UN Internships for Students — A Complete Guide

A UN internship is one of the most realistic first steps into the world of international organisations — and, for a student, one of the most rewarding. You get to work alongside people solving real global problems, see how the system actually runs from the inside, and walk away with experience and references that make every later application stronger. This guide explains exactly how internships work, who can apply, whether they pay, and how to give yourself the best possible shot — and it shows you real openings you can apply to right now.

1. What a UN Internship Actually Is

A UN internship is a short, structured learning placement inside a UN agency, programme, or office. You are assigned to a team, given real tasks — research, drafting, data work, event support, communications — and supervised by staff who do that work every day. It is not shadowing or fetching coffee: interns routinely contribute to reports, briefings, and projects that matter.

Placements typically last two to six months, can be full- or part-time, and are increasingly offered remotely as well as on-site. The point of an internship is learning and exposure — for you, a first taste of the system; for the agency, a way to bring in fresh talent and perspective.

2. Who Can Apply

Rules vary slightly by agency, but the common requirements are straightforward:

• You are a student — or a very recent graduate. Most agencies want you to be enrolled in a university programme (often the final year of a bachelor's, or any stage of a master's or PhD). Many also accept applicants who graduated within roughly the last year.
• You speak a working language. Fluency in at least one of the agency's working languages — usually English or French — is expected. A second language is a bonus, and essential at some duty stations.
• Your field is relevant. UN agencies cover an enormous range — public health, economics, law, engineering, communications, IT, statistics, human rights — so almost any degree can fit somewhere. Match your background to the team.
• No prior work experience is required. Internships are designed for people at the start of their careers. Relevant coursework, volunteering, or student projects are exactly what selection panels expect to see.

There is usually no application fee, and you do not need to be a national of any particular country — UN internships are open to students worldwide.

3. Paid or Unpaid? The Money Reality

This is the honest part, and it's important to plan for it. Historically, many UN internships were unpaid. That is changing — a growing number of agencies now provide a monthly stipend to help with living costs — but it is far from universal, and even a stipend rarely covers everything.

In almost all cases, you are responsible for your own travel, visa, insurance, and accommodation. In expensive headquarters cities like Geneva, New York, or Rome, that can add up quickly. Before you accept a placement, work out the real cost of living there for the full duration and check exactly what — if anything — the stipend covers.

4. Which Agencies Offer Internships

Dozens do. Some of the largest and most active internship programmes include UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, WFP, UNESCO, UNHCR, FAO, ILO, the UN Secretariat, and many more. Each runs its own recruitment system, so openings are scattered across dozens of separate portals — which is exactly the problem GloJobs solves by pulling them into one place.

Rather than checking 40 different websites, you can browse every current UN internship in one feed, filter by agency or location, and sort by deadline.

5. How to Apply — Step by Step

1. Find a live opening that fits. Start from the internships feed above and shortlist the ones that match your field, location preference, and availability dates.
2. Read the whole vacancy notice. Note the required qualifications, language requirements, duration, whether a stipend is offered, and the deadline. Everything you write should map back to what the notice asks for.
3. Complete the Personal History Form (P11/PHP), not a plain CV. Most UN agencies screen applicants on a structured form. Fill in every field carefully — blank or sloppy sections get filtered out. See our P11 guide for how to do it well.
4. Write a short, targeted motivation statement. Say why this team and this agency, and connect two or three concrete things you've done (a project, a paper, a volunteer role) to what the internship involves.
5. Apply through the official portal. Even if you spotted the role elsewhere, submit through the agency's own system so your application is actually registered.
6. Prepare for a short interview. Some internships include a brief competency-based interview or a written task. Have a couple of clear examples ready of when you worked in a team, organised something, or communicated a difficult idea.

6. When to Apply

There is no single UN-wide application window. Many agencies recruit interns year-round and post openings continuously as teams need support, so the best strategy is simply to check often and apply as soon as a good match appears. Popular summer placements tend to open a few months ahead, so if you're targeting a specific season, start looking early.

Because timing is unpredictable, set up alerts so you don't miss anything: follow the GloJobs Telegram channel to get new internships the moment they're posted.

7. How to Stand Out

• Tailor every application. One application written specifically for the role beats ten generic ones. Mirror the language of the vacancy notice.
• Lead with evidence, not adjectives. Instead of "excellent communicator", point to the report you wrote, the event you ran, or the group you led.
• Show you understand the mission. A sentence showing you know what the team actually works on signals genuine interest.
• Get the basics perfect. No typos, complete forms, correct dates. Attention to detail is quietly one of the most-tested qualities.
• Be flexible on location and format. Being open to field offices or remote placements widens your options considerably.

8. What an Internship Leads To

Be clear-eyed here: an internship does not convert automatically into a job. In fact, UN rules usually impose a cooling-off period after an internship before the same organization can employ you — so there is no seamless "intern today, staff tomorrow" route. What an internship genuinely gives you is just as valuable over time: real experience, credible references, an inside understanding of how UN recruitment works, and a network of people who may tell you about openings before they're widely known.

For the full picture of how internships compare with consultancies, and how both fit into a longer route toward a staff contract, read our honest breakdown of whether entering the UN as an intern or consultant is worth it and our UN career roadmap.

Ready to Apply? Start Here

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for a UN internship?

Students enrolled in a university degree (commonly the final year of a bachelor's, or any stage of a master's or PhD) and, at many agencies, recent graduates — usually within about a year of finishing. You'll normally need fluency in English or French.

Are UN internships paid?

Sometimes. Many are unpaid, but a growing number pay a monthly stipend. Even then, you're usually responsible for travel, visa, insurance, and accommodation, so budget carefully — especially in cities like Geneva or New York.

How long do they last?

Typically two to six months, sometimes extendable up to a maximum. Full-time, part-time, and remote options all exist.

Will it lead to a UN job?

Not automatically — a cooling-off period usually applies before the same agency can hire you. The lasting value is experience, references, and a network that make future applications far stronger.

When should I apply?

Most agencies post internships year-round, so check regularly and apply as soon as a good match appears. Summer placements often open several months ahead.