Hey future global changemakers! Ever dreamed of launching an incredible international career with the United Nations? Well, get ready, because the **United Nations Young Professionals Programme (YPP) Bursary 2025** is your unique opportunity to do just that! While it’s officially a recruitment initiative, think of it as a fully funded pathway to becoming an international civil servant, getting paid to make a real difference on the world stage. It’s an awesome way to kickstart a meaningful career, and we’re here to break down everything you need to know about this fantastic program. Let’s dive in!
The UN Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a super exciting global recruitment initiative designed to bring talented, highly qualified individuals like you into the UN Secretariat. It’s more than just a job – it’s a career-starting programme that involves a competitive entrance examination and then provides fantastic professional development once you’re on board. Each year, the YPP examination focuses on different subject areas, matching the current needs of the UN, offering you a direct route into a prestigious international career.
Who Can Apply?
Ready to see if you qualify? Here’s the lowdown on who can apply for the UN YPP:
- You must be a national of a participating UN Member State. (This is super important! Please check the list below to see if your country is included.)
- You need a Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent 3-year degree that’s relevant to the exam area you’re applying for.
- You must be 32 years of age or younger (born on or after 1 January 1993 for the 2025 intake).
- Fluency in either English or French is a must!
Heads up for our South African fam: While this is an amazing international opportunity, South Africa is not currently on the list of participating countries for the 2025 YPP. Don’t worry though, Bursaries Room has tons of other awesome bursaries specifically for South African students, so keep exploring!
Participating Countries (Is your country on the list?):
A – K
Andorra, Angola, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait
L – R
Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar
S – Z
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Viet Nam
What Does It Cover?
This isn’t your typical study bursary that covers tuition. Instead, the UN Young Professionals Programme *covers your entry into a fulfilling international career*! Successful candidates are recruited as international civil servants and receive:
- A professional-level salary and benefits package.
- Opportunities for continuous professional development within the UN system.
- The chance to work on global issues and contribute to international peace and development.
Essentially, it covers your path to becoming a paid professional at the United Nations, providing you with incredible career growth from day one!
How to Apply?
Ready to take on this incredible challenge? Here’s a simple breakdown of the application process:
- Confirm Your Eligibility: Before anything else, double-check all the basic application criteria we mentioned above, especially the nationality requirement!
- Review the Job Opening: The YPP application period typically opens each June. You’ll find the specific job openings for each exam area through the Job Search function on Inspira or the UN Careers Portal. Read through them carefully to make sure you meet all the specific requirements for your chosen area.
- Prepare Your Application: Don’t just jump in! Watch the super helpful YPP Application Guide Videos (Part 1 and Part 2) before you start. You can also find a general UN ‘Applicant Guide’ in Inspira by logging in and clicking on the “Manuals’’ link.
Timeline:
Here’s a quick look at the typical YPP journey:
- Application Period: October – November (this is where we are now for 2025!)
- Applications Screening: November – December
- Assessment Process: January – April
- Interviews & Results: May – June
For even more details and to apply directly, make sure to Visit the Official Webpage of the United Nations Young Professionals Programme. Good luck, future leaders!
If you meet the eligibility criteria and this sounds like your dream international career, don’t hesitate – apply for the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Bursary 2025 now! And if this particular opportunity isn’t for you, remember Bursaries Room is packed with tons of other amazing bursaries, especially for South African students. Keep exploring, keep applying, and keep reaching for your dreams!
