Internships at Deutsche Welle

Thank you for taking the time to read through the requirements before submitting your online application.

For DW careers (German only) please click here: Karriere

General requirements for interns:

• you must be enrolled at least in your 3rd semester
• you already have initial work experience (TV for Berlin and multimedia for Bonn) and have the necessary language skills for the preferred editorial department
• if you live in Germany: you have a valid work permit (where applicable)
• some basic German skills are desired
• if you apply from abroad: a basic knowledge of requirements for working in Germany 

Your application (in German or English) must include: 

• letter of motivation stating your preferred time frame and department  - show us that you have informed yourself extensively about what DW stands for, its departments, what our mission is and what our values are!
• complete CV, including your current address, birth date, place of birth and current status (student, graduate, scholarship holder, mandatory internship, etc.)
• for students: confirmation of enrollment relevant for the preferred time frame of the internship (and, if applicable, proof of mandatory internship, such as a letter from your university or an excerpt of the study guidelines)
• for graduates: your latest/ highest diploma/ certificates
• --> for documents in foreign languages, kindly send a certified translation in English or German for the relevant authorities to accept them
• published work samples (max. three; please embed links, no data files)
• official language certificates (TOEFL, IELTS, etc) if the desired internship is in a foreign language department. A mere language course attendance certificate cannot be accepted. A basic German language knowledge is mandatory for most internships at DW. The language editorial departments require mother tongue language skills.
• if applicable: a copy of your visa/residence or work permit (and the "Zusatzblatt") and a copy of your passport (in order to apply for a pre-consent from the Federal Labor Office and the correct spelling of your name)
• if applicable: you may attach a recommendation letter but only if it is explicitly relevant for this application

Please be aware that only complete applications, submitted via our online application system, can be accepted and taken into consideration. 

General organizational information:

Internship placements at Deutschen Welle are generally possible in almost all areas and languages.

Our editorial departments create online multimedia content in 30 languages in our offices in Bonn and our television productions  in Berlin.

Internships at Deutsche Welle last between one to six months and start on the first working day of the month. We try to involve you as much as possible in the department’s daily routine. Taking on journalistic or editorial tasks depends on the journalistic experience you already have. Internships are temporary full-time employments which do not result in permanent future employment. Kindly note that if you live outside of Germany, separate conditions apply: after receiving a positive reply, the administrative process may take up to at least twp or three months. 

Deutsche Welle internships are paid internships. The remuneration is defined in relation to your qualifications and starts at 310 Euros gross per month (excluding mandatory internships); it is subject to taxes and social security deductions. Before applying, kindly clarify, if you own sufficient financial resources in order to bear the costs of living (e.g. travel expenses, travel insurance, accommodation, broadcasting fees etc. and, if applicable, social security fees, taxes and health insurance). Kindly note that interns are responsible for organizing a valid visa and are therefore required to supply neccessary documents and arrange appointments in advance. Please only arrange agreements on relocating (travel booking, accommodation, etc.) once you have received a valid visa. Interns are expected to organize their travel and living arrangements abroad autonomously. Therefore applicants should allow for sufficient time to research on living and working in Germany (kindly inform yourself about requirements such as the German social security system, the tax system, mandatory broadcasting fees, etc).