Prior to your internship

Students enrolled in the Bachelor’s programme in Political Sciences and the Master’s programme in Political Science have a unique opportunity to gain qualified work experience during their studies. Think about which interests you want to develop during your internship, the kind of organisation you want to work with and the type work you would like to do. Decide if you want to undertake your internship in Sweden or abroad.

Getting an internship - step by step

Step 1

At the beginning of every term, the Department of Government holds an information meeting for students who are interested in undertaking an internship during the following term.

Step 2

Those interested in undertaking an internship during the following term send in their interest form.

Step 3

Now it is time for you to look for internships. There are several ways to do that:

browse the internship search engines on the internet
contact organisations that interest you
contact organisations where our students have previously interned
check the offers of/ads for internships collected on the Department of Government's website.

Internship applications often include a cover letter and a CV, but some host organisations require more documents, such as certificates and grade records. Always check with the organisation to determine which application documents they require.

Step 4

When the applications have been received, each organisation selects those students they find appropriate for an internship. With organisations in Sweden, this may be followed by an interview.

Step 5

Each organisation will decide on placements. When you have accepted a position, please supply the name of your supervisor/contact person to the Internship Coordinator, Marie Nylund.

Step 6

The department and the organisation will then sign an Internship Agreement, which includes the name of the supervisor and the proposed work assignments. The Internship Coordinator will send the agreement form and additional information to the organisation.

It is important to point out that it is the organisations that select which students they wish to host, and therefore it is not certain that every applicant will be offered the internship for which they have applied. Should anyone not get an internship because of the competition, or if no appropriate host organisation could be found, they may apply again the following term.

Practical issues

Period of time

The internship has to equal one academic term, which is 20 weeks. It is usually carried out during the term. However, it is possible to do the internship during the summer (or some part of it). The student has the right to five day’s holiday during the internship.

Funding

The internship is funded by the student, normally through a student loan. Students are entitled to apply for additional loans to cover travel costs and possible extra insurance costs. In exceptional cases, the organisation may contribute to interns’ fixed expenses (e.g. local travel, meals).

Scholarships

An internship (especially abroad) usually entails additional costs, and scholarships offer welcome extra income. Remember that some long-term planning in advance is essential when you apply for scholarships. Scholarships from Uppsala University or Student Nation are issued during internships as they are during course studies in Uppsala.

Erasmus Traineeships

Accommodation

Intern accommodations vary. It is normally up to students to find their own accommodation, although in some cases the organisation can offer assistance in this regard. Local universities sometimes offer affordable student accommodations. Also, students who have had internships in the same place in previous years may be able to offer advice.

Travel

Students cover their travel expenses between Uppsala and the place of the internship themselves. You can apply for additional student loans for travel expenses and possible additional insurance costs at CSN.

Insurance

As we are a member of the EU, students who are covered by the Swedish social insurance are entitled the same health care as the natives in each EU country. You need a health insurance card from Försäkringskassan to confirm this.

Interns working in a non-EU country are covered by STUDENT-UT insurance, based on Uppsala University’s insurance agreement with Kammarkollegiet. It gives practically full coverage for students abroad in terms of health care and accidents as well as liability and legal aid during their studies abroad. It also covers travel directly to and from the country/place of study and is valid two weeks before and after the course starts and finishes. Baggage insurance and property insurance while at the place of study are also included. Note that the insurance is valid only in the country in which your internship is carried out. If you travel to another country you will need additional insurance. See the insurance terms and conditions at Kammarkollegiet.

Visit Kammarkollegiet's website.

Help with your CV

Att skriva CV (in Swedish from the Swedish Public Employment Service)

Following your internship

Contact

More information can be found on a common university level

Student / Internationella möjligheter / Praktik och fältstudier