The short version
- Worker doing real tasks? You're entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage.
- Shadowing, or a required part of your course? It can legally be unpaid.
- Under 16? Work experience is unpaid by default.
- “Volunteer” at a commercial business doing a real job? That's usually against the rules.
What the law actually says
The UK's National Minimum Wage (NMW) rules are set by HMRC. What matters isn't the label (“intern”, “placement”, “volunteer”), it's whether you're a worker. You count as a worker if the employer sets your hours, gives you tasks with deadlines, and depends on the output. If that's you, you must be paid at least the NMW for your age band.
There are a few legal exceptions where unpaid work experience is fine:
- 1Placements of up to one year that are a required part of a UK further or higher education course.
- 2Work experience for students of compulsory school age (under 16).
- 3Genuine shadowing where you observe but don't do the work.
- 4Voluntary roles at a registered charity or non profit.
Internship, placement, shadowing
These words get used interchangeably, but they mean different things in practice.
Internship
- Length
- 4 to 12 weeks
- Pay
- Paid
Real responsibility, treated like a short job. Best when you already know the industry and want proof of experience.
Placement
- Length
- Weeks to a year
- Pay
- Paid or unpaid
Often part of a course or gap year. Structure and length decide whether it must be paid. Great for building a portfolio.
Shadowing
- Length
- A few days
- Pay
- Unpaid
Observing a professional at work. Ideal early on, when you're deciding if a career is right for you.
Choosing the right one for your stage
If you're 16 to 18 and still exploring, a short shadowing week or a school arranged placement is perfect. You're gathering signal, not a payslip. If you're at college or on a foundation year, an unpaid placement that's part of your course is normal and fine.
If you're no longer in education, or you're taking a gap year, hold out for paid opportunities. If a business is asking you to work fixed hours and deliver real output, they should be paying you. Community only lists placements where the business has told us upfront whether the role is paid, unpaid, or expenses only, so you can filter by what fits your situation.
Red flags to watch for
- “Unpaid trial” longer than a day or two. Trials for real jobs should be paid.
- Being asked to cover a paid employee's job while they're on leave.
- Vague duration (“let's see how it goes”) with no end date.
- Charging you a fee to take part in a placement.
Your quick decision checklist
- 1
Would I be doing tasks the business relies on?
If yes, expect NMW.
- 2
Is it a required part of a UK course?
If yes, unpaid is legal.
- 3
Is it under a week of shadowing?
If yes, unpaid is normal.
- 4
Is it clearly time bound with a defined outcome?
Good sign.
Sources
Every claim in this guide is grounded in official UK government guidance. Full references below.
- 1National Minimum WageGOV.UK
Who counts as a worker, and when NMW applies.
gov.uk/national-minimum-wage - 2National Minimum Wage ratesGOV.UK
Current hourly rates by age band, including apprentices.
gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates - 3Employment rights for internsGOV.UK
When an internship must be paid, and the course exemption.
gov.uk/employment-rights-for-interns - 4Employer guides to work experienceGOV.UK
How schools and businesses should structure placements.
gov.uk/government/collections/employer-guides-to-work-experience
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