Key Points
- Employers have cut back on hiring for internships and placements, despite a 27% increase in student interest.
- The reduction in hiring raises doubts about universities' pledge to offer work experience opportunities for all undergraduates.
- The Institute of Student Employers' survey suggests that hiring is showing signs of stabilisation, but competition for roles remains high.
The Shrinking Pool of Student Work Experience
Student interest in internships and work placements rose steeply last year, but employers have cut back on hiring for these sorts of roles, according to the Institute of Student Employers' annual survey.
The survey found that applications for university-level internships soared 27% in 2025-26, but there was an 8% reduction in internship and placement hiring among employers.
This raises doubts about universities' pledge to offer work experience opportunities for all undergraduates, as demand for these opportunities rises.
At a Glance
| Institute of Student Employers | ISE organisation conducting the survey |
| University of Manchester | Duncan Ivison vice-chancellor announcing plans for work placements |
| Universities UK | Future Jobs Roadmap initiative aiming for 50% of undergraduates to have meaningful work-based learning by 2030 |
Behind the Decline in Internships and Placements
The Decline in Internships and Placements
The reduction in hiring is a concern, as it may indicate that employers are not able to meet the growing demand for work experience opportunities.
Behind the Decline
The survey suggests that hiring is showing signs of stabilisation, but competition for roles remains high, with 141 applications per graduate position on average.
What This Means for Universities and Employers
Universities and employers must work together to ensure that work experience opportunities are accessible, meaningful, and aligned with future workforce needs.
Employers can take steps to increase their hiring of graduates, such as investing in training and development programs.
Universities can also take steps to prepare their students for the workforce, such as providing more opportunities for work experience and career development.
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