For students and recent graduates who dream of building a career with global impact, United Nations internships offer a powerful first step. As of December 2025, the United Nations continues to open a wide range of internship opportunities across its departments, agencies, and country offices worldwide. These internships are designed to help young professionals gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful international work.
Why Choose a United Nations Internship?
A UN internship is more than just a learning experience — it is a chance to work at the heart of global decision-making. Interns support real projects that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including peace and security, climate change, human rights, humanitarian response, public health, and sustainable development. At the same time, interns gain exposure to a multicultural and professional environment that values diversity, collaboration, and innovation.
Internship Areas and Fields of Work
United Nations internships are offered in a wide variety of fields, allowing candidates from different academic backgrounds to find opportunities that match their interests. Common internship areas include international relations, communications, human rights, public policy, data and research, environmental studies, economics, law, information technology, and programme management. Many internships are available at UN Headquarters, regional offices, and country missions, while some are offered remotely or in hybrid formats.
Who Can Apply?
UN internships are generally open to students enrolled in a university degree programme (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) or recent graduates, depending on the specific vacancy. Applicants are expected to have strong academic backgrounds, good communication skills, and a genuine interest in international affairs. Fluency in English or French is usually required, and knowledge of another UN official language is considered an advantage.
What Interns Can Expect
Interns at the United Nations work alongside experienced professionals and contribute to daily operations and long-term projects. Typical tasks may include research and analysis, drafting reports, supporting events and meetings, assisting with communications, and providing administrative or programme support. Interns also benefit from mentorship, networking opportunities, and a deeper understanding of how the UN system works in practice.
Locations and Duration
Internship opportunities are available in multiple locations around the world, including New York, Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Bangkok, and many other duty stations. Internship durations usually range from two to six months, with some opportunities offering extensions depending on organizational needs and performance.
How to Apply for UN Internships
All United Nations internships are advertised on official UN and agency-specific careers portals.
Explore all open Internships at the official website >>> https://careers.un.org/jobopening/Internships
Applicants must submit an online application. Selection processes may involve written assessments and interviews, often conducted remotely. It is important to note that applying for UN internships is free, and candidates should be cautious of any platform requesting payment.
United Nations internships offer a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to global solutions at an early stage of your career. Whether your goal is to work in diplomacy, development, humanitarian action, or policy research, a UN internship can help you build valuable skills, expand your professional network, and gain international experience that opens doors for the future.
December 2025 presents a timely opportunity to take that first step — and begin your journey with the United Nations.