How much do you earn during a 6-month Master’s degree internship?
In this article, we answer directly how much you will earn per month, break down the obligations of your host organization, and give you the keys to make sure your internship is valued at its fair level.
You’ve made it! The time for your final internship is just around the corner. To complete all these years of higher education, this 6-month Master’s degree internship is much more than just a line on your CV: it’s your gateway to professional life and, let’s be honest, your first real source of income to finally breathe a little.
But between the famous Social Security ceiling, contributions, and the mandatory minimum duration, internship pay can quickly become a headache. Will you only receive the minimum stipend? How much will you earn per month during a 6-month internship? Will it be enough to finance your student housing without stress?
How much will you earn per month during a Master’s internship?
No more suspense. If your internship lasts 6 months, it is mandatory under French education law that it is paid (officially called a stipend). This legislation ensures that internships remain a key educational component of your degree.
But how much is it?
The legal minimum amount: the base of your stipend
In France, the law sets a minimum remuneration for all internships lasting more than two months (i.e. 44 days or 308 hours of effective presence in the company).
This amount is indexed to the Hourly Social Security Ceiling (PHSS) of the current year. It corresponds exactly to 15% of this hourly ceiling. This regular indexation guarantees a basic level of financial security for interns.
In practice (2025 figures):
The minimum hourly rate of your stipend is approximately €4.35 per hour of internship (this amount is an estimate—always check the official rate for the relevant year).
For your full-time 6-month internship (based on 35 hours per week, or approximately 151.67 hours per month):
Here is a quick calculation of your minimum monthly stipend:
151.67 hours × €4.35/hour = €659.75 per month
This is the minimum amount your employer is legally required to pay over the full duration of your internship. If a company offers less, it is acting illegally.
💡 Tip: For a 6-month Master’s internship, the stipend must be paid monthly (monthly smoothing method), even though the 2-month threshold is only reached after 8 weeks. This ensures a regular income for the student.
Real-life examples: what companies actually pay
The good news is that for a Master’s-level profile—often bringing specific, highly professional skills—many companies pay a stipend well above the legal minimum! The minimum is rarely the norm, especially in high-demand sectors or large companies.
Master’s students are often considered potential pre-hires. Negotiating a good stipend is therefore perfectly legitimate, as the company benefits from a highly professional contribution during these 6 months.
How your stipend is calculated and the legal framework
To ensure that the final amount stated in your internship agreement is correct, it’s essential to understand the calculation method: monthly smoothing. The final amount of your stipend is set in the internship agreement before you even start. Make sure it is properly signed!
Step-by-step guide to calculating your 6-month Master’s internship pay
The Labour Code and Education Code allow your total stipend to be spread evenly over the duration of the internship so that you receive the same amount every month.
Here is the step-by-step guide (Juritravail / French Public Service method):
- Calculate the total duration: Determine the total number of effective working hours specified in your agreement (example: 6 months × 151.67 hours/month = 910 hours).
- Determine the total amount: Multiply this total number of hours by the hourly stipend rate (minimum legal rate or the negotiated rate).
- Apply monthly smoothing: Divide the total amount by the number of full internship months (6 months).
This fixed monthly amount is what must be paid to you. This system greatly simplifies budget management, especially for expenses such as student housing.
Regulations: when the stipend becomes mandatory
Why this famous two-month threshold? The law regulating internships is clear: as long as the internship does not exceed this duration, the stipend is not mandatory.
Your 6-month Master’s internship goes well beyond this threshold. This time is essential to acquire real professional experience. It is therefore subject to the law, and the stipend is owed from the first day of your presence in the host organization, even if it is paid monthly. This obligation guarantees recognition of your contribution to the company.
Anticipating internship stipends in 2026
Are you doing your internship next year? Wondering what the 2026 Master’s internship stipend will be?
As mentioned earlier, the rate is indexed to the PHSS. Each year, this ceiling is revalued, leading to a (generally moderate) increase in the minimum stipend.
The minimum stipend in 2026 will likely be higher than in 2025. Employers will be required to apply the new rate in force as of January 1, 2026.
Your rights as an intern
Interns have extended rights within companies, particularly regarding social protection.
Social security coverage, exemptions, and contributions
This is a major advantage of internship stipends! They benefit from a social-security contribution exemption:
- Exemption rule: As long as your stipend does not exceed the legal minimum (15% of the PHSS), it is fully exempt from employee and employer social contributions.
- Above the ceiling: Only the portion exceeding the legal minimum is subject to contributions (CSG, CRDS, etc.).
Regarding health insurance, you remain covered under the general social security scheme, including health and accident insurance.
In the event of a workplace or commuting accident, the employer or educational institution handles the necessary procedures with the relevant authority. Your host organization must ensure your safety at work, just like any other employee.
The internship agreement: your key document
As you’ve understood, the internship agreement is crucial. It is the only document that formalizes your entire professional experience: training objectives, duration, stipend amount, and working conditions (minimum and maximum).
Make sure all clauses match what was negotiated, as the agreement acts as a contract governing your training period within the company.
It is your main protection against abuse and must be read carefully before committing. Never hesitate to ask your higher-education institution to check its compliance with labour law!
The benefit of good pay to live close to your internship location
Your 6-month internship is often your first significant source of income. This remuneration gives you the freedom to choose housing close to your internship location.
Think about it: a good stipend allows you to consider more comfortable and better-located student housing solutions. For example, an employer paying above the minimum makes it easier for students to live close to their workplace or training institution.
With a comfortable stipend, you can choose high-quality student housing, such as a UXCO Student residence, offering all the amenities needed to balance the demands of your Master’s degree with a healthy social life. It’s a smart move: using your internship income to secure the ideal environment for success!
Employer obligations and formalizing your internship
For employers, hosting an intern is subject to strict rules defined by labour law.
Companies have legal obligations to ensure your internship runs smoothly:
- Appointment of a supervisor: The company must designate a supervisor responsible for your training. The law limits the number of interns per supervisor to ensure quality supervision.
- Respect for rights: Interns are entitled to the same benefits as employees (meal vouchers, partial reimbursement of transport costs, access to social and cultural activities).
- Maximum duration: The total duration of one or more internships within the same company may not exceed 6 months per academic year. Your 6-month internship is therefore the maximum allowed. Proper supervision of interns is a priority for both educational institutions and companies to ensure a high-quality experience.
FAQ
FAQ: frequently asked questions
The salary (called a stipend) is set at a minimum of €4.35 per hour (2025 rate) if the internship lasts more than 2 months (308 hours). This represents approximately €660 per month (based on a 35-hour work week). The actual amount is often higher depending on the professional field.
The exact amount of the 2026 Master’s internship stipend will be set on January 1, 2026 by decree, based on 15% of the hourly Social Security ceiling. It will likely be slightly higher.
No. It is fully exempt from income tax for the student up to the annual minimum wage (SMIC) amount. Beyond this threshold, only the excess portion is taxable.
