Summer Internship Programme 2027

The Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme (SIP) gives people from lower socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to see what a career in the Civil Service is like. It puts talented undergraduates on a work placement in a government department. As a successful applicant, you’ll get an insight into the broad range of opportunities available across the Civil Service.

The SIP is a great way to prepare for a place on one of our Fast Stream graduate schemes, which could lead to many different career paths at the heart of the UK Government. Eight weeks on the SIP could change your life! You’ll also be invited to undertake the ‘Fast Pass’, which is an accelerated route through Fast Stream selection. The Fast Pass means if you receive a positive appraisal during the 2027 Summer Internship Programme, and then apply for Fast Stream within 12 months, you’ll be fast-tracked past the initial online selection stages.

On the internship you’ll do challenging project-related work. You could be:

• conducting research
• providing project support
• assisting with the creation of policy documents
• shadowing senior civil servants
• attending meetings with senior advisors on major issues

You’ll need:

• a real interest in pursuing a career in the Civil Service
• to show you can work in a team
• to be innovative and creative
• to be able to work with people at varying levels of ability and responsibility
• to be motivated to help make improvements on major policy issues or on how public services are provided
• to demonstrate the key behaviour we expect from civil servants

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

You take the same initial online tests as all other applicants to the Fast Stream.

If you pass, you will be invited to an interview during December 2026 and February 2027.

You need to be available for the internship in the summer holiday period from July 2027 to August 2027.

We anticipate being able to offer roles across the UK and you will be able to select one location preference of where you would like to be based. We will offer internships to candidates in merit order in each location. Support with relocation costs or travel expenses are not provided so you should ensure you can base yourself in the location you list.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.