15 International Law Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 9 hours ago
- 12 min read
If you’re interested in international law, internships can help you explore how legal systems operate across countries and institutions. These opportunities introduce you to areas like human rights, diplomacy, global health policy, and international development while placing you in structured professional environments. You can also gain insight into how organizations such as the United Nations, government agencies, and nonprofits address legal and policy challenges on a global scale.
Why should I do an international law internship in college?
International law internships allow you to engage with legal and policy work in global contexts while building relevant experience. You might research international regulations, support policy analysis, draft reports, or contribute to projects related to human rights, public health, or economic development. These experiences can help you develop practical skills, understand cross-border legal systems, and prepare for further study or careers in law and public policy.
In this blog, we’ve narrowed down our list of 15 international law internships for undergraduates.
If you're looking for remote internships, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 1–1 personalized internships
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that addresses a genuine need for the startup they are working with and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup.
Location: UNHCR offices in Geneva (Switzerland), Amman (Jordan), Budapest (Hungary), Copenhagen (Denmark), and other field locations
Cost/Stipend: Allowance provided for transportation and living expenses; amount varies by placement. Students with external funding do not receive a stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective
Dates: Varies; typically 2–6 months full-time, with possible extension up to 2 additional months
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates (within 2 years). Must study a relevant field. Not eligible if an immediate relative works at UNHCR or if prior UNHCR internship exceeds 8 months full-time or 12 months part-time. English required; additional languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish preferred. Specific roles may have extra requirements
UNHCR offers students interested in shaping international law standards on refugee rights and wellbeing an internship program spanning field offices around the world. You’ll apply to a specific internship aligned with your academic skill set, each of which has a designated regional placement. International law-focused tasks might include generating data reports on asylum seekers and stateless persons in your assigned country, monitoring local policies alongside international immigration law trends, and assisting refugees through both direct counseling and the development of educational materials. While many options directly focus on law and policy, students in other fields can find opportunities to support refugee rights through data management, environmental studies, or communications.
Location: First summer in Washington, D.C. and a policy office at the U.S. Department of State | Second summer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad
Cost/Stipend: $14.51–$18.86 per hour; travel and housing support provided
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective
Dates: 10 weeks each summer for two consecutive summers
Application Deadline: Opens in late August for the following summer; deadline not specified
Eligibility: U.S. citizens able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security clearance; apply as sophomores or juniors and commit to the two-year program; minimum 3.2 GPA; selection considers academic merit and financial need
The U.S. Department of State’s two-year Foreign Service Internship Program is one of the unique international law internships for undergraduates that students in national and international diplomacy and policy. You’ll spend the first summer of the internship in Washington, D.C., first learning policy skills for work across international law and foreign relations, then spending 7 weeks doing hands-on work in a State Department Office. The following school year, you’ll study for and take the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT), earning official credentials for more advanced work in international law and policy. In your second summer, you’ll be placed in a foreign U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a 10-week assignment working in policy research, diplomatic operations, and international affairs.
Location: WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and offices across the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia
Cost/Stipend: Some interns receive a living allowance based on financial need; limited travel funding available for select candidates
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective; most roles take 1–2 interns
Dates: 6–24 weeks; varies by office and region
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least three years of full-time post-secondary study; open to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students. Must study a relevant field, be at least 20 years old, and meet language requirements for the placement, often including English
WHO’s Internship Programme allows students to directly contribute to international health care standards and legal policies. You’ll apply for a specific internship position at one of the WHO’s international or domestic offices, with the option to focus on international law and equitable global health. Since each internship posting is unique, exact responsibilities can vary immensely based on regional needs. In law and policy-focused internships, you might work on developing international health improvement initiatives, contributing to the development of International Health Regulations, and analyzing data on regional health outcomes and human rights. You’ll work directly with the office staff on ongoing projects and build an international network in the public policy and health care communities.
Location: Washington, D.C., New York City, or international bureaus across Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe
Cost/Stipend: Approx. $2,315/month (prorated) plus travel and housing support
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective
Dates:
Summer: May/July – August/September
Fall: September/December – December/January
Spring: January/March – April/May(Exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: November (summer) | March (fall) | August (spring)
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.2 GPA, and graduate students; must be U.S. citizens eligible for Public Trust, Secret, or Top Secret clearance
The U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program places students directly into national and international policy across the State Department’s international bureaus. Students interested in identifying international law internships for undergraduates can pursue placements in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor or the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, where they will contribute to global initiatives promoting equitable labor practices and fostering diplomatic relationships between the U.S. and foreign countries. Your assignments might include planning meetings between U.S. and foreign government officials, drafting reports on diplomatic foreign policy initiatives, analyzing data on forced labor, and developing communication materials on public policy for an international audience.
Location: UNDP country offices and regional hubs worldwide, including New York City
Cost/Stipend: Monthly stipend; amount varies by location
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective; most roles take 1–2 interns
Dates: Varies; up to 6–9 months, with shorter options available
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate seniors, master’s students, and recent graduates (within one year). Some roles require specific academic backgrounds or language skills based on placement
Undergraduate seniors searching for an opportunity to hone their skills before entering graduate school or a full-time career in international law can build experience through the United Nations Development Programme’s global internship opportunities. You’ll apply to an individual internship posting with a designated regional placement and position assignment. Your work will center on UNDP’s humanitarian focus areas, including promoting international legal standards related to democracy, equality, health, and economic development. Internship postings vary substantially by region, but common tasks include researching regional government operations, analyzing program outcomes data, and writing reports on local policy developments.
Location: UNICEF offices worldwide, including the United States
Cost/Stipend: Monthly stipend; partial support for travel and visa costs
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective
Dates: Varies; typically 6–26 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Current undergraduate, graduate, or PhD students, or recent graduates within 2 years. Must not have immediate relatives working at UNICEF. Requires proficiency in English, French, or Spanish. Some roles require additional language or academic qualifications
In UNICEF internships, undergraduate students can complete hands-on work protecting children's well-being through humanitarian initiatives and promoting international legal standards for child protection. You’ll work at one of UNICEF’s global offices, with potential assignments spanning analyzing the educational outcomes of refugee children, tracking legal developments in your host country, or monitoring the implementation of local health and nutrition programs. You’ll gain career development and networking opportunities by collaborating with UNICEF employees at your regional office and worldwide, connecting with local officials and journalists, and building specialized knowledge of international law, public and health care policy, and global program implementation.
Location: Washington, D.C. (USA); San José (Costa Rica); Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Buenos Aires (Argentina) | USA and Costa Rica roles offer online options
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; students encouraged to secure external funding
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective
Dates: Summer: May–August | Fall: September–December | Spring: January–April
Application Deadline: February 15 (summer) | June 15 (fall) | October 15 (spring)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate students. Legal roles limited to law students; Human Mobility roles typically require graduate or law students. Spanish fluency required for all roles; Brazil placements prefer Portuguese. Specific roles may require certain majors or skills
The Center for Justice and International Law’s internship program gives students hands-on experience in legal advocacy for the Latin American region. You’ll pursue an internship in Communications, Development, or Advocacy, with the additional option to specialize in gender equality initiatives. Your work will focus on supporting international human rights law through strategic litigation, cross-governmental communication, and the enforcement of human rights protection mechanisms. Assignments might include writing press releases and public statements, conducting research on regional human rights violations, and drafting documents for ongoing CEJIL litigation. Career development opportunities include mentorship from current CEJIL staff members, direct collaboration with attorneys, and the opportunity to meet international law experts by attending hearings at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court.
Location: Multiple placements, including The Hague (Netherlands) and Arusha (Tanzania)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by role; typically 3–6 months
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Background in international criminal law, public international law, human rights law, international humanitarian law, or related fields preferred. Must be fluent in English; French preferred. Arusha roles prefer Kinyarwanda; The Hague roles prefer Bosnian, Serbian, or Croatian. Not eligible if an immediate relative works at IRMCT
Through IRMCT’s legal internship program, students can gain hands-on experience in international law and enforcement, with a primary focus on the former Yugoslavia or Rwanda. You’ll work in the Office of the President, IRMCT Chambers, Office of the Prosecutor, or Registry for your assigned Criminal Tribunal branch to directly contribute to active investigations and international law violations. Your work will include conducting legal research, analyzing laws and policies relevant to criminal tribunal cases, classifying and organizing evidence, planning for witness examinations, drafting legal documents and court orders, and assisting judges in preparing for hearings. At the end of the internship, you’ll write a comprehensive report on the assignments and work you completed over the course of the internship. This report can be used for career advancement purposes; IRMCT will forward your materials to academic institutions or organizations to provide proof and endorsement of your experience for applications to jobs or graduate programs.
Location: Placements across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective; most roles take 1–2 interns
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students, and recent undergraduate graduates. Requirements vary by role. Not eligible if an immediate relative works at UNFPA. Some roles require specific academic backgrounds or language skills
By interning at the United Nations Population Fund, undergraduates can directly contribute to initiatives combatting maternal deaths and gender-based violence through international policy efforts and direct community support. Each internship posting has unique responsibilities, but all options will place you in a global UNFPA office to collaborate on real-world initiatives promoting gender equality and maternal health. Internships in international law often focus on conducting social, economic, and political analyses at the national and international levels. In more quantitative internship postings, you might apply computational methods for economic analysis or contribute to data analysis for agency audits and oversight.
Location: United States and UNOPS offices worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Paid; monthly stipend plus about $500 for travel
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students. Not eligible if an immediate relative works at UNOPS. Some roles require specific academic backgrounds or language skills
UNOPS internships offer undergraduates the opportunity to promote international human rights through organizational and infrastructure development work. You’ll apply for a specific internship, with opportunities posted throughout the year, that aligns with your skills and interests. Tailored towards regional needs, you’ll contribute to infrastructure and operations management for specialized projects, protecting international law and human rights in your country of placement. Tasks typically include project management, data analysis, drafting documents and reports, and facilitating communication between UNOPS, local government, and international human rights institutions. You’ll access professional development opportunities by building connections with UN employees and partners across the world, learning to apply international law principles to specific projects, and often developing or strengthening foreign language skills.
Location: UNIDO Headquarters, Vienna, Austria, or field offices worldwide
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective
Dates: Varies by role; typically 3–6 months
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students, or students within one year of graduating from an undergraduate or master’s program. Some roles limited to graduate students. Must be at least 20 years old. Additional languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish are preferred
Through UNIDO’s Internship Programme, undergraduate students can assist equity and industrialization in developing countries with a focus on international law and policy development, economic safeguarding, and infrastructure development. Placements are available in nearly 20 technical fields, but students interested in international law may find Legal Affairs or Ethics and Accountability most interesting. In these offices, your work would focus on ensuring UNIDO compliance with international law, including analyzing UNIDO’s internal operations, shaping the development and cooperation related to industrial and economic development, and providing legal advisory services to organizations and governments working with UNIDO. Your work might include conducting policy and legal research, supporting communications between UNIDO and governing bodies, generating reports on UNIDO’s compliance with international legal standards, and analyzing data on UNIDO projects and outcomes.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; course credit may be available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective; varies by department or agency
Dates: 10 hours per week, September – May
Application Deadline: July 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students; must be U.S. citizens. Some roles have additional requirements
The Virtual Student Federal Service Internship Program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to focus on international law and equitable working practices through a placement at the Bureau of International Labor Affairs. In this role, you’ll support initiatives to improve working conditions in the U.S. and abroad, fight child labor and workplace exploitation, and ensure vulnerable populations are protected in the workplace. Your internship tasks will be tailored to your skill set and may include writing and editing articles, project management, policy research, and data analysis. The multiple sub-focuses within the Bureau make this internship a strategic choice for students interested in international law, even if they are majoring in STEM or other fields without a direct connection to policy or law.
Location: 85+ FBI field offices and headquarters locations
Cost/Stipend: $14.76–$19.18 per hour (GS-4 for undergraduates)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Very selective
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 1 (for the following summer)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral students; minimum 3.0 GPA; must pass a background investigation and obtain Top Secret clearance
In the FBI Honors Internship Program, you’ll have the ability to apply to work in up to three branches of the FBI, with multiple placements allowing international law focuses. Opportunities in the International Operations Division, National Security Branch, or Directorate of Intelligence will place you into real-life FBI operations and investigations with international legal implications. Your work can contribute to international law enforcement, identify international security threats, and promote collaboration within the global Intelligence Community. Specific tasks may include analyzing crime data and statistical analysis, writing intelligence reports, and managing national security records. You’ll be considered for a post-graduation position at the FBI, contingent upon strong performance during the internship, working for your assigned field office for a minimum of 16 hours per month, and maintaining compliance with Top Secret Clearance requirements.
Location: NYC for initial training, then potential placements at multiple BigLaw firms across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective (~5-10% acceptance rate); ~100 fellows selected
Dates: 2 weeks of training + 8 weeks law firm internship during the summer, usually beginning in mid-/late May.
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current seniors who are planning to attend law school after graduation and have submitted at least one law school application
Students planning to attend law school before entering an international law career can prepare for their next educational step and build practical experience through the SEO Law Fellowship. You’ll begin the program with a two-week Law Institute to study academic legal matters typically covered in 1L coursework under the guidance of current law school professors, as well as develop legal research and writing skills. You’ll then spend eight weeks working as a summer intern at a top law firm. Students interested in international law should request placement at firms with practice areas in human and civil rights, international arbitration, immigration, or cases involving government entities. You’ll develop skills in legal research, drafting documents, and developing contracts, while networking with attorneys from prestigious firms. You’ll also have access to the SEO alumni network throughout law school, including former Congress members and government officials who can provide guidance on developing a career path in international law.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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