Internships Faculty of Science

Information on internships

• Bachelor's thesis

  The Bachelor's also called internship or graduation project thesis is the conclusion of the Bachelor's program and is an aptitude test. You demonstrate that you can apply the knowledge and skills in the field of experimentation, use of theoretical models, data analysis, oral and written presentation that are discussed in the bachelor's phase, in a project of any size. The Bachelor thesis can also give you insight into which field of work you find interesting. 

• Bachelor - Approval

  • You must register for the Bachelor's thesis via the registration module.
  • If you have found a possible spot or have questions about the search process, please contact the coordinator.
  • Before you can start your bachelor's thesis, you need approval for the project and the supervisors and there are admission requirements that you must meet.
  • The approval must be given by the coordinator. For this you need to fill in a number of forms and hand them in to the coordinator.
  • Make sure to submit the forms before the deadline.
  • Information about the approval of the Bachelor's thesis is described in the manual and the study guide. 

• Bachelor - An internship abroad

  In many cases, finding a graduation project takes place through contacts within the various research departments. Because they do not just send students abroad (you are their calling card) it can be an advantage to do a project in that department first. You can also try to approach an institution yourself, for example through the various organizations for international exchange connections. Organizing a research project abroad takes a lot of time. So start the preparations early!

  • For information and grants you can visit the 'Internship and graduation project' page.
  • Always discuss your plans to study abroad with the coordinator of the bachelor's thesis in advance.
  • Sometimes you as a student have to submit a statement (depending on the destination where you will do an internship). 

• Bachelor - Internship report and assessment

  You complete the bachelor's thesis with a report / article / report on which you give an oral presentation. Additional criteria may exist for each specialization that the report must meet. Consult the manual and / or the coordinator for this.

  The final assessment is done by two examiners, both of whom must work at the VU or VUmc. The following are included in the assessment:

  • Report / article / report
  • Oral presentation
  • Attitude
  • Implementation of the research project

  The regulations for all internships, research projects, internships and theses can be found in the Student Placement (Internship) and Research Project Regulations and in the manual of the Bachelor's thesis in Canvas. You are advised to read these regulations before the start of the internship or research. 

• Bachelor - When and for how long?

  • The bachelor's thesis is the conclusion of the bachelor's program and is a compulsory component.
  • The scope varies per course, but usually takes a few months.
  • Information about the duration and period of the bachelor thesis can be found in the course catalog and the bachelor thesis manual in Canvas.

  Finding a place where you can do your bachelor's thesis can take a few months, so start your search early! In the manual you will find information on how to best search. The coordinator gives information meetings in which this is also discussed.

• Master - Approval

  Before you can start an internship:

  • You need approval for your chosen topic and tutors.
  • You must meet certain requirements. Your training coordinator will check whether this is the case.
  • Further information on the application procedure and getting internship approval can be found in the the Student Placement (Internship) and Research Project Regulations and in the manuals in Canvas. You are advised to read these regulations before the start of the internship or research. 

• Master - Graduation project

  The internship is an important part of the Master because it brings together many different aspects: preparation, implementation, literature study, report writing, oral presentation and the experience of being part of a research group. The internship is the last part of the Master. The purpose of an internship is to train students to conduct scientific research in a typical "on the job" session. The internship can also give you insight into which field of work you find interesting.

• Master - An internship abroad

  In many cases, finding an internship takes place through contacts within the various research departments. Because they don't just send students abroad (you are their calling card) it can be an advantage to do a project in that department first. You can also try to approach an institution yourself, for example through the various organizations for international exchange connections. Organizing a research internship abroad takes a lot of time. So start early with the preparations!

  • You will find more information about the graduation project in the internship scheme.
  • Projects at universities and research institutes can only be approved if the academic quality of the institute is sufficient and supervision is available.
  • When arranging an internship abroad, also consider housing, visa, vaccinations and financing.
  • If you have any questions about the above practical matters or would like to apply for a scholarship, please contact the VU International Office.
  • Discuss your plans for an internship abroad in advance with your study program coordinator or internship coordinator.
  • An Erasmus grant is available for many projects outside the Netherlands but within Europe.

• Master - Internship report and assessment

  Each Master has its own conditions for the report. These conditions can be found in the study guide, in the manual in Canvas or consult your study program coordinator

  • You complete the internship with a report / article / report on which you give an oral presentation.
  • There may be various criteria that the report must meet for each Master. Consult the manual for this.
  • The final assessment is done by two examiners, both of whom must work at the VU or VUmc.
  • Included in the assessment:
    • Attitude and professional development
    • Implementation of the research project
    • Final version report
    • Oral presentation

  All conditions for the assessment are stated in the Student Placement (Internship) and Research Project Regulations.

• Master - When and for how long?

  • Information on "when and for how long" can be found in the course catalog and Internship Guide on Canvas.
  • Organizing an internship abroad takes a lot of time (maybe even months). So start the preparations early!
  • In the internship report you will find information about how to find an internship and what conditions the internship must meet. Your training coordinator can also provide information.
  • Make sure you register for the 'internship / research project' course via the registration module.