Summer Internship Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Applying for a Summer Internship job in the UK? Here is what you are likely to be asked. These questions come from our Summer Internship question bank of 25 questions, written for UK employers at apprentice/entry level.

Eight Summer Internship interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. Why do you want to do a summer internship with us, and what do you hope to get out of it?

Why they ask: They need to see a genuine reason for applying and realistic goals for a short placement.

2. What do you know about our company and the work that interns do here?

Why they ask: A basic test of research and interest.

3. What is the difference between an internship and a permanent graduate role, and how will you approach yours?

Why they ask: They want to see that you understand the short, defined nature of an internship.

4. What skills from your degree or experience would be most useful in this internship?

Why they ask: They want to match your skills to the work.

5. How would you describe the way you use Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, and what would you do with it in an internship?

Why they ask: Almost every internship needs confident day-one use of office software.

6. How would you go about learning a new piece of software or process in your first week?

Why they ask: Interns are expected to learn quickly with minimal supervision.

7. On your second day, your supervisor is in meetings all day and you have run out of tasks. What do you do?

Why they ask: Interns must show initiative when they are not being directed.

8. Tell me about a time you learned something new quickly to complete a task.

Why they ask: Interns need to learn quickly and independently.

A sample answer to question 1

Why do you want to do a summer internship with us, and what do you hope to get out of it?

I would like to test what I have studied against real work, and your internship is a chance to do that in an industry I am seriously considering for my career. Specifically, I want to gain hands-on experience of how a team operates day to day, build practical skills that I cannot learn in lectures, and find out whether this is the right area for me. Your programme stood out because interns work on a live project and present to senior staff at the end, which I think is an excellent way to learn. I also want to leave having made a useful contribution, not just observed. Ideally, the summer would help me decide where to specialise in my final year, and I would be delighted if it led to a graduate application.

Common mistake to avoid: Saying it is just for your CV; vague praise of the company

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 25 questions are on the Summer Internship interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.