This chapter examines the growing popularity of internships in tertiary education, focussing on their impact on educational and labour market outcomes. Limited available evidence suggests a positive association between internships and educational success; however, these findings need to be interpreted with caution due to potential biases. A robust body of evidence supports the idea that internships improve initial labour market outcomes, while the long-run effects on labour market outcomes are less clear. The literature review also suggests heterogeneity in the effects of internships, related to internship characteristics (mandatory versus voluntary, intra- versus extra-curricular), student characteristics (academic ability, socioeconomic background, study field), and the country where the internship takes place. This heterogeneity, as well as the mechanisms driving internship effects, warrant further exploration. © Maarten H.J. Wolbers and Dieter Verhaest 2025.
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