Etudes Non Stop Study Non Stop
The United Nations Information Service’s Graduate Study Programme provides an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the United Nations System and the International Geneva through first-hand observations, lectures and study. The Graduate Study Programme is held at the United Nations Office at Geneva in early July every year.
This seminar, as part of the educational outreach programmes undertaken by the United Nations, provides an opportunity for outstanding graduate and postgraduate students from all over the world to deepen their understanding of the principles, purposes and activities of the United Nations, its related agencies and the International Geneva as a whole.
The 58th Graduate Study Programme will be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland from Monday, 29 June to Friday, 10 July 2020. It will comprise lectures given by senior members of the United Nations and other Geneva-based organizations, visits to institutions, and daily work in working groups under the guidance of expert moderators. The GSP theme for 2020 will be:
“United Nations at 75: Shaping Our Future Together”
Important: language and age requirements
Most sessions will be held in English, therefore absolute fluency in English is essential. As several sessions will be held in French, solid working knowledge of French is also needed.
Applicants must be between 22 and 32 years of age at the time of application.
How to apply
Students interested in the 2020 Graduate Study Programme must submit their application ONLINE until 2 March 2020. No application will be accepted after this date.
The application form is to be filled in on our website, accompanied by a copy of the applicant’s passport, a letter of recommendation (in English or French only) from a university or governmental authority, proof of current enrolment (at the time of application) in a Master’s degree programme or a postgraduate degree programme (or equivalent), and university diplomas obtained.
Please note that incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
Once selected, successful candidates will be asked ahead of time to provide a medical certificate attesting good health and a proof of medical insurance coverage in Switzerland at the time of the GSP (these two documents will only be accepted in English or French). Applications from those already employed full time cannot be considered.
Candidates will be notified of the Selection Committee’s decision by mid-April 2020. Participation in this programme is free of charge. The United Nations does not make any financial contribution towards the travel costs and residential expenses of participants. Governments or universities may offer grants to selected candidates. Candidates should seek advice from their universities on this point.
Information on the selection process
The participants in the Graduate Study Programme are selected by a Selection Committee composed of officials of the United Nations Office at Geneva with various backgrounds and professional experiences.
The Selection Committee is guided by the following criteria:
• Academic background
• Extracurricular activities
• Geographical balance
• Gender balance
• Knowledge of the two working languages of the Programme (English and French)
• Usefulness of the Programme for the career of the applicant
In order to give the largest number of students the possibility to participate in the Programme, applicants who have already participated in previous editions of the Graduate Study Programme will not be considered by the Committee.
Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. The Selection Committee does not disclose the motivation of its choices. Decisions of the Selection Committee are final and cannot be appealed.