There are tons of great data science internships. If you’re a recent graduate looking to boost your resume or get your foot in the door, or a current university student looking for a summer placement to gain valuable work experience, internships can be well worth it. Our list of data science internships in 2026 include well-known brands from a range of different industries, giving you lots to choose from.

What do you do in a data science internship?

Data science interns typically play a supportive role, aiding data scientists and their teams in gathering and analysing data. You’ll probably work as part of a team, providing different insights and generating reports, gaining experience in different aspects of data science.

One of the primary responsibilities of a data science intern is data collection and preprocessing. This involves gathering data from various sources, cleaning it to ensure accuracy, and preparing it for analysis. This foundational step is critical as it sets the stage for all subsequent data analysis and ensures the reliability of the results.

Another key aspect of the role is data analysis. Interns are often tasked with using statistical methods and data analysis tools to interpret and analyse data. This could involve identifying trends, patterns, and correlations within the data. Through this process, interns not only contribute to the organisation’s data-driven insights but also sharpen their analytical skills.

Lastly, communication is a vital skill for data science interns. They are often required to present their findings, explain their methodologies, and make recommendations based on their analyses to team members or even broader audiences within the organization. This might also involve generating materials to aid communication, such as data visualisations and visual representations of data findings using tools like Tableau or PowerBI.

The roles are typically a blend of learning and practical experience, which is a great way to boost your skills and knowledge while understanding what it’s like to actually work in data science jobs. However, it’s important to note that the specifics of your internship in data science can vary depending on your employer, meaning your experience might differ from that of other interns in similar positions.

What do you do in a data science internship?
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In the UK, there are lots of different data science internships available, catering to a wide range of interests and career aspirations within the field. These internships vary not only in their focus areas but also in the type of organisations offering them.

1. Corporate internships

Large corporations, especially in finance, retail, and technology sectors, offer data science internships. These internships often focus on big data analytics, predictive modelling, and AI-driven market analysis. Companies like Barclays, Tesco, and IBM are known for providing robust data science internships, giving insights into large-scale data operations.

2. Tech startups

The dynamic startup ecosystem in the UK provides a fertile ground for data science internships. These roles are often more hands-on with a broader scope of responsibilities, ideal for those who enjoy a fast-paced, innovative environment. Interns might work on everything from developing algorithms to analysing user behaviour and trends.

3. Research and academic internships

Universities and research institutions offer internships that are more academically inclined. These are ideal for students interested in theoretical aspects of data science, such as machine learning algorithms, deep learning, and statistical methods. Interns might assist in academic research, contribute to scholarly articles, or participate in innovative projects.

4. Government and public sector internships

Public sector organisations, including health services and government departments, offer internships focusing on data analysis for public policy, healthcare analytics, and social research. These internships provide an opportunity to work on projects that have a direct impact on public services and policy-making.

5. Non-profit and NGO internships

For those interested in social good, non-profits and NGOs offer internships where data science is applied to social issues. Tasks might include analysing data to inform policy recommendations, evaluating the impact of programs, or enhancing operational efficiencies.

Each type of internship offers a unique set of experiences and learning opportunities, allowing students to explore different facets of data science and find their niche in this expansive field.

Data Science Internships for 2026

Data science remains one of the most exciting and employable fields for internships in 2026. Employers across tech, finance, consulting, and energy are looking for students and early-career talent to support real-world data projects, machine learning, analytics, and research. Below are some of the strongest opportunities you can realistically pursue this year.

1. Data Scientist Internship – Amazon (2026)

Amazon is actively recruiting Data Scientist Interns for 2026 across its science and research teams in the UK and Europe. These internships are designed for students — often at Master’s or PhD level — with a passion for machine learning, cloud-scale data solutions, and experimentation. Interns work closely with scientists and engineers to build and deploy machine learning models, contribute to algorithm development, and solve complex business problems using large datasets and cloud technologies. This role offers hands-on experience with scalable ML systems and exposure to cutting-edge research and real customer-facing challenges.

2. Data & Analytics Internships – NatWest Group (2026)

NatWest Group continues to offer a range of paid internship opportunities across data and analytics functions. These programmes typically run for around eight weeks in the summer and are open to students graduating in 2027 or later. Interns work on real data projects, helping to support customer insights, optimisation, and product analytics within the bank. NatWest internships are a gateway into full graduate schemes and include mentoring, professional development, and networking.

3. Data-Focused Roles Across BNP Paribas (2026)

BNP Paribas continues to list technology, data analytics, and finance internships for 2026 in London and other markets. While specific “data science” internships vary by year, many traineeships and summer internships include data analytics, quantitative analysis, and digital technology placements, offering exposure to data-driven problem solving and financial modelling. These roles are especially valuable for students interested in the intersection of data science and financial services.

4. Industrial and Consulting Placements – Deloitte (2026)

Deloitte offers year-long industrial placements that can include data analytics, digital transformation, business intelligence, and technology projects. These placements give students the chance to work on live client engagements, build analytical skills, and explore consulting careers. While specific “data science internship” titles may vary by year, Deloitte’s programmes routinely recruit students with strong quantitative and problem-solving skills and provide a route into graduate schemes. (Programme patterns verified by employer career pages and industry listings.)

5. Technology & Data Summer Internships – Centrica (2026)

Centrica continues to run summer internships in technology and data roles that combine software engineering, analytics, and data project work. These internships typically provide exposure to data engineering, data handling systems, machine learning pipelines, cloud platforms, and digital products. Because Centrica’s brands (including British Gas) rely on digital transformation and sustainability initiatives, interns often work on projects with real business impact. (Based on historical and ongoing internship offerings.)

6. Health Data Science Internship – HDR UK (Black Internship Programme, 2026)

A confirmed 2026 opportunity is the Health Data Science Black Internship Programme, an eight-week summer internship based in the UK that places interns with host organisations working on health data projects. This programme supports candidates with the right to work in the UK and emphasises practical contributions to analytics work alongside professional development. HDR UK’s internship is especially strong for anyone interested in applying data science skills to healthcare, public health, or bioinformatics.

7. Broader Data & Analytics Internships (2026)

There are many other competitive internships and placements in data science and analytics available in the UK, ranging from 8–12 weeks to 3–6 month roles. These include summer analyst and technology internships in cities such as London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Derby, and Newcastle, spanning sectors such as tech, government, AI/ML, and data engineering. Many are advertised through major internship boards and employer careers pages with January–February 2026 application deadlines for summer start dates.

How to choose the right Data Science Internship

When evaluating opportunities in 2026:

  • Match your skills and level: Some internships (like Amazon’s data scientist roles) target postgraduate students, while others are open to undergraduates.

  • Look for impact: Projects that involve real datasets, ML modelling, or analytics frameworks will be most valuable on your CV.

  • Start early: Many UK internships advertise deadlines well before summer, so begin applications in late 2025 or early 2026. 

  • Networking matters: Workshops, alumni events, and insight days often lead to accelerated application feedback.

Authors

  • Connor is a seasoned content expert at Unifresher, specialising in publishing engaging and insightful student-focused content. With over four years of experience in data analysis and content strategy, Connor has a proven track record of supporting publishing teams with high-quality resources. A graduate of the University of Sussex with a BSc in Accounting and Finance, he combines his academic background with his passion for creating content that resonates with students across the UK. Outside of work, Connor enjoys staying active at his local gym and walking his miniature dachshunds.

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