In October 2024, Universal Music UK brought together two iconic music labels, Island and EMI Records, to create Island EMI Label Group. The new powerhouse label group is designed to help deliver our strategy to support artists from the wider Universal family, linking closely with US label partners REPUBLIC Corps, and Interscope Capitol Labels Group.
Blending these labels brings Island's unique ethos of launching pioneering and influential global artists such as Bob Marley, U2, Amy Winehouse, Hozier and The Last Dinner Party, with EMI's illustrious history and roster of diverse acts from the UK, including Sir Elton John, Queen and Metallica.
The label group is also home to a star-studded US and international roster which includes artists such as Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Drake, Lewis Capaldi, Noah Kahan and Chappell Roan.
Duration & Start Date: 12-month Internship, commencing on the 8th of September 2025
Salary & Benefits: This is a paid internship opportunity. Participants will receive a annual salary of £26,700, access to structured learning and development experiences, coaching and mentoring, and access to UMG UK employee benefits including private medical insurance, financial wellbeing support, and access to UMG UK’s wellbeing initiatives.
Introducing Amplify U
Amplify U is our Early Talent Programme at Universal Music Group UK. It helps build a sustainable and inclusive talent pipeline by equipping emerging professionals with real-world experience, industry insight and the skills to forge a career in music.
Our internship overview
The Amplify U Internship is a structured, 12-month paid programme open to individuals aged 18 and over who demonstrate a strong interest in a career in the music industry. Interns are placed within specific departments and will gain meaningful, hands-on experience while developing professionally and personally through curated development sessions, projects and network-building opportunities.
The role
As an Amplify U Intern, you’ll contribute to live business initiatives, learn directly from industry professionals and grow through tailored development. You’ll be immersed in the day-to-day of your department, gaining valuable skills and making a tangible impact.
As part of the Development team within Mercury Studios, you will be a core part of the team working across projects from initial idea, research, development, writing up and preparing documents for pitching. The team are focused on premium factual and feature documentary stories, all with music at the heart. From Metallica to The Rolling Stones, Lang Lang to Jon Batiste you’ll learn what it takes to bring world class music films and stories to life.
What you’ll learn
- Supporting your department’s projects and day-to-day operations - updating the development tracker with up to date creative, notes from meetings and all key creative details as they are formed
- Conducting research, preparing documentation and assisting with support tasks for the development team
- Producing creative treatment decks – bringing your take on style, design and format
- Attending team meetings, training sessions and learning days
- Contributing ideas and sharing your perspective as part of a collaborative team
- Attending UMG label meetings, knowing the release schedule, priority artists, upcoming events inside out to inform the wider team
- Participating in cross-functional projects, intern network activities and final presentations
Learning and development
Throughout your internship, you will benefit from:
- A dedicated onboarding experience, including UMG UK immersion and coaching
- A Lumina Spark strengths profile and one-to-one coaching session
- Quarterly soft skills workshops (e.g. presenting, time management)
- Networking sessions with professionals across UMG UK
- Intern shadowing days and unique industry experiences
- Ongoing check-ins and final internship review with career planning support
Who you are
- Aged 18 or over at the time of application, interview, onboarding and placement
- A genuine interest in the music industry and in building a career within it
- Eagerness to learn and a proactive, adaptable mindset
- Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach
- A reliable, enthusiastic and positive attitude
Qualifications
There are no specific academic requirements. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and experiences.
Why join UMG UK?
UMG UK is the home of many of the world’s most iconic labels and artists. This is your opportunity to:
- Gain hands-on experience in a global music company
- Develop professional and interpersonal skills that last a lifetime
- Connect with industry experts, collaborators and fellow interns
- Be considered for future roles in a business that values emerging talent
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
The best way to flourish in our ever-changing industry is to create a team that truly reflects the incredible diversity of our artist roster and society.
We’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can belong, thoughtfully express themselves and bring something unique to our creative journey and our shared passion for music.
Our diversity sets the stage for the creativity, collaboration and innovation that make our artists successful. Here, we want everyone to be seen, supported, valued, respected, and ensure contributions are appreciated and actioned where appropriate.
Music is Universal
It’s the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music who help make us the world’s leading music company. From A&R to finance, legal to digital, sales to marketing, Universal Music is the place to grow and develop your career within a truly commercial and innovative business that leads in everything it does.
Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age, marital status, background, pregnancy, or caring responsibilities. We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought within our teams and are fully committed to embracing the talents of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other forms of neurocognitive variation.
We will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment, workplaces, and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments for you from application onwards, including alternatives to the online form or to disclose a neurocognitive condition, please email us.
Just so you know
The company presents this job description as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable. However, the business operates in an environment that demands change and the jobholder's specific responsibilities and activities will vary and develop. Therefore, the job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent, definitive, and exhaustive statement.