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Will universities pay for work done during internships or placements in France for a Master's?

31 Aug 2026 · Answered by Saru Sharma · 2 min read
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No, your university does not pay you for a French internship. Your host company pays instead, and once your placement exceeds two months, French law requires a minimum monthly stipend of roughly EUR 650 to 660, plus partial transport reimbursement and meal voucher access.

Saru Sharma
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No, your university will not pay you for the work you do during a French internship, since any stipend comes directly from your host company, not the institution. Your university's role is administrative, signing the required internship agreement, while the payment rules themselves are set by French labour law.

France's Internship Pay Rules

Internship LengthPayment Rule
2 months or lessPayment is optional and left to the company's discretion
More than 2 months (over 309 hours)Company must legally pay a minimum stipend of roughly EUR 650 to 660 per month
Extra benefits over 2 monthsPartial transport reimbursement, such as 50 percent of a Navigo pass, plus meal voucher access

Your University's Role In The Process

  • Your university must sign the convention de stage, the mandatory three party agreement outlining your tasks, hours, and stipend.
  • While it will not pay your salary, your university or regional bodies may help coordinate mobility grants such as Erasmus+ funding for international placements.

My Advice

Before you accept any placement offer, check its exact duration against the two month, 309 hour threshold, and if it crosses that line, confirm the stipend amount in writing through your convention de stage before you sign anything.

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