Hosting International Interns

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Internal Guidelines for Academic Departments and Advisors

International students can complete an internship at the University of Kassel. This page is intended for academic departments and faculty advisors who wish to host international students for an internship at the University of Kassel. Depending on the situation, the internship may take place without enrollment or with enrollment at the University of Kassel.

Your responsibilities as a supervisor:

  1. Determine whether supervision is possible (academic fit, capacity, timeframe).
  2. Clarify the internship plan together with the intern: duration, content, goals, and schedule.
  3. Determine which admission option applies (with or without enrollment).
  4. If necessary, contact the International Office early on, especially if you have questions about enrollment or if the intern is from a non-EU country.

Option 1: Internship without enrollment

Your task: You will draft a confirmation letter that must include the following points:

  • Duration of the internship
  • Goals and plan for the internship
  • Relevance to the intern’s field of study
  • Details regarding compensation (see important note below)
This letter serves as the basis for the internship and may be required for a visa application.

Important for interns from third countries (non-EU/EEA): Special regulations regarding residence and employment law apply to this group of individuals (e.g., regarding visas, approval from the Federal Employment Agency, and the permissible duration and type of internship).

Please consult the Federal Employment Agency’s website for more information before issuing the letter.

Important information regarding compensation: Internships lasting three months or longer must generally be compensated at a rate of at least the statutory minimum wage—unless the internship is mandatory (as required by the study or examination regulations of the home university). Please clarify this well in advance, as it may affect internship planning and, if applicable, funding or the budget.
This means:
  • A 4- or 5-month voluntary internship: The minimum wage is required, generally for the entire duration.
  • Only if it is a genuine mandatory internship as defined by the examination or academic regulations is there no legal obligation to pay the minimum wage—even for 4, 5, or 6 months.
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Option 2: Internship with Enrollment

This option applies if the internship lasts at least three months and takes place during the semester periods:

Summer semester: March – October
Winter semester: April – September

Important points:

  • Enrollment is possible for an entire semester.
  • The full semester tuition must be paid.
  • Enrollment takes place through the International Office as an exchange student.
  • All steps for enrollment (registration, health insurance, payment) must be completed before the internship begins.
Your role as a department: As a rule, you will provide academic support (supervision, internship content), while the International Office handles the administrative enrollment process.

Contact the International Office

Ketevan Arabuli

Support for International Exchange Students

University of Kassel | International Office

Email: exchange[at]uni-kassel[dot]de