EXTERNAL ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPS
WHAT ARE EXTERNAL ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPS?
External academic internships consist of the integration of students into the processes and productive routines of a company or institution within the field of communication. These internships are governed by the present regulations.
External internships are one of the most important training activities for Communication students. They should be understood as the main springboard into the labour market in this particularly distinctive sector, as demonstrated by numerous studies. Performing well during internships generally helps to build a positive personal reputation, which may later translate into a job offer within the same organisation or others in the sector.
Moreover, they also contribute to a favourable social perception of the university, thereby enhancing the prestige of the degree obtained by the student and, in turn, facilitating opportunities for future students who undertake internships in the same company or institution.
There are two modalities:
Curricular academic internships: These are compulsory in order to graduate and are carried out during the academic year in which you are enrolled in the 4th-year course External Internships. To enrol, you must have successfully completed 168 ECTS credits of the degree programme.
Extracurricular academic internships: These are optional internships that may be undertaken once you have completed 50% of the degree's ECTS credits, or if you are a master's student. It is not permitted to hold two extracurricular internship agreements simultaneously.
Internships may be carried out either on-site or remotely, depending on what the host organisations are able to offer.
WHEN CAN I UNDERTAKE ACADEMIC INTERNSHIPS?
All internships may be carried out between 1 September and 31 August of the academic year in which you are enrolled; however, each modality can be undertaken during a specific academic year:
Curricular academic internships: In the fourth year, provided that you have successfully completed 168 ECTS credits and are enrolled in the External Internships course. In the third year, an information session will be held to explain the entire procedure for this type of internship.
Extracurricular academic internships: At the point when, while enrolled in the programme in which you wish to undertake internships, you have completed 50% of the degree's ECTS credits (usually from the end of the second year through to the fourth year), or if you are a master's student. Before the end of the second year, an information session will be held to explain how this type of internship works.
WHAT IS THE DURATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE INTERNSHIPS?
Curricular internships: These consist of 300 hours to be completed between 1 September and 31 August of the academic year in which you are enrolled. The internships must be carried out continuously, during one of the following periods, as agreed jointly by the academic tutor, the company/institution, and the student:
a) First semester (October-January)
b) Second semester (February-May)
c) Summer (May-August) (exceptionally)
However, these periods may be flexible depending on the specific characteristics of each organisation or the needs of the students.
Extracurricular internships: Up to 750 hours (with no minimum requirement), with the possibility of an extension of up to an additional 250 hours, within the period established by the host organisation, but always between 1 September and 31 August. This number of hours applies to each academic year of enrolment; therefore, up to 750 hours may be completed in each year in which you are enrolled.
In neither case will night shifts or any schedule incompatible with class attendance be permitted. Internships must be carried out on weekdays and, in duly justified cases based on the nature of the position and agreed in advance with the media organisations requesting it, may also take place on weekends.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHICH INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?
In the case of curricular internships, during the academic year in which you are enrolled you will have access to the directory of companies with which our department collaborates, so that you can decide which options interest you. You may also propose a company that is not included in the directory, in which case we will manage the entire administrative process.
Extracurricular internship placements are published on the OFES notice board or within the internship programme of the URV, where you can manage your application. They are also announced through the General Classroom notice forum. You may also submit a proposal for an extracurricular internship that you have arranged with a company, and we will handle the entire administrative process.
HOW DOES THE PROCEDURE TO START AN INTERNSHIP WORK?
In both cases, it is mandatory to be registered with Social Security and to hold a valid digital certificate in order to sign documents.
For curricular internships, once you enrol in the course, you must follow the full procedure established in this document, which will also be specified in the course's virtual learning environment.
To access extracurricular internships, you must follow the instructions provided both on the notice board and in the placement announcement published through the virtual learning environment. If you have independently arranged an internship proposal, you must contact the person responsible for coordinating extracurricular internships.
ARE INTERNSHIPS COMPULSORILY PAID?
In accordance with labour legislation, curricular internships are not subject to mandatory financial compensation, as they are academic in nature rather than employment-based. However, the partner company or institution may voluntarily provide financial compensation in the form of a grant, intended to cover travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the internship. If no remuneration is provided, the URV covers the student's Social Security contributions.
By contrast, extracurricular internships, due to their voluntary nature, carry a mandatory remuneration of €300 gross per month for a half-time position (or a proportional amount depending on the number of hours). In addition, the company is responsible for the student's Social Security contributions.
CAN CURRICULAR INTERNSHIPS BE RECOGNISED OR VALIDATED?
Bachelor's degree: prior work experience may be eligible for recognition if it can be accredited through a Social Security employment history certificate. The recognition procedure and the corresponding application form can be consulted and downloaded via the following link:
https://www.urv.cat/ca/estudis/graus/tramits/proc-reconeixement-exp-laboral-grau/
CAN INTERNSHIPS AND MOBILITY PROGRAMMES BE COMBINED IN THE SAME ACADEMIC YEAR?
If you take part in a mobility programme during the academic year in which you wish to complete curricular internships, you have several options:
1)Carry out the internships in the city or country where you are undertaking your mobility stay. In this case, you must find the host organisation yourself and, if the organisation agrees, an internship agreement will be signed. This is valid for both SICUE and Erasmus programmes.
2)Complete the internships upon returning from your mobility stay. You should bear in mind that this may limit your options when choosing a company and will likely require you to follow an intensive schedule during the summer. You must commit to returning during the month of May and accept the offers available to you. Students returning in June will not be eligible to undertake internships.
3)Have the internships recognised (see specific section).
For further information, please contact:
Internship programme coordination:
Curricular internship tutors:
Journalism: Jordi Prades Tena(ELIMINAR)
Audiovisual Communication: Anna Fonoll(ELIMINAR) / David Mauri(ELIMINAR)
Advertising and Public Relations: Giancarlo Saavedra
Extracurricular internship coordination: