Yes, adults can do internships, as long as they have an agreement signed by them, the company and a school or training provider. If you're no longer enrolled in a school, the solution is to take a course with a provider that can issue this agreement.
People often picture an intern as a 21-year-old student. In reality, many interns are 30, 40 or older. They're changing careers, want to try out a sector or get back on their feet after a period without work. The sticking point is almost always the same: the agreement.
Why do you need an internship agreement, even at 35?
Because the law makes no distinction based on age. An internship isn't a job: it's a period of training in a work setting. The French Education Code (articles L124-1 onwards, and article L.612-8) requires it to be covered by a three-party agreement linked to an educational pathway. Law no. 2014-788 of 10 July 2014 strengthened these rules.
Without an agreement, the company can't take you on as an intern. If it does anyway, it risks having the internship reclassified as an employment contract, and you aren't properly covered. If you'd like a refresher, our article What is an internship agreement? explains what the document contains and the role of each signatory.
Who needs an internship agreement as an adult?
Four situations come up very often.
You're changing careers
You've been working for several years and another job appeals to you. Before leaving everything behind, you want to see it up close. An internship of a few weeks or months lets you check that the day-to-day matches the idea you have of it. It can be done in a company, an association or an NGO.
You've graduated and are no longer enrolled
This is the most common case. You finished your bachelor's or master's in June, and a company offers you an internship in the autumn. The problem: your former school can no longer issue you an agreement, because you're no longer one of its students.
You're on a gap year
During a gap year, you normally remain attached to your institution, which can sometimes issue the agreement. But depending on your status, the timing or the school's rules, that isn't always possible, or not in time. Start by asking them. If the answer is no, there's another solution.
You're looking for work
An internship can add recent experience to a CV that lacks it. If you're registered with France Travail (the French public employment service) or receive benefits, check with your adviser before committing: the rules depend on your situation, and only they can tell you what applies to your file.
Can you get an internship agreement without being enrolled in a school?
Yes, but not without a course. What matters isn't being in a "traditional" school. It's being attached to an educational pathway overseen by a school or training provider, which signs the agreement alongside you.
Let's take a typical case. Nadia, 38, has worked in sales for twelve years. She's interested in human resources, and a small company in her town agrees to take her on for three months. The company asks her for an agreement, but Nadia isn't enrolled anywhere. By signing up for a human resources course with a provider that issues agreements, she brings together the two things she needs: an educational pathway and an institution to sign.
Which rules apply to an adult's internship?
The same as for any intern:
- an agreement signed before the first day, by all three parties;
- 6 months maximum with the same host organisation, per academic year;
- a mandatory stipend beyond two months of presence (more than 44 seven-hour days, i.e. from the 309th hour). The minimum amount changes every year: check it on service-public.fr when you sign;
- tasks linked to your course, not a permanent job in disguise;
- a supervisor at the company and a contact person at the training provider.
If the dates or tasks change along the way, an amendment signed by all three parties is enough.
How to get your agreement with EDU Business Institute
At EDU Business Institute, the internship agreement is linked to an online course. Here's how it works:
- You choose a course from our 9 subjects: marketing and communication, human resources, banking and finance management, IT and artificial intelligence, fashion and luxury, real estate strategy and architecture, international law, journalism, audiovisual. Pick the one that matches your internship's sector.
- You enrol online. It is open to all profiles. The course is 200 hours, taken remotely and at your own pace.
- You send us the internship details: the company's legal name and SIRET number, the supervisor's contact details, dates, address of the workplace, tasks, stipend.
- We prepare the agreement within 24 to 48 business hours once your file is complete, then it goes out for signature.
The price is €299, course and agreement included, with the option to pay in 3 instalments with Klarna. The agreement can cover an internship of up to 6 months. All the details are on our internship agreement page.
Let's be clear on one point: companies are free to set their own internal rules, and some turn down agreements that don't come from a school. That's exactly why we offer our refund policy. If the company turns your agreement down, we refund you €250. Only the €49 application fee is kept. The request must be made within one month of receiving the agreement, with the company's written refusal (conditions in our terms of sale).
How to present your plan to the company
A company used to student interns may be surprised by your profile. A few tips:
- Explain your plan in one sentence. "I'm moving into HR and want to confirm that choice on the ground" is more reassuring than a long speech.
- Explain the framework from the first conversation: a 200-hour online course, a signing organisation, a three-party agreement.
- Suggest specific tasks. A list of 3 or 4 concrete tasks helps the supervisor picture it.
- Get ahead of the paperwork by asking early for the name of the person who signs agreements at the company.
Another typical case: Julien, 26, got his master's in September. A start-up offers him four months in marketing. He sends his course programme to the manager after the second interview, along with the list of information needed for the agreement. On the day the offer is confirmed, all that's left is to sign.
FAQ: internship agreements for adults
Is there an age limit for internships?
No, there's no age limit for an internship. The condition is to be attached to a course and to have a signed agreement.
Can I do an internship if I'm looking for work?
Yes, you can. If you're registered with France Travail or receive benefits, talk to your adviser first: they'll tell you how the internship fits with your situation.
Can my former school still issue me an agreement?
Generally not: once you've graduated and are no longer enrolled, you're no longer one of its students. Ask anyway, as some special cases exist.
How long does it take to get the agreement?
At EDU Business Institute, allow 24 to 48 business hours once your file is complete. Missing information (SIRET number, supervisor, tasks) is the most common cause of delay.
What happens if the company turns my agreement down?
Ask them for the reason in writing: sometimes it's just a matter of form. If the refusal is confirmed, our refund policy applies under our terms of sale. Other common questions are answered in our FAQ.
Build your experience through an internship
Whether you are a student or already a graduate, move from theory to practice: choose your program and your internship can start within a compliant framework.
