Timing for Internships: When to Apply

UK Life Sciences Edition

If you're a life science student aiming for a biotech, pharma, or healthcare-related internship, timing is everything.

Internships aren’t just about luck, they’re often about being early, prepared, and strategic. Today I’ll talk about when to apply, how far ahead to plan, and what to do in each season to maximise your chances of landing the right opportunity!

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🗓️ Why Timing Matters

Many students miss out on internships not because they lack qualifications, but because they start looking too late. While some companies accept applications year-round, most structured programmes, especially those in big pharma or well-established biotech companies, follow a fixed annual cycle.

For context:

A fixed annual cycle refers to the fact that many large companies and organisations, especially in biotech and pharma, have set timeframes each year when they:

• Open applications for internships or placement years

• Review candidates during a specific period

• Conduct interviews and make offers months before the internship starts

In other words, they recruit on a schedule, and if you miss that window, you often have to wait until the next year to apply again

🔍 When Do Internship Applications Open?

This is not set in stone, just general guidelines. Sometimes positions are open a few months later than usual, depending on internal events and teams within the company.

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🍂 Autumn (September–November)

High-priority window for major programmes

This is when big players like GSK, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, IQVIA, Roche, and others open applications for their Industrial Placement Year or summer internship schemes. For example, last year Illumina opened positions quite late - Jan-Feb.

Typical application deadlines: late October to mid-December
Start dates: usually the following summer (July–September)

🧠 Plan ahead:

• Prepare your CV and cover letter before October

• Monitor job boards (e.g. RateMyPlacement, LinkedIn, Prospects)

• Check company websites directly!!

🎯 Ideal for: 2nd-year undergrads looking for 12-month internships or 3rd years looking for summer roles

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❄️ Winter (December–February)

Ongoing applications + smaller companies start hiring

Some mid-sized or fast-growing companies open their applications now, especially for summer internships that last 2–3 months.

If you didn’t apply earlier, this is still a great time to send out cold emails to biotech companies that don’t advertise structured internships.

🔧 Pro tip:
Use LinkedIn to find companies in your region and reach out directly. Many students find internships this way, especially in startups or smaller labs (I’ll talk about startups later).

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🌱 Spring (March–May)

Last-minute listings + speculative applications

Some roles pop up later, especially if companies receive extra budget or take on interns informally.

This is also when recruiters get more responsive to students who have specific interests or are proactively networking.

If you haven’t secured an internship by now:

• Follow up on previous applications

• Check again on company websites

• Start messaging connections or alumni on LinkedIn

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☀️ Summer (June–August)

Learning, networking, and prep season

While it’s too late for most formal internships, summer is the best time to prepare for the next application season. You can also:

• Take part in short-term projects or shadowing

• Volunteer in labs or biotech-adjacent roles (QA, admin, etc.)

• Update your CV, LinkedIn, and start building your target list of companies

It’s also a great time to build soft skills, take online courses, or attend industry events, especially if you're applying again next year.

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✅ How Far in Advance Should You Plan?

At least 6-9 months before the internship start date.

Here’s a general planning timeline:

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💬 Important!

The earlier you understand the timelines, the more competitive your application will be. Even if you miss one cycle, don’t give up. Every application improves your clarity and your confidence for the next one.

And remember: you don’t need to have a perfect background, you just need to show initiative, interest, and a willingness to learn.

Read other articles before applying and don’t forget to subscribe :)