Where can I get company internship experience while studying mechanical engineering in the Netherlands?
Yes, but not as a guaranteed placement year. The University of Twente includes a 15 EC industry or research internship in its mechanical engineering master's, TU Delft's master's has an internship option, and Fontys builds company projects into its four-year bachelor's. Confirm the exact rules for your programme.
Dutch universities usually offer an internship, a company-based graduation project or applied projects with firms, rather than a guaranteed paid placement year like a UK sandwich degree. Which route you get depends on the university, the degree level and your specialisation, so compare them before you apply.
Where mechanical engineering students get industry exposure in the Netherlands
| University | Level | Industry route on the official page |
|---|---|---|
| University of Twente | Master's and bachelor's | Master's includes a 15 EC industry or research internship (roughly 10 weeks); the bachelor's has a 10-week company internship minor in year 3 |
| TU Delft | Master's | The master's has an internship option at a company, university or institute in the Netherlands or abroad; the bachelor's has no internship option |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | Master's | See the official page |
| Fontys University of Applied Sciences | Bachelor's | Four-year, fully English-taught programme with industry projects and laboratory work |
What to ask before you choose a programme
- Is the internship compulsory, optional or only possible as part of a thesis, and how many credits does it carry?
- Who finds the company: you, the university or a career office?
- Is the internship paid? Ask in writing, since the company sets any allowance.
- What does the university require for international students, including the internship agreement signed by you, the university and the company, and any permit questions?
- Which firms recruit from the programme, and how many students found placements last year?
My Advice
If hands-on experience is the main goal, compare Twente and Fontys first because their internship structure is the easiest to see on their pages. For a master's with an internship option, compare Twente and TU Delft, and check TU Eindhoven's own page. Ask the international office about permit rules before you accept any placement.
This information is available on: utwente.nl, tudelft.nl, fontys.nl
Looking for a specific course in Netherlands?
We will find the universities that offer it, and whether you will get in.
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