Supporting Documentation for Internships

If you are planning an internship in Europe, the Careers Centre can provide you with the legal documentation you may need.  

Supporting documentation is available for current, fully enrolled students, who start their internship before graduation. The University cannot sign supporting documentation if you have completed your course of study and are arranging an internship in a personal capacity. 

The University of St Andrews provides standard documents, including a Letter of Support, which are accepted by most organisations. However, the University cannot sign host organisation versions of these documents or other internship agreements.

Please note that these documents take time to complete. Ensure you have enough time before you start your internship.  

Types of supporting documentation 

The documentation you need depends on the country your internship is in: 

  • Convention de Stage (‘internship agreement’) – France (and some other European countries). To be completed in both French and English.
  • Convenio De Colaboración (‘collaboration agreement’) – Spain. To be completed in both Spanish and English.
  • Tripartite agreement – any other European country 

Sometimes these documents have other names. We recommend you check with your host organisation about what documentation they require. 

These documents must be signed by you, the internship provider, and the University of St Andrews. They state: 

  • the dates of the internship 
  • the general tasks of the intern 
  • that the internship is supported by the University. 

These documents are formal agreements that outline responsibilities for all parties. Host organisations often need them for legal reasons, such as processing wages and managing social security.

Letters of Support

If your host organisation requires proof that you study at the University of St Andrews, you may need a Letter of Support, which the Careers Centre can provide. Alternatively, you can download your Student Status letter from MySaint, which is often sufficient.

Requesting and completing supporting documentation 

  1. Email careerexperiences@st-andrews.ac.uk for a blank document at least one month before the start of your internship. State your level of study, the name of the company you are interning with, the country where you are interning and what type of document you require.
  2. You and the internship provider complete and sign your sections of the document and email it back to careerexperiences@st-andrews.ac.uk . Please return the document as a word document. A PDF is acceptable if a word document format is not possible.  
  3. The Careers Centre signs the document on behalf of the University and returns it to you. This may take up to ten working days.  

Insurance cover 

Ensure you have personal and health insurance in place before working abroad. The University’s insurance policy will not cover you. 

Visas

Ensure you have acquired the correct visa or any other documentation you need to be able to undertake your incredible opportunity. 

Resources

Resources to help you prepare for undertaking an international experience: