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If you are planning an international internship, the Careers Centre can provide you with the legal documentation you may need.  

Supporting documentation is available for current, fully enrolled students who start their internship before graduation. The University of ¾«¶«´«Ã½ cannot sign supporting documentation if you have completed your course of study.

The University provides standard documents, including a Letter of Support, which most organisations accept. These documents are suitable for internships with private companies, third-sector organisations, and NGOs. These documents are not suitable for an internship with an academic institution, such as a research internship at another university. 

The University cannot sign external documents, for example a host organisation's version of these documents or other internship agreements. The University of ¾«¶«´«Ã½ will only sign its own documents. 

The University of ¾«¶«´«Ã½ does not provide academic credit for internships and cannot sign any documentation to this effect.

Please note that these documents take time to complete. Ensure you have enough time before you start your internship.  

Types of supporting documentation 

The documentation you need depends on the country your internship is in: 

• Convention de Stage (‘internship agreement’) – France (and some other European countries). To be completed in both French and English.
• Convenio De Colaboración (‘collaboration agreement’) – Spain. To be completed in both Spanish and English.
• Tripartite agreement – any other country 

Sometimes these documents have other names. We recommend you check with your host organisation about what documentation they require. 

These documents must be signed by you, the internship provider, and the University of St Andrews. They state: 

• the dates of the internship 
• the general tasks of the intern 
• that the internship is supported by the University, but that the University has no responsibility or liability for the student during their internship. 

These documents are formal agreements that outline responsibilities for all parties. Host organisations often need them for legal reasons, such as processing wages and managing social security.

Letters of Support

If your host organisation requires proof that you study at the University of ¾«¶«´«Ã½, you may need a Letter of Support, which the Careers Centre can provide. Alternatively, you can download your Student Status letter from MySaint, which is often sufficient.

Requesting and completing supporting documentation 

1. Email careerexperiences@st-andrews.ac.uk for a blank document at least one month before the start of your internship. State your level of study, the name of the company you are interning with, the country where you are interning and what type of document you require.
2. You and the internship provider complete and sign your sections of the document and email it back to careerexperiences@st-andrews.ac.uk . Please return the document as a word document. A PDF is acceptable if a word document format is not possible.  
3. The Careers Centre signs the document on behalf of the University and returns it to you. This may take up to ten working days in a standard process.

Please be aware that as the student requesting the documentation, you have responsibility to ensure the documentation is correct and appropriate when it is submitted to the Careers Centre for review, including:

• typed – not handwritten
• written in English – the information must be provided in English as well as the host organisations preferred language
• you must request a new, blank document for each opportunity you undertake.  You cannot re-use a document you had from a previous opportunity. Documents are updated to comply with legal requirements.

Insurance cover 

Ensure you have personal and health insurance in place before working abroad. The University’s insurance policy will not cover you. 

Visas

Ensure you have acquired the correct visa or any other documentation you need to be able to undertake your incredible opportunity. 

Resources

Resources to help you prepare for undertaking an international experience:

• Book an appointment - we can't provide legal advice, but we can help you clarify the situation and identify the right questions to ask your host organisation. 
• Global Office - information about working and living abroad.
• GoinGlobal - information and advice about working internationally.
• Visa guidance during your studies.