The WHO Internship is a work placement, not a degree scholarship. The World Health Organization takes students and recent graduates into its technical and administrative departments, at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and at regional and country offices around the world. If you are studying public health, medicine, data science, communications or administration, it is one of the most direct ways to see how global health policy is made from the inside. You can read the full scholarship details on our listing as well.
Before you get excited, be clear about one thing. This is a professional experience programme first. Money is a secondary question, and the answer to it depends heavily on where you are placed. Students who go in expecting a fully funded package like a degree scholarship are usually disappointed. Students who go in wanting a UN line on their CV and real project work tend to get a lot out of it.
The WHO Internship in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | World Health Organization |
| Type | Internship (practical work experience) |
| Funding | Listed as full or partial; stipend or living allowance depends on office location and funding rules |
| Levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Fields | Public health, medicine, data science, communications, administration |
| Location | Geneva, Switzerland, plus regional and country offices worldwide |
| Duration | Typically six to twenty four weeks, depending on department and project |
| Deadline | Varies by vacancy; confirm on the official site |
| Official site | WHO Internship Programme |
Why the money question has no single answer
WHO internships are listed with "full / partial" funding, but the more precise statement is this: stipend or living allowance availability depends on the specific office location and its funding rules. Funding conditions can also depend on the department and on whether external sponsorship is available. In practice, that means two interns in two different offices may have very different financial situations.
For a Pakistani student, this matters more than anything else on the page. Geneva is an expensive city, and you should not assume your costs will be covered. Read the vacancy notice for the specific internship you are applying to, and if it is silent on allowances, plan as if you will need your own funds. Our guide on bank statements and proof of funds is useful here, because a placement abroad with little or no stipend still needs a credible financial plan for any visa.
What the internship does give you, regardless of location:
- Practical work experience at a specialized United Nations agency
- Exposure to international public health policies and global health networks
- Networking with global health professionals and diplomats
- A certificate of completion once you finish the internship successfully
What interns actually do
Selected interns generally support technical projects, carry out research, help organize meetings and contribute to public health reports. The work looks quite different depending on where you land. A placement in a technical health cluster will lean toward research and data, while an administrative division will involve more coordination and operations work. Internships typically run between six weeks and twenty four weeks, again depending on the department and the project.
This is useful to know when you write your application. A medical student applying to a technical unit should talk about research, evidence and analysis. A communications or administration student should show organization, writing and project coordination. Sending the same generic letter to every vacancy is one of the most common reasons good candidates get passed over.
The six-month graduation window and other eligibility rules
The eligibility list is short, but each rule is strict. To apply, you need to:
- Be enrolled in a course of study at a university or equivalent institution leading to a formal qualification, or have graduated within the past six months
- Be fluent in at least one official WHO language: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish
- Have a strong academic record in a relevant field
- Be computer literate with standard office software
- Not be related to a WHO staff member (for example, as a son, daughter, brother or sister)
The graduation window catches people out. If you finished your degree more than six months ago and are not enrolled in another programme, you will not meet the requirement. Final-year students and those currently in a Master's or PhD are in the safest position. Check your exact dates against the guidelines on the vacancy notice before you put any time into the application.
On nationality: the available programme information does not list specific nationality restrictions or confirm eligibility country by country. Pakistani students should check eligibility for their nationality on the official WHO internship page and in each vacancy notice. English fluency covers the language requirement for most Pakistani applicants, though French is a real advantage in Geneva.
What goes into your application file
WHO asks for four documents:
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter outlining your motivation and relevant skills
- Proof of enrollment, or a graduation certificate from your university
- Academic transcripts
That list is light compared to most degree scholarships, which means the CV and cover letter carry almost all the weight. Keep your CV to relevant work: research projects, data analysis, volunteering in health settings, reports you helped write. If you need help putting the rest of a file together, see our documents checklist for international scholarships.
From vacancy notice to medical clearance
There is no single annual intake. Openings are posted throughout the year on the WHO careers portal, and each vacancy has its own timing. The process looks like this:
- Visit the WHO careers portal and look at active internship vacancy notices.
- Create a candidate profile on the online recruitment system.
- Submit the online application form with your CV and motivation letter.
- If the hiring manager shortlists you, complete any technical assessments or interviews.
- If selected, provide background check documentation and medical clearance.
Because the deadline varies by vacancy, there is no date to circle on your calendar. The practical approach is to check the portal regularly, and to have your CV and a base cover letter ready so you can tailor and submit quickly when a relevant post appears. The specific internship page link has changed or been updated from time to time, so if a bookmarked page stops working, go back to the main WHO careers portal instead of assuming the programme has closed.
Who should apply, and who should probably skip it
This internship suits you if you are a current student or very recent graduate in a health-related or support field, you can cover at least some of your own costs, and you want international organization experience early in your career. It fits especially well for MBBS, public health and health data students thinking about policy or global health careers.
It is a weaker fit if you need full funding to travel at all, if you graduated well over six months ago, or if what you really want is a funded Master's degree. In those cases, look at degree scholarships first. Our all Switzerland scholarships guide is a good place to compare options.
Mistakes that cost applicants a place
The first is applying with a generic letter. Tailor your motivation letter to the department or technical unit named in the vacancy notice. Mention the unit's work and explain where your skills fit.
The second is ignoring the graduation window. Make sure your academic status matches what WHO requires on the date of application.
The third is arriving at an interview without examples. Prepare concrete examples of past research, data analysis or project coordination you have done. Specific, short stories about your own work are far more convincing than general claims about being passionate about health.
The fourth is leaving the visa until after selection. Check visa and residency requirements for Switzerland, or for whichever country the regional office is in, before you apply. A late visa can mean losing a placement you already won.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WHO Internship paid?
It depends. Funding conditions and living allowances vary by office location, department and the availability of external sponsorship. Read each vacancy notice carefully and confirm on the official site before you rely on any allowance.
Can I apply after I have graduated?
Yes, but only if you graduated within the past six months. Otherwise you need to be currently enrolled in a university programme leading to a formal qualification.
Do I have to work in Geneva?
No. Internships are available at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and at regional and country offices around the world. The location is set by the vacancy you apply for.
When is the deadline for 2026?
There is no single deadline. Openings are posted throughout the year, and each vacancy has its own closing date. Confirm the current openings and dates on the official WHO careers portal.
Which fields does WHO accept?
The programme lists public health, medicine, data science, communications and administration. Bachelor's, Master's and PhD students can apply, provided they meet the other requirements.
For current vacancies and rules, go to the official WHO Internship Programme page, and keep the full scholarship details handy as you prepare.