The WHO Internship Programme is a chance for students and recent graduates to work inside the World Health Organization, either at headquarters in Geneva or in one of its regional or country offices. It is not a scholarship in the usual sense. There is no tuition, no degree at the end, and interns are not WHO staff. What you get is real work experience in global health, insurance cover, and for those who need it, a living allowance. You can read the full scholarship details on our listing before you start.
For a Pakistani student in public health, medicine, management or communications, this kind of placement can carry a lot of weight on a CV. It is also highly competitive. WHO selects only a small number of applicants each year, so treat it as one strong option among several rather than your only plan.
The WHO internship in brief
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Type | Full-time internship, not a degree programme |
| Funding | Medical and accident insurance; living allowance for eligible interns who need financial support |
| Levels | Undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate |
| Duration | Six weeks minimum, 24 weeks maximum |
| Location | Geneva headquarters, regional offices or country offices |
| Deadline | Varies, check each vacancy notice. Positions are posted on a continuous basis |
| Official site | WHO internships page |
Who this internship suits, and who should look elsewhere
The programme takes interns in public health, medicine, social fields, management, administrative work, communications and external relations. So it is broader than many students assume. A business or media student can find a place here too, as long as the unit's work matches their skills.
It suits you if you are close to finishing a degree or graduated recently, you want hands-on exposure to how an international health body runs, and you can manage short-term life abroad. It is a poor fit if what you really need is a funded master's degree or a job offer. WHO is clear that the programme is meant to build knowledge and experience, not to act as a formal route into employment. Interns also cannot represent the organization in any official capacity.
Money: what the living allowance does and does not mean
This is the part most applicants misread. The listing marks the funding as full or partial, but in practice the support depends on your situation. Since January 2020, WHO has provided a living allowance to eligible selected interns who need financial support. Your eligibility for that allowance is assessed through the Declaration of Interests form. It is not automatic for everyone.
Here is what the programme covers, based on the information available:
- Medical and accident insurance for the internship period
- A living allowance for eligible interns who need financial support
- Lunch vouchers at some duty stations (not all)
- Professional experience inside a global public health organization
- Exposure to international health systems and processes
Notice what is missing from that list. Flights and visa costs are not mentioned, so do not assume they are paid. If you are placed in Geneva, keep in mind that living there is expensive. Before you accept an offer, work out your rent, food and transport against whatever allowance you are confirmed for, and confirm the details with WHO directly. If you will need to show funds for a visa, our guide on bank statements and proof of funds covers how Pakistani applicants usually prepare.
The eligibility rules that knock people out
WHO lists seven requirements. Each one is strict, and a few catch people off guard.
- You must be at least 20 years old on the date you apply.
- You must be enrolled in a course of study leading to a formal qualification, or have completed one within the last 18 months.
- You must have completed at least three years of full-time study at a university or equivalent institution.
- You must be fluent in at least one working language of the office you are assigned to.
- You must hold a valid passport of a WHO Member State.
- You must not be related to a WHO staff member.
- You must not have done the WHO Internship Programme before.
Why the three-year study rule matters for Pakistani students
This is the rule that filters out many second-year students. You need three full years of study completed before you qualify, not three years started. For MBBS students, plan your application around the point where you clearly meet the three-year mark. If you are unsure how your programme counts, ask WHO rather than guessing.
The 18-month window after graduation
If you have already graduated, the clock is running. You need to apply within 18 months of completing your last qualification. A student who finished a degree two years ago and is not enrolled in anything new will not qualify. Enrolling in a new course of study leading to a formal qualification is the other way to meet this rule.
Nationality and language
The passport rule refers to WHO Member States. Check on the WHO internships page that your nationality meets this requirement before you invest time in an application. For language, the requirement is tied to the office of assignment, so a country office may need a different working language than Geneva. Read each vacancy notice carefully.
Paperwork: less upfront, more later
The document list is short, and you should not send anything until WHO asks for it. The three documents mentioned are:
- Proof of enrolment in a course of study, or proof that you completed your last qualification
- The WHO medical certificate of fitness for work form, needed before you start
- The Declaration of Interests form
Your cover letter is part of the application itself, so prepare that early. The other documents usually come later in the process. Still, it is sensible to get your enrolment letter or degree certificate ready in advance. If your institution or WHO asks for attested copies, our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide explains the process in Pakistan.
Applying through Stellis
All applications go through vacancy notices on the WHO Careers site, using the Stellis online recruitment system. There is no general application and no way to apply by email. The process looks like this:
- Keep checking the WHO Careers site for internship vacancy notices.
- Create your profile on Stellis.
- Apply to a specific vacancy notice that matches your field.
- Include a cover letter that explains why you want this placement.
- Wait. If you are shortlisted, WHO will contact you for screening and competency-based interviews.
Your Stellis profile is the basis of your evaluation. A half-filled profile with vague job descriptions will hurt you more than a weak cover letter. List your coursework, research, volunteer work and any health-sector experience in plain, specific terms.
There is no single deadline
The programme runs on a continuous basis. Opportunities are posted as they become available, and each vacancy notice has its own closing date. That means two things for you. First, you need to check the internship page regularly, not once a year. Second, a slow selection process is normal. It can take several weeks or months to hear back, so do not hold other plans hostage while you wait.
What separates a strong application
Research the unit before you apply. WHO internships are attached to specific programmes, and a cover letter that shows you understand what that unit does is far more convincing than a general statement about wanting to improve global health. Mention the unit's work directly and connect it to something you have actually done.
Apply only to notices that match your field and background. Sending the same letter to ten vacancies in unrelated areas rarely works in a selection this competitive.
The common mistakes are predictable: applying before completing three years of study, applying more than 18 months after graduating, assuming the allowance is guaranteed, and attaching documents nobody requested. Another one is ignoring the language requirement for country offices. Each of these is avoidable with a careful read of the vacancy notice.
If you are weighing this against funded degrees, our all Switzerland scholarships hub lists other options worth comparing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WHO internship paid?
Not in the form of a salary. Since January 2020, WHO has given a living allowance to eligible selected interns who need financial support. Eligibility is assessed through the Declaration of Interests form. Medical and accident insurance is also covered.
How long does the internship last?
It is full-time and runs from a minimum of six weeks to a maximum of 24 weeks, depending on the needs of the technical unit.
Can I apply outside the Stellis system?
No. Every application must be submitted against a vacancy notice on the WHO Careers site through Stellis.
Do I need to be a current student?
You must either be enrolled in a course of study leading to a formal qualification or have completed one within the 18 months before applying. You also need at least three years of full-time university study behind you.
Can I do the internship twice?
No. Anyone who has already taken part in the WHO Internship Programme is not eligible to apply again.
Is the internship only in Geneva?
No. Positions exist at headquarters in Geneva and in regional and country offices. The location depends on the vacancy you apply for.
For current vacancies and the latest rules, go to the WHO internships page, and keep the WHO Internship Programme scholarship page bookmarked for a quick summary.