University internships abroad 2026: what UEx students can do

Key data

Students at the University of Extremadura have had a new way to internationalize their education since July 7, 2026: the agreement signed on June 24, 2026 between the Ministry of Education and UEx opens the doors of Education Departments abroad as a destination for external academic internships. The Resolution from the General Technical Secretariat that publishes it in the BOE activates this framework immediately, with no transition period.

For universities, international relations departments, and students themselves, this agreement represents a concrete and regulated opportunity for training in Spanish educational environments outside the national territory, with all the guarantees of Royal Decree 592/2014.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement regulates the complete framework under which UEx students can complete internships at Spanish educational offices and centers abroad, dependent on Education Departments. The structural elements of the agreement are as follows:

The agreement also includes specific student rights during the internship: access to adapted exams and resources for people with disabilities. It also establishes grounds for termination of the training agreement, providing legal certainty for both the student and the institutions involved.

Economic and operational impact

This agreement does not generate direct costs for private companies, but it does have relevant operational implications for institutions and students:

• For the University of Extremadura: it must articulate student selection mechanisms, designate academic tutors, and develop individualized training projects for each participant. This entails administrative burden on internship services and international relations departments.
• For students: the possibility of integrating the internship into Erasmus+ can open access to European funding to cover travel and accommodation expenses abroad, reducing the personal cost of the international experience.
• For the Ministry of Education: Education Departments abroad assume the role of collaborating entity, with the obligation to designate a ministry tutor and participate in developing the training project.
• 50% credit limit: this restriction ensures that the internship does not replace academic training, but it also limits the maximum duration of the stay, which students must consider when planning their academic year.

From the perspective of university internationalization, the agreement strengthens UEx's external projection and expands the catalog of internship destinations beyond the national private sector.

Who does it affect?

• Undergraduate students from the University of Extremadura who want to complete external internships in international educational environments.
• Master's (postgraduate) students from the University of Extremadura with interest in Spanish education abroad.
• Internship services and international relations departments of UEx, responsible for managing applications, designating tutors, and formalizing training projects.
• University academic tutors who assume responsibility for monitoring students at the destination.
• Education Departments abroad of the Ministry of Education, which act as receiving entities and must designate ministry tutors.
• Students with disabilities, who are guaranteed access to adapted resources during the internship.

Practical example

A fourth-year student in the Primary Education degree program at the University of Extremadura wants to complete their external internship at an office of the Spanish Education Department in a European country. Thanks to this agreement, they can formalize that internship as curricular (integrated into their study plan) or extracurricular (complementary to their training), as long as the duration does not exceed 50% of their academic year's credits.

UEx assigns them an academic tutor who provides monitoring from Spain. The Ministry designates a tutor at the destination office. Both participate in developing the student's individualized training project. If the internship falls within the Erasmus+ program, the student can access a European grant that covers part of travel and living expenses, significantly reducing the personal cost of the international experience.

What should institutions do now?

1. Review affected study plans: UEx internship services must identify which undergraduate and master's degree programs can benefit from the agreement and update their list of destinations.
2. Designate academic tutors: UEx must establish the internal procedure for assigning university tutors to students who choose this modality.
3. Coordinate with Education Departments abroad: the Ministry must activate the mechanism for designating ministry tutors at each receiving office or educational center.
4. Develop the individualized training project: for each student, both institutions must formalize this document before the internship begins, as required by Royal Decree 592/2014.
5. Explore integration with Erasmus+: UEx's international relations services must verify which positions can be channeled through the Erasmus+ program to facilitate funding for students.
6. Ensure accessibility: make sure that resources for students with disabilities are available at destinations abroad, as established by the agreement.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at 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-2026-14737