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Front page / Student life / Student jobs, internships, and project collaborations / Internships for Bachelor of Engineering: Salary and rights

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Internships for Bachelor of Engineering: Salary and rights

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In this article, you can learn about salary, rights and working conditions as a Bachelor of Engineering intern, find out what companies typically look for, and get advice on finding an internship and making the most of your placement.

Table of contents

3 facts for your internship period

What about holiday pay?
  • In a paid internship, you will generally accrue holiday entitlement and holiday pay under the standard rules.
  • Holiday pay is generally equivalent to 12,5% of your salary.
Read our guide to holiday allowance
How to find an internship
  • Look up job databases, campus notice boards, use networking events, and consider converting a student job into internship.
  • If you use IDA Student Jobfinder, you will get tips on how to stand out and a job platform tailored to STEM.
Learn more about IDA Student Jobfinder
Your rights as an intern
  • If you are in a paid internship, be sure to get a contract.
  • IDA can help you review your contract and make sure that your terms and conditions are in order.
Get help with contract and salary

Salary and finances during your internship

The general rule is that you do not receive SU during your internship. Instead, you are paid a salary by the company where you are completing your internship.

It is up to the individual intern and the company to negotiate an appropriate salary for the internship period. However, IDA and the Danish Engineering Students’ Council have set a recommended minimum salary, which is adjusted annually.

The recommended internship salary in 2026 is: DKK 16,650 per month.
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Internship salary for Bachelor of Engineering students

In some situations, however, it can be difficult for students to agree on a salary during their internship, for example if you would like to do your internship abroad.

If you are unable to reach an agreement on salary during your internship, you should contact your educational institution to find out whether you can receive SU instead. The Danish Council for Engineering Education (IUS) has introduced a scheme that allows a limited number of Bachelor of Engineering students to receive SU during their internship.

Are you entitled to a salary during your internship?

Many Bachelor of Engineering students are unsure whether they are entitled to a salary during their internship. Although a recommended internship salary has been set, as a general rule, you are not legally entitled to receive a salary during your internship.

It is therefore important to discuss the salary level with the company if a salary range has not already been agreed. An internship provides valuable professional experience, and many companies also see internships as an opportunity to get to know potential future employees.

Get help with your contract and terms of employment

SU or salary during your internship?

As a general rule, the following applies:

  • If you receive a salary during your internship, you cannot receive SU at the same time.
  • If you receive SU, as a general rule, you cannot also receive a salary for your internship.
  • Some companies offer a monthly allowance or gratuity to students who receive SU.
  • Some companies also offer a bonus or gratuity at the end of the internship.

It may therefore be a good idea to ask about the company’s policy during the job interview.

How to find a student job, an internship or a company to write your thesis with

Can you have a student job alongside your internship?

As a general rule, you can have a student job alongside your internship. However, you should be mindful of your overall workload, and there may be specific requirements or rules set by your educational institution or internship provider.

If both your internship and your student job are paid, you will accrue holiday pay separately with each employer under the standard rules.

Why a student job can be invaluable for your future

Holiday pay during your internship as a Bachelor of Engineering student

When you are in a paid internship as part of your Bachelor of Engineering degree, you are generally covered by the standard rules on holiday entitlement. This means that you accrue holiday and holiday pay in the same way as other employees. Holiday pay is generally equivalent to 12.5% of your holiday-qualifying salary.

If your internship is unpaid and you receive SU during the internship period, for example, different rules may apply. Your holiday entitlement will depend, among other things, on the specific internship arrangement and the rules at your educational institution.

FerieKonto is a public scheme that ensures your holiday pay is administered correctly and paid to you when you take holiday. This means that you can be sure to receive your holiday pay regardless of where you work during your internship.

It is important to be aware that you need to apply for your holiday pay yourself through FerieKonto when you are planning to take holiday. You can apply for your holiday pay online via FerieKonto.

If you have questions about your holiday pay or how to have it paid out, you can find more information from FerieKonto.

Read more about the rules on holiday and holiday pay

Unemployment benefits after your internship

If your internship takes place towards the end of your degree, the rules on unemployment benefits for recent graduates may be relevant to you. This is particularly the case if you go straight from your internship to graduating and do not already have a job lined up.

There are specific rules you need to follow to qualify for unemployment benefits as a recent graduate. IDA does not have its own unemployment insurance fund but works with Akademikernes A-kasse, where you can get advice if you are a member.

Get to grips with the rules on unemployment benefits for recent graduates

Your rights as an intern

You need to find an internship yourself, which must then be approved by your educational institution. If you are employed in a paid internship, you must have an employment contract. Some interns are also covered by a collective agreement.

A collective agreement may give you additional rights and terms relating to areas such as salary, pension and working hours. It is therefore a good idea to check whether a collective agreement applies at your internship provider and what it means for you.

As an IDA member, you can have your contract reviewed by our legal advisers. You can also use IDA’s checklist when reviewing your contract to make sure that your agreements with your employer are clearly stated and that all the necessary information is included before you sign.
How to read your employment contract
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Wait before signing a restrictive covenant

An internship employment contract may sometimes include a non-compete or non-solicitation clause. If you are presented with such a clause, IDA recommends having your contract reviewed by our legal advisers. This will allow you to get advice on how the clause could affect your future employment opportunities before you sign.

You can also read more about the rules on clauses in your employment contract.

Submit your case here if your contract includes a restrictive covenant
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How to find an internship

There is often a lot of competition for attractive internships, so it is worth starting your search one or two semesters before your internship begins. For many students, applying for an internship is their first experience of an application process similar to applying for a full-time job. It is therefore a good idea to start early and broaden your search across different industries and geographical areas.

Tailor your CV, highlight relevant study projects, and clearly show why you are interested in the company. As an IDA member, you can get feedback and guidance on your CV, application and job search.

What if your internship isn't working out?

Although most internships are a positive experience, situations may arise where the collaboration does not work as expected or you begin to question whether the internship is the right fit for you.

If you experience problems during your internship or are considering ending it early, you should contact the student guidance service at your educational institution as soon as possible.

If you have questions about ECTS credits, approval of your internship or other rules relating to your degree programme, your educational institution can advise you.

If challenges during your internship affect your well-being and student life, you can also access support through IDA’s psychological counselling service as a member.

If, on the other hand, you have questions about your contract, salary, restrictive covenants or other terms of employment, you can get advice from IDA.
Psychological support for students Career advice
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Get help with your contract and salary

As an IDA member, you can always turn to our advisers for help with the legal aspects of your contract, so you can be confident that everything is in order. We are also happy to advise you on your search for the right internship.
Legal advice Career advice