Some digital marketing internships are paid, some are unpaid and some cover expenses only. Whether an internship is paid matters, but it is not the only thing that decides whether it is worth doing. Compare three things: the payment and expenses terms, the quality of supervision and learning, and the written working arrangements. Then decide what fits your situation.
Clarify payment and expenses
Ask directly, and get the answer in writing:
- Is it paid? If so, how much, how often, and is it a wage or a stipend?
- Are expenses covered? Travel, equipment, software, lunch.
- Is it part of a course? Some internships are included in a training programme rather than offered by an employer on its own. Ask what that means for payment.
- Who is the organisation? The provider running your course, a partner business, or an employer you find yourself.
A note on UK rules. In the UK, whether an intern must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage depends mainly on whether they count as a "worker". There are exceptions, including some placements that are a required part of a UK further or higher education course, and genuine work shadowing. The UK government's guidance on employment rights and pay for interns explains the rules. Other countries have their own rules. This is general information, not legal advice; if you are unsure about your situation, check with an adviser.
Compare supervision and learning
A well-supervised unpaid internship can teach more than a poorly supervised paid one, and the reverse is also true. Look for:
- A named supervisor who sets your tasks and reviews your work
- Real responsibility that grows over time, not only admin
- Regular feedback, ideally weekly
- Work you can show, with permission, in a portfolio
- A reference at the end
If an internship offers none of these, payment will not make it a good learning experience, and the absence of payment makes it hard to justify at all.
Questions about terms and working arrangements
- How many weeks, and how many hours a week?
- Remote, on-site or hybrid? Where?
- Who supervises me, and how often do we meet?
- What will I be responsible for by the end?
- Is it paid, unpaid or expenses-only, and is that in writing?
- Can I show my work in a portfolio? Will I get a reference?
- What happens if the internship ends early?
Evaluating marketing internships side by side
| Internship A | Internship B | |
|---|---|---|
| Pay or stipend | ||
| Expenses covered | ||
| Weeks and hours | ||
| Named supervisor | ||
| What you will own | ||
| Portfolio and reference | ||
| Location and format |
Choose the one that gives you the most supervised, real work you can afford to do.
Where a course internship fits
Some training programmes include the internship as part of the course. On our digital marketing course, a 12-week internship with LSBUK or a partner organisation follows the 12-week taught phase and is guaranteed for learners who complete it successfully. Ask admissions to confirm the placement format and any payment or expenses terms for your intake before you enrol, and see the course and internship details for what is included.
Related reading
- Digital marketing subject guide: the whole decision in order: route, entry, workload, fees and internship terms
- Campaign and portfolio practice pack: a worked campaign with the core calculations and a template
- Red flags in digital marketing internships
- Is an unpaid digital marketing internship worth it?
- What to expect from a digital marketing internship
The bottom line
Ask about pay and expenses first, but judge the internship on supervision, responsibility and what you will be able to show at the end. Get every term in writing before you start.