Internships

Are you a student of Paderborn University and are planning to do an internship? We've compiled infos and tips on all matters related to internships for you:

Your individual Examination Regulation determines which type of internship you have to do. There are a couple of different types:

  • Laboratory internships
  • Industrial internships
  • Internships at an organisation, business etc.
  • Internships at a school
     
  • Internships during the semester (individual days of the week)
  • Interships outside of the semester (single blocks without disruption)
  • Mandatory internships (that are required within your course of studies)
  • Voluntary internships (that are not mandatory but for your personal benefit)

Some internetships must be completed before starting your studies, such as 

Please note: Although some Examination Regulations allow for you to delay the internship until your third semester, we strongly recommend completing your internship before starting your studies. 

Please inform yourself about possible compulsory internships (e.g. by using the Prüfungsordnung / exam regulations).
More information can be found on the pages of your chosen course of studies in our Study Offer A-Z.

Compulsory internships, that have to be completed before starting your studies could be eligible for financial sponsorship.
More information can be found on the pages of the BAföG-office.

Some internships are completed during your studies, such as 

Please inform yourself about possible compulsory internships (e.g. by using the Prüfungsordnung/Examination Regulation). More information can be found on the pages of your chosen course of studies in our Study Offer A-Z.

 

Mandatory internships which you are required to complete by your Examination Regulation do not have to be compensated by a minimum wage. 

Does my internship qualify for minimum wage? Find our on the website of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs!

You can also complete voluntary internships next to mandatory ones. We especially recommend this for courses of studies that do not include mandatory internships (e.g. economic courses of studies)

It can also be benefitial to complete multiple internships during your course of studies. That way, you can earn valuable real-life experience and get in contact with potential employers.

When planning an internship abroad you have the opportunity to apply for an Erasmus scholarship or Auslands-BAföG. 

Apart from internships abroad there are mulitple alternatives for a stay abroad.

Here are infos and tips for an internship abroad (Faculty of Arts and Humanities)

Campus OWL New York: the office of five public universities in Ostwestfalen-Lippe regularly offers students the possibility of doing an internship in New York.

If you are planning to do your internship during an entire semester, please refer to the website of the Studierendensekretariat for the possibility of a leave of absence

For all teaching students, the Paderborn Centre for Educational Research and Teacher Education (PLAZ) offers information and advice on their practice phase.

Individual offices or coordinators for internships within the faculties can assist with the search for and organisation of internships. 

The Career Service has contacts to businesses and offers advice on internships, career paths and practice phases to students of all faculties.

Further Practical Experience