Every year, tens of thousands of students look for a practical internship or a final-year project (PFE) between January and March. Companies see it as a low-cost way to spot future hires. This guide covers both sides: the rules of the agreement, what you can ask for, and the method that turns an internship into a contract.
The three types of internship
| Type | For whom | Usual length | Framework |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical / observation internship | Bachelor, DEUA, TS during training | 2 to 8 weeks | Institution agreement |
| Final-year project (PFE) | Master, engineering, professional bachelor, TS | 3 to 6 months | Agreement + subject validated by the academic supervisor |
| Pre-employment / subsidised contract | Recent graduates registered with ANEM | 12 months, renewable | ANEM schemes: allowance paid, integration commitment |
The pre-employment internship is an integration scheme, not an academic internship: it carries an allowance and social cover. See the unemployment allowance and schemes guide.
Finding an internship: the method that works
- 1
Start early
Good places go in November–December for a February start. Large companies have quotas; SMEs decide fast.
- 2
Propose a subject, not just a request
“I would like to work on automating your cash tracking in Excel” interests more than “I am looking for an internship”. Align the subject with your supervisor.
- 3
Target 15 companies, not 150
Industrial zones of your wilaya, companies where alumni of your field work, exhibitors at job fairs. One short, personalised letter per company.
- 4
Use direct channels
Internship offers on Chghol state the duration, allowance and agreement. University–industry liaison offices and lecturers have contacts too.
- 5
Prepare the interview like a real one
Same questions: your project, your tools, your availability. See the 20 interview questions.
The internship agreement: what it must contain
- The three parties: the institution (university, school, INSFP), the host company, the intern.
- Purpose and subject, duration, dates, place and hours (aligned with the company’s, within 40 hours).
- The company tutor and the academic supervisor, with contact details.
- Accident cover: the intern remains attached to the institution; the agreement specifies the insurance applicable at the internship site.
- Allowance and benefits if any (amount, transport, meals), and confidentiality of company data.
- End of internship: certificate, tutor evaluation, return of equipment.
The allowance: what to expect
The law does not require an allowance for an academic internship. In practice, banks, multinationals, tech companies and some large national groups pay a monthly internship bonus or transport and meal allowances; SMEs less often. Simply ask before signing: “Is an allowance or a transport allowance planned?”. On Chghol, the “allowance” field of every internship offer answers the question before you even apply.
Succeeding: the first 90 days
- Week 1: understand the department, the tools, the people. Note the problems everyone works around: that is where your value is.
- Frame the subject in writing with your tutor: deliverables, milestones, success criteria. One paragraph is enough, but it avoids misunderstandings.
- Deliver something every week: a sheet, a script, a procedure, a mock-up. The report writes itself if you document as you go.
- Behave like an employee: punctuality, dress, discretion on data, professional messages.
- Ask for mid-term feedback: “What should I do differently?”. Tutors appreciate it and adjust.
Report and defence
- Expected structure: company presentation (short), problem, method, implementation, quantified results, limits and outlook. 40 to 80 pages depending on the field, appendices apart.
- Confidentiality: have the company validate what can be published; anonymise sensitive figures.
- Defence: 15 to 20 minutes, 12 to 15 slides, a demo if possible. Rehearse in front of someone who does not know the subject.
- Invite your tutor: their presence counts for the jury and they will have your file in mind when hiring comes up.
Turning the internship into a job
- 1
Ask at the right time
One month before the end, to your tutor: “Is there a possibility to continue in the team after the internship? What would it take?”. Not on the last day.
- 2
Leave a trace
Documentation, handover, a tool that keeps being used: the team will think of you when a position opens.
- 3
Negotiate a real contract
Written permanent or fixed-term contract, net salary, probation (6 months maximum), CNAS declaration. The employer may get rebates for hiring you through ANEM schemes: remind them.
- 4
Otherwise, leverage it
The internship becomes experience on the CV, with results: see how to present an internship on a CV. Ask the tutor for a written recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the internship allowance mandatory in Algeria?
Not for an academic internship under agreement. Many companies nevertheless pay a bonus or transport and meal allowances. Ask before signing.
Can I do an internship without an agreement?
Strongly discouraged: without an agreement you are neither a covered intern nor a declared employee. Your institution can issue one even for a voluntary internship.
What is the maximum length of an internship?
The one set by the agreement and your programme, usually 6 months at most for a final-year project. Beyond that, without a new agreement, it is a job.
Is the intern covered in case of an accident?
The agreement must specify it: institution cover and/or company insurance. Check the clause before starting.
Does an internship count as experience for civil-service exams?
An academic internship is not professional experience in the sense of exam grids, but the certificate may earn points as further training depending on the notice.