that the new ideas and practical Quantity Surveyor skills that his interns brought to the company were a key benefit of taking part in the Graduate Internship Scheme. So much so, one of the graduates has continued in employment at Structural Investment Services beyond the internship period.
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