The ESA Student Internship Programme offers university-level students the chance to join Europe’s space sector via a fully integrated placement at one of ESA’s centers. For students nearing completion of a master’s (or sometimes in their final bachelor year), this is a way to gain substantial space-industry exposure.
What is the ESA Student Internship Programme?
The ESA Student Internship Programme enables students to work on real tasks in space science, engineering, operations, business, or non-technical domains. Interns spend three to six months at one of ESA’s establishments, contributing to projects while remaining enrolled at university.
Why Consider the ESA Student Internship Program?
- Real-world assignment: Interns support actual activities at ESA and its centers.
- International environment: You’ll work in a multicultural organization with peers and professionals from across Europe.
- Thesis or project integration: The internship may be aligned with your master’s thesis or final project, subject to agreement with your university.
- Networking and professional development: You’ll meet people in Europe’s space field and gain experience valued by the space industry and research institutions.
- Time-limited, focused structure: Designed for students to gain experience within a defined timeframe (3-6 months) and then return to studies.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic Status | Must be enrolled at a university, preferably in the final or penultimate year of a master’s program. |
| Nationality | Must be a citizen of one of the ESA Member States, Associate Member States, or Cooperating States. |
| Student Status Duration | Your student status must cover the entire duration of the internship. |
| One Internship Only | You may undertake only one ESA student internship to allow broader opportunity for others. |
Internship Duration and Structure
| Type | Duration | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Student Internship | 3 to 6 months | ESA establishment in Europe; start dates are flexible between February and October (subject to agreement). |
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
- Prepare your documents
- Update your CV or resume
- Write a motivation letter tailored to the specific internship and how your background matches it.
- Ensure you maintain student status through the internship period
- Submit your application
- Opportunities are published annually (typically in November) and remain open for about one month.
- Create a candidate profile on ESA’s recruitment website, upload your documents, and select one or two relevant internships (max two applications per candidate).
- Await selection. Shortlisting and selection occur from December to February in many years.
If selected, the start date is agreed upon between you, your tutor/university, and ESA, anywhere between February and October.
What Will You Learn as an Intern?
At ESA, interns may engage in
- Engineering, software or system design tasks
- Earth observation, astrophysics, planetary science or data analysis
- Business, law, procurement, finance or communications jobs in a space-agency context
- Working in international teams, applying academic skills to real-life operational or research tasks
This helps you gain practical work experience in the space domain, understand the workflows and culture of a major organization, and build connections for your future career or research direction.
Contact Information
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Student_Internships2 |
| contact.human.resources@esa.int | |
| Address | European Space Agency, Career & Recruitment Division, via one of its European establishments (see website) |