Is an internship part of my degree?
This varies by study programme and university. At the University of Twente, most programmes offer the opportunity to do an internship – and in some cases, it is even a compulsory part of the curriculum.
In most bachelor’s programmes, you can do an internship as part of your elective space in the third year. For master's students, whether an internship fits within the curriculum depends on the length of the programme and the amount of elective space available. In most programmes, you can also complete your graduation thesis at an external company – a great way to gain work experience and take your first steps into your future career.
The best way to find out if you can do an internship during your studies is to check the website of the study programme or contact your study adviser.
What types of internships exist at Dutch universities?
There are two main types of internships you may encounter:
Curricular internship – This internship is part of your official study programme. It is listed as an option or compulsory part of your curriculum, earns European Credits, and is supervised by both your university and your host organisation. You will typically need to write a report or present your findings as part of the assessment.
Extracurricular internship – This is a voluntary internship you do alongside your studies, on your own initiative. It does not earn credits and is not formally supervised by the university, but it can be valuable for building work experience and expanding your professional network.
Keep in mind: Since UT cannot sign an extracurricular internship agreement, such an internship falls outside your official curriculum and could lead to study delays – which means you will still be paying tuition for longer. And if you are studying on a visa, an extracurricular internship may not even be an option, since you need to stay on track with your studies to keep your residence permit (MoMi). Therefore, if you get the chance, it's generally most convenient to do an internship as part of your curriculum.
Can I do an internship abroad?
Yes – and Dutch universities actively encourage it. Doing an internship in another country is a great way to gain international experience and strengthen your CV. One well-known route is Erasmus+, the European Union's exchange and mobility programme. It offers grants for students doing an internship abroad, both within Europe and in partner countries worldwide.
However, you can also do your internship in the Netherlands. After all, as an international student here, you are already abroad, right?
How do I find an internship as an international student?
Finding an internship in the Netherlands is very similar to finding a job. Here are the most effective ways to get started:
Get in touch with the university
The University of Twente has dedicated internship coordinators for each faculty and/or study programme who can help you get started to find an internship and arrange the practical matters. Moreover, UT’s Career Services offers support in the form of CV and motivation letter writing workshops and one-on-one coaching, and can get you in touch with the right partners. Check our website for more information.
Use online platforms
LinkedIn, Jobteaser, and Indeed are widely used in the Netherlands. You can filter by internship type, field, and location. Many companies also post internship openings directly on their own websites.
Build your network
Attending career events, company information sessions, or industry meet-ups is one of the most effective ways to get your foot in the door. At the University of Twente, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with potential employers: many study associations organise company visits and networking events, and Business Days Twente brings together students and companies from the region every year. The career centre also regularly hosts its own events, from employer presentations to career fairs. It is worth keeping an eye on upcoming events and prepare yourself to get the most out of it.
Practical matters: contracts and compensation
Internship agreement
Whether your internship is curricular or extracurricular, you will usually need to sign an internship agreement (stageovereenkomst). This is a contract that outlines your tasks, working hours, duration, and compensation.
For curricular internships, the agreement is a contract between you, your university, and the host organisation. However, for extracurricular internships, the university cannot act as a signing party; in these cases, the agreement is strictly between you and the host organisation.
Dutch universities use a shared, standardised version of this agreement, which makes the process straightforward for both you and your host organisation. You can find more information about the agreement on the website of Universities of the Netherlands (scroll down for English pdf’s).
Compensation
There is no legal minimum internship allowance in the Netherlands, but many companies do offer a monthly allowance (stagevergoeding). For curricular internships, compensation is common but not guaranteed. For extracurricular internships, this varies widely by organisation and sector. It is perfectly acceptable to ask about compensation during your application process. Keep in mind that these allowances are modest and not sufficient to cover all your living costs.
In short
Doing an internship during your studies at the University of Twente is definitely possible – and often easier to arrange than you might think. Whether you want to broaden your network, gain real-world experience, or get a taste of your future field, there are plenty of routes to explore. Not sure where to start? Your study adviser or internship coordinator is always a good first stop. Still in doubt whether an internship would be the right choice for you? Read about the pros and cons of an internship during your studies in this article.
