9/8/2026
Getting an internship at the United Nations can be highly competitive, especially for positions in popular locations such as New York, Geneva, Vienna and other major UN duty stations. However, the UN internship programme is specifically designed to provide students and recent graduates with professional exposure, and previous professional work experience is not necessarily required.
The UN states that interns work with experienced staff and may contribute to research, drafting, data analysis, policy work, conferences and meetings.
Yes, competition can be significant because UN internships attract applicants from universities and countries around the world.
The difficulty varies enormously depending on the internship.
A highly specialized internship may attract fewer candidates but require particular academic or technical skills. A general communications, international relations or political affairs internship may attract a much larger applicant pool.
The UN's own internship guidance notes that it receives a high volume of applications and that only successful candidates are contacted in some internship programmes.
For the UN Secretariat internship programme, eligible applicants generally include people who are:
The UN's general internship FAQ currently states that applicants can be enrolled in or have recently graduated from a Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. programme, with the applicable recent-graduate window being one year.
Specific vacancies may have additional requirements.
Generally, no professional work experience is required for the UN Secretariat internship programme.
This is one of the reasons internships can be an attractive entry point for students and recent graduates.
However, “no experience required” does not mean “no competition.”
Candidates can still be compared based on their education, academic background, technical skills, languages, writing ability, relevant projects and demonstrated competencies.
A competitive applicant usually does more than meet the minimum eligibility criteria.
For example, a candidate applying for a data-related internship might have:
Someone applying for communications might demonstrate:
The goal is to show a clear relationship between your background and the internship's responsibilities.
The official UN guidance recommends searching the UN Careers Portal and selecting “Internship” as the category.
Applicants create an Inspira profile and complete the required sections, including education, work experience and languages. The UN recommends tailoring the application and cover letter to the specific vacancy and identifying the competencies requested in the job description.
This is an important consideration.
UN Secretariat internships are unpaid. The official UN internship FAQ states that interns or their sponsoring institutions are responsible for costs such as travel, accommodation, medical insurance and living expenses.
However, internship policies can differ across UN agencies, funds and programmes. Candidates should therefore check the specific organization and vacancy.
UN Secretariat internships generally last between two and six months. The exact duration is specified by the relevant programme or vacancy.
The most effective approach is to apply selectively rather than sending the same generic application everywhere.
Before applying:
Remember that a UN internship is not simply an opportunity to write “I want to work for the UN.” It is a competitive selection process for a specific set of responsibilities.
For students interested in international organizations, diplomacy, development, humanitarian work, public policy or global affairs, a UN internship can provide valuable exposure to a multicultural professional environment.
It can also help candidates understand how international organizations operate and develop professional networks and practical skills.
However, an internship does not guarantee a permanent UN job.
The best way to view it is as a professional development opportunity that can strengthen your profile for future applications.
For anyone searching “how hard is it to get a UN internship,” “UN internship requirements,” “UN internship no experience,” or “how to apply for a UN internship,” the key takeaway is that the process is competitive but accessible to eligible students and recent graduates, including candidates without previous professional employment.
Unchannel - 9/8/2026