Learn more about internship opportunities in Europe
Looking for an internship in Europe? Find out more about internship pay, the duration of internships, expected duties, where and when to look for internships, and how to apply in Europe.
An internship helps prepare you for your future career. It is short-term work experience that can be a component of, or in addition to, your university degree.
You can choose to do either full or part-time internships in a European country.
If you do an internship as a part of your study programme, it will usually start with an agreement between your university and the company about the tasks that are expected of you.
Expected tasks
If you are writing a thesis at a company, you will begin with an agreement between your university and the company about the research question of your thesis. During your internship, you will conduct research to address that research question.
Normally, you will be expected to carry out the same work as other employees if you do an internship in addition to your university degree. In order to gain practical experience, you will usually be given your own projects and responsibilities.
At the end of your internship, you must be able to show your university what you have learned.
When to apply
Although in general, you can find internship opportunities at companies throughout the year, many European universities ask that their students commence an internship in September or in February.
You can find more country-specific information about internships by following the link to the countries’ page of this website.
Paid or unpaid?
The internship provider decides on your internship pay. Please note that being in receipt of a salary may impact your obligations concerning work permits, health insurance and taxes.
Internship duration
Typically, internships last from 2 to 6 months. However, an internship can last for up to two years.
How to apply
To apply for an internship, it is common to send a curriculum vitae (CV) and a motivation letter to your prospective employer. The company or organisation may also request references from teachers, professors or previous employers.
After submitting your application, the company or organisation may invite you for an interview. During this interview, you will be asked about your motivation for applying to the role and your previous experience. You may also have to complete one or several assessments as part of the application process.
When your internship forms part of your study programme, you will need to make arrangements with your university regarding the content of the internship.
Where to find internships?
- university career centres
- vacancy notices on companies' and organisations' websites
- Erasmus+ internship offers