Internship and Work Experience

Drei Schauspielende auf einer Bühne
A Midsummer Night's Dream (2025) by moules frites © Julian Rupp

Practical experience is an integral part of the training for students of theatre and dance studies at the ITW. This includes theatre visits as part of courses and excursions, but also personal involvement in the cultural sector, for example as part of an internship or project.

Internship / project and studies – how does that work?

  • At the bachelor's level, internships at a cultural institution in the field of theatre and/or dance (e.g., as a dramaturgy or production intern or assistant director) can be credited as part of the elective area in consultation with a lecturer. For accreditation, certified proof of the hours worked from the cultural institution and a written report summarising the internship must be submitted. A maximum of 6 ECTS (workload: 150-180 hours) per work project will be credited. Internship experience is strongly recommended for major students to complete their specialist training and build a professional network to facilitate their career entry after graduation.
  • At the master's level, an internship at a cultural institution in the field of theatre and/or dance is mandatory in the major. Internships serve to apply the skills acquired during the course of study and, if possible, bring students into contact with their desired professional field. For accreditation, certified proof of hours worked at the cultural institution and a written report summarising the internship must be submitted. A maximum of 6 ECTS (workload: 150-180 hours) per work project will be credited.
  • At the master's level, an independent project in the field of theatre and/or dance is mandatory in the major. Projects serve to apply the skills acquired during the course of study and, where possible, bring students into contact with their desired professional field. A project report must be submitted for accreditation. A maximum of 6 ECTS (workload: 150-180 hours) per work project will be credited.

Guidelines for internships (German)
Guidlines for projects (German)
Study contract Internships (German)

Vier Schauspielende, die auf der Bühne sitzen
A Midsummer Night's Dream (2025) by moules frites © Julian Rupp

How do I find an internship?

  • Students are responsible for finding their own internships and should discuss their upcoming placement with a teacher (a professor or assistant) at ITW in good time.
  • The ITW has a strong network in the Swiss theatre scene and strives to keep its students informed about current opportunities. Interested students should contact the relevant cultural institution directly and arrange the internship independently (taking into account the “Guidelines for Internships”).
  • We regularly post open internship positions on our Instagram page or under current news external. We also recommend the job board for cultural management courses at the University of Basel, where you will find many job offers in the cultural sector.

How do I find a project?

  • Students are responsible for finding a project themselves and should discuss the upcoming project with a teacher (a professor or assistant) at the ITW in good time.
  • The projects should represent an independent exploration of a future field of work after completing the master's program in theatre/dance studies. This includes, among other things, directing, dramaturgy, production management, organisation, curation of theatre/dance projects, as well as mediation, media, publishing, journalism, and academic work.