Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find internship positions and ideas for my internship?
In WHICH SEMESTER do I have to do the compulsory internship?
You are free to choose in which semester you would like to do your compulsory internship. You can find a recommendation in your examination regulations or in your study plan.
How much time should I plan for the INTERNSHIP SEARCH and for the APPLICATION?
Which INTERNSHIPS have my FELLOW STUDENTS completed so far?
You can find all internship reports in the departmental internship database
I need a CONFIRMATION that I have to complete a compulsory internship as part of my studies. Where can I find this certificate?
You can retrieve the confirmation via ZEuS:
Log in to ZEuS / My Studies / Student Service / Request reports / Reports.
The confirmation of the compulsory internship appears as a PDF file.
Who can I contact with QUESTIONS regarding my APPLICATION?
The Career Service of the University of Konstanz offers a variety of workshops, events and info-sessions. In addition, individual appointments for consultations are also possible.
When must the PRELIMINARY REPORT be submitted?
The preliminary report must be sent as a PDF by email to the internship coordinator no later than 2 weeks BEFORE the start of the internship. The internship is approved only with the signature of the internship coordinator.
When must the FINAL REPORT be written and submitted?
The final report must be written and submitted online no later than 6 weeks AFTER the end of the internship (see departmental internship database "Submit Report").
When will the ECTS credits be credited in ZEuS?
Can the internship be carried out in different organizations/companies? I.e. can I SPLIT THE INTERNSHIP?
The internship should preferably be completed in one organization. However, a splitting of the internship is generally possible. To split the internship, you must select “splitting” in the departmental internship database after logging in.
A splitting of the 8- or 4-week internship is not possible.
The following splittings are possible:
- 3 + 3 months
- 2 + 4 months
- 4 + 2 months
The easiest would be if the internships could take place consecutively and in one semester. However, it is possible to complete the two internships in different semesters or during semester breaks. Please contact the internship coordinator in advance.
What should be considered in the reporting process if the internship is split?
In this case, you must write a preliminary report and an acknowledgment form for each internship position. You will write your final report about the position of your choice.
Is there a MINIMUM WAGE entitlement during your internship within Germany?
Compulsory internships are exempt from the minimum wage.
For voluntary internships lasting less than three months, there is no entitlement to the minimum wage.
Voluntary internships lasting more than three months must be remunerated at the minimum wage from the first day.
Internships undertaken after graduation must be remunerated at the minimum wage of €12.41/hour (from January 1, 2025 €12.82/hour).
Can I take LEAVE OF ABSENCE during the internship?
If you are completing a compulsory internship according to the examination regulations, you do not need to take a leave of absence. If you wish to complete a voluntary or longer internship, please contact the internship coordinator and inquire at the SSZ (Student Service Center).
Do I retain my STATUS as a student during the internship?
Yes, if you do a compulsory internship, you retain your status as a student at the University of Konstanz. Even when on leave of absence, you retain the status as a student. Please mind the re-registration deadline.
Can the STUDENT UNION FEE be refunded during the internship semester?
Students in the compulsory internship semester are not placed on leave of absence during this time. The student fee of the student union "Seezeit" cannot be refunded. The semester fees provided for re-registration must be paid in full, as the compulsory internship is part of the degree program.
Can I receive student financial aid (BAföG) during my internship?
In principle, you can receive BAföG during the internship. Please inquire with the relevant office: new BAföG and BAföG during the internship
Am I INSURED through the University of Konstanz during the internship?
During your internship, you are not covered by the University of Konstanz's accident insurance. Please take care of your own insurance. An accident and a liability insurance is highly recommended.
Am I subject to SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS?
If you are completing a compulsory internship, this activity is not subject to social insurance contributions. You can find initial and important information on social insurance issues during an internship in the guide ""Praktika- Nutzen für Praktikanten und Unternehmen" (available only in German, published by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs; as of July 2011).
Exception: Internship abroad.
Do I need to provide a HEALTH INSURANCE CERTIFICATE?
Yes. You must provide proof of health insurance for the duration of the internship. Please ask your health insurance provider.
Do I need to provide a HEALTH INSURANCE CERTIFICATE for internships ABROAD?
For an internship abroad, you can and should take out international or supplementary insurance. Please contact your health insurance company. The DAAD offers a favorable rate for internships abroad.
Can I also do a STUDY ABROAD SEMESTER before or after the INTERNSHIP?
Yes. If you are in the BA Sociology with "Practical Track", in the BA History with "Practical Semester" or in the MA Sociology of Inequality, you can also go abroad before or after the internship. You must take a leave of absence for the semester abroad. For more information, please contact your academic advisor.
Can I also do an INTERNSHIP before or after the STUDY ABROAD SEMESTER?
Yes. If you are in the BA Sociology "International Track", in the BA History with "Study Abroad Semester" or in the MA Sociology of Inequality, you can also complete an internship before or after the study abroad semester. Please note that in this case you are not completing a compulsory internship, but a voluntary one. You can do internships during semester breaks. For a longer internship, you can take a leave of absence. Please contact your academic advisor in advance. Since you are completing a voluntary internship, the following regulation regarding the minimum wage applies:
- for voluntary internships lasting less than three months, there is no entitlement to the minimum wage.
- voluntary internships lasting more than three months must be remunerated at the minimum wage from the first day.
Can a VOCATIONAL TRAINING or relevant PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF STUDIES be recognized as a compulsory internship?
According to the framework examination regulations for the Bachelor of Arts programs in the humanities B5.0 § 4 (3) (as of August 3, 2006 including all amendments up to November 28, 2019), a completed vocational training in the commercial or a similar sector or relevant study-related professional experience in full-time for at least 6 months (before the start of the study programme) can be recognized upon request of the student and credited as equivalent to the compulsory internship.
The following procedure must be followed:
Equivalence is checked by the department's internship officer. For this purpose, an informal application is submitted by e-mail with a copy of the work certificate/s and the completed equivalence recognition form. The signed equivalence recognition form serves as proof of recognition. Recognition of equivalence is entered in ZEuS by the internship coordinator.