Going on an internship abroad is one of the best decisions you can make at university. It is also one that involves a surprising amount of logistics. Visas, flights, insurance, accommodation, documents, packing, banking, and a dozen other things that are easy to forget until two days before departure.
This checklist covers the 30 things UK students need to sort before an international placement. It is organised by timeline so you can work through it at a steady pace rather than scrambling at the last minute. Whether you are heading to Barcelona, Bali, or New York, the fundamentals are the same.
Our full preparation guide goes deeper on visas, accommodation, and insurance. This page is the quick-reference version you keep coming back to.
3 to 6 Months Before
This is the strategic planning phase. The decisions you make now determine everything that follows.
- Research destinations and internship fields. Think about what industry you want to work in, what kind of city suits you, and what your budget looks like. Our destination guides cover 23 cities with honest cost breakdowns and field-by-field placement info. The best destinations by degree guide is a good starting point if you are unsure.
- Apply to internship programmes. Whether you go through a placement provider like us or apply directly to companies, start early. The best placements fill months in advance, especially for summer. See our guide on when to apply for ideal timelines by destination.
- Check visa requirements for your destination. Post-Brexit, UK students need visas or work permits for most countries. Processing times range from 2 weeks (Bali) to 16 weeks (USA J-1). Our visa guide has the specifics for each country.
- Start your Turing Scheme application. If your university participates, the Turing Scheme can provide up to £690 per month in living cost grants. 2026-27 is the final year before the UK transitions back to Erasmus+. Applications have early deadlines, so check with your international office now.
- Talk to your university placement office. They need to approve your placement for course credit, sign off on learning agreements, and may have additional funding or support available. If you are doing a placement year, read our guide on getting university approval for an overseas placement.
- Get your passport sorted. Check the expiry date. Most countries require at least 6 months validity beyond your return date. If you need to renew, the standard processing time is 10 weeks. Do not leave this until the last minute.
If you are still deciding between destinations, our Bali vs Barcelona vs Cape Town comparison and real cost of an internship abroad guide will help you weigh up your options with honest budget numbers.
1 to 3 Months Before
Your placement is confirmed and your destination is locked in. Now it is time to handle the practical logistics.
- Book your flights. Prices are usually lowest 6 to 8 weeks before departure. For European destinations, budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet offer returns from £30-80 if you book early. For long-haul destinations, compare on Skyscanner and consider flexible date searches.
- Arrange accommodation. Start looking at least 6 to 8 weeks before arrival. The rental markets in cities like Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Barcelona are extremely competitive. Our local teams can help with vetted options and introductions to landlords.
- Get internship insurance. Standard travel insurance does not cover work placements. You need specialist internship abroad insurance that includes professional liability, extended medical cover, and repatriation. Post-Brexit, your GHIC card no longer works in the EU. Budget £40 to £80 per month.
- Book vaccination appointments. Check the NHS Fit for Travel website for your destination. Some countries require specific vaccinations (yellow fever for parts of Africa, Japanese encephalitis for Southeast Asia). GP appointments for travel vaccines can have 2 to 4 week wait times.
- Set up a travel-friendly bank card. High street banks charge foreign transaction fees of 2.5 to 3%. Get a Monzo, Starling, or Wise card for free international spending and competitive exchange rates. Apply now so it arrives well before departure.
- Notify your bank. Tell your existing bank about your travel dates and destination. This prevents your card being frozen for suspected fraud the moment you use it abroad.
- Start learning language basics. Even in English-friendly destinations, knowing 50 to 100 phrases in the local language makes daily life easier and shows respect. Duolingo, Babbel, or a phrasebook are fine for the basics. Our language requirements guide covers what level you actually need for each destination.
Do not assume your parents' home insurance or your university's policy covers you. Check the fine print. Many policies exclude work placements or have geographic restrictions. Get dedicated internship insurance and keep the policy document accessible on your phone.
2 to 4 Weeks Before
Departure is close. This is the execution phase where you get everything packed, printed, and backed up.
- Pack smart. Check your airline's baggage allowance. Pack professional clothes for the office (research the dress code), comfortable shoes for walking, and layers for air-conditioned offices. Roll clothes to save space. Leave room for things you will buy locally.
- Print all essential documents. Passport copies, visa approval, placement agreement, insurance policy, accommodation confirmation, emergency contacts, and flight details. Keep one set in your hand luggage and one in your checked bag. Yes, everything is on your phone. Phones break, get stolen, and run out of battery.
- Download essential apps. Google Maps (download offline maps for your city), Google Translate (download your destination's language pack), your airline app, Wise or your travel banking app, WhatsApp, and any apps your host company uses (Slack, Teams, etc.).
- Research local SIM and eSIM plans. Compare costs before you arrive. For EU destinations, many providers offer affordable eSIM plans that activate instantly. For destinations outside Europe, a local SIM is almost always cheaper than UK roaming.
- Share your itinerary with family. Give your parents or emergency contact a full copy of your flights, accommodation address, workplace address, insurance details, and a list of who to call in an emergency. A shared Google Doc works well for this.
- Back up your devices. Upload important files to cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox). Save copies of your passport photo page, visa, and insurance as PDFs in an easily accessible folder. If your laptop is stolen, you need to be able to access everything from a new device.
- Prepare a basic first-aid kit. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters, antihistamines, any prescription medication (with a doctor's letter), hand sanitiser, and sunscreen. Pharmacies abroad may not stock the same brands or may require prescriptions for things available over the counter in the UK.
- Get a universal power adaptor. Check the plug type for your destination. A compact universal adaptor with USB ports covers most situations. If you are bringing a laptop, check that your charger handles 100-240V (most do).
- Set up online access to your UK accounts. Make sure you can access your UK bank, student email, and university portal from abroad. Some institutions block foreign IP addresses by default. Test VPN access if needed.
Your First Week There
You have arrived. The first few days set the tone for your entire placement. Here is what to prioritise.
- Register with the British Embassy or consulate. It takes two minutes online and means the government knows you are in the country if something goes wrong. Use the FCO's "Register with the embassy" service.
- Get a local SIM card or activate your eSIM. Having a local number and reliable data makes everything easier, from finding your accommodation to messaging colleagues.
- Learn the local transport system. Download the city's transport app, figure out the metro or bus routes to your office, and get a weekly or monthly travel pass if available. In most cities, public transport is far cheaper than taxis.
- Introduce yourself properly at the workplace. First impressions matter. Arrive early on your first day, bring a notebook, ask questions, learn everyone's name, and clarify expectations with your supervisor. Ask about dress code, working hours, lunch culture, and communication preferences.
- Set up mobile banking for your destination. If you need to pay rent or make local transfers, set up a Wise multi-currency account or open a local bank account. Your placement provider or host company can advise on the easiest option.
- Find your essentials. Locate the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, laundromat, and GP or walk-in clinic. Know these before you need them urgently.
- Connect with other interns. Join WhatsApp groups, attend social events, and say yes to everything in the first week. The friendships you build during your internship abroad are often some of the strongest you will make at university.
- Set personal goals for the placement. Write down three things you want to achieve professionally and three things you want to experience personally. Share the professional goals with your supervisor. Revisit them halfway through to track your progress.
Downloadable Checklist and Your Living Profile
We recommend creating your Living Profile as part of your preparation. It is a structured personal profile that captures your goals, preferences, skills, and what you want from your placement. Completing it before you go helps you articulate what you are looking for, and it helps us match you with the right company and destination.
Your Living Profile, combined with this checklist, means you arrive fully prepared. The students who get the most from their internship abroad are consistently the ones who invested time in preparation. None of these 30 items is hard on its own. The challenge is doing all of them, and doing them early enough that you are not rushing.
If you are still in the early stages and trying to decide whether an internship abroad is worth the effort, our guides on whether a placement year abroad is worth it and the real cost of an internship abroad in 2026 will help you make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start preparing for an internship abroad?
Ideally 3 to 6 months before your start date. Visa processing alone can take 4 to 8 weeks for most European destinations, and Turing Scheme applications typically have deadlines several months ahead of the placement. Starting early also gives you time to compare destinations, secure accommodation, and sort out funding without rushing.
Do I need travel insurance for an internship abroad?
Yes. Standard travel insurance usually does not cover work placements. You need specialist internship or work placement insurance that includes professional liability, extended medical cover, and repatriation. Post-Brexit, your GHIC card no longer works in the EU. Budget £40 to £80 per month depending on your destination.
What documents should I bring to my internship abroad?
Bring your passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date), your visa or work permit, your placement agreement or internship contract, proof of insurance, university confirmation letter, Turing Scheme award letter if applicable, accommodation confirmation, emergency contact details, and two printed copies of everything. Store digital copies in a cloud folder you can access from anywhere.
Can I use my UK phone abroad during an internship?
You can, but post-Brexit roaming charges have returned for many UK networks in the EU. For placements longer than a few weeks, a local SIM card or an eSIM plan is significantly cheaper. Research local options before you go and check whether your phone is unlocked. Many students use a dual-SIM setup to keep their UK number active for banking verification while using a local number for daily use.
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