The School of Nautical Science and Marine Engineering (SNSME) of the University of A Coruña, within the scope of its responsibilities in academic planning and coordination, considers it necessary to establish its own regulatory instrument to govern the implementation of external internships for its students.

External internships constitute an essential training activity aimed at acquiring professional competencies in a real working environment, serving as a bridge between university education and professional practice. They also represent a key element in strengthening the relationship between the SNSME and the maritime, industrial, and business sectors, as well as in improving students’ employability.

This Regulation sets the framework for the organisation, management, monitoring, and assessment of external internships in the degree programmes offered by the SNSME, integrating their functioning into the School’s Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) and aligning with the current regulations of the University of A Coruña and applicable national legislation.

I.1. Purpose and Scope of Application

1. This Regulation aims to establish the regulatory framework for the organisation, management, development, and assessment of external internships undertaken by students of the School of Nautical Science and Marine Engineering (SNSME) of the University of A Coruña.
2. External internships are a training activity whose purpose is to enable students to apply and complement the knowledge acquired in their academic education, fostering the acquisition of competencies that enhance their employability and professional development.
3. This Regulation applies to external internships carried out by students enrolled in the bachelor's and master's degrees offered at the SNSME.
4. External internships may be curricular or extracurricular, in accordance with Article I.4 of this Regulation.
5. Curricular internships are integrated into the study plans and are awarded academic recognition in ECTS credits.
6. Extracurricular internships, which are voluntary, may be undertaken by students while they maintain their status as enrolled students at the UDC, for complementary training purposes.
7. Extracurricular internships shall be governed by the same regulatory framework, quality criteria, and general procedures established in this Regulation, except for the specific provisions explicitly defined for this modality.
8. All external internships must be formalised through the corresponding educational cooperation agreement between the University of A Coruña and the host organisation.

I.2. Regulatory Framework

External internships regulated by this document are governed by:

1. Royal Decree 592/2014, of 11 July, regulating external academic internships for university students.
2. The External Internships Regulation of the University of A Coruña, approved by the University’s Governing Council.
3. The IQAS Manual of the SNSME of the University of A Coruña, particularly “Dimension 03, Procedure 05: External Internships”.
4. This SNSME External Internships Regulation and its annexes.
5. Any other higher-level provision applicable to university training internships.

I.3. Purpose and Objectives

1. External internships have the fundamental purpose of complementing the academic training received at the SNSME through the immersion of students in real professional environments.
2. Their specific objectives are:
   1. To facilitate the acquisition and development of professional, technical, and transversal competencies.
   2. To enhance students’ employability and labour market integration.
   3. To foster practical learning and professional responsibility.
   4. To promote stable collaboration between the SNSME and companies, institutions, and organisations within the sector.

I.4. Types of External Internships

1. External internships undertaken by students of the SNSME are classified into two types:
   1. Curricular internships, integrated into each degree programme and linked to subjects with recognised ECTS academic credits.
   2. Extracurricular internships, voluntary in nature, which are not part of the study plan but are recognised as complementary training activities in the student’s academic record.
2. Both modalities share the same training objectives, quality principles, safety requirements, and monitoring and assessment procedures, in accordance with this Regulation.
3. Extracurricular internships shall not, under any circumstances:
   1. Replace job positions or structural functions within the company.
   2. Involve an employment relationship or remuneration that alters their training nature.
4. The maximum duration of extracurricular internships shall comply with the University of A Coruña’s regulations and Royal Decree 592/2014, of 11 July, and may not exceed 900 hours per academic year.
5. Students may undertake extracurricular internships at any time during the academic year, provided they do not interfere with academic obligations and comply with the safety, insurance, and monitoring requirements established by the SNSME.
6. Extracurricular internships may take place either ashore or on board, provided that the vessel, facility, or collaborating company meets the corresponding legal and training requirements.
7. In all cases, an individual training plan must be drawn up, validated by the EIC, specifying the objectives, tasks, and competencies to be developed.

II.1. Organisational Structure

The development and management of external internships at ETSNM are structured around the following bodies and roles:

1. The External Internships Committee (EIC), as the body responsible for planning, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating the external internship process.
2. The Academic Tutor (AT), responsible for the academic supervision and assessment of students undertaking internships.
3. The Professional Tutor (PT), appointed by the collaborating entity, responsible for direct guidance and supervision of the tasks performed by the student at the internship centre.
4. The students, who are the main actors in the training process and must comply with the project and the established rules.
5. The ETSNM Management Team, which ensures the correct implementation of the Regulation and the integration of the internship process into the IQAS.

II.2. External Internships Committee (EIC)

II.2.1. Composition

1. The EIC shall be composed of:
   1. The Deputy Director for Academic Organization (DDAO), who will act as chairperson.
   2. The Internship Coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering (CM).
   3. The Internship Coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Nautical Science and Maritime Transport (CN).
   4. When deemed appropriate, other members of the faculty and research staff, Technical, Management, and Administrative and Service Staff (TMASS), or sector experts invited by the EIC may participate with voice but without vote.
2. The chairperson may delegate duties to other members of the EIC when circumstances require it. One of its members shall act as secretary, responsible for drafting minutes and keeping the generated documentation.

II.2.2. Functions of the EIC

The EIC is responsible for the following functions:

1. Preparing, reviewing, and periodically updating the ETSNM External Internship Regulations.
2. Attracting new collaborating companies and institutions, as well as renewing and maintaining existing agreements.
3. Establishing the criteria for the allocation of internship placements, ensuring transparency and equal opportunities.
4. Appointing ATs and approving the correspondence between students, tutors, and companies.
5. Approving templates for training projects, assessment rubrics, and monitoring and satisfaction surveys.
6. Defining the weighting of the final grade between AT and PT assessments, reviewing it annually.
7. Ensuring compliance with safety, confidentiality, and professional ethics standards in collaborating companies.
8. Supervising the proper development of internships and resolving incidents beyond the competence of the AT.
9. Advising ATs on the evaluation of students’ internship reports when requested.
10. Managing the database of collaborating companies and maintaining the historical record of agreements.
11. Promoting continuous improvement actions based on surveys and annual reports.
12. Issuing an annual internship monitoring report, which shall be submitted to the Management Team and incorporated into the IQAS.
13. Advising the ETSNM Management Team and the School Board on decisions related to external internships.

II.2.3. Operation

1. The EIC must meet at least once per academic year to address the following points:
   • Plan the annual internship cycle.
   • Analyse results and prepare the annual report of the previous academic year.
2. Extraordinary meetings may also be held at the request of the Management Team or the majority of its members.
3. Minutes shall be drafted for each meeting, signed by the secretary and approved at the next meeting.
4. Meetings may be held in person or online, ensuring the validity of deliberations.

II.3. Academic Tutors (AT)

II.3.1. Appointment and Profile

Each student will be assigned an AT, who must be a member of the faculty and research staff of ETSNM. The appointment is the responsibility of the EIC and shall consider:

• The relationship between the internship field and the teaching or professional experience of the tutor.
• The balanced distribution of teaching workloads.
• The tutor’s availability and voluntary acceptance of the role.

II.3.2. Functions and Responsibilities

The AT is responsible for supervising and academically evaluating the student throughout the internship process. Their duties include:

1. Acting as the sole representative of ETSNM before the company and as the primary contact person for the student.
2. Ensuring the coherence of the training project with the competencies and learning outcomes of the degree.
3. Reviewing and approving the initial training project before the start of the internship.
4. Coordinating with the PT to carry out academic and technical follow-up, maintaining fluent communication.
5. Conducting at least one interim review of the internship, either in person or online.
6. Verifying that the training project is being correctly implemented throughout the internship.
7. Resolving ordinary incidents and reporting major issues to the EIC.
8. Assessing the internship report and the achievement of the training objectives.
9. Issuing the final academic evaluation using the rubric established by the EIC.
10. Entering the final grade in SIGMA and signing the corresponding record.
11. Collecting and submitting to the EIC all reports and surveys from the involved parties.
12. Ensuring compliance with safety, confidentiality, equality, and professional ethics throughout the internship.
13. Participating in the continuous improvement of the Internship Plan by proposing optimisation measures.

II.4. Professional Tutors (PT)

II.4.1. Appointment and Profile

The PT shall be appointed by the collaborating company or institution. They must possess suitable training, qualifications, and professional experience to guide and supervise the student’s work within the corresponding activity area.

II.4.2. Functions and Responsibilities

The duties of the PT are:

1. Welcoming the student and facilitating their integration into the internship centre.
2. Informing the student of the company’s internal rules, especially regarding safety, occupational risk prevention, confidentiality, and environmental protection.
3. Supervising compliance with the training project, ensuring that tasks match the student’s academic level.
4. Ensuring that assigned tasks do not constitute an employment relationship nor replace structural functions of the company.
5. Assessing the student’s progress and issuing the final report using the official template.
6. Maintaining contact with the AT and reporting any incidents, delays, or changes.
7. Providing a supportive learning environment and professional guidance.
8. Respecting confidentiality of the student’s academic data and complying with UDC data protection regulations.
9. Completing the evaluation and satisfaction surveys established by ETSNM.
10. Cooperating with the AT and the EIC in the continuous improvement of the internship programme.
11. Respecting and promoting the principles of equality, diversity, and dignity set forth in this Regulation.

II.5. Student Obligations

Students shall:

1. Attend preliminary information sessions and follow the instructions provided by ETSNM.
2. Complete all required data and forms in TELMO and SIGMA.
3. Be covered by the accident and civil liability insurance contracted by the UDC.
4. Comply with the company’s rules on ethics, safety, confidentiality, and risk prevention.
5. Carry out assigned tasks responsibly and achieve the training objectives.
6. Report to the AT on the degree of achievement of their internship objectives.
7. Prepare the internship report using the official template within the established deadlines.
8. Complete the final evaluation survey and submit the documentation within the required deadlines.
9. Inform the AT of any significant incidents.
10. Not leave the internship centre without explicit authorisation from both the AT and the PT.
11. Respect the principles of equality, diversity, respect, and coexistence established in this Regulation and in the values of ETSNM and UDC.

II.6. Criteria for Allocation of Internship Placements

1. The EIC shall establish objective criteria for the allocation of internship placements annually, published before the application process begins.
2. These criteria shall ensure transparency, merit, ability, and equal opportunities, in accordance with the values of the University of A Coruña and ETSNM.
3. Among others, the following specific criteria may be considered:
   1. The student’s academic record.
   2. The number of pending subjects required to complete the degree.
   3. The student’s availability to join the internship when an opportunity arises.
   4. The student’s preference for the type of internship (on board or ashore) and, for on-board internships, the ship type or operational field most suited to their profile and available placements.
   5. Mandatory professional certificates (STCW, safety, risk prevention, etc.) when required for the position.
   6. The suitability of the student’s profile for the offered placement, considering whether students from the BNSMT or BME are required, and other company-specific requirements (e.g., residence near the workplace, language skills, or technical prerequisites).
   7. Compliance with deadlines and documentation requirements in the application process.
   8. Foreign language proficiency when the internship takes place in international contexts.
   9. The AT’s recommendation when justified on pedagogical or academic grounds.
4. The EIC may reserve placements for:
   • International mobility programmes.
   • Institutional agreements with specific deadlines or requirements.
   • Justified personal or academic circumstances (special needs, curricular adjustments, etc.).
5. Allocations shall be published through an EIC resolution and will be binding, except in duly justified cases.
6. In exceptional circumstances (withdrawal of a company, cancellation of the placement, or unforeseen impossibility), the EIC may reassign placements, ensuring equal opportunities and the preservation of academic conditions as far as possible.
7. External internship placements directly linked to curricular subjects shall have priority for students enrolled in those subjects.
8. Curricular internships shall always take precedence over extracurricular ones.
   1. Extracurricular internships may only be offered when there are unfilled placements not required by students eligible for curricular internships.
   2. The EIC may reserve a limited number of placements for extracurricular internships, provided this does not affect coverage of curricular placements.
9. The allocation lists shall clearly identify the internship modality (curricular or extracurricular) and a record of all allocations shall be kept in the student’s file.
10. The EIC shall maintain an historical allocation record to support equity monitoring and continuous improvement.

II.7. Institutional Principles and Values Applicable to External Internships

1. All parties involved —ETSNM, the EIC, ATs and PTs, students, and collaborating entities— must respect and promote the fundamental principles and values of the University of A Coruña and ETSNM, especially regarding equality, coexistence, and social responsibility.
2. In particular, the following guiding principles shall be observed:
   1. Non-discrimination. Ensuring access to and development of internships under equal conditions, without discrimination based on gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, origin, age, disability, beliefs, ideology, or any other personal or social condition.
   2. Respect for human dignity. Promoting impartial, respectful, and considerate treatment of all persons involved in the internship process, avoiding any form of harassment or degrading treatment.
   3. Diversity and inclusion. Recognising and valuing the diversity present in the university community and in professional environments where internships take place, fostering open and inclusive learning spaces.
   4. Equal opportunities. Ensuring that allocation, monitoring, and assessment processes are conducted using objective and non-discriminatory criteria.
   5. Occupational health and safety. Ensuring strict compliance with occupational risk prevention and environmental protection standards, both at UDC facilities and in collaborating entities.
   6. Confidentiality and professional ethics. Respecting sensitive or confidential company information, as well as the personal data of students and staff involved.
   7. Institutional responsibility. Representing ETSNM and the University of A Coruña with professionalism, contributing to their public image and ethical reputation.
3. Failure to comply with these principles may result in a review of internship conditions and, where appropriate, the adoption of disciplinary or corrective measures as provided in the applicable regulations of the University of A Coruña.

III.1. Annual cycle of the placements

1. The external placement process will be carried out on an annual basis, coinciding with the academic year of the ETSNM, and will be structured into the following main phases:
   1. Information and guidance for students.
   2. Offer and application for placements.
   3. Allocation of placements and appointment of tutors.
   4. Formalisation of the agreement and documentation.
   5. Development and monitoring of the placement.
   6. Final assessment.
   7. Annual report and continuous improvement.
2. The CPE shall prepare each academic year a guidance calendar specifying the opening and closing dates for each phase, ensuring its public dissemination through the ETSNM website and official noticeboards.
3. The ETSNM Management may authorise extraordinary calendar adjustments due to academic, organisational or collaborating companies’ availability reasons.

III.2. Information and guidance for students

1. At the beginning of each academic year, the CPE shall organise information sessions addressed to students of the BNSMT and BME degrees, where the following topics will be explained:
   • The purpose and requirements of external placements.
   • The phases of the process and the annual calendar.
   • The available modalities (on board and onshore).
   • The procedures for registration, allocation, and assessment.
   • The rights and obligations of students, tutors, and companies.
2. This information shall remain permanently available on the ETSNM official media and will be updated annually.
3. Students may request individual guidance from the CPE or their TA regarding specific aspects of the process.

III.3. Offer and application for placements

1. The offer of placements shall be prepared by the CPE, with the collaboration of the tutoring staff and the ETSNM Management, based on:
   1. Existing agreements with companies and institutions.
   2. New collaboration offers managed throughout the academic year.
2. Collaborating entities must indicate, for each placement offered:
   • The designation and description of the tasks.
   • The degree to which it is addressed (BNSMT or BME).
   • The expected duration and calendar.
   • The timetable and place of performance.
   • The appointed TP.
   • Specific requirements (languages, certificates, availability, etc.).
3. The CPE shall publish the list of unfilled vacant placements and will open an application period for students, which shall be carried out through the TELMO platform or another medium designated by the ETSNM.
4. Applications shall include, when required:
   • A statement of preference for the type of placement (on board/onshore).
   • Preferences regarding type of vessel or sector.
   • A motivation letter and an updated CV.
   • Documentation accrediting professional certificates or language skills.
5. Students may indicate up to three preferred options, which will be taken into account by the CPE in the allocation process.
6. Failure to meet the deadlines and submission requirements established by the CPE may result in a penalty of up to 20% of the final grade, unless duly justified and accredited.

III.4. Allocation of placements and appointment of tutors

1. The CPE shall apply the allocation criteria established in Article II.6 of this Regulation.
2. Once the placement period is open, and as students apply, the CPE will prioritise and assign placements according to availability and the established criteria.
3. Once a placement has been assigned, it shall be mandatory and binding for both the student and the collaborating entity, except in duly justified and accredited cases.
4. In exceptional cases (e.g., company withdrawal, cancellation of the placement, or supervening impossibility), the CPE may reassign the placement, ensuring, insofar as possible, equal opportunities and the maintenance of the initial academic conditions.
5. All allocations shall be officially communicated to students and recorded in the TELMO platform or the system designated by the ETSNM.

III.5. Formalisation of the agreement and documentation

1. All external placements require the existence of a cooperation agreement between the Universidade da Coruña and the collaborating entity, formalised according to the procedure established by the UDC for external placements.
2. The initiative for incorporating a new company may originate from the TA, the TP, the student, or another interested party.
   The CPE shall be responsible for managing the administrative processing of the agreement, including:
   1. Verification of the suitability of the collaborating entity.
   2. Request, drafting, or adaptation of the contractual text in accordance with official UDC templates.
   3. Processing for signature by the competent parties.
3. The agreement shall set out the general conditions of collaboration and will be complemented by the individualised training project, which shall define:
   • The objectives and competencies to be achieved.
   • The tasks and activities to be carried out by the student.
   • The duration, timetable, and calendar.
   • The name of the TA and the TP.
   • The monitoring and assessment system.
4. The training project must be validated by the TA before the start of the placement.
5. Students must have the school insurance, accident insurance, and civil liability insurance provided by the UDC, as well as any additional coverage required by maritime regulations or the collaborating company.
6. All documentation related to the placement (agreement, training project, declarations, reports, and rubrics) must be recorded in TELMO and SIGMA, in accordance with the procedure established by the CPE.

III.6. Development and monitoring of the placements

1. During the placement period, the student must comply with the schedule, rules, and instructions set by the company, under the supervision of the TP and the monitoring of the TA.
2. The TA may maintain an intermediate contact with the company, either in person or online, to assess the student's progress and verify compliance with the training project.
3. The TP may request minor modifications in the development of the tasks, provided they do not alter the training objectives. Substantial modifications must be approved by the TA and communicated to the CPE.
4. Students must maintain regular contact with their TA, which will serve as a tool for continuous monitoring.

III.7. On-board placements

1. On-board placements on merchant vessels constitute an essential part of the professional training of students enrolled in the degrees offered by the ETSNM, especially for obtaining the professional competencies required by the international STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) and the Spanish legislation applicable to merchant marine qualifications.
2. Students may undertake on-board placements if they meet the following requirements:
   1. Have passed the subjects that the CPE determines as the minimum required for embarkation.
   2. Possess the professional seafarer's book or the Seafarer's Identity Document (SID) issued by the Directorate-General for the Merchant Marine (DGMM).
   3. Hold the mandatory STCW certificates corresponding to the type of vessel (Basic Safety Training, Maritime Security, and others as required).
   4. Hold a valid maritime medical certificate issued by an authorised medical centre.
   5. Be covered by accident and civil liability insurance from the UDC, as well as any additional coverage required by maritime regulations.
3. Embarkation shall only take place on vessels that meet the following conditions:
   1. Hold authorisation from the DGMM or an equivalent authority in the case of a foreign-flagged vessel.
   2. Ensure that the student is insured under the corresponding regime (maritime insurance, agreement, or company coverage).
   3. Designate a TP on board with the appropriate qualification and experience for training supervision.
   4. Have a maritime placement agreement formalised between the UDC and the shipowning or shipping company, in compliance with current regulations.
4. To pass the placement subject, the duration of on-board placements shall be that established in the degree programme.
5. Any extension, reduction, or splitting of the embarkation period established in the training project must be authorised by the CPE, with written justification.
6. The monitoring of on-board placements shall be performed through:
   1. Continuous communication between the student and the TA.
   2. All documentation required under Article III.9 of this Regulation.
7. Students must strictly comply with maritime safety regulations, onboard discipline, and professional conduct, following the instructions of the TP on board.
   Failure to comply with these rules may result in suspension of the placement and notification to the CPE.
8. The CPE shall maintain an updated register of collaborating companies and vessels, including contact details, vessel types, routes, and annual quality evaluations, to ensure continuous improvement of the programme.

III.8. Incidents and modifications

1. Any relevant incident (accident, illness, non-compliance, conflict, withdrawal, or change of tutor) must be immediately communicated to the TA, who will inform the CPE.
2. Modifications to the calendar, schedule, or tasks must be authorised by the TA and notified to the CPE, who will decide whether it is necessary to update the training project.
3. In the event of serious non-compliance by the student, the TA may propose the suspension of the placement, after hearing the student, and the CPE shall resolve the case.
4. If the non-compliance originates from the company (e.g., cessation of training activity, violation of safety standards, harassment, or discriminatory treatment), the CPE may terminate the agreement and seek an alternative placement for the affected student.
5. Incidents related to safety, equality, or coexistence shall follow the UDC’s applicable protocol.

III.9. Closure of the process and final documentation

1. At the end of the placement period, the following documents must be submitted:
   • Final report from the TP, according to the rubric in Annex II.
   • Assessment report from the TA, according to the rubric in Annex III.
   • Student’s placement report.
   • Evaluation and satisfaction surveys (student, company, and TA).
2. The TA shall issue the final assessment and forward the full documentation to the CPE for archiving and quality control.
3. The CPE shall prepare, based on this information, an annual summary report including incidents, results, satisfaction levels, and improvement proposals.

III.10. Extracurricular placements

1. Extracurricular placements are a voluntary training activity designed to complement students’ academic training through the practical application of acquired knowledge and the development of professional competencies.
2. Students enrolled in any ETSNM degree may access these placements, provided they meet their academic and administrative obligations with the Universidade da Coruña.
3. Extracurricular placements must be carried out under a cooperation agreement between the UDC and the collaborating entity, in accordance with current regulations and the procedures established by the ETSNM.
4. The management and allocation process of extracurricular placements shall generally follow the same phases and guarantees as curricular placements, although the authorisation and registration process may be simplified through an abbreviated training project form, as determined by the CPE.
5. Students shall have an assigned TA and TP, who will perform the same guidance, monitoring, and assessment functions described in this Regulation, adapted to the nature and duration of the placement.
6. At the end of the placement, students must submit an abbreviated report, descriptive and reflective in nature, adapted to the duration and characteristics of the placement.
   This report shall follow a simplified format compared to the curricular placement report and must include, at minimum, a description of the tasks performed and a brief personal reflection on the experience.
   It must be accompanied by the corresponding assessments from the TA and TP, following the procedure established by the CPE.
7. Extracurricular placements do not count towards the compulsory credits of the degree, but they may appear in the European Diploma Supplement (extra) and in the academic transcript as a recognised training activity.
8. The CPE may exceptionally authorise, with due justification, the subsequent recognition of an extracurricular placement as curricular, provided it meets the training objectives, minimum duration, and requirements of the degree programme.
9. The CPE shall maintain a specific register of extracurricular placements and shall include aggregated information on these in the annual results and continuous improvement report.
10. In all cases, extracurricular placements shall be subject to the same principles of equality, non-discrimination, safety, confidentiality, and respect for human dignity as curricular placements.

IV. General principles of assessment

1. The assessment of external internships shall have a formative and certifying nature, and its purpose is to verify the degree of acquisition of the professional, technical and transversal competencies defined in the study plans and in the approved training project.
2. The assessment process shall ensure the principles of objectivity, transparency and traceability, guaranteeing equal treatment and equal opportunities for all students.
3. The assessment will be carried out by the TP and the TA, in accordance with the official rubrics included in Annexes III and IV of this Regulation.
4. The assessment process will consider both technical-professional performance and the student’s attitudes, behaviour, and ability to integrate into the work environment.
5. In no case may internship assessment be based exclusively on attendance or time spent, but on the effective acquisition of the defined training competencies.

IV.2. Assessing agents

1. The following agents participate in the assessment process:
   1. The TP, representing the company or collaborating entity.
   2. The TA, representing the SNSME.
   3. The CPE, as the body responsible for supervising and reviewing the process.
2. The overall internship grade will result from combining the assessments of the TP and the TA, according to the weighting established in Article IV.5.
3. The TA is responsible for the grade review process. Complaints shall be processed according to the procedure established by UDC regulations.

IV.3. Assessment criteria

1. The student’s assessment shall follow the following general principles and procedures, applicable to curricular internships:
   • The assessment shall be carried out by the TP and the TA using the official rubrics established in Annexes III and IV.
   • The assessment process will have both a formative and certifying nature, and will verify the degree of acquisition of the professional, technical and transversal competencies defined in the training project and in the study plan.
2. Before numerical assessment, the TA shall verify that the internship report (document, presentation and defence) complies with the approved training project.
   1. This verification shall be completed through the corresponding section of the TA’s rubric, assigning the level Pass or Fail.
   2. If the report does not meet the objectives and competencies defined in the training project and receives a Fail rating, the final grade will be Fail (0.0), without proceeding to numerical assessment.
3. The student’s assessment shall consider the following general criteria, adaptable to each degree programme and type of internship:
   1. Fulfilment of the training project and assigned tasks.
   2. Quality of the report and critical analysis of the training experience.
   3. Application of technical knowledge and understanding of professional processes.
   4. Ability to analyse, solve problems and provide a final reflection.
   5. Communication and interaction with the TA and TP.
   6. Compliance with deadlines and formal requirements set by the CPE.
   7. Quality of the oral presentation and appropriate use of supporting resources.
   8. Final defence before the TA, demonstrating authorship and comprehensive understanding of the experience.
   9. Professional and ethical attitude, in accordance with institutional values of equality, respect, diversity and integrity.
4. The specific indicators and performance levels for each criterion are included in the official assessment rubrics in Annexes III and IV.
5. The oral presentation and defence of the internship report shall be mandatory, and shall be conducted by the TA to verify the degree of acquisition of professional competences and the authorship of the submitted work.
   The defence may be held in person or online, and shall be assessed in accordance with the corresponding criteria of the official rubric (presentation, use of resources and defence).
6. Failure to comply with the deadlines and submission formats established by the CPE may result in a penalty of up to 20% of the final grade, unless duly justified.

IV.4. Assessment instruments and documentation

1. The following official documents, which are mandatory, shall be used:
   1. TP assessment rubric (Annex III).
   2. TA assessment rubric (Annex IV).
   3. Student internship report.
   4. Satisfaction surveys from all three parties (student, TP and TA).
   5. Annual summary report from the CPE (for continuous improvement).
2. All documentation shall be submitted through TELMO or other official means designated by the SNSME, within the established deadlines, and must be signed or validated by the corresponding parties.

IV.5. Weighting of assessments

1. The final grade will result from the following weighting:
   1. TP: 60%
   2. TA: 40%
2. These weights may be adjusted by the CPE according to the nature of the internship, with prior notification to the students.
3. The TP’s assessment will evaluate performance, attitude, and degree of task completion.
4. The TA’s assessment will evaluate the adequacy of the internship report (document, presentation and defence) with respect to the training project.
5. If the student does not submit the report, fails to meet formal requirements or does not complete the minimum number of hours, the grade will be Fail (0.0).

IV.6. Grading scale

1. The final grade will be expressed on a scale from 0 to 10, with qualitative descriptors:
   • 0.0–4.9: Fail (SS)
   • 5.0–6.9: Pass (AP)
   • 7.0–8.9: Good (NT)
   • 9.0–10: Excellent (SB)
2. The TA may propose an Honours Distinction, with a supporting report, for approval by the CPE, in accordance with UDC regulations.

IV.7. Review and appeals

1. Students may request a review of the final grade from the TA within 48 hours of its official publication.
2. If disagreement with the published final assessment persists, the student may lodge an appeal before the SNSME Directorate, in accordance with UDC’s general procedures for grade assessment, review and appeals.

IV.8. Integration into continuous improvement

1. The CPE shall incorporate aggregated data on results and satisfaction into its annual reports, with the aim of supporting continuous improvement.
2. These reports may justify adjustments to rubrics, procedures or criteria, which will be approved by the CPE and communicated to the School Board when appropriate.

V.1. Annual monitoring of internships

1. The CPE is the body responsible for the annual monitoring of external internships, with the aim of ensuring their proper planning, implementation, and assessment.
2. For monitoring purposes, the CPE will collect and analyse information from:
   1. The assessment rubrics completed by the TA and TP.
   2. Satisfaction surveys from students, companies, and supervising staff.
   3. The number of agreements signed, placements offered, and placements filled.
   4. Incidents recorded during the development of the internships.
   5. Improvement proposals submitted by tutors and students.
3. The CPE may convene evaluation meetings with TAs and TPs, as well as good-practice meetings with collaborating companies.
4. To ensure traceability, all monitoring documentation will be stored according to the archiving and registration procedures established by the ETSNM.

V.2. Annual results report

1. At the end of each academic year, the CPE will prepare an Annual Results Report on external internships, which shall include at least:
   1. Statistical data on participation, distribution by degree and type of internship.
   2. Pass rate and average grades.
   3. Level of satisfaction of all parties involved.
   4. List of collaborating companies and overall assessment.
   5. Significant incidents and the resolutions adopted.
   6. Improvement proposals for the following academic year.
2. The report will be presented to the ETSNM Management and the School Board, and will be available for consultation by academic and administrative staff involved in the internship programme.
3. The information contained in this report will be used to inform planning and improvement decisions in subsequent editions.

V.3. Continuous improvement and updating of the Regulations

1. The continuous improvement process of external internships will be based on the results of the annual report and the evaluations collected by the CPE.
2. Improvement proposals may refer to any of the following areas:
   1. Recruitment and retention of collaborating companies.
   2. Updating of documentation models and assessment rubrics.
   3. Improvement of coordination between TA, TP, and students.
   4. Incorporation of new digital tools for management and monitoring.
   5. Specific training for tutors and students.
3. Updates to the External Internship Regulations shall be approved by the ETSNM School Board, upon proposal of the CPE, and will enter into force in the academic year following their approval.

V.4. Coordination with the Quality System

1. The CPE will maintain regular communication with the ETSNM Quality Committee, in order to integrate internship monitoring results into the Centre's Annual Quality Report.
2. Indicators related to external internships will form part of the performance and satisfaction indicators of the School’s Internal Quality Assurance System.
3. Aggregated information on external internships may be used for accreditation, monitoring, and programme renewal processes before external agencies.