How much will I get paid as an intern?

So, you’ve been scrolling on the Creative Access opportunities board and finally found an internship you want to apply for, but you aren’t quite sure what that means for your bank balance. Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Read our handy guide to find out what a traineeship is, why a training allowance is different from a salary, and how to calculate your take-home pay as an intern. 

If you’re familiar with Creative Access, you’ll know that our vision is to see a day when the creative industries are truly representative of society. In the last 12 years, we’ve placed over 2,500 individuals from under-represented groups in the creative industries into paid internships and traineeships. The majority of our internships are Positive Action Schemes (training opportunities specifically for people under-represented groups), and you can read more about our eligibility criteria here. 

A training allowance is a tax-free payment given to interns under a training contract, designed to support learning and development rather than formal employment. This means you won’t pay income tax, national insurance, or student loan contributions, and will receive the full amount of your take-home pay. 

At Creative Access, we use the terms traineeship and internship interchangeably – but what do these words actually mean? 

Well, the bottom line is that a traineeship is what it says on the tin: a training opportunity. And, at Creative Access, all of the traineeships placed through us are paid. 

This means that, as a trainee, you’ll sign a training contract (not an employment contract) and take on a role designed to support your learning and development in a professional environment. Workloads should be reasonable with minimal pressure and trainees should not be subject to any formal performance reviews. The bottom line is, traineeships are a great way to learn while you earn and get a foot in the door of the creative industries. 

In most cases, trainees placed through Creative Access will receive a training allowance. And here’s the key bit: 

A training allowance is not a salary. 

‘What’s the difference?!’ we hear you ask. Okay, let’s get technical – but don’t worry, a list of key terms and FAQs can be found at the end of this resource. 

We know you’ll more than likely be familiar with a salary, but here’s a quick recap: 

A salary is a sum of money that you receive each year (annually) from your employer, usually paid monthly. The gross (total) amount is usually listed on the job advert and is ultimately agreed between you and your employer. 

A salary is subject to deductions such as income tax, national insurance contributions and student loan repayments. Once these deductions are removed from your gross annual salary, the money you’re left with is known as your net salary or take-home pay. 

A training allowance, on the other hand, is not subject to these deductions. This means that you do not pay income tax or make national insurance and/or student loan contributions, and you receive 100% of your agreed allowance. Also, instead of receiving a payslip, you’ll get something called remittance advice when you receive your pay. 

Information overload? Here’s the top line: 

As mentioned, the majority of interns recruited through Creative Access are paid via a training allowance. However, it is possible that an employer may choose to pay a standard salary. Whether you’re being paid a training allowance or a salary should be outlined in the traineeship offer letter and contract you receive from the employer – so make sure you read it carefully! 

Okay, now we’ve got a better understanding of what a training allowance actually is, let’s break down the numbers and what this means when you secure an internship through us. 

It’s important to note that you will be paid directly by the organisation that holds your training contract. You will not be paid by Creative Access. Creative Access does not set the rate of pay; however, we do advocate for employers to pay interns the real Living Wage. 

This is an adaptive rate set by the Living Wage Foundation, and is calculated based on the cost of living: https://www.livingwage.org.uk/what-real-living-wage. As of 2024-25, the UK Living Wage is £12.60 per hour across the UK and goes up to £13.85 per hour in London. 

You can use this calculation to work out relevant salary or allowance payments: 

• Weekly pay: hourly rate x hours worked per week 
• Annual pay: weekly pay x 52 (weeks per year) 
• Monthly pay: annual pay ÷ 12 (months per year) 

Let’s use a typical 9-5 role in London, paid at London Living Wage, as an example… 

• Weekly pay: £13.85 x 35 hours (40 hours per week – 5 unpaid hours for lunch) = £484.75 
• Annual pay: £484.75 x 52 = £25,207  
• Monthly pay: £2100.58 

To then get the net equivalents, you can use take home pay calculator tools like this one by Money Saving Expert, or this one on the gov.uk website. For the example above, the net amount works out to £21,669 per annum, or £1,806 per month. 

Alex is offered a 12-month traineeship with a training allowance equivalent to London Living Wage. Alex double-checks the contract and confirms that their lunch breaks are unpaid, so they’ll be working 35 paid hours per week.  

Alex will receive a training allowance – meaning that the amount they receive will not be subject to tax or National Insurance. So, the training contract states the gross amount of annual pay as £25,207. Alex then puts this figure into the take-home pay calculator and works out the equivalent amount that they will receive is 21,699 a year, which breaks down to £1,806 in Alex’s pocket per month. Knowing the monthly amount, Alex is now able to confidently budget for things like rent, bills, ever-rising TfL prices etc. 

Essentially, Alex will receive the same amount of take-home pay each month as someone who works a salaried job and earns £25,207 per year. 

So, there you have it! 

Getting to grips with how you’ll be paid – whether it’s a salary or a training allowance – might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s totally manageable once you break it down. 

Always check your contract, know how to calculate what you’ll take home, and don’t be afraid to ask your employer any questions if you’re unsure. 

Most importantly, remember that this is just the start of your journey into the creative industries. We know launching a creative career can feel tricky to navigate at times, especially when you’re just starting out, but Creative Access is here to support you every step of the way, from understanding your pay to helping you build a thriving career in the creative industries. 

We hope this helps you feel more confident when applying for internships and traineeships – and remember, if you’re still unsure, Creative Access is here to help! 

Traineeship / internship – A structured training opportunity designed to support learning and development in a professional environment, and provide practical experience in a given industry. 

Training contract – A legal agreement between a trainee and an employer outlining the terms of a traineeship. 

Employment contract – A legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee, typically associated with a salaried role. 

Training allowance – A tax-free payment given to trainees under a training contract, meant to support learning and development rather than formal employment. 

Salary – A fixed annual sum paid by an employer, subject to deductions such as tax, national insurance, and student loan repayments. 

Gross salary – The total salary amount before any deductions such as tax or student loans, usually calculated annually / per year. 

Net salary (take-home pay) – The amount left after deductions like income tax,  national insurance contributions, student loan repayments and pension contributions. 

Income tax – A mandatory tax paid to the government on earnings above a certain threshold. 

National Insurance Contributions (NICs) – Payments made to qualify for state benefits like pensions and healthcare. 

Student loan repayments – Deductions taken from salary to repay student loans once earnings exceed a set threshold. 

Remittance advice – A document outlining payment details, provided instead of a payslip when receiving a training allowance. 

Positive Action Scheme – A positive action scheme is a strategic initiative under the Equality Act 2010 which allows organisations to provide training opportunities to certain groups of the population as long as they can prove that: 

• The opportunity is a training role and not a job. 

• That it is targeting a group of the population proven to be under-represented in the sector. individuals from groups that are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers. Please note, this will be specified on each opportunity. 

Real Living Wage – A UK wage rate based on the cost of living, set by the Living Wage Foundation. The rates are calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission, based on the best available evidence about living standards in London and the UK. Meeting the real living wage is a non-enforceable recommendation rather than a legal requirement. 

• The UK Living Wage for outside of London is currently £12.60 per hour. 

• The London Living Wage is currently £13.85 per hour and covers all boroughs in Greater London. 

National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage – A statutory minimum wage for workers over a certain age, set by the government. 

Take-home pay calculator – Online tools that help employees estimate their net pay after deductions: The Salary Calculator; Money Saving Expert; Gov.UK. 

What is the difference between a traineeship and an internship? 

At Creative Access, we use the terms traineeship and internship interchangeably. A traineeship is a training opportunity.  

Is a traineeship a form of employment? 

No, a traineeship is a training opportunity rather than formal employment. As a trainee, you sign a training contract (not an employment contract), and the role is designed to support your learning and development rather than to function as a regular job. 

How does a training allowance differ from a salary? 

A salary is a regular payment from an employer, subject to deductions like income tax, national insurance, and student loan repayments. A training allowance is tax-free and not subject to these deductions, meaning you receive the full amount without reductions. 

Will I have to pay tax on my training allowance? 

No, training allowances are not subject to income tax, national insurance contributions, or student loan repayments. 

How do I calculate my take-home pay as an intern? 

If you receive a training allowance, your take-home pay is simply the full agreed amount – e.g. a yearly fixed amount stated in your contract divided by 12 months. 

In the case that it is stated as a salary equivalent instead of a fixed training allowance, or if you are being paid a salary instead of a training allowance, then you can use an online take-home pay calculator to estimate your post-tax income (please note this will only be an estimate as deductions vary based on your personal circumstances). 

Who pays my salary or training bursary? 

You will be paid directly by the organisation that holds your training contract, not by Creative Access. 

Will I receive a payslip if I’m paid a training bursary? 

No, instead of a payslip, you will receive remittance advice, which confirms your payment details. 

How do I know if I’m being paid a salary or a training bursary? 

This should be outlined in your contract and cover letter from your employer. Make sure to check your paperwork carefully. 

Can my employer choose to pay me a salary instead of a training bursary? 

Yes, while most interns through Creative Access receive a training allowance, some employers may choose to pay a salary instead. Make sure to check your paperwork carefully. 

Do I have to pay student loan repayments while receiving a training bursary? 

No, since a training bursary is not considered taxable income, you will not have to make student loan repayments. 

How can I get further support if I have questions about my pay? 

You can reach out to Creative Access for guidance, as they are available to support interns with any questions regarding their pay and employment terms. Please email recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk for any questions.