About conventions de stage

A convention de stage/acuerdo de practicas/convenio de colaboracion is a type of contract between an employer, a student and a university. They are required in France, Spain and Belgium, and are common practice in some other European countries for many types of temporary vocational work experience. These documents must be signed by all three parties and are a formal contractual agreement, stating the responsibilities of each party. They are therefore more than just proof of student status. Companies need this so that they can legally pay the student below the minimum wage and aren’t liable for healthcare costs and social security.

If you are a current student

For all current students wanting to do a placement, either as part of their degree or during their summer holidays, the University will happily provide a convention de stage, even if the placement is not counted towards their degree. You just need to be registered as a student when you are doing the placement.

We have a University-wide amended convention de stage for this purpose. All you need to do is contact the Faculty/School Placements Team, or a Director of Studies if you are a postgraduate student.

If you are a graduate

Companies will regularly try and recruit graduates and request a convention de stage. Sometimes loopholes at European Universities make this possible. If you are a graduate, you are not entitled to a convention de stage as your formal relationship with the University of Bath has ended. We have had instances of graduates getting as far as being accepted for a job before discovering that a convention de stage was required and then having to withdraw because one cannot be supplied. Clarify whether this will be required before you apply for anything described as an internship or stage.