Internship
High school and college students can complete internships with us in various fields
Above all, an internship is meant to help you find your way: What are your career prospects? How do I want to work, and does the job really match my expectations? With us, interns get to know the various areas of work at the German Sport University Cologne and gain hands-on insight into their chosen career path.
Who offers internships?
Internships are offered by the departments, central offices, and the university administration. A list of all institutions that offer internship opportunities can be found here.
An internship in the departments allows you to gain insight into the role of a research assistant (research-intensive work) or a lecturer for special assignments (teaching-intensive work). Various career paths are available in the administration.
What types of internships are available?
- High School/Corporate Internships
- Mandatory internships as part of your degree program
- Voluntary internships
How do you apply?
Please first contact the representative from your desired department directly. Internships can only be arranged through that department.
Reach a binding agreement on the duration of the internship; students should take into account the required number of hours specified in the examination and study regulations. Please clarify whether a written application (or email application) or an in-person interview is required.
Please note: Formal registration through the Human Resources department should take place at least three to four weeks (depending on the type of internship) before the start date. The internship may not begin until the signed contract has been returned.
So what happens next?
Once you have been accepted, you must complete the formal registration process through the Human Resources department (at least three weeks before the internship begins).
- Fill out the registration form (see also below)
- Attach a confirmation from the school and a copy of your ID. The confirmation from the school must state that insurance coverage is provided by the school district.
- Once processed, a confirmation for the school will be sent to the intern.
Good to know:
- The regular weekly work schedule is 39 hours and 50 minutes. Minors (ages 15 to 18) may not work more than eight hours per day. Children (under 15 years of age) may only be employed in light work suitable for them for up to seven hours per day and 35 hours per week. Adolescents and children are entitled to a one-hour daily break.
- Minors require a parental consent form (see registration form).
- No internship stipend is provided.
Once the department has approved the application, formal registration takes place through the Human Resources department (at least three weeks before the internship begins).
- Fill out the registration form (see also below)
- Attach a copy of your ID card, a current certificate of enrollment, and the excerpt regarding the mandatory internship from the study or examination regulations
- Once the application has been processed, the intern will receive a contract to sign. This is always mandatory to ensure that statutory workers’ compensation coverage is in place in the event of a work-related accident during the internship.
Good to know:
- A mandatory internship is generally only possible if there is no other employment relationship at the German Sport University Cologne at the same time (e.g., SHK or WHB).
- The internship can only be completed for the duration specified in the respective examination or study regulations.
- As a general rule, the internship must be completed Monday through Friday with a weekly work schedule of 39 hours and 50 minutes. Any deviations from this must be reviewed for compatibility with the examination or study regulations.
- Upon completion of the internship, the institute or organization issues a non-graded internship certificate, which is handed out on the last day of the internship.
- No internship stipend is provided.
Once you have been accepted, you must complete the formal registration process through the Human Resources department. Please contact the appropriate staff member in the Human Resources department—at least four weeks before the internship begins.
Good to know:
- Students may complete a voluntary internship for up to two months and will receive appropriate compensation.
- High school students who have not yet graduated or who are immediately after finishing high school may complete a voluntary “taster internship” for a maximum of four weeks and do not receive compensation.
Information for International Students and Graduates
To complete an internship in Germany, international students and graduates may need a residence permit. In certain cases, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) must approve the internship in advance for this permit to be issued.
