10 Internships for High School Students in Europe
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
If you’re interested in gaining experience outside your high school classes, internships in Europe can give you exposure to a wide range of fields and academic environments. These opportunities let you explore fields such as scientific research, finance, medicine, and technology while learning how professionals work in international settings. You can also build skills such as communication, research, and problem-solving while experiencing different institutions across Europe.
Why should I do an internship in high school?
Participating in an internship can help you understand how different industries operate and what working in those fields looks like. Rigorous programs challenge you with tasks that build practical skills while helping you develop independence and responsibility. They also offer opportunities to connect with professionals and peers who share your interests.
To help with your search, we’ve selected 10 internships for high school students in Europe.
If you’re looking for free online summer internships, check out our blog here.
Location: London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the summer months with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 currently enrolled in high school
The Career Insights Program is an industry-focused experience for high school students in cities around the world, where you can engage in practical projects with major businesses across industries. The program connects you with industry experts through interactive workshops, site visits, and hands-on projects. You'll also visit operational sites, including offices, factories, and headquarters. You can explore career paths in subjects such as medicine, engineering, and law. The program also includes weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and personalized feedback sessions. You can find more details about the application here!
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: July 20 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students in the final year of high school
The International Summer Internship Program at Haus der Astronomie offers high school students a three-week research experience in astrophysics. You’ll work closely with scientists on real-world astronomical projects, such as analyzing data from the Kepler Space Telescope, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, or the Gaia DR2 release. Each year’s focus varies, but past topics have included studying exoplanets, galaxies, and the expansion of the universe. The program mirrors professional research, giving you flexibility to explore your own ideas and contribute to meaningful investigations.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). Apply here.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual program for high school students that places you in a high-growth startup. During the 8-week internship, you’ll work on real-world projects and collaborate closely with your manager, either one-on-one or in a small group. You will gain hands-on experience in areas like tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, or consulting, while developing skills in problem-solving, project management, and professional communication. Interns also have the opportunity to present their completed projects to the company, receiving feedback and insights from experienced professionals. The program emphasizes mentorship, guiding you throughout your internship and exposure to how startups operate. This combination of real work, professional collaboration, and project presentation makes Ladder Internships a practical and engaging introduction to the startup world.
Location: Imperial College, South Kensington campus, London
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – July 3
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Applicants must be in Year 12 at a UK state school; check more details here
The Imperial College London Y12 Work Experience Programme is a five-day immersive introduction to academic research and university life. You’ll conduct research in one of several departments—such as Bioengineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Climate Change—while gaining hands-on experience in labs, workshops, and technical suites. The program simulates real working life, including commuting, managing deadlines, and collaborating with peers. You’ll also attend sessions on university applications, personal statements, and interview preparation, supported by a dedicated student ambassador. The week concludes with an academic-style conference, where you’ll present your research experience through a poster and oral presentation to faculty and peers.
Location: Various locations in the UK, including London, Bournemouth, Glasgow, and Edinburgh
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Must be aged 14–16 (Year 10–11 in England and S3–S4 in Scotland)
The JP Morgan Chase Work Experience Program is a week-long opportunity that introduces you to careers in finance and technology. Depending on the location, you’ll explore financial operations in London or Bournemouth, or dive into tech innovation at the Glasgow Technology Center. The program combines in-person and virtual sessions in which you’ll build key professional skills, including networking, resume writing, and interview preparation. You’ll also participate in interactive workshops, mentorship sessions, and hands-on activities with JPMorgan Chase staff. By the end of the program, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of the financial services industry and whether it aligns with your career goals.
Location: CERN headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Dates: No fixed dates
Application Deadline: No fixed dates
Eligibility: High school students; shadowing experience must be part of school program
CERN’s Job Shadowing Opportunities allow you to explore how one of the world’s leading research centers pushes the boundaries of science and technology. You’ll spend time observing scientists, engineers, and IT specialists at work, gaining insight into cutting-edge research and international collaboration. This experience helps you better understand potential study and career paths in STEM while interacting with experts from diverse technical and scientific fields. This short-term shadowing experience offers valuable exposure to real-world STEM careers in an international research environment, helping you connect classroom learning with cutting-edge scientific applications.
Location: Sheffield Hallam University or Northeastern University, London, UK
Cost/Stipend: Monthly salary and full university fee coverage
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Dates: Depends on sector and cohort selected
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Must be over 16, based in the UK, and meet entry requirements for a degree in Digital and Technology Solutions at one of FDM’s partner universities
The FDM Apprenticeship Program offers you a chance to gain real-world experience in IT support, software development, cybersecurity, and related fields while earning a degree in Digital Technology Solutions. In partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and Northeastern University, the program combines academic study with on-the-job training at FDM and with major client companies. You’ll work on real projects in areas such as robotics, process automation, information security, and software development, while being guided by professional mentors. This program provides a direct pathway into the tech industry through practical experience and structured academic learning.
Location: GP or London Surgery, Central London clinic, or London hospital
Cost/Stipend: £2,250–£9,000 (residential) | £1,750–£7,000 (non-residential). No stipend provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; small cohort
Dates: 1–4 week program available year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Ages 17–18; ideally preparing to enter medical school
The Lite Regal Medical Internship and Job Shadowing Program in London offers students aged 17 and above the opportunity to observe and learn from practicing doctors in hospitals and clinics. You’ll shadow physicians across specialties such as cardiology, neurology, and oncology, gaining firsthand experience with patient care, diagnosis, and treatment. The program provides valuable clinical exposure in world-class healthcare settings while helping you build communication and bedside skills through real interactions with patients and medical teams. You’ll also gain insight into the UK healthcare system and the inner workings of hospital operations.
Location: Hawkshead Campus & Camden Campus, UK
Cost/Stipend: £3,700; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 50 students
Dates: August 2 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Students aged 16+
The Royal Veterinary College’s Pre-Vet Summer School is a 13-day residential program designed for students aspiring to study veterinary medicine. You’ll gain 25-30 hours of hands-on experience in leading animal hospitals and handling facilities, including the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Equine Referral Hospital, and Bolton’s Park Farm. Alongside clinical exposure, you’ll attend university-level lectures, conduct a research project, and work through real veterinary case studies. You’ll also receive mentorship from a Student Ambassador and guidance from RVC staff on the veterinary school application process. The program offers valuable practical experience and insight into veterinary education and clinical practice across RVC’s Camden and Hawkshead campuses.
Location: Multiple locations
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies based on the number of weeks of the internship. You can check the details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are available year-round
Application Deadline: Open until positions are filled
Eligibility: Students over the age of 18
Fashion Week Internships offers high school and college students the chance to gain hands-on experience in the global fashion industry through placements in Paris, one of the world’s leading fashion capitals. You can work behind the scenes with fashion houses, PR agencies, designers, and event producers, contributing to tasks such as show preparation, styling, merchandising, and media coordination. The programs run year-round (except August), with peak demand during the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter Fashion Weeks. Each internship provides you with direct exposure to the fast-paced world of fashion and helps you develop industry-relevant skills in creativity, communication, and brand presentation.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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