Seminar: Internship Experiences in Higher Education

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Discrimination in internships is often associated primarily with vocational education (MBO) and higher professional education (HBO). However, exploratory research by ECHO shows that university students also face similar issues regarding internships and practical assignments—a reality that has received less recognition and discussion to date.

That is why, in the fall of 2026, ECHO will organize, together with Universities in the Netherlands (UNL) the seminar “Internship Experiences in Higher Education,” in The Hague. This seminar stems from the Action Plan Against Internship Discrimination in Higher Education —a follow-up to the Manifesto Against Internship Discrimination in Higher Education, signed by ISO, LSVb, UNL, VH, VNO-NCW, MKB-Nederland, and the Ministries of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) and Social Affairs and Employment (SZW).

During the seminar, students and professionals from higher education will discuss their experiences and the needs within the higher education sector. You can participate in a plenary program and workshops featuring concrete experiences and insights from colleges and universities.

Practical Information

Date: November 24, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (including lunch)

Location: UNL, Spui 5, The Hague

Who is this for?: University staff working at the policy, faculty, and program levels, and university students with an interest in the topic

Language of the event: Plenary program in Dutch (with English translation); workshops in Dutch and English

Participation is free of charge

Program

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Doors open

9:15–10:00 Plenary session

Opening & Welcome – by Chair Niek Putman (ECHO) & Universities of the Netherlands (UNL)

What do we know? – Insights from Exploratory Research in Higher Education, by Vicky Pinheiro Keulers & Indie Aarts (ECHO)

10:00–10:15 Break

10:15–11:15 Workshops – What’s Already Being Done? Interventions & Practical Applications

11:15–11:30 Break

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Plenary panel – What and who are needed? Featuring representatives from LANDO, the student union, universities, and VNO-NCW.

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Closing Remarks & Lunch

During the seminar, we will engage in discussions with students and staff from higher education to further explore the issue of internship experiences in higher education and to learn about specific approaches and resources at universities and colleges. The assumption that higher education students gain less practical experience through internships is not necessarily correct. Some higher education students who participate in internships do so as a “required” part of their degree program, although the picture varies significantly by sector and there is no centralized data at the program level. ResearchNed has conducted research on this topic at the student level for the Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg (ResearchNed, 2022) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (ResearchNed, 2024). ECHO has conducted an exploratory study that primarily yielded insights from staff and students within higher education. Among other things, this study shows that there is a need for insights into what works, as well as for the exchange of concrete approaches and practical strategies.

The seminar program consists of three parts:

What do we know? Presentation of the results of a survey conducted by ECHO among students and staff in higher education regarding internship experiences and resources in higher education. Would you like to get a head start on the Want to hear about university students’ experiences? Check out our campaign Stagelijk.
What is already being done? Insights drawn from interventions and the experiences of higher education staff, including experts from applied sciences institutions and pioneers in research universities.
What and who are needed? What is needed to provide further clarification, set the agenda, and prepare students? What is the role of institutions and internship providers? We will explore these questions in a panel discussion with representatives from higher education. The goal of this panel discussion is to gain insight into the perspectives and developments among stakeholders at the national or institutional level and then to discuss what and who are needed to prevent and address undesirable internship experiences.

Also of interest: our National Conference on 9 November
This seminar on 24 November focuses specifically on university education (WO). In addition, ECHO is organising our annual National Conference against Internship Discrimination in Higher Education on 9 November. That conference focuses more on universities of applied sciences (hbo) and on employers and internship providers. Do you work at a university of applied sciences or an internship organisation? Then you are very welcome to join that conference. University staff and students are, of course, also welcome there. For more information, click here. Please note: the national conference on November 9th is Dutch-spoken.