By Microsoft runs three kinds of student internships: Explore, a 12 week summer software engineering program only for first and second year bachelor's students; university internships for bachelor's, master's, MBA, and PhD students in roles across the company; and Discovery, a four week program for students finishing high school. You apply online, interviews are virtual, and Microsoft asks you to allow up to 90 days for a decision.
Microsoft is one of the few big tech companies that still publishes a program built only for early students, and it publishes its eligibility rules in unusual detail. Everything below comes from Microsoft's careers site, checked October 18, 2026.
The three Microsoft internship programs
Explore
Microsoft describes Explore as a 12 week summer internship created for first and second year college students that lets you try out different software engineering roles. It is the program to aim for if you are early in a computer science or related degree and do not yet have the experience the standard internships expect. Why that matters, and what else exists for early students, is in can you get an internship as a first year student.
University internships
These are the standard internships across engineering, product, data, design, business, and more. Microsoft also hosts PhD, MBA, and JD interns across its teams. Postings are on the Microsoft careers site; search for intern roles in your field and location.
Discovery
A four week internship for rising first year college students, based in Redmond, Washington or Atlanta, Georgia. Eligibility is local: applicants must have an intended high school graduation date before the program and live within 50 miles of Redmond or attend high school in the Atlanta area, and must have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent by the start.
Eligibility rules, exactly as published
Microsoft publishes its internship rules by region. For the United States, Canada, and Latin America:
| Rule | University interns | Explore |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | Full time bachelor's, master's, MBA, or PhD in a relevant area, during the term immediately before the internship | First or second year full time bachelor's student during the term immediately before the internship |
| After the internship | Must return to school for at least one full term | Must return to school for at least one full term |
| Back to back internships | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Classes during the internship | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Minimum age | 16 | 16 |
Two of these catch people out. If you are graduating right after the summer, you are not eligible, because you would not return for a term. And if you intern at Microsoft this summer, you cannot go straight into another Microsoft internship next term.
The eligibility line is the first filter, and it is automatic. Read it before you spend an hour on the application.
How the hiring process works
From Microsoft's university internships FAQ:
- Apply online. Microsoft says candidates need to apply online to be considered. You can update your resume later from your careers site profile, and the new one replaces the old.
- First round screen. You are assessed for a functional role, such as software engineer or mechanical engineer, and considered for every team that hires for that role.
- Final round interviews. You are assessed for a specific role within an organization, such as Cloud and AI. Your interview feedback and the interests you share, like location and technology area, inform which team you are matched with.
- Decision. Microsoft asks you to allow up to 90 days. A recruiter contacts you directly if you are selected for interviews, and you can track status in the Action Center, checking both the Active and Inactive folders.
All interviews are virtual, and Microsoft says preparation details are shared when you are invited. For software roles, that means coding practice and clear explanations of your thinking. For every role, it means a few prepared stories about projects, teamwork, and learning something quickly.
What Microsoft says it looks for
Microsoft's FAQ is direct about this. It looks for passion for technology, in and outside the classroom, through things like internships, student groups, hackathons, and projects, plus experience or skills aligned with the role. It tells applicants to use the keywords in the job description as a framework for the resume, and notes that it also recruits on LinkedIn, so a complete profile matters.
Translated into actions:
- Put projects and hackathons on the resume with results. If you have none yet, start with the seven things that count instead of experience.
- Pull the keywords from the specific posting. Here is how to do that in fifteen minutes.
- Make your LinkedIn profile match your resume, with the same projects and skills.
Practical tips for applying
- Apply early. Recruiters accept applications until positions are filled. Later applications compete for fewer slots. Timing across the industry is covered in when to apply for summer internships.
- Do not wait on a referral. Microsoft states they are not required and get equal consideration.
- Watch the Inactive folder. Status changes there are how many candidates find out an application closed.
- Keep applying elsewhere. A 90 day decision window is long. The Google and Amazon guides cover two other big tech processes, and how many internships to apply to helps set your weekly number.
- Mention competing deadlines.Microsoft's FAQ includes a question on competing offer deadlines, so if you have one, tell your recruiter.
Common questions
- Who is eligible for the Microsoft Explore program?
- In the United States, Canada, and Latin America, Explore is for students who are first or second year full time bachelor's students during the academic term immediately before the internship. You must return to school for at least one full term afterward, cannot take classes during the internship, and must be at least 16.
- How long is a Microsoft internship?
- Explore is a 12 week summer internship. The Discovery program for rising first year college students is four weeks. Most university internships run in the summer, with some exceptions for specific school programs and international candidates.
- What is the Microsoft internship interview process?
- Microsoft says the process varies by role and that all interviews are conducted virtually. The first round screens you for a functional role such as software engineer, across all teams that hire for it. Final round interviews assess you for a specific role within an organization, and your feedback and stated interests inform team matching.
- How long does Microsoft take to respond to internship applications?
- Microsoft asks applicants to allow up to 90 days for a decision. Recruiters accept applications until all positions are filled and contact you directly if you are selected for interviews. You can track status in the Action Center, including its Inactive folder.
- Do I need a referral for a Microsoft internship?
- No. Microsoft's careers FAQ says referrals are not required and that referred candidates receive equal consideration and prioritization at every stage of the process.
- Does Microsoft sponsor visas for interns?
- Microsoft's university internships FAQ says yes, Microsoft provides visa sponsorship.
- Can I do two Microsoft internships in a row?
- Microsoft's published program rules for the US, Canada, and Latin America say candidates cannot complete two back to back internships with Microsoft.
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