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US Eliminates Grad PLUS Loans From July 2026: What Every Graduate Student Needs to KnowGates Cambridge Scholarship 2026-27: Full Funding for Masters and PhD at Cambridge UniversityChevening Scholarships 2026-27: UK Government Fully-Funded Awards for Future Global LeadersUK Rejoins Erasmus+: Everything Young Britons Need to Know About European Study in 2026UNESCO: 272 Million Children and Youth Out of School — Inequality Gap WideningUNICEF Youth Volunteer Programme 2026: Paid 12-Month UN Placements for Displaced YouthCommonwealth Scholarship 2026: Fully-Funded Masters and PhD for Developing Country CitizensUN Young Professionals Programme 2026: How to Start an Entry-Level Career at the United NationsUS Eliminates Grad PLUS Loans From July 2026: What Every Graduate Student Needs to KnowGates Cambridge Scholarship 2026-27: Full Funding for Masters and PhD at Cambridge UniversityChevening Scholarships 2026-27: UK Government Fully-Funded Awards for Future Global LeadersUK Rejoins Erasmus+: Everything Young Britons Need to Know About European Study in 2026UNESCO: 272 Million Children and Youth Out of School — Inequality Gap WideningUNICEF Youth Volunteer Programme 2026: Paid 12-Month UN Placements for Displaced YouthCommonwealth Scholarship 2026: Fully-Funded Masters and PhD for Developing Country CitizensUN Young Professionals Programme 2026: How to Start an Entry-Level Career at the United Nations
UN Young Professionals Programme 2026: How to Start an Entry-Level Career at the United Nations

The UN Young Professionals Programme is one of the most competitive entry points into an international career.

Opportunities

UN Young Professionals Programme 2026: How to Start an Entry-Level Career at the United Nations

The United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a competitive recruitment examination for exceptional young candidates aged 32 or under who wish to begin a career in the UN Secretariat.

Who Is Eligible

Nationals of underrepresented UN member states, aged 32 or under as of 31 December 2026, with at least a first-level university degree and fluency in English or French. Eligible countries change annually based on staffing data.

Examination Areas for 2026

The 2026 examination covers: Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Legal, Political Affairs, and Statistics. Candidates may only apply for one area per cycle.

Benefits

YPP appointees are hired at P-1 or P-2 level. UN Professional salaries are tax-exempt in most countries and supplemented by a post adjustment based on duty station cost of living.