FAQ - The most frequently asked questions at a glance

Prospective students are advised to complete the entire introductory practicum before the start of their studies. Failure to follow this recommendation may result in significant delays in the course of study, as the periods between classes are taken up by exams, exam preparation, and intensive review of lecture material. Furthermore, completing the introductory practicum before the start of the program is advisable because it enhances understanding of the coursework right from the first semesters.

The entire basic internship must be approved in order to register for module exams or partial assessments for all modules scheduled according to the study plan of the respective degree program starting with the third semester (inclusive). Please note that the Internship Office may require several weeks to review your application. The Internship Office can only guarantee that your application will be reviewed in time for the winter semester exams if it is submitted by December 1 at the latest. Exams in modules offered by the Department of Economics may be taken without proof of completion of the basic internship. Similarly, course credits may be earned in all modules without proof of completion of the basic internship, in accordance with Section 8(15) of the Examination Regulations.

Given the specialized roles students are expected to pursue, the professional internship should primarily be completed in the later semesters of the program. However, relevant work experience gained before the start of the program or during the first few semesters may also be credited toward the professional internship if the content aligns with the program’s requirements. The specialized internship is not a prerequisite for registering for the bachelor’s thesis. It may also be completed after the bachelor’s thesis. If the specialized internship is the final academic requirement in the bachelor’s program, the date on which the application for recognition is submitted marks the completion date of the bachelor’s program.

The internship may be divided into several segments, including at different companies. Where possible, the internship period at a single company should last at least 4 weeks. Shorter periods are permitted but are not recommended due to the time required for orientation.

You may apply for credit no later than 6 months after the internship ends (or after a specific phase of the internship ends, if the internship is divided into several phases). To do so, you must answer the reflection questions about the internship, upload a complete and accurate internship certificate, and apply for recognition by submitting the application via the online portal.

For internships completed before the start of studies, the 6-month period begins on October 1 of the first academic semester, meaning that the complete documentation for recognition must be submitted by the end of March of the following year.

Be sure to allow plenty of time for your internship certificate to be reviewed and your internship to be approved. The processing time at the Internship Office can take several weeks. If you are in your third semester and need the approved internship to register for exams, you should submit your complete documents by December 1. Although late submission is possible, we cannot guarantee that the internship will be approved by the exam registration deadline!

The knowledge of manufacturing processes to be imparted during the internship, the observation of efficient work practices, and an understanding of the social aspects of the work process can only be acquired in medium-sized and large industrial enterprises, as well as in companies that operate extensive technical facilities. These include, in particular, companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sectors, the automotive industry, and the electrical and information technology sectors. For the basic internship, the company should not only be fundamentally suitable but also recognized by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce as a training provider. Engineering firms and research institutions may also be considered for certain components of the specialized internship.

The following are generally not suitable and are therefore not permitted—regardless of their size – craft businesses in the maintenance and service sectors that do not engage in manufacturing in the industrial sense (e.g., auto repair shops or craft businesses whose services are primarily provided on-site at the customer’s construction site). Furthermore, businesses owned by relatives, as well as supervision within the business by relatives, are not permitted.

You can find current internship opportunities on the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s website and on TU Dortmund University’s job portal, stellenwerk, among other places.

Since positions for introductory internships are generally not advertised, it is best to contact the companies directly (e.g., by phone) and specifically inquire about the possibility of completing an introductory internship. To verify apprenticeship positions, you can contact the relevant Chamber of Industry and Commerce or the career counseling service at the Employment Agency. The Internship Office does not arrange internship placements nor does it maintain a list of potential companies.

For further assistance (e.g., a review of your application materials), the Employment Agency’s university team and the Career Service at TU Dortmund University’s stellenwerk are available to help.

The University of Duisburg-Essen has compiled numerous tips on finding internships and applying for them in its handbook “Successful Applications for Internships.”

The Internship Office does not issue personalized certificates for mandatory internships. It also does not sign pre-formulated forms provided by companies. Students themselves must inform the company or the social security agency whether their internship is a required internship or a voluntary internship. An informational letter to be submitted to the company is available under “Downloads.”

All absences—such as those due to vacation, exams, illness, company holidays, long weekends, strikes, or lockouts—must be made up. The only exception is public holidays at the internship site; these do not need to be made up. In the event of absences, the intern should request a contract extension from the host company in order to be able to complete the internship period that has already begun without interruption. It is possible to make up for absences through overtime or work on Saturdays; however, this must be explicitly confirmed in the internship certificate.

Activities can only be recognized if they fall within the areas of activity specified in the internship guidelines. Please familiarize yourself thoroughly with the internship guidelines before beginning your internship and discuss your planned activities with the company during your interview. The training plan provides an initial overview of the areas of activity. In Appendices 1 through 4 of the internship guidelines, you will find detailed information and examples of which activities correspond to which areas of activity. Please also note the information regarding the minimum and maximum durations for individual areas of activity, as well as the requirement to complete a minimum number of different areas of activity.

Completing an internship abroad is strongly recommended; however, it must comply with all provisions of the internship guidelines. If the internship certificate is not written in German or English, a certified translation must be submitted along with the original.

The host company issues the intern a certificate of internship on original company letterhead. The required information for the certificate of internship can be found in Appendix 5 of the Internship Guidelines.

The internship certificate must be signed and stamped by the company to be considered valid.

Digitally inserted scans of signatures and electronic signatures on a tablet will NOT be accepted!

Digital signatures (meaning signatures based on an asymmetric cryptosystem) are accepted if they can be verified. In the case of digital signatures, please do not scan them; instead, upload the original file.

After the Internship Office reviews your application, you will be notified by email of the number of weeks that have been recognized. In the Moodle course , you can also check at any time under “Grades” to see how many weeks have already been recognized.

Basic or specialized internships that have been fully recognized prior to October 1, 2024, are listed as passed coursework in the Campus Portal. These are not visible in the Moodle course.

To ensure prompt processing of all applications, please refrain from making individual inquiries regarding the status of your application. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Thank you for your understanding!

Only completed general internships (6 weeks) and completed specialized internships (12 weeks) will be entered into the Campus Portal as course credits.

After your application has been reviewed in the Moodle course, the entry will typically be made in the Campus Portal within one week.

Once the general internship is marked as passed in the Campus Portal, you can register for exams starting in the 3rd semester.

For a successfully completed specialized internship, you will receive 12 credit points (PO 2019) or 14 credit points (PO 2026), which are also taken into account when meeting the prerequisites for registering for the bachelor’s thesis (including a minimum of 165 LP (PO 2019) or 160 LP (PO 2026); see PO § 19(2)).

Effective October 1, 2026, the 2026 Internship Policy will automatically apply to ALL students (PO 2019 + PO 2026); no application is required.

Activities primarily aimed at earning income, for which the employer does not explicitly certify in its letter of recommendation that they constitute an internship, but which nevertheless contribute to training within the meaning of this guideline, may be credited provided they are carried out in the fields of activity listed here and at suitable employers. Activities as a student or research assistant (SHK/WHF) at universities are not recognized. A certificate based on Appendix 5 is required, with the additional specification of the total number of hours worked during the contract period.

For recognition purposes, please upload the certificate to the Moodle course under “Substitute Periods and Exceptions.”

Depending on the vocational training program and the chosen degree program, completed vocational training may be credited toward specific fields of work on a weekly basis or, as a lump sum, toward the entire basic or specialized internship. To have these credits recognized, you must contact the Internship Office before submitting your request for recognition via the Moodle course. Please describe the situation in an email and attach scans of the following documents: the company’s training certificate, the vocational school’s exam certificate, and the certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

Weird question? You’re right! You shouldn’t be asking yourself this question! But if you’re thinking about it anyway, here’s the answer:

When applying for recognition, you must certify under oath that you have completed the internship. For your information, please note the following in advance: Anyone who intentionally violates a provision of a university examination regulation concerning deception regarding examination performance is committing an administrative offense. This administrative offense may be punishable by a fine of up to €50,000. The administrative authority responsible for prosecuting and penalizing such offenses is the Chancellor of the Technical University of Dortmund. In the event of repeated or other serious attempts at cheating, the examinee may also be expelled. Making a false affidavit is punishable by imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine. The Technical University of Dortmund may use electronic comparison tools (such as the “Turnitin” software) to investigate administrative offenses in examination procedures.