University internships – an ideal start

The Federal Administration offers a wide range of internships for university graduates and students. You will gain valuable on-the-job experience, expand your network and help shape Switzerland with your knowledge.

Many different degrees are sought after

Overall, the Federal Administration offers more than 600 internships every year. Talented individuals from a wide range of academic disciplines are sought:

• Mathematics and IT
• Engineering sciences
• Natural and environmental sciences
• Law
• Economics
• Social sciences
• Applied linguistics and language and information sciences
• Historical and cultural sciences
• Medicine, health and sport

Please refer to the relevant job advertisement to find out what specialist background is required for the individual internships.

Organisational information

You can find internships based in Switzerland throughout the year on the jobs portal. In addition to the various administrative units of the Federal Administration, the federal courts, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland and Parliamentary Services also offer university internships.

Internships at Swiss embassies and consulates general abroad are advertised separately. More information

Internship duration:

• Maximum 12 months after Bachelor's or Master's degree
• Maximum 6 months (during Bachelor's programme)

Work-time percentage: normally 80% to 100%

What we consider important:

• Good knowledge of two of the three official languages (in some cases also English)
• Interdisciplinary thinking
• Sense of responsibility

What you need to know

• Your degree must have been completed no more than 18 months prior to the start of the internship (the date on your degree certificate is decisive). Exceptions may be made in cases of maternity leave or military or civilian service.
• Your degree may have been completed more than 18 months ago if you are enrolled at a university, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology or university of applied sciences at the start of the internship.
• A maximum of 12 months of internship(s) may be completed in the Federal Administration.
• Short-term (less than 6 months) and unpaid internships are not possible.

Internship salaries at the Federal Administration

During a bachelor's degree
Duration: max. 6 months
Salary (1/12): CHF 2,875/month

After a bachelor's degree
Duration: max. 12 months
Salary (1/12): CHF 4,020/month

After a master's degree or doctorate
Duration: max. 12 months
Salary (1/12): CHF 4,500/month

The salaries listed apply to internships in Switzerland.

Direct access

In the case of some jobs, it is also possible to start directly in a permanent position. You can find out more about the respective requirements in the job advertisements. The contact person mentioned in the advertisement will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Theses

It is sometimes possible to write a Master's or final thesis as part of an internship. Some administrative units offer students jobs or supervision for final theses even without an internship, provided these are directly related to the task area of the administrative unit.

Spontaneous applications

All internship positions are advertised on the jobs portal. Spontaneous applications are occasionally possible. The following list shows which administrative units accept spontaneous applications and who you can contact.

• Administrative unit contacts for spontaneous applications

  • Address lists for university internships and theses

    (only available in German)

    PDF2.35 MB28 January 2026

What former interns have to say

Five employees share how they successfully entered the workforce through university internships.