Securing a paid internship with Rolls-Royce in the UK involves thorough preparation, meeting specific eligibility criteria, and demonstrating immediate value potential. Candidates must typically be pursuing or have recently completed a STEM degree with a predicted grade of at least a 2:2 and must have legal authorization to work in the UK throughout the internship period. Applications for ten-week summer internships and year-long industrial placements usually open in early autumn and close within a few weeks. Thus, preparing a polished CV and concise responses to application questions well before September is critical.
After submitting an online application, applicants face psychometric tests, including numerical reasoning and situational judgment exercises tailored to aerospace scenarios. These assessments are timed and have fixed pass marks, so extensive practice using mock tests available through university career services is advisable. Candidates who pass these tests advance to an on-demand video interview, where each response is limited to around two minutes. Here, candidates should clearly connect their academic projects or personal experiences to Rolls-Royce’s initiatives like the UltraFan engine or electric propulsion projects, detailing a technical challenge solved, lessons learned, and its relevance to Rolls-Royce.
Successful applicants are then invited to an assessment centre typically held in Derby or Bristol for aerospace roles or at Goodwood for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. This assessment involves group exercises, individual technical case studies, and behavioural interviews. Assessors evaluate candidates’ technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities under pressure, and genuine interest. Showing familiarity with ongoing projects such as sustainable aviation fuels or small modular reactors, along with asking insightful questions, enhances your prospects. Practical experience from competitions like Formula Student, hackathons, or previous manufacturing roles adds substantial value.
Proactively networking can significantly increase your chances. Rolls-Royce recruiters frequently attend UK engineering career fairs each autumn. Engaging in meaningful conversations and subscribing to talent newsletters provides valuable networking opportunities and personal references for your application. A strong GitHub profile, targeted LinkedIn content on aerospace sustainability, and active participation in engineering societies can further strengthen your candidacy.
Rolls-Royce internships are competitive, offering paid roles alongside benefits such as relocation assistance and subsidised housing. Given the intense competition, resilience is essential. Many interns successfully secure placements after incorporating feedback from earlier application attempts. International applicants should verify visa requirements early, as Rolls-Royce typically sponsors graduate positions but rarely internships, necessitating reliance on student visa allowances or graduate visa options.
Comprehensive preparation, understanding practical requirements, and demonstrating passion for aerospace innovation significantly boost your chances of securing an internship at Rolls-Royce.
