Applying to the Micro-Internship Programme

Each cycle of the Micro-Internship Programme is open to all matriculated students (undergraduate and postgraduate). You can apply for a maximum of two micro-internships in the first round of each cycle. During cycles where we run a second round, you can make one application, maximum.  

You will be required to submit the following as part of your application:

1. A one-page Curriculum Vitae - This should be saved as Student Name – Employer name (CV) in PDF format. Second or subsequent pages will not be read.  For guidance on CV writing, please see our page on page on How to Draft a Standard CV
2. A 300-word Personal Statement - Here you should outline your suitability for the internship in question. For guidance on writing your personal statement please see our page on How to Write Cover Letters.

Confirmation of submission - If your application has been uploaded correctly you should receive an automatic confirmation email from CareerConnect, and your application will appear on your CareerConnect dashboard. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your application has been submitted successfully. If you do not receive a confirmation of submission within 3 hours, please contact micro-internships@careers.ox.ac.uk.

The Internship Office aims to make opportunities equally available to all current, matriculated Oxford students, regardless of race, gender or degree of disability. This policy is in accordance with the Careers Service mission statement, and the University’s Integrated Equal Opportunities Policy. To discuss any confidential issue relating to any additional needs you may have, please email micro-internships@careers.ox.ac.uk

Q: I previously completed a micro-internship with an employer, can I apply to/undertake the same placement as part of the Micro-Internship Programme again?

No. Students are unable to repeat micro-internships with an employer as part of the Micro-Internship Programme – even if the micro-internship takes place in a different term or academic year.  

Q: Can I apply to/undertake a micro-internship with an employer who has hosted me as a micro-intern previously, if the project is different?  

Yes, but only if the project is substantially different to the micro-internship you completed with them previously. 

If you are unsure on if the project is substantially different, please contact micro-internships@careers.ox.ac.uk.

Throughout the Micro-Internship application period the Internship Office holds 20-minute one-to-one Application Support Sessions.

During these sessions we can discuss your placement goals, clarify any questions you have about the programmes, or provide feedback on CVs and personal statements.

In addition, the Internship Office runs regular workshops that cover what the Micro-Internship Programme is and what to include in your application.

Both the application support sessions and Micro-Internship Programme workshops can be signed up to on CareerConnect during the application period.

Processing applications

• Your application will be considered by the host organisation after the closing date. The selection process takes approximately two weeks. 
• Please note that not every host will undertake interviews and may make their selection based on your application alone. Should your host wish to interview you, they will arrange the interview time and interview location with you directly.
• Once a host informs the Internship Office of their decision, whether based on the application documents or on interviews, we will communicate the outcome to the students. 

If your application is successful

You will receive an email from micro-internships@careers.ox.ac.uk making you a placement offer if your application has been successful. Before accepting an offer you should think carefully about whether you are serious in committing to the offer. You should only accept the placement if you are certain to be available during the placement dates and certain that you fully intend to see it through.

If you are made an offer, you have 24 hours to accept or decline the offer (once you have heard both outcomes, if applicable). Please note you are only allowed to accept one micro-internship offer per cycle. If you accept a first round offer you will not be eligible to make a second round application. Once an offer has been accepted, the Internship Office will then connect students with their host via email so arrangements can be made prior to the placement week.

If your application is not successful

You can check the status of your Micro-Internship application on CareerConnect. If you are not made an offer this will be recorded as 'unsuccessful'. Please check CareerConnect frequently, as no emails are sent out informing you that your application has been unsuccessful. Unfortunately, the host will not be able to provide you with feedback on your application. However, you can book in an advice appointment with a Careers Adviser to review your application and receive further guidance. If we run a second round during that cycle, you are free to apply to another micro-internship. Alternatively, you can consider applying again in a future cycle.

In applying for an internship through the Micro-Internship Programme you agree to the following roles and responsibilities. Please read through the list below carefully and use it as a checklist to help prepare for your internship. This list is a mandatory component of the online application form; you will be unable to submit an application unless you agree to the below. 

By applying to and participating in the Oxford University Micro-Internship Programme, I agree to: 

• satisfy myself that the internship is suitable for my needs in terms of content and environment.  

• take responsibility for checking the viability of the internship including local guidance to ensure the internship can be undertaken.   

• not accept an internship, under any circumstances, that I do not fully intend to complete. (Students who are in doubt as to whether to accept an internship offer should seek advice from the Internship Office or a Careers Adviser).  

• apply for a maximum of two micro-internships in the first round of a Micro-Internship cycle. Apply for a maximum of one application in the second round of a Micro-Internship cycle. Accept only one Micro-Internship placement per term from either the first round or the second round of a cycle (not one from each). 

• make travel arrangements and, where necessary, find suitable accommodation for the duration of the internship.  

• contribute to the internship in a professional manner.  

• act as an ambassador for the University of Oxford, being aware at all times that my personal conduct both on placement and outside of work will reflect upon myself and the university.  

• communicate regularly with the assigned point of contact within the host organisation. 

• advise the Internship Office on micro-internships@careers.ox.ac.uk if any difficulties arise before or during an internship that may affect my ability to complete the placement.  

• provide feedback to Oxford University at the end of the internship.  

I understand that: 

• this is a voluntary micro-internship, and that it is my responsibility to satisfy myself that the internship is financially viable for me (employers are only expected to contribute to travel expenses within the city and lunch expenses on submission of receipts). Should the placement be completed remotely, it is not anticipated that the micro-intern will incur any local travel or lunch expenses and so reimbursement will not be required. 

• there is support available from the Careers Service, should I wish to declare a physical or mental disability or any health issues that I feel may impact my internship. Further, that while the Careers Service can communicate disability-related needs to the internship provider on my behalf, the University is not responsible for the steps, if any, taken by the host organisation in response to that information and cannot advise on the extent of the host organisation’s obligation, if any, to make reasonable adjustments.

• the University is not responsible in any way for the acts and/or omissions of the host organisation or any other aspect of my internship experience. 

I confirm that:

• the information provided in this application is to the best of my knowledge, accurate and true, and I understand that inaccurate or untruthful information may compromise my application and/or terms of agreement of the internship and/or lead to the offer of the internship being withdrawn. 

If you have any further questions, please contact us! You can email the team at micro-internships@careers.ox.ac.uk. 

To keep updated with the launch of vacancies and deadlines for the submission of applications, make sure you follow the Careers Service blog, sign up to our Internship Alerts mailing list, and follow the Internship Office on Facebook.