How much work experience is considered for master's applications, and does my one-month internship count in Germany?

Your one-month internship does count toward your master's application in Germany, and you should list it on your CV, but how much weight it carries depends on the type of program you are targeting. Most consecutive master's degrees do not require work experience at all, while specialised or MBA-style programs look for something very different. Understanding this distinction will help you present your internship correctly.

How Your Experience Is Weighed by Program Type

What to Check Before You Apply

• Look up the Zugangsvoraussetzungen, or admission requirements, on your target program's page via uni-assist or the university portal
• Check whether the program specifies a Vorpraktikum and how many weeks or months it demands
• Keep your internship certificate, the Praktikumszeugnis, ready to support your CV entry
• If there is no strict minimum-duration rule, list your internship under a Professional Experience or Internships section and describe the concrete skills you gained

My Advice

Before you finalise your application list, pull up the exact admission requirements page for each program you are targeting and search specifically for the word Vorpraktikum, since this single check tells you whether your one-month internship is sufficient or needs topping up with another short placement. If your target field is art, design, social work, or a specific engineering track, plan a second short internship now so you are not scrambling closer to the deadline.