Internship or graduation project

Preparation

• Mandatory or not?

  For some studies, an internship or graduation project is a compulsory part of the programme. Check the Study Guide to see whether this is the case for your study programme. In most cases, the course description will list an internship coordinator who you can ask for more information.

  Please note: Some study programmes do not allow you to do an internship in your elective space. An internship is sometimes only possible as a graduation project.

• What kind of internship are you looking for?

  Some studies have fixed internships that you can choose from, but often you have to look for a suitable internship yourself. The better you think about what you would like to do and where, the easier it will be to find the right place. For example, if all you know is that you want to do something with sustainability in Europe, your search will be much more difficult than if you are interested in cultivating edible seaweeds in the North Sea.

• Arranging your internship

  If you are looking for an internship at another university, you can write directly to the right researcher. Keep the e-mail itself short: Try to answer the questions 'Why do you want to work for that researcher?' and 'Why do you think you have the right background for it'? You can attach your CV and grades (available via the Student Desk).
  
  Many large companies and non-profit organisations have special internship coordinators that you can write to. Again, it is good to be as specific as possible in the e-mail about your choice and your qualifications for that organisation. In this case too, you can attach your CV and grades (available via the Student Desk).

• Registering your internship

  Register your internship abroad in your personal dashboard on vu.nl. This way, we will always know where you are in case of a crisis in the country where you are doing your internship.

• International travel policy

  It is important to read our International Travel Policy carefully. Here you will also find information about the travel advice of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Check in time whether the colour code for the country of your internship is not orange or red, because in that case it is not allowed to travel for an internship or graduation project.
  
  The webpage also has information about the insurances that are relevant for your internship or graduation project.

• Arranging accommodation

  Many universities can offer trainees accommodation or at least advise them on alternative options. With other organisations, you will often have to find accommodation yourself.

• Optional: extracurricular internship

  If your study does not have an obligatory internship, you can also decide to do an extracurricular internship yourself.  If you want to get a scholarship for this, it is necessary that someone from your study/faculty signs the application. In this case, ask your study advisor who would be best to contact for this.
  
  In case you need a general internship agreement, you can find one here (in Dutch).

Other options to fill your elective space