Internships are the new rung on the professional ladder. For the most sought after professions especially, they are increasingly seen as a requirement before a young person is offered their first job. However, too often internships are unpaid and not openly advertised. For young people who cannot afford to work for free, and for those who do not have the networks with which to secure a placement informally, internships are acting as a barrier to the best careers - and to social mobility. This brief looks at the existing research on internships in the UK, and introduces new and updated analysis on the current minimum cost of carrying out an unpaid internship in two major UK cities, London and Manchester. Key findings and recommendations are discussed.