Spring Internship
Experience

Here you can find some examples of the real projects that students have worked on before!

Civil Service - understanding solutions for economic inactivity in different geographies

A small group of students completed this project, based on this research question: How might the problems that drive economic inactivity and the possible solutions differ between rural and urban geographies?

Using a variety of sources and data, students were asked to summarise existing evidence and generate some policy recommendations to feed into current policy development. The project required students to:

1. Understand patterns of economic inactivity and possible reasons for disparity, using existing public data sources for analysis

2. Summarise a range of approaches to meet the needs of unemployed people in different locations - drawing on UK previous policy but also with the option to take evidence from other countries

Outcomes: a report with recommendations for UK policy, including visual resources which could be used to present the case to policymakers and other stakeholders


Supply Chain business - enhancing brand visibility

This project focused on analysing the current eCommerce logistics market in Sheffield to identify opportunities for the business to enhance its brand visibility and social media engagement. The main objectives were to determine key marketing channels, craft a unique brand voice, and create a foundational strategy for implementation over the next 12 months.

The students evaluated competitors, customer behaviours, and marketing trends to propose a fitting marketing and social strategy. 

Outcomes: The project helped to boost brand visibility, attract new clients, and align services with market demands, creating a scalable framework for sustainable growth and a stronger competitive edge. 

Consultancy on a new HR platform for a SME

This small accountancy firm were looking for a new HR platform that could support the team, both from the legal HR requirements but also from a learning and development perspective and to provide all the support employees need to thrive. 

Students spent time learning about the business requirements and then researched the market for suitable options. The business provided some suggestions as to platforms, but students explored new alternatives, set up meetings to establish costs and benefits for each system, and made recommendations based on their research. 

Outcomes: the research offered the business a major step towards adoption of a new system. The student had an interest in HR careers so the project offered valuable learning about HR functions within a small business.

You can find more examples of former projects here! Projects could also include…

• Stakeholder consultation and mapping 

• Community engagement strategy

• Competitor analysis

• Process and policy reviews

• Grant funding analysis 

• Digital inclusion strategy

• Brand analysis

• Communications review

• Scoping study

• Large-scale data analysis

• Community outreach

• Regulatory development 

• Impact measurement 

• Environmental impact assessment 

• Project plan

• Historical/archive research

• Marketing materials

• Cultural heritage survey

• Property portfolio analysis

• User journey mapping

• Policy gap analysis 

• Data visualisation

• Map creation

• To take part, submit your application via this form.

• Applications will close at midnight on Sunday 8th March 2026. 

• We will use the information you provide to match you with an employer, a group, and a project. We will do our best to match everyone, but this may not be possible if we have lots of students interested in the same areas. This may mean you are offered an opportunity in a different area (which you can choose whether or not to accept).

• You will be matched based on the skills the project requires. 

• We'll provide you with information in about the organisation you will be working with, and a bank of resources to help you (e.g. project planning tools).

• We don't guarantee you a specific employer, but we do guarantee you a great project in line with what you tell us in the application form.

Which students will be able to take part? 

Any student currently studying an Undergraduate or a Postgraduate degree in Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities can take part. It doesn't matter what degree subject you are studying or what year of study you are in. 

Wait, I don't know if that's me!

If your degree is in any of these schools, you can apply!

• School of Architecture and Landscape

• School of Economics

• School of Education

• School of English

• History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities

• School of Geography & Planning

• School of Information, Journalism and Communication

• School of Languages, Arts and Societies

• School of Law

• School of Sociology, Politics and International Relations

• Management School

What should I talk about in my application?

In your application, make sure to highlight the following skills:

• Research

• Critical thinking and analysis

• Communication

• Writing

• Problem-solving

• Creative thinking

• Collaboration

• Ethics and sustainability. 

In your application, you can talk about your specific degree background. This includes talking about specific topics and tasks you have completed as part of your degree that you think are relevant to taking part in a project. Also tell us about your interests and hobbies, it's all useful information!

What application support is available?

Please contact the Faculty of Social Sciences Employability team for support! We're at socsciencesemployability@sheffield.ac.uk

You can also access guidance on your application by visiting the Cornerstone Hub, The Wave building and speaking to a Hub Assistant. We're open 11am-3pm, Monday-Friday. You can also attend an Expert Drop-In, which run every Monday at 1pm-3pm, and Wednesday 12pm-2pm.

Where is it taking place?

On the University of Sheffield Campus. The exact building you will be based in will be confirmed closer to the date.

Am I able to take part?

Any student currently studying an Undergraduate or a Postgraduate degree in Social Sciences and Arts and Humanities can take part. It doesn't matter what degree subject you are studying or what year of study you are in. 

Is this suitable for me? 

Whatever your future plans are and what your current experience level is, this is a fantastic opportunity to boost your employability. 

I haven't taken part in a project like this, will it be easy to take part?

Don't worry, this has been designed to be accessible. You'll be based on the University of Sheffield campus, working with other students, with support from the Careers team.

How will I be matched with a project? 

We will match you with a project based on your application. Therefore, for us to best match you with a project, your application should reflect your previous experience, what you are interested in working on and what you want to get out of the opportunity.

What will my group be like?

You'll be working with other University of Sheffield students from Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences. These students will have different skills and backgrounds, everyone will be able to make a unique contribution, amazing preparation for the workplace, as it’s exactly what it is like.

What will I get out of it?

While this work is unpaid, you will develop your employability skills by taking part in a project and engaging with the buzz sessions that the Careers team will deliver. Once you have completed Spring Internship Experience, you will also receive a certificate.