Everything you need to knowYour pre-study internship in mechanical engineering or applied materials science

Three good reasons for doing a pre-study internship:

• You really understand technology. Machines, materials and manufacturing processes are no longer just theory for you, but tangible practice.
• You will start your studies with confidence. Prior knowledge will make it easier for you to get started with lectures, laboratories and projects.
• You will make a confident decision. You will get to know typical areas of responsibility and know whether mechanical engineering or applied materials science is right for you.

Important: We also recognise previous professional experience. 

You must learn at least two of the following areas to ensure that your studies are relevant to practical applications:

• Manual working techniques (e.g. filing, sawing metals or plastics).
• Machining techniques (e.g. turning, milling).
• Non-cutting shaping or heat treatment.
• Joining techniques (e.g. welding, soldering).
• Laboratory work (chemistry or physics laboratory).

Yes, the internship is considered to have been completed if you:

- have a technical college entrance qualification in a relevant subject area (e.g. metal technology, electrical engineering, physics, chemistry or biology),

- or have completed a relevant internship as part of your school education,

- or have completed relevant vocational training in the following areas:

• Manual working techniques on metals, plastics and/or other materials.
• Machine working techniques (machining, non-cutting forming).
• Joining and assembly techniques.
• Electrical installation, electrical machines, switching and measuring devices.
• Servicing communication technology components.
• Assembly and maintenance of machines, devices and systems.
• Measurement and testing as well as fault analysis.
• Control and regulation technology, electronics.
• Operational services in the hardware and software area.
• Business development and organisation of work processes.
• Tool, fixture and gauge construction.
• Surface treatment.
• Development, design or testing.
• Quality assurance and work preparation.
• Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Your company will provide you with a signed internship certificate stating the company name, address, duration and activities. You should submit this either directly with your application for a place at university or by the fourth semester at the latest. 

You can prove your previous professional experience by uploading your vocational school certificate or school internship certificates with your application for a degree programme or by submitting them by the fourth semester at the latest.

If you would like to know in advance whether the internship will be recognised, simply contact our specialist advisors directly.

We want to offer you maximum flexibility so that the internship fits into your life plan:

• Splitting possible: You can split the 6 weeks into several sections and complete them at different companies.
• Location choice: You can do your internship anywhere in Germany or even abroad.
• Extension of deadline: In justified exceptional cases, the deadline for providing proof can be postponed until the beginning of the 5th semester upon request.

If you want to search in Germany, here are a few tips for your research:

• meinpraktikum.de
• praktikumsstellen.de
• stepstone.de
• kimeta.de

Tips for the German job market:

• Pay: As this is a mandatory internship, there is no legal entitlement to minimum wage. However, many companies pay an expense allowance on a voluntary basis.
• Holidays: This depends on your individual contract with the company.

If you come from a country outside the EU and have questions about your residence status while doing an internship in Germany, please contact our International Office. 

We are here for you! Just contact the advisory service. We look forward to welcoming you soon to our campus in Bochum!