Life as an intern at Grant Thornton

Hear from one of our intern trainees, Maria, about what she's enjoyed the most on her programme, and her advice for you.
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Summer internships and 12-month placements are fantastic opportunities for university students to find out more about careers in professional services and life at Grant Thornton, and they can set you on a fast track through to an offer for your graduate programme.  

But which is right for you, and what are the benefits of doing these? Summer internships give students the chance to work on real projects and take on new responsibilities during the summer between their penultimate and final year, whilst 12-month placements are a great option for students on a sandwich degree course. 

12-month placements

Your journey with us will begin with a two-day orientation in your local office. This will be followed by an invitation to a national 12 Month Placement welcome event to kickstart your time with us. After this, you'll start to work on real projects, helping our clients grow and developing your skills every day. Here's a a little insight into what you can expect during your time here:

  • Experience how we work with our clients first-hand and help provide the insight, advice and expertise they need to grow.
  • Develop your skills, grow in confidence, and get a good grounding in what it takes to be a trainee.
  • Learn about our dynamic and ambitious firm and enjoy the chance to make a real contribution to it.
  • Working with your team, virtually in our offices and at client sites, you'll be supported by a mentor and team buddy throughout.

Placement student Lottie joined a recent podcast and spoke about her experiences, take a listen. 

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Internships

Your internship with us will start with a two-day orientation, online or in person, kicking off with a celebration evening to get your time with us off to a great start. After this, you'll start to work on real projects, helping our clients grow and developing your skills every day. Here's a a little insight into what you can expect during your time here:

  • Experience how we work with our clients first-hand and help provide the insight, advice and expertise they need to grow.
  • Develop your skills, grow in confidence, and get a good grounding in what it takes to be a trainee.
  • Learn about our dynamic and ambitious firm and enjoy the chance to make a real contribution to it.

Who you'll work with

From fintech and consumer markets, to public sector and not for profit – you’ll work with organisations of different sizes, in different sectors, and in many different countries. Giving you a better understanding of the complete business lifecycle and an exhilarating mix of experiences.

What you'll get out of it

Whether you join us as an intern or a placement student you’ll not only get an authentic insight into what it’s like to be a trainee, you’ll get a first-rate experience too. 

As well as a unique insight into our business and lots of real-work experience, you’ll also be on the fast-track to a graduate offer if that’s what you want. Many students who join us on an internship or placement go onto become a full-time trainee after graduation.

Knowing you're right for us

We’ve got a flexible approach to academic entry requirements, and we’ll consider these alongside your strengths, motivations and connection with us.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves.

Always striving to grow yourself, you should be driven to succeed with the ability to see tasks through to the end and remain agile, even when things don’t go to plan. 

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Join us

Your future starts here

We're now open for applications for our 2026 graduate and apprentice programmes.

    We’re taking positive action

    We want to make the way we recruit at Grant Thornton inclusive for anyone who wants to apply. So, if you need them, we’ll make reasonable adjustments to any stage of our recruitment process. This could be adapting the format of the application form, for example, or adapting the way we interview. To request an adjustment, or discuss the options, contact us at traineerecruitment@uk.gt.com or call one of our offices and ask to speak to a member of the trainee resourcing team.

    A young Asian woman is sitting on a comfy bench seat inside an office building. She has long black hair and is wearing a black and white striped blouse and black trousers. She is looking away from the camera and smiling.
    Maria's story
    Maria's story

    Maria’s move from Dubai to London opened the door to a career in accountancy with an internship where she found her passion: advisory.

    Read Maria's story
    Sam returned to the firm as a graduate audit associate after joining us for a 12-month placement during his degree.
    Sam's story
    Sam's story

    Sam returned to the firm as a graduate audit associate after joining us for a 12-month placement during his degree.

    Read Sam's story
    Lauren shares how her experience in a 12-month placement, job share, and secondment have reshaped her career.
    Lauren's story
    Lauren's story

    Lauren shares how her experience in a 12-month placement, job share, and secondment have reshaped her career.

    Read Lauren's story
    Oliver shares his career journey from tax internship to assistant manager within our transfer pricing team, in his own words.
    Oliver's story
    Oliver's story

    Oliver shares his career journey from tax internship to assistant manager within our transfer pricing team, in his own words.

    Read Oliver's story
    A young woman smiles and looks into the camera. She is sitting down with her elbow resting on a table beside her, with foliage in the background. She has long blonde hair and is wearing a red buttoned-up vest top.
    Julia's story
    Julia's story

    Julia’s journey from economics student to graduate tax associate began with a four-week internship that shaped her career path.

    Read Julia's story