Do any German universities include a compulsory internship in their finance programmes that I can join?
Yes. HWR Berlin's master's in International Finance needs an internship of at least 6 months, ISM requires 20 weeks at bachelor's level and 12 weeks on its 120 ECTS MSc Finance, and WHU asks for at least six weeks. Check the language and placement support.
Germany has several finance programmes where an internship is part of the degree, and applied sciences universities usually emphasise practical training the most. You should check whether the programme is taught in English, because some of the best known practical degrees run in German.
German finance programmes with a built-in internship
| University | Programme type | Internship requirement |
|---|---|---|
| HWR Berlin | Master's in International Finance | Applicants need an internship of at least 6 months on a financial topic; if not already completed, it can be done in the third semester, which extends the degree to four semesters |
| ISM | BSc Finance and Management; MSc Finance | 20 weeks of internships at bachelor's level; at master's level 12 weeks on the 120 ECTS version and 6 weeks on the 90 ECTS version |
| WHU | Master in Finance | Mandatory internship of at least six weeks after the second semester; confirm the rule for your track |
| HHL Leipzig | Master in Finance | Mandatory internship on the advanced track; voluntary on the 15-month fast track |
| Pforzheim University | BSc Controlling, Accounting and Financial Management | Mandatory 100-day internship in the fifth semester; this bachelor's is German-taught |
Questions to ask before you pick a programme
- Does the university arrange the internship, or must you find the employer yourself?
- Is the internship paid, and are international students allowed to take it under their residence permit?
- Is the programme fully in English, and what German level do employers expect?
- Does the university hold employer partnerships with banks and financial institutions?
- How many credits does the internship carry, and does it delay graduation?
My Advice
A compulsory internship is not a job guarantee, so ask each department how many international students found a finance placement last year. Use the DAAD programme database to filter English-taught courses, and read the internship regulations of the exact degree, not the university home page. If you need a placement in English, shortlist the master's options first and treat German-taught bachelor's programmes as a longer plan that needs language study.
This information is available on: daad.de, hwr-berlin.de, ism.de, whu.edu, hhl.de, hs-pforzheim.de
Looking for a specific course in Germany?
We will find the universities that offer it, and whether you will get in.
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