Programs Included in the Agreement
The UNITAR partnership applies to the following graduate programs:
Students across all campuses and study modes (on-campus and online) have equal access to UNITAR-led experiences.
Academic Intakes
Students can start their program at three points during the year (depending on availability):
- Intake 1: February
- Intake 2: June
- Intake 3: October
All intakes are fully eligible for:
- UNITAR academic sessions
- Mentoring support
- Internship pathways
Shared Courses with UNITAR
Within each program, specific courses include UNITAR-led academic sessions integrated into the standard Schiller curriculum.
MA in International Relations and Diplomacy
UNITAR participates in:
- IR 542 – International Organizations
- IR 571 – Human Rights
- IR 599 – Master's Thesis/Project
Additional collaboration (e.g. International Law) may be included depending on availability.
UNITAR is also open to participating in additional modules, such as International Law, subject to availability and mutual agreement
Final Thesis – Oral Defense: The participation of UNITAR representatives on the Final Thesis panel depends on their availability and the relevance of their expertise to the specific thesis topic; they act as panel members providing guidance and feedback, but do not serve as evaluators.
MS in Sustainability Management
UNITAR participates in:
- SU 510 – Introduction to Sustainability
- SU 570 – Sustainability Management
- SU 599 – Sustainability Applied Project
- SU 590 – Internship (Mentoring phase)
Final Thesis – Oral Defense: The participation of UNITAR representatives on the Final Thesis panel depends on their availability and the relevance of their expertise to the specific thesis topic; they act as panel members providing guidance and feedback, but do not serve as evaluators.
Academic Structure of UNITAR Sessions
Each of the courses listed above consists of a total of 45 total contact hours. Within these 45 hours:
- Up to 12 contact hours will be delivered by UNITAR experts, subject to their availability and the number of enrolled students. Sessions may be conducted online, in person, or asynchronously, with the proposed delivery format to be submitted by UNITAR to Schiller for review and approval.
- UNITAR sessions are fully coordinated with Schiller faculty members.
- Sessions may include lectures, applied exercises, case studies, and interactive activities.
Schiller faculty retain full academic oversight of the course, including assessment, grading, and alignment with program learning outcomes.
Certificates & Recognition
Upon successful completion of each module, UNITAR will issue an individual certificate bearing its official recognition.
In addition, UNITAR could collaborate on the issuance of a joint diploma incorporating the official logos of both institutions, with Schiller serving asthe awarding institution.
Mentoring & Career Development
A key component of the partnership is the structured mentoring system, designed to prepare students for careers within the UN ecosystem and other international organizations.
UNITAR responsibilities include:
- Career guidance and opportunity matching
- Profile classification based on skills and interests
- Access to opportunities via UN platforms (e.g. Indico)
- Interview preparation and coaching
- Ongoing 1:1 mentoring
The objective is for the majority of participating students to obtain a placement aligned with their academic and professional profiles.
Mentoring continues until students secure an internship opportunity, with meetings once every two weeks initially and subsequently once per month, depending on candidate responsiveness.
Selection for Mentoring
- Up to 10 students per year are preselected across all cohorts
- Priority is given based on academic profile, motivation, and alignment with UN career paths
Up to 5 students per program and cohort receive focused mentorship under the UN career development pathway. The agreement ensures that students from all Schiller campuses have equal access to UNITAR academic sessions and career development opportunities, regardless of their study modality or location.
Internship Pathway
Six (6) months prior to graduation, Schiller will provide UNITAR with a list of eligible students for consideration according to the following timeline:
February
June (Intake Year)
July (Intake Year
October
February (Next Year)
March (Next Year)
Step-by-Step UNITAR Process
- Application Submission: The application form, CVs, and cover letters are compiled and reviewed in advance by Schiller Employability Advisors. Then, the complete documentation is submitted to the Academic Department (Associate Dean), who acts as an intermediary between Schiller and UNITAR.
- UNITAR Screening: Review of applications (≈1 month)
- Personal Mentoring & Training: Personalized support is provided to students based on skills analysis and mapping against available roles. Support will continue until the student secures an internship, with meetings held once every two weeks initially and subsequently once per month, depending on candidate responsiveness. This phase is continuous until internship placement and includes:
- Orientation: Coaching sessions introducing key desirable skills, values, and application processes within the UN system, delivered in parallel with the mentoring process.
- Technical Support: Assistance with the creation and setup of Indico accounts for internship placement processes, provided as needed.
- Application: Students apply directly to suitable or desired internship opportunities, in line with their readiness and the availability of relevant openings.
- Reference: UNITAR representatives may provide professional references or supportive recommendations to strengthen candidate applications.
- Placement: Internships are generally recommended to commence upon the student’s graduation. However, the start date may be determined on a case-by-case basis, considering the availability of the candidate and the needs of the respective UN office or department.
Internship Requirements & Considerations
Participation in UN system internship opportunities is subject to key eligibility factors that may influence the selection of candidates:
- Relocation Eligibility and Willingness: Candidates must be willing and legally eligible to relocate if required, including meeting visa and work permit requirements. Responsibility for legal eligibility remains with the candidate.
- Compensation: Many UN agencies don’t offer paid internships. Candidates should be aware that most placements may be unpaid.
- Age Limits: Several UN agencies apply internship age limits (typically around 32–33 years old at the time of application). Exceptions may occur but are not guaranteed.
- Competitive selection: Internship placements are competitive and subject to host organization requirements and final decisions. Eligibility does not guarantee placement.
UNITAR Fellowship & Graduation in Geneva
UNITAR offers a Fellowship Experience consisting of a three-day program in Geneva, including sessions hosted by UNITAR, followed by a graduation ceremony.
Key Conditions for Implementation
- Takes place ~1 month after program completion
- Must be confirmed at least three months in advance
- Requires a minimum 8 students and a maximum 36 students
- The final list of participants must be shared at least two months in advance
Students are responsible for all travel, accommodation, transportation, and other related expenses, while UNITAR provides meals and refreshments.
If the minimum participation is not reached or the fellowship cannot be implemented, the graduation ceremony in Geneva may still be organized independently.
Request information
