Taking part in a research internship during your undergraduate degree can be very beneficial to your career prospects after graduation. Particularly if you intend to continue for a PhD.
Generally students apply to take part in research internships in their second year onwards, but some are successful in finding a placement even during their first year of study.
Here is a small selection of summer research programs I would recommend to any undergraduate physics student.
THESE LINKS WILL FALL OUT OF DATE!
You should be able to find more details of the programmes described by searching the name online - if you can't find an active link for one of the programmes listed, please let me know.
Location: The California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Funding: Dependant on project/supervisor
Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student not currently in their final year of study
Duration: 10 Weeks
Location: The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) / LIGO Hanford / LIGO Livingston
Funding: For all successful applicants
Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student not currently in their final year of study
Duration: 10 Weeks
Location: Leiden Observatory, Leiden University
Funding: For all successful applicants
Eligibility: All students not enrolled in a PhD program (ESA projects have slightly stricter eligibility)
Duration: 10 Weeks
Location: Imperial College London
Funding: Dependant on project/supervisor
Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student at UK Higher Education Institution
Duration: Typically 6-10 Weeks, but potentially up to 12 months for non UK students (highly flexible)
Location: Oxford University
Funding: Dependant on project/supervisor
Eligibility: Enrolled student with right to work status in the UK
Duration: 8 Weeks
Note - Each subdepartment has their own webpage for these programs: