Internships in London
For university students

The Language Department consists of the Educational Services and the Language Course Department.

The purpose of the Educational Services Department is to promote the teaching of German as a foreign language in primary and secondary schools in the United Kingdom. To this end, we work in cooperation with British partners as well as representatives from other European countries. We sit on committees, collaborate on projects, implement language policy, organise training courses, run events, distribute teaching materials, advise teachers, create promotional resources, and provide information via the internet.

The Language Course Office organises language courses at all levels and conducts language examinations that are recognised worldwide. We advise our clients on courses and exams in person, over the phone, and by email. Our work also includes compiling advertising and teaching materials.

We offer interns in the Language Department...

• Support for the Language Department team in planning and carrying out activities for schools
• Marketing tasks such as assisting with promotional exhibitions, social media, and website management
• Participation in departmental meetings
• Administrative tasks, e.g. preparing mailings and sending promotional materials to teachers, managing data, responding to email enquiries
• Providing information and advice about courses offered by the Goethe-Institut via email and telephone, both in German and English
• Support in the planning and administration of Goethe-Institut and TestDaF examinations
• Registering students in the Goethe-Institut’s database system
• Support for teachers and colleagues in the Language Course Office, particularly during the first two weeks and the end of the semester
• Liaising with teachers regarding the issuing of course participation certificates for students
• Organising and managing data collected from course evaluations
• A free German language course

We expect from our interns...

• An interest in education policy and educational topics in the UK
• An interest in the organisational processes of a language institute
• A willingness to work with school pupils
• A willingness to work with adult learners
• The ability to work independently
• German language skills at B2 level
• Very good computer skills (MS Office: confident use of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint); experience with content management systems and graphic/layout programmes would be an advantage

The Communications and Library Department at the Goethe-Institut London combines language promotion, media work and cultural exchange. The library is an open place to read, learn and meet - with books, films, audio books and the free eLibrary. Events such as book clubs, workshops and interactive formats bring culture to life.

Communications manages the website, public relations and social media, designs visual content and organises library events with partners. Together, the two areas promote and communicate the German-British cultural dialogue in a contemporary way.

We offer interns in the Communications and Library Department...

• Insight into the workings of an international library and the Institute's communications department
• Opportunity to actively participate in projects and events
• A dynamic and international team
• A free language course in German

We expect from our interns:

• Currently enrolled as a student in Marketing, Library and Information Studies, Cultural Studies, Arts Administration, or any other related field
• Interest in library work and intercultural exchange
• Familiarity with social media (Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and LinkedIn) and online marketing
• Good language skills in English, at least B2 level
• Preferably good knowledge of the German language, but not compulsory
• Creativity and conceptual skills
• A committed team player with a structured work approach
• Strong communication skills and customer orientation, especially regarding digital media

The Culture Department of the Goethe-Institut London supports exchange and understanding between cultural organisations and individuals in the UK, Germany, Europe and worldwide.

We support the presentation of German and European culture in the UK alongside fostering relationships and collaboration between the UK and Germany in bilateral programmes as well as wider, European programmes. We work across various areas and artforms including literature & translation, visual arts, film & media, music, dance and theatre.

Important topics for us are feminism, ecological sustainability, decolonialism and restitution, care, socially engaged arts practice, hybrid ecologies, art and future technologies, among others.

We offer interns in the Cultural Department...

• gain insight into the planning and implementation of pan-European and global cultural collaboration
• assist with the preparation, organisation and execution of cultural programmes and events
• support the communication / PR of the Culture Department’s programmes, with a focus on website management 
• acquire hard skills, such as working with CMS-systems
• acquire soft skills, such as networking or communication skills
• attend cultural programmes at the Goethe-Institut as well as hosted by partners across London and (occasionally) across the UK
• participate in internal meetings as well as in meetings with partners
• liaise with partners to collect and manage information about programmes and event
• A free language course in German

What we expect from our interns...

• a keen interest in culture and international collaboration
• an interest in the administrative / organisational / production aspects of culture
• a professional attitude and willingness to learn
• willingness to actively contribute ideas and perspective
• the ability to self-start and to carry out work independently
• good computer skills (MS Office: confident use of Excel, Word and PowerPoint), some experience with CMS and layout and graphics packages would be an advantage

Since Erasmus support for visa applications for interns in the UK ended in March 2023, we can currently only offer internships to students who meet at least one of the following conditions:

• You are studying at a UK university, and a compulsory work placement is part of your course programme
• You are studying at a university outside of the UK, a compulsory work placement is part of your course programme, and you hold British or Irish citizenship, have Pre-Settled or Settled Status under the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme, or have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK

Important note on Erasmus+ internships

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer Erasmus+ funded internships at the moment.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Possible start dates are in January, April, July and October.

Work placements can be completed for a period of three or six months and should start on one of the start dates listed above.

Part-time internships are possible.

The exact start and end dates can be adjusted after discussing them with the relevant department.

For a full-time internship of at least 4 weeks' duration, an allowance of €450 (approx. GBP 376) per full calendar month is granted. 

For a part-time internship of at least 4 weeks' duration, an allowance of €225 (approx. GBP 188) per full calendar month is granted. 

For internships that do not extend over the entire calendar month, the corresponding pro rata amount will be paid. This is an expense allowance that is primarily intended to cover a proportion of travelling and accommodation costs.

How to find us
The Goethe-Institut London is located in South Kensington. Details can be found on our Directions page.

The nearest tube station is South Kensington on the Piccadilly Line (Blue), District Line (Green) and Circle Line (Yellow).

Finding accommodation
Unfortunately, interns are responsible for finding their own accommodation, but we can help students who have already been accepted with a notice.

Below you will find a list of websites that our previous interns have found very helpful:

Applications for an work placement can be submitted using the online application form below. We will get back to the applicant as soon as possible. Please include documents such as your CV, a letter of reference, a certificate of enrolment or certificates with your application.