Internship-traineeship: what kind of traineeships or internships do European universities offer to non-EU/EEA students?

- 2023.08.28

Traineeships offer an excellent chance to gain initial experience in your desired industry, allowing you to establish yourself. Collaborating in this manner aids vocational guidance, showcases your skills, and facilitates networking for potential long-term employment opportunities. Although completing your studies in Europe does not guarantee a job, the possibility of securing a traineeship is real. The outcome ultimately depends on the individual student’s dedication and effort in seeking out and obtaining a traineeship position.

The availability of internships and traineeships is also contingent upon the student. Employers, whether from academia, industry, or other sectors, value internship experiences as indicators of initiative and the broader impact of diverse work environments, technical knowledge, and research cultures. European universities also provide traineeship opportunities for their students. Some institutions incorporate traineeships into mandatory programs for recent courses, while others offer such opportunities even a year after completing studies. Generally, each university has its own portal where students can discover internship or traineeship offers, as well as information for companies seeking interns, and more. Therefore, it ultimately hinges on the student’s receptiveness to academic pursuits and personal interest in securing a traineeship or internship. To provide a general overview of what to anticipate while studying in various European countries, we offer a brief summary of internship and traineeship programs.

Austria

Austria presents numerous internship opportunities that contribute significantly to personal and professional growth. EU funding initiatives assist in offsetting various supplementary expenses. The availability of funding for internships in Austria is contingent upon factors like the chosen field and duration. Prominent institutions like the University of Innsbruck offer four-week internships, either within a university or a company, at no cost. The minimum weekly commitment for these internships is 28.5 hours.

More internship offers, of course, can be found in the Austrian capital Vienna:

Internships at other International Organisations in and around Vienna
- EU-Delegation in Vienna
- Energy Community Secretariat Vienna
- FES Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe
- OPEC – Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
- OSCE – Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
- The World Bank Vienna

Internships at the United Nations in Vienna

Belgium

While studying in Belgium, you have the opportunity to participate in various types of traineeships, which include the following options:

Compulsory traineeship: This is a mandatory part of your study program;
Elective internship: You can choose to undertake an internship as part of your study program;
Voluntary traineeships: These are traineeships that are not required for your degree program. Most faculties allow voluntary traineeships under specific conditions.

These traineeships can be carried out either in Belgium or abroad. During your traineeship, a faculty member will typically supervise you, acting as a liaison between the university and the organization hosting the traineeship. Their role is to ensure that you meet the specific learning and experience requirements. It’s important to note that traineeships are typically offered to master’s or doctoral students. However, motivated bachelor’s students also have the opportunity to participate in voluntary internships abroad. The term “voluntary” implies that the funding for the internship comes from your personal funds. In some cases, you may be eligible to apply for an internship scholarship. Additionally, it is your responsibility to independently search for internships, either by conducting your own search or by exploring the university’s vacancies portal.

Denmark

Despite the higher tuition fees imposed on international students, once you enroll in a Danish university and fulfill all the necessary visa and residence permit requirements, along with showcasing your skills at the university, you obtain legal student status in Denmark. This grants you the same opportunities as local Danish students, both in terms of academic pursuits and internships or traineeships. Danish internships are renowned for their exceptional organization. For instance, the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) provides internships for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. The traineeship program aims to support trainees’ research and professional development. Traineeships can be undertaken alongside the preparation of bachelor’s and master’s degree projects or doctoral studies, typically lasting from four to nine months.

Another example is that all BEng students are required to complete a traineeship at a company as part of their study program. This traineeship spans five months and may offer compensation. The recommended monthly salary is DKK 15,000.

Hence, Denmark carefully selects international students and expects a significant financial contribution to the education system fund. However, by becoming an equal Danish student, you unlock tremendous opportunities for your future.

Finland

Similar to other universities in Europe, Finnish universities strive to incorporate practical activities into their programs, emphasizing the importance of gaining practical skills through traineeships in companies or internships abroad. For instance, the Aalto Science Institute offers an internship program that provides employment opportunities for bachelor’s and master’s students. Participants have the chance to engage in current research, collaborate with top research groups at Aalto University, and experience an international environment. The internships are open to students from all countries, with the majority of opportunities located in Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

France

When studying in France, it’s worth noting that traineeships are often mandatory components of study programs, which can take place either at a university (such as a laboratory) or at a company.

Ecole Polytechnique, although one of the more expensive educational institutions in France, offers an excellent internship program. The international student internship program enables bachelor’s and master’s students to undertake a 3-6 month traineeship at one of École Polytechnique’s research institutions.

For students studying in Paris, there is good news. Some academic programs at the University of Paris include a compulsory traineeship period, which can be carried out at a company or laboratory. Under specific conditions, traineeships may also be conducted abroad. To be eligible for an international traineeship, students must be enrolled at the University of Paris under a national diploma at the time of application. Bachelor’s students are given the opportunity to participate in traineeships during their studies. Students should contact the pedagogical secretariat of their study program to learn about the internal procedures.

Germany

Germany offers favorable conditions for studying, attracting international students who often pursue both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The master’s degree provides more opportunities for traineeships and internships. Additionally, proficiency in the German language is beneficial for success in Germany, and studying for a longer period can help develop language skills that are valuable for job searches, traineeships, or internships. Various university career services, such as the “WiSo” career service at the University of Cologne, assist students in finding alternative internships in Germany or abroad.

Certain universities in Germany offer traineeships within the institution, such as the Heidelberg University Archive. This independent institution provides unpaid internships and traineeships to students from nearly all academic departments. The duration of the traineeships at the university archive can range from 4 weeks to 3 months, and arrangements can be made for traineeships longer than 3 months if required. The target group for these traineeships are history students or graduates of liberal arts.

Furthermore, the Humboldt Internship Programme is an international, short-term program focused on business and experiential learning. It allows participants, including advanced undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students, to work with research projects and university-related startups for a three-month period.

It is important to note that internships and traineeships at universities are often unpaid and referred to as individual time placements.

Greece

In Greece, a considerable number of internships receive support from European Union initiatives such as the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) or the AUTh Student Practice Programme under the Education and Lifelong Learning Program, which is co-financed by the European Union Social Fund, as well as national resources.

Regarding the AUTh Student Practice Programme, it combines both age and merit-based criteria. Each year, around 20 to 30 students have the opportunity to secure valuable internships in public schools, publishing houses, and other institutions. The programme covers the payment of trainees’ salaries and monthly insurance premiums for health and accident coverage, but it does not include subsistence and accommodation expenses. Students enrolled in the programme receive training for a specific period ranging from one to four months, working in both private and civil services.

Furthermore, Greek universities offer an internship programme that can be taken as an elective course during the 8th semester of a bachelor’s degree program. Selection of participants is typically based on their knowledge and grades.

In summary, Greece provides practice and internship programs that are open to both undergraduate and graduate students. While these programs are often not mandatory, they are effectively integrated into students’ studies due to the close collaboration between universities and companies.

Italy

Moving on to Italy, internships and traineeships are regarded by Italians as valuable tools for education and career orientation, promoted by universities as significant opportunities to enter the job market. To give you an idea, here are some options for traineeships or internships at an Italian university:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) – Directorate-General for Promotion of the Country System (DGSP).
The Directorate-General for Promotion of the Country System (DGSP) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) offers an internship program that allows individuals to apply for internships in various fields related to DGSP’s expertise. Upon completion of the internship, the University of Milan compensates the trainees with a lump sum payment of EUR 1,500 to cover their expenses. However, this compensation is contingent upon the completion of a 3-month internship and the allocation of at least 6 CFU credits in the trainee’s study plan.
The University of Trento aims to promote internships not only for current students but also for recent graduates who have finished their studies within the past 12 months. By doing so, the university endeavors to facilitate the entry of as many students as possible into the job market. To achieve this goal, the University of Trento maintains close ties with recruitment agencies and employment centers.

In general, numerous Italian universities strongly encourage students to pursue internships by incorporating them into their study programs and assigning appropriate credit values. Additionally, nearly all Italian universities advertise internship and traineeship opportunities on their portals, targeting both students seeking internships and companies seeking interns. An added advantage is that these opportunities remain available to students even one year after their graduation.

Lithuania

Lithuanian universities also arrange internships and traineeships for their students. There are two internship programs available: the ERASMUS+ Internship Programme and Smart Internship.

The Erasmus + Programme is a student exchange program that operates across Europe. It offers students the opportunity to enhance their language and intercultural skills, as well as develop professional relationships. This program is not limited to Lithuania and is utilized by various universities in other European countries.
Smart Internship is organized in interdisciplinary teams consisting of 5-7 students who collaborate to solve real-world problems within organizations. The entire process is supervised by a traineeship supervisor from the university and a mentor from the company. Students can choose to participate in this internship voluntarily or as a mandatory requirement if it aligns with their academic criteria. The completion of the traineeship is documented in the student’s diploma supplement, and each student also receives a smart apprenticeship diploma certifying their acquired competencies, along with a company recommendation.

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The Netherlands

While pursuing your studies in the Netherlands as an international student, it is important to take specific measures when searching for an internship or traineeship opportunity. Luckily, the Erasmus University of Rotterdam (EUR) offers various resources to help international students prepare for their future careers. If you are interested in gaining work experience through part-time jobs or internships in Rotterdam, this university provides excellent conditions for such opportunities. However, it’s important to note that your situation as an international student differs from that of Dutch students.

Advice for international students:

It’s crucial to create a financial budget plan before coming to study, as the income from a side job or paid traineeship will not cover all your study and living expenses.
Switching from private insurance to basic health insurance is a legal requirement.
Most employers prioritize candidates who speak and/or understand Dutch.
Non-EU/EEA students have specific legal restrictions on the number of hours they can work and need to obtain a work permit.

The university career platforms in the Netherlands, similar to those in other European countries, provide opportunities to find attractive job, traineeship, and internship offers. Additionally, Erasmus+ offers grants for internships in other European countries to cover living costs.

Spain

For students studying in Spain who are interested in internships or traineeships during or after their studies, it is essential to note that most opportunities require proficiency in Spanish. Therefore, if you plan to study in Spain, it is highly recommended to learn Spanish.

Additional traineeships in Spain are available through the Employment and Recruitment Office (CPEP). These traineeships are not part of a specific course program and do not offer ECTS credits. However, they may be included in your European Diploma Supplement (DS). To pursue an additional internship, you need to be registered with the “ÍCARO” Work Practice and Recruitment Portal. When expressing the need for an international internship, students are directed to Erasmus+.

Sweden

Some Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at Swedish universities allow students to include a traineeship within their curriculum. Typically, traineeships occur in the third semester of a two-year program or the fifth semester of a three-year program. While program coordinators can assist with contacts and advice on finding a traineeship, students are generally responsible for securing their own placement. In programs where traineeships are not included in the curriculum, students can still opt for an optional course. In such cases, it is advisable to consult the program coordinator to determine if internships are available.

If it is not possible to undertake an internship as part of the program and earn academic credits, students can still find traineeship opportunities outside their studies, whether paid or unpaid.

Switzerland

Most Swiss universities offer undergraduate students the opportunity to undertake a traineeship, which can earn them 3-6 ECTS credits. Additionally, internships abroad are facilitated by Erasmus+ and STREAM (Student Research Mobility Programme). STREAM is a European Student Research Mobility Programme designed to promote student research exchanges among institutions within the European League of Scientific Universities (LERU).

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the traineeships and internships you participate in while studying usually depend on the university you choose. Each university has its own policies and systems. To develop a personalized approach to future career and integration into the labor market, it is important to evaluate and consider internship and traineeship programs before selecting a university in the UK. Here are a few examples:

The University of Bristol offers traineeship schemes through its Career Service. These schemes provide opportunities to gain valuable paid work experience in small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including charities, social enterprises, and start-ups. Additionally, there are various summer internship schemes available for university students to undertake during their holidays. These internships can range from working in large international corporations to supporting local SMEs. Each program has specific requirements and is open to students at different stages of their studies, but all offer valuable skill development opportunities.
The Queen Mary London Practice Programme allows students to substitute their fourth module with an internship. Alongside their studies, students engage in a traineeship and attend related seminars or lessons at Arcadia London. By participating in the traineeship, students earn four credits towards their internship.
The University of Aberdeen offers an award-winning summer internship program exclusively for undergraduate students. This program involves a 10-week project within one of the university’s professional services departments. Successfully completing the traineeship is recognized as an accredited and enhanced internship experience. The Aberdeen internship is a paid 10-week summer traineeship program. To apply, you must be a registered undergraduate student at the University of Aberdeen. Unfortunately, if you have already completed a previous Aberdeen internship or traineeship, you are not eligible to apply for another one.

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