Internships are undoubtedly one of the most important stages in a student’s education. Their first contact with the world of work not only offers them the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have acquired in the classroom, but can also set the course for their future career: opening doors to solid professional success or, in other cases, becoming a learning experience that serves as a starting point for redirecting their goals and ambitions. These experiences allow students to familiarize themselves with the real dynamics of the industry, develop key skills, and create a network of contacts that will be essential throughout their career.

At Vogue College of Fashion, internships are not only an academic requirement for master’s students, but also an opportunity for students to integrate into the professional network. We spoke with Susana Ibáñez, Head of Careers & Stakeholder Engagement, to understand how students experience this and how these internships become a real bridge to the industry.

What master’s degrees are available?

Depending on annual demand, Vogue College of Fashion offers five different types of master’s degrees. They are taught over a nine-month academic year, from October to September, at the campus headquarters on Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid. Places for the 2026-2027 academic year are now available:

Vogue Master’s Degree in Fashion and Beauty Business Management
Vogue Master’s Degree in Fashion and Beauty Communication
Vogue Master’s Degree in Fashion Design and Brand and Business Creation
Vogue Master’s Degree in Fashion Image: Styling and Creative Direction
Vogue Master’s Degree in International Luxury Business

What do fashion companies look for when offering internships?

When a student applies for an internship in the fashion industry, companies look for much more than basic knowledge and enthusiasm; these two qualities are taken for granted. In the case of companies that collaborate with Vogue College of Fashion, most of which are at the top of the business pyramid, they demand profiles specialized in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. “Students with specific knowledge of communication, styling, marketing, content management, or events, but also with an attitude of openness to collaboration, a predisposition to problem-solving, and a high level of involvement in the project,” explains Ibañez.

This knowledge is not difficult to obtain as a student at Vogue College of Fashion, as the master’s degrees are designed to meet the needs of the industry. “Our students are all graduates and this prior knowledge has already prepared them not only technically but also in other social and professional skills. But when they take any master’s degree at Vogue College of Fashion, they also acquire a new perspective and an understanding of the reality of the sector that comes directly from the professionals who teach them and which prepares them exceptionally well for internships in any company in the sector,” he says.

Are they always looking for the same thing? Basically, yes. However, companies must adapt to the changes imposed by the sector, such as globalization, hybrid working models, and diversity in team profiles. “This is something that interns can experience firsthand, and it is proving to be a positive change that allows them to adapt to different environments,” explains Ibáñez. All of this allows them to develop adaptability and flexibility skills that are highly valued by employers.

What is the process for accepting and assigning internships at Vogue College of Fashion?

Internships for students in the various master’s programs are a compulsory part of the curriculum. Students cannot obtain their master’s degree without passing this test. So how does this process begin? Each student applies for vacancies that companies in the sector offer to Vogue College of Fashion, which the center has previously filtered. These usually include national and international fashion, beauty, jewelry, and accessory brands, or internships in the departments of Condé Nast publishing house. “The publishing house is a preferred partner for us. However, we also work with brands and agencies in media, digital marketing, events, and talent management that are leaders in the sector and require the kind of support we can offer.”

Sometimes students find their own internships, and Vogue College of Fashion is responsible for accepting them and signing the agreement. “The vacancy found by the student must meet the requirements of this subject in terms of number of hours, schedule, and content. If this is the case and VCF considers it valid, we will help them manage the necessary documents: signing the agreement and annex.”

All students have the opportunity to do curricular internships. “We always guarantee that there are enough places for everyone,” says Ibáñez. Once the company has selected the student and the necessary arrangements have been made, the student will complete the internship for the number of hours established in each program. At the end of the internship, the student receives a grade from 1 to 10, as in other subjects, along with feedback from the company tutor. “In addition, students can opt for extracurricular internships, which are no longer mandatory and are not evaluated, but allow them to expand their experience in the same company or in a different one,” he concludes.

What are the advantages of doing an internship through Vogue College of Fashion?

Vogue is an internationally renowned brand in the sector, and its positioning, connections, and extensive network of contacts represent the best of the industry. Being linked to the firm means having access to the best of the best in fashion, media, and lifestyle. This extends to the fact that Vogue College of Fashion does not only operate in Spain: the network is growing internationally with offices in New York and London.

“Each school has its own agreements based on its authority or position in the market. One of the main functions of the Internships and Careers team is to establish and nurture valuable alliances with key partners in the sector,” says Ibáñez. In addition to ensuring the quality of the internships that their students will receive. “Internship vacancies come from real needs within companies; they are not fictitious situations that we can create for students. That is their true value, being able to integrate into a real structure. At VCF’s Internships and Careers team, we analyze all the vacancies shared by companies to ensure that they meet the necessary requirements for the experience to be appropriate. We also follow up on them with the student and the tutor to ensure that everything is going as expected.”

What happens after the internship?

It depends on each specific situation and the student’s attitude. The expectation is that each student will learn to function comfortably in the business world. As students are always monitored by the relevant team, the experience is expected to be outstanding or excellent.

The Internships and Careers team organizes various sessions throughout the academic year where companies and their Human Resources teams share their talent development programs, job interview tips, and career strategies with students. “We also organize a career fair, the Vogue Career Forum, where we offer inspiring talks and students can meet talent teams from leading companies in person. And when students finish their course, they can access Vogue Career Connect, our platform for posting extracurricular internships or job offers,” explains Ibáñez.

In short, internships at Vogue College of Fashion not only allow students to apply their knowledge and develop key skills, but also connect them with an ever-evolving industry, offering them a real springboard to their professional future in fashion, media, and lifestyle.