Internship

 Internship

Can I also complete my compulsory stay abroad as an internship?

Are there special CogSci conditions for an internship?

Whether you are doing an internship in Europe (via ERASMUS+) or outside Europe, the following conditions always apply:

  • The internship can be completed at a university or a research institution comparable to a university.
  • The duration should be 3 - 6 months (at least three full calendar months without interruption or 12 weeks).
  • Scope of work: 30 working hours per week
  • You must obtain approval for the internship before starting. To do this, please use the "Request for Approval of Semester Abroad" form at
    and send it to:  ikw-eras@uos.de
  • All deviations (e.g. internships at companies, shorter duration, etc.) must be approved on a case-by-case basis. Approval is usually granted if the relevance for the course content in the subject Cogsci is evident. Please note the deviation from the conditions on the RoA. We will then take care of the approval.

IMPORTANT!
An internship in another European country can be funded via ERASMUS+. Please contact us.

Further information from the International Office:

 Website

Important note on internship agreements:

  • Osnabrück University does not sign internship agreements that may be required by foreign employers/institutions.
  • Internship agreements are bilateral contracts to which UOS has no connection.
  • If an agreement cannot be waived, then we at UOS have drawn up our own agreement, in which we only take note of the internship.
  • This agreement can be requested from the  International Office.
  • You could contact your host institution and ask them whether the document can be used as a substitute.

Tips for asking lecturers for a letter of recommendation:

A self-organized internship requires a high degree of initiative. Think about where and with whom you would like to do an internship and for what professional and possibly personal reasons. Write to the person in question and ask about the possibility of an internship. A transcript or letter of recommendation from one of your local professors may be requested before you are accepted.

  • What do you need the letter for?
  • Is a pdf sufficient or does it have to be uploaded to a portal (please provide the link)?
  • Name a date by which you need the letter of recommendation (allow time for both sides).
  • If you have a transcript, attach it (otherwise write a grade overview yourself).
  • Why did this internship offer arouse your interest? What qualifies you in particular?
  • Which cognitive science modules are you particularly interested in?
  • What else do you do? Tutoring? Member of a committee? Voluntary activities such as Welcome Week, taster studies etc.)? Voluntary work?
  • Experience (e.g. second degree, completed degree, additional qualifications, vocational training, internships, awards, scholarships, ...)

At the end of your internship, the host organization must sign the "Request of Approval" and, if possible, stamp it. You  send the form back to the Mobility Office after your return.

Final thesis with ERASMUS+ abroad

Study:
The need for the thesis must be clearly evident from the topic of the thesis. In addition, one of the two assessors must be from the host university. Since the thesis does not have a scope of 24 - 30 ECTS, additional courses should be taken at the host university.

Internship:
This should be a full-time internship of 30 - 40 hours per week.

If you are planning this, please make an appointment with the Dean of Studies.

You can find all information about internships abroad on the  website of the International Office of Osnabrück University.

Further information: