Internships in London

Due to the legal situation, the Goethe-Institut can currently only employ interns who meet one of these requirements:

• Visa through the Erasmus Programme (the Goethe-Institut will support you in putting together the necessary documents in the case of an internship confirmation)
• Pre-Settled or Settled Status according to the UK EU settlement scheme
• Indefinite leave to remain
• British or Irish citizenship

Apply by 1.10.2021
 

Period	Department
10.01.2022–14.04.2022	Teacher Services
10.01.2022–14.04.2022	Information and Library
10.01.2022–14.04.2022	Language Course Office
10.01.2022–14.04.2022	Culture
10.01.2022–14.04.2022	Administration

If you would like to apply for an internship at the Goethe-Institut London, please fill in and submit the online application form.

Online Application Form

Please note: You can only apply for an internship during the periods stated above. By receiving your application we presume that you are available to start on the given date although the end date may be more flexible after discussion with the relevant department.

Applications intended for dates other than those stated above can unfortunately not be considered.

It is essential that you remain an enrolled university student for the entire duration of the internship in order to be eligible. Please apply by 1.10.2021.

We look forward to receiving your application!


 

To complete an internship at the Goethe-Institut London applicants are required to:

• Have very good German language knowledge (minimum level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• Have good knowledge of the language of the host country
• Have started a university degree (being in at least the 3rd semester) in humanities, business administration, law or information sciences which will result in a diploma, master’s degree, bachelor’s degree, PGCE or postdoctoral qualification
• Be willing to take on a full-time internship with an average of 39 working hours per week

We offer internships in the following departments: Language Course Office, Teacher Services, Culture Department, Administration as well as Information and Library Services.

The different tasks and requirements for these departments are described in the corresponding sections below. Language courses and exams constitute an important part of the work of the Goethe-Institut UK. We offer language courses in London and Glasgow.

Information & library

The internship in the library lasts at least 3 months. Since we receive many enquiries about completing internships in the Information and Library Services department, applicants who have to complete an internship as part of a communication, media or library and documentation studies degree will be given priority.

In the Information and Library department we offer interns the chance to:

• Get an insight into the Goethe-Institut’s work in information services
• Co-develop digital formats for project and events work
• Contribute to the development of our online portal goethe.de/uk
• Contribute to projects concerning promotion of translation, information sharing and networking
• Support the Institut’s social media activities
• Support and get to know the Institut’s press and public relations work
• Advise visitors and carry out research independently
• Get to know the internal library system

We expect from interns in the Information and Library department:

• Basic knowledge of librarianship, information management or digital media and communication
• Creativity and conceptual participation
• Very good command of English and German
• Affinity to Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Good knowledge of the multimedia media scene
• Willingness to complete routine tasks
• Willingness to work flexible hours
• An open and friendly manner

Language course office

The Language Course Office organises language courses of all levels for adults and conducts language exams which are accredited worldwide. We advise our customers about courses and exams in person, over the telephone and via email. Our activities additionally include compiling advertising and teaching materials.

Interns in the Language Course Office can:

• Get an insight into the language course department e.g. by helping with course enrollment, customer service and the Institut’s centralized examinations
• Create promotional materials
• Occasionally observe language lessons (please note this internship does not have a focus on lesson observation)
• Help plan and carry out supplementary activities for language course participants
• Take part in language department meetings and where required contribute to projects of the Teacher Services department

We expect from our interns:

• A distinct interest in theoretical and practical aspects of German as a Foreign Language
• Willingness to work with German teachers and course participants
• Willingness to provide customer service
• Willingness to work independently
• Willingness to carry out routine tasks
• Very good English language skills
• Very good computer skills (MS Office: confident use of Excel, Word and PowerPoint), experience with layout and graphics packages would be an advantage
• Willingness to work flexible hours

teacher services

The purpose of the Teacher Services department is to promote the teaching of German as a foreign language in primary and secondary schools in England and Wales. To this end, we work together with British partners as well as representatives of other European countries. We sit on committees, cooperate on projects, implement language policy, plan training courses, put on events, distribute teaching materials, advise teachers, create promotional materials and provide information over the internet.

In the Teacher Services Department interns are offered:

• An insight in to the British school system
• The opportunity to plan and carry out activities for schools
• The chance to adopt their own set of duties to be undertaken independently
• The opportunity to plan and carry out promotional activities e.g. exhibitions
• Participation in meetings of the language department and when necessary contribution to language course projects

We expect from our interns:

• An interest in education policy/educational issues in the host country
• Willingness to work with school pupils
• Willingness to carry out work independently
• Willingness to carry out routine tasks
• Very good English language skills
• Very good computer skills (MS Office: confident use of Excel, Word and PowerPoint), experience with layout and graphics packages would be an advantage

culture

As part of its cultural collaboration work the Goethe-Institut facilitates dialog, meetings and exchange between artists and academics from Germany and Great Britain concerning developments and tendencies of significant importance. This is enabled particularly by the cultural events programme organised by the Goethe-Institut and its cultural partners but also through informal meetings with the country’s artists and intellectuals. The focus of the Culture Department is contemporary culture from Germany.

The internship in the Culture Department lasts at least 3 months.

In the Culture Department we offer interns:

• An insight into the drafting and implementation of German-British cultural collaboration
• Assistance with the organisational preparations and execution of the cultural programme in the areas of literature, exhibitions, film and media, music, dance and theatre
• Where possible, the opportunity to take on individual tasks to be completed largely independently

We expect from our interns:

• Good knowledge of the German culture scene
• Very good English skills
• Willingness to complete routine tasks
• Willingness to work flexible hours

administration

The administration department of a Goethe-Institut is responsible for the areas of finance (budgeting), controlling, personnel management and support, personnel and contract law as well as property administration. The Goethe-Institut London is the leading institute for the area of North West Europe and as such steers and supports the work of all institutes in the region.

Students or graduates of public or business administration may apply.
An internship in the administration department lasts at least 2 months.

Interns in the administration department will gain an insight into these tasks through involvement in:

• Planning, developing and monitoring the budget of a Goethe-Institut
• Human resources including contract drafting and wage and salary calculation
• Building maintenance and facility management
• Deployment planning, personnel management and development
• Accounting with the aid of SAP as well as the Goethe-Institut’s internal financial systems
• Structures and procedures of the organisation
• Regional coordination tasks

Interns in the administration department stand out by having:

• A willingness to contribute practically to administration, service and organisational tasks
• Experience with IT applications (Microsoft Office and SAP amongst others)
• An open, friendly manner and ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Good English language skills
• Willingness to work flexible hours and to take on routine tasks

So that we can reach a decision quickly and smoothly, we would ask you to only apply to the positions advertised above (in “Positions, Duration and Dates”).

To do so please fill out the online application form in German and submit this directly to our Goethe-Institut. Please note that you must be enrolled as a university student for the entirety of the internship in order to be eligible.

Online Application Form

Please attach the following documents to your application:

• CV
• Certificates of exam results
• Letter of recommendation (from a university lecturer. The letter should be maximum one A4 sheet of paper and should give a personal impression of your academic performance, should confirm that the internship is part of your course and should explain why you are suitable for an international internship)
• Certificate of enrolment from your university

We are unable to accept applications submitted without all required documentation.

From the 1st of September 2016 an expense allowance of €300 gross per calendar month will be paid for internships of at least 4 weeks. For periods of internships which do not cover a whole month, a pro rata payment will be made. This is an expense allowance which is to be used principally to cover partial travel and accommodation expenses.

Please check before you start your internship that you are fully covered by your health insurance provider in Germany. Please check that you also have accident insurance for the duration of your internship.
 

Due to the related costs and the time consuming nature of obtaining a visa the Goethe-Institut London is not in a position to apply for visas on behalf of interns.

Please establish beforehand if you require a visa or a work permit. More information about visas and work permit requirements can be found here:

Britische Botschaft Berlin
Working in the UK

The Goethe-Institut London is located in South Kensington. Details can be found on our  directions webpage.
The nearest tube station is South Kensington on the Picadilly line (dark blue), District line (green) and Circle line (yellow).

London has five airports: City, Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted. The Eurostar is a good alternative.

DAAD Travel Grants
The German Academic Exchange Service offers, under specific conditions, travel grants to German nationals for internships of over 2 months in duration. After being accepted for an internship we send interns a confirmation letter which must be enclosed with applications to the DAAD.
German Academic Exchange Service

London is undoubtedly one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Some information about living costs in London:

• Rental prices: A room in a shared flat costs from £130 per week according to location and quality of furnishings
• Transport costs: a monthly travel card for Zone 1 and 2 costs £126.80 however there are reductions for students in certain cases. Further information can be found on the transport for London website
• Other/board: supermarkets, bars and restaurants are significantly more expensive than in Germany (and also than in other cities in the UK)

Finding Accommodation
Although we can be of some help with finding accommodation, interns are responsible for finding their own place to stay. We can also post a ‘room wanted’ advert on our notice board for students who have been accepted for an internship (shortly before the start date).
Below is a list of websites which our previous interns found very helpful (the Goethe-Institut is liable neither for the accuracy nor the completeness of the information on these websites)

Spare Room
Student Housesharing
Move Flat
AirBnB

At the end of your internship, you are obliged to write a report which serves as the basis of confirming the completion of your internship.

As a rule, an evaluation of the internship is not completed but can be compiled if required. Please request this letter of evaluation in plenty of time with the internship supervisor. It is not a legal requirement to provide such a report.