Bachelor's students in BBE and BaWiSo (IBW major) can complete an internship (abroad) as part of their studies. In order for this to be recognized, administrative steps must be followed. The chronological order is explained step by step below.

1. Does my internship meet the requirements?

An internship gives you the chance to put the business skills you have learned during your studies into practice. Please read through the internship requirements to assess whether an employment is suitable. The job taken must be a qualified business position; part-time jobs are not suitable.

• If my future employer requests a confirmation from WU, where can I get it from?
  Please contact the team of the Study Information unit. They can confirm a voluntary internship within the framework of your bachelor studies.

• What does related to the content of the bachelor’s program mean?
  Any business and economics related internship positions are acceptable, however, interning as a barkeeper or yoga instructor cannot be confirmed.

• Can I split up my internship into two summers?
  No, the internship needs to take place for at least 6 (BBE students) or 8 (IBW students) successive weeks.

• Can an internship be approved that I completed in the past?
  No, your internship must take place in the summer before the internship seminar.

Your internship needs to fulfill certain criteria in order to be recognizeable:

• Full-time internship (approx. 38-40 hours per week)

• Related to the content of your bachelor‘s program (e.g. tasks in business contexts)

• BBE students: Minimum duration of six consecutive weeks

• IBW students (curriculum 2019): Minimum duration of six consecutive weeks, taking place outside of Austria and your country of origin.

• IBW students (curriculum 2023): Minimum duration of eight consecutive weeks, taking place outside of Austria and your country of origin.

Important: You can only receive credits, after completing the internship and the internship seminar.

BBE students:

• 1 ECTS credit can be recognized for each week of internship, up to a maximum of 8 ECTS credits.

• Together with the internship seminar (4 ECTS credits), 12 ECTS credits can be obtained, which are recognized via the free electives.

IBW students (curriculum BaWiSo 2019):

• 1 ECTS credit can be recognized for each internship week, up to a maximum of 8 ECTS credits.

• Together with the internship seminar (4 ECTS credits), 12 ECTS credits can be obtained. The ECTS credits for the internship weeks are recognized via the free electives, the ECTS credits for the internship seminar via the international elective.

•  You can fulfill the IBW international experience requirement by completing an internship abroad.

IBW students (curriculum BaWiSo 2023):

• Through the internship abroad (8 ECTS credits) and the internship seminar (4 ECTS credits), 12 ECTS credits can be recognized for the "International Experience" curriculum point.

• To obtain the remaining credits for the "International Experience" (20 ECTS credits), you can complete a semester abroad, an International Short Program or selected online courses.

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2. Before the internship

• The internship must be self-organized. If you need assistance with finding and applying to companies, the services of the WU ZBP Career Center can help you.

• Here are some aspects to consider during your internship search:

  • Does the advertised position meet the formal requirements?

  • Academic relevance: Is there a connection between the tasks in the internship and your studies (e.g., specializations, WU courses, academic interests, etc.)?

• If you have questions regarding the suitability of an internship, you can contact Professor Edith Littich (edith.littich@wu.ac.at).

• Next, you must have your internship approved before starting. Please fill out the form for the mandatory pre-approval of the internship.

Tip: Use the slides below to get an overview of the Internship Seminar and the administrative process.

• If you are planning an internship within Europe or selected Erasmus+ countries, you may be eligible for a grant. Further information can be found on this website.

• If you have any questions about financial support, the grants team at the International Office can help you.

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3. Obligatory internship approval form

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4. Complete the internship

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5. After the internship: To DOs in winter semester (or summer semester)

• Please note that we can only accept this form. Have it filled out and signed by your internship company. Then upload it to CANVAS. You will find information on this in the syllabus of the internship seminar.

• In the winter/summer semester following your internship, you must register for the internship seminar via LPIS (4 ECTS credits).

• In this seminar, you will present your internship report and reflect on the findings of your work experience with the teacher and fellow students.

• Information on dates and times can be found in the course catalog.

If my future employer requests a confirmation from WU, where can I get it from?

• BBE students should contact the BBE program coordinator at bbe@wu.ac.at. IBW students can reach out to the team of WU's Study Information unit (studieninfo@wu.ac.at). You can only receive confirmation of the internship option provided for in the curriculum. No confirmations can be issued for compulsory internships.

What does related to the content of the bachelor’s program mean?

• The internship must be related to the content of your studies and correspond to your university qualification. For example, a job in the catering industry, such as a waiter, would not be recognized.

Can I split up my internship into two summers?

• No, the internship needs to take place in consecutive weeks.

Can an internship that I completed in the past be approved?

• No, already completed internships may not be recognized.

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Contact

• BBE students please contact bbe@wu.ac.at in case of any questions

• IBW students please contact the International Office at wuio@wu.ac.at in case of any questions

• You can reach Prof. Edith Littich, the person responsible for the Internship Seminar, at edith.littich@wu.ac.at