This section provides all the information you need about the various types of stay.
Internship or visiting program?
Depending on your country of origin, length of stay and the applicable immigration provisions, there are various different options for completing an internship at FAU: The status of an intern is similar to that of an employee; as a visiting student you have a special status that allows you access to the infrastructure of FAU. If you come from one of FAU’s international partner universities and arrive at the beginning of the semester in April or October, you can also enroll as a “free mover” exchange student. International Affairs supports host institutes in finding the best possible solution.
All about internships
Internship
An internship is designed to give students the chance to gather practical experience in addition to the theoretical knowledge acquired during their studies. It is important that the intern does not have a fixed responsibility within the corresponding business or institution but has the opportunity to work in several different departments. It is not permitted to employ interns to fill vacant posts in an organization or university department. It is also advisable to assign a permanent supervisor to the intern who can act as the contact person if queries arise. The internship is meant to be part of the study program and provide the student with practical experience.
As regards subject-related internships, it is important that the knowledge to be gained is related to the subject of study and provides practical training. The training received must be evident from the internship schedule agreed between the intern and the host institution.
Who can complete an internship at FAU?
The following groups of people may complete internships in Germany according to Section 2 (2)(5) of the German Employment Regulations (Beschäftigungsverordnung):
Students of foreign nationality who are enrolled at a university abroad and have already completed four subject semesters and in whose case the internship is directly related to their subject of study at their home university can complete an internship in Germany.
The following are considered degree programs being studied abroad:
- Regular or full-time degree programs
- Part-time, evening or distance learning degree programs – but only if the time spent studying during the degree program is equivalent to at least 50% of the time that would be spent studying during a full-time degree program.
Students from “third countries” require a visa/residence permit before completing an internship in Germany. The company where the internship is to be completed must obtain consent from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) before a student can be awarded a residence permit for the purpose of the internship.
Individuals with a university entrance qualification who are not enrolled at a university in their home country cannot complete an internship at FAU.
If you have already completed four subject semesters at your home university or abroad, you are also eligible to complete a clinical elective or write a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis in Germany. Section 2 (2)(5) of the German Employment Regulations specifies that clinical electives and final theses are considered to be equivalent to an internship.
In certain circumstances, graduates from universities outside Germany who are no longer enrolled may be able to complete an internship at FAU to gain additional practical experience. Please contact the German embassy or consulate in your home country to find out whether you are eligible for a permit to stay in Germany.
Graduates from universities outside Germany may only complete paid internships in Germany. They are not permitted to complete internships without remuneration. Payment must be at least commensurate with the minimum wage.
Internships are also possible in connection with EU-funded programs. Students from EU or EEC countries do not need a permit for these internships. This means that you do not have to apply for exemption from the work permit requirement.
If you are a non-EU citizen studying at a European university and would like to complete an internship at FAU within the framework of a program funded by the EU, you must first apply for an exemption from the obligation to have a work permit and subsequently for a visa for Germany.
Students from universities outside Germany can complete internships in Germany in the context of international exchange programs run by associations, public institutions or student organizations. In this case, you will not have to obtain a special permit from the International Placement Services (Zentralstelle für Auslands- und Fachvermittlung – ZAV) at the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) as the necessary administrative measures will be undertaken by the organizations themselves.
The most important student exchange organizations include IASTE, AIESEC, DFA and ELSA.
Professionals and managers who receive scholarships from German public institutions or from the EU (government scholarships) can also complete an internship in Germany.
All about visiting students
Visiting students
International visiting students come to FAU in connection with a co-operation agreement between FAU and their home university or in connection with a funding program (e.g. a DAAD program) for a limited period and here learn laboratory techniques, work on research projects or undertake research for their theses. Visiting students are not enrolled and thus cannot be credited with any qualifications obtained at FAU. Legal reasons also mean that it is not possible to conclude internship contracts. However, it is possible for visiting students to attend courses and lectures with the agreement of their academic supervisor and the lecturers. Visiting students spend a period of more than four weeks at FAU.
At the current time, this status is only available to EU citizens.
Internships for medical students
Interships at Uniklinikum
Medical students who are enrolled at a university in another country can complete an internship or clinical elective at the departments and institutes of the Faculty of Medicine.
More information is available on the Faculty of Medicine’s website.