UIMP-TikTok Agreement 2026: key points for postgraduate students on internships

Key data

Postgraduate students at UIMP have had the opportunity since July 8, 2026 to conduct external academic internships at TikTok Information Technologies Spain, SL, under the framework agreement published in the BOE on July 20, 2026. The agreement is published in accordance with article 48.8 of the Law 40/2015, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector.

This type of agreement precisely defines what rights and obligations each party has: the university, the company, and the student. Knowing the exact conditions avoids misunderstandings about the legal nature of the relationship and available coverage in case of accident.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement is a framework accord between UIMP and TikTok Information Technologies Spain, SL, that regulates the general conditions under which postgraduate students can join the company to conduct external academic internships. Three modalities are provided:

• Curricular internships: integrated into the postgraduate study plan as a mandatory or elective part of the program.
• Extracurricular internships: voluntary, conducted outside the study plan, with a maximum limit of 50% of the academic year duration.
• Master's final projects: research or practical application work linked to the master's degree.

The agreement explicitly establishes that internships do not generate an employment relationship between the student and TikTok, nor do they obligate the company to assume Social Security contributions beyond what current regulations require at any given time.

Regarding compatibility with prior employment, students cannot have a prior employment contract with TikTok unless UIMP expressly authorizes it. This restriction seeks to prevent the internship agreement from being used to mask a preexisting employment relationship.

As for the consequences of eventual subsequent hiring, time spent on internships does not count as seniority at the company nor does it exempt the student from the probationary period if TikTok decides to hire them after completing the internship.

Coverage against accidents is limited to school insurance or insurance included in the master's program, depending on each student's specific case.

Economic and operational impact

For TikTok Information Technologies Spain, SL, this agreement represents the opportunity to incorporate postgraduate talent without assuming the labor costs of ordinary hiring. Since no employment relationship is generated, the company does not incur Social Security costs beyond what current regulations require in each case.

For students, internships do not generate accumulated labor rights: time in internships does not count as seniority and does not eliminate the probationary period in case of subsequent hiring. This is relevant when negotiating incorporation conditions if TikTok decides to hire the student upon completion of the internship.

From the perspective of risk coverage, responsibility for accidents is limited to school insurance or master's program insurance. Neither UIMP nor TikTok assume responsibility beyond that coverage, except as established by applicable regulations at any given time. Students should verify what insurance covers them before starting the internship.

Who does it affect?

• Postgraduate students at UIMP who want to conduct external academic internships at TikTok, in any of the three modalities provided.
• Mobility students enrolled in studies at UIMP and who meet the agreement requirements.
• UIMP academic coordinators and tutors responsible for supervising and validating internships.
• HR departments and training managers at TikTok Information Technologies Spain, SL, who must manage the incorporation and mentoring of intern students.
• Students with prior employment contracts at TikTok: excluded unless expressly authorized by UIMP.

Practical example

A student enrolled in a master's program at UIMP wants to conduct extracurricular internships at TikTok Information Technologies Spain, SL during the 2026-2027 academic year. If the academic year lasts 10 months, extracurricular internships cannot exceed 5 months (50% of the course).

During this period, the student does not generate an employment relationship with TikTok: they do not contribute to Social Security on behalf of the company beyond what current regulations require, and their coverage against accidents depends on school insurance or insurance included in their master's program. If TikTok decides to hire them upon completion of the internship, internship time will not count as seniority and the student must complete the ordinary probationary period.

If that same student already had an employment contract with TikTok before starting the internship, they would need express authorization from UIMP to be able to benefit from the agreement.

What should companies do now?

1. If you are responsible for HR or training at TikTok: review internal procedures for incorporating intern students to ensure they comply with the agreement conditions (modalities, maximum duration of 50% of the course, prior contract restriction).
2. If you manage internship agreements at another company: this agreement is a reference model for how to structure relationships with universities. Verify that your own agreements clearly define the absence of employment relationship and insurance coverage.
3. If you are an academic tutor at UIMP: inform interested students about the three available modalities, the 50% limit for extracurricular internships, and the need for express authorization if they have a prior contract with TikTok.
4. If you are a postgraduate student at UIMP: verify what insurance covers you (school or master's) before starting the internship, and keep in mind that internship time will not count as seniority nor will it eliminate the probationary period in subsequent hiring.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-15839