Almost a third of university graduate interns are working for nothing in a bid to kick-start their career, even though it can cost them hundreds of pounds a month, research suggests.
At any one time, there are at least 21,000 people working as unpaid interns in the UK, according to a new analysis by the Sutton Trust.
It warned that unpaid internships are increasingly seen as the first step towards a career in highly competitive professions, such as journalism, politics and law, but many people may be losing out because they cannot afford to work for free.
A six-month unpaid placement in London would cost more than £5,500 excluding transport, while for a similar position in Manchester a graduate would need over £4,700.
The figures come as a new survey conducted by the Trust found that almost seven in 10 people in England believe that unpaid internships are unfair because only those from wealthy families are likely to be able to work for a significant period without pay.
A similar proportion agreed that unpaid internships are unfair because everybody working should be paid some sort of salary.
"Internships commonly represent a first step on the ladder towards a professional career in the most competitive sectors, including fashion, journalism, politics, law, finance and the charity sector," the report says.
"Because these areas are so competitive, employers are often able to offer internships as completely unpaid positions."
The analysis, which draws on available official statistics, says the Government has estimated in the past that there are up to 70,000 interns in the UK at any one time, with up to 15,000 working unpaid.
New calculations carried out by the Trust based on data on recent university graduates indicate that around 31% of graduate interns report working for no pay.
Using the Government's 70,000 figure, this would mean that the total number of unpaid interns in the UK is just under 22,000, the report says.
It goes on to calculate that the total outgoings for an unpaid intern living in London for six months would be around £6,081, with the largest costs being rent and essential bills.
A previous survey suggested that most employers do reimburse interns for their travel expenses. Once these costs are excluded, the total outgoing for six months stands at £5,556 - or £926 a month.
In Manchester, the cost would be £5,078 with transport and £4,728 without - £788 per month.
The report calls for all internships longer than one month to be paid at least the national minimum wage, which currently stands at £6.50 an hour, and preferably the national living wage, which is currently £7.85 an hour, rising to £9.15 in London.
It also says that internship positions should be advertised publicly rather than filled informally and that the recruitment process should be fair, transparent and based on merit.
Dr Lee Elliot Major, director of development and policy at the Sutton Trust, said: "Unpaid internships are increasingly the gateway to a job in the most competitive professions. But, as today's research shows, the cost of taking on an internship without pay is beyond the means of the vast majority of individuals.
"Paying all interns who work for over a month the minimum wage would significantly improve access to these placements for those from more modest backgrounds, offering them a stepping stone into many coveted jobs, thus increasing social mobility."
A Business Department spokesman said: "Leaving education and getting a job for the first time can be daunting for any young person. Internships can provide an important first step and are often a valuable way of helping young people start work. They should be open to everyone in a fair and transparent way.
"Anyone who is a worker is entitled to be paid at least the minimum wage, including if they are an intern. The Government is cracking down on employers who break the law by not paying the minimum wage -- we are naming and shaming offenders and increasing penalties."