You may not receive salary

As a student, you are not allowed to receive a salary during your project-oriented course, since the course is part of your programme and not an employment. We understand that having an unpaid internship can be difficult for you as it is very necessary to have a student job in order to support yourself or keep your SU.

You may have your expenses covered

However, it is allowed that the company may cover your documented expenses, for instance transportation or rent. Remember to check if you’ll need to pay taxes of the allowance.

You may receive a "gratuity" which is not agreed apon beforehand

The company also have the option to give you a “gratuity”. This must be an acknowledgement – a thank you for your hard work – and can therefore not be a pre-determined, pre-agreed salary payment. Therefore, it cannot be written into an agreement, and you will always receive it afterwards. Read about the gratuity rules here (in Danish).

You may be hired in a student job

The company can also employ you as a student worker for 10 hours per week - however, the tasks cannot be the same as in the project-oriented course. This employment is between the company and yourself - the university does not have anything to do with it.

If you are not covered by the company’s insurance during working hours, the company is obliged to inform you, and then it is your own responsibility to make sure that you have the proper insurances to cover you both during working hours and in your spare time.

Do I need a permit to do my internship in Denmark?

When you were granted your study permission for studying at AAU, your received an individual study permit letter for staying in Denmark.

In this, you will find all the information about which rules you need to follow and what you have been granted from the Danish state when you applied.

Does your study permission contain an permit for an project-oriented course?

• Yes:
  If it already states in your individual study permit letter that you are allowed to do a project-oriented course in Denmark as part of your studies (this will be stated in case you applied for it together with your study permit and was granted it), you do not need to do anything further. You are allowed to do a full time project-oriented course in Denmark and keep working up to 20 hours a week in a student job.
• No:
  If a permit for doing an project-oriented course in Denmark as part of your studies does not state in your individual study permit letter, you need to apply for this. Apply for a work permit for project-oriented course here.
  NOTICE: You always have to fill out the ST4 form together with your study department at AAU!

Should I continue my student job during my project-oriented course?

Once you have the permit, you are allowed to do both a project-oriented course and keep working up to 20 hours a week in a student job.

However, always consider whether you have the time and resources to handle the work load of both a project-oriented course and a student job at the same time. In case you find that you can, talk to both your student job employer and the company your are doing your project-oriented course in about how flexible the specific times for working can be for you to juggle both.

Your supervisor needs to approve your project-oriented course in order to ensure that it is appropriate in relation to your study programme.

Depending on your study, you, your supervisor at AAU, and a representative from the company may have sign a formal agreement. It varies from programme to programme if this is a requirement or not. Ask your AAU supervisor if in doubt.

If your study demands an agreement, they have an agreement that you have to use.

If your study does not have one, you can download standard templates here:

• Standardaftale for projektorienteret forløb - praktik
• Standard agreement project-oriented course - internship

It may also be relevant with a non-disclosure or rights agreement . You can download them here:

• Hemmeligholdelsesaftale om studenterprojekt
• Non-disclosure agreement for student project
• Hemmeligholdelses- og rettighedsaftale om studenterprojekt
• Non-disclosure and rights agreement for student project

Where can I find vacant internship positions abroad?

Find current positions abroad in e.g. AAU Jobbank.

How do I apply in the country that I want to go to?

You should always modify your CV and cover letter to the precept of the country in question. It is very different from country to country what is perceived as best practice.

We recommend, that you find a university in the given country, that has a career center, and read their recommendations for how to write a cover letter and find a job. In some places, for instance, it is very important to be able to present your results in the form of course certificates or letters of recommendation.

Where can I find help to look for an internship abroad?

If you are looking for a project-oriented course abroad it is extremely important that you contact the International Office at AAU, since there are different contracts and funding, etc.

International Office can also help you with your cover letter, CV and other practical matters. Send them an e-mail.

The practical stuff

You are responsible for visa, work- and residence permits, insurance etc. Check if your internship organisation can help you with some of it.

You might have to find accommodation yourself. If the internship organisation usually has interns, you might be able to inherit a place from a former intern – ask your internship organisation.

Read about the practicalities when doing an internship abroad

Can I apply for a grant when I go abroad for an internship?

Yes! Remember to register for a project-oriented course on International Office’s application system. Here, you will automatically apply for a scholarship.

Read about registration and deadlines on the International Office website

Should I sign an agreement for my internship abroad?

Find the agreement you need on the International Office website