Public International Law

Specialisation of: Law
Degree: Master of Laws in Law
Mode of Study: Full-time, part-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60084
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The Master’s specialisation in Public International Law is an English-taught programme concerning the law that governs international relations. In the not so distant past, this was more or less limited to relations between states, but in recent years international organisations, peoples, enterprises and individuals have also become part of the increasingly complex global society and therewith of the realm of international law.

Career

The programme aims to equip students with a sufficiently broad academic training to be able to pursue a career within their national legal system, in international law departments of national institutions, in international governmental or non-governmental organisations, or internationally operating business enterprises.

Internships

In view of further developing practical and professional skills, students may also benefit from the LL.M. Internship Programme, an internal competitive process with a view to selecting the best candidates who will be institutionally endorsed in their internship applications to different international institutions. The number and duration of internships vary, although generally each year 5-10 students receive intern positions at institutions such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Criminal Court, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Embassies and law firms. For Dutch students there is also the possibility to do internships with selected Dutch ministries, like e.g. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or with the Dutch Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva or New York.
NOTE: Before applying to the programme, international students are advised to verify with the respective authorities whether the diploma of this master’s programme, together with their bachelor’s degree, qualifies as full legal education and provides access to the legal profession in their home countries. Dutch students with a bachelor in law fulfil the requirements for the effectus civilis (civiel effect) upon successful completion of this master’s programme.

Civil effect

The LL.M. Public International Law provides Dutch Students Civil Effect (civiel effect), which gives acces to the toga-professions.

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What our alumni say

Eerke Steller, alumnus

“Fundamental knowledge and a variety of courses.”

The variety of courses and subjects offered by the LL.M. provides students with fundamental knowledge of the different areas of Public International Law. The close contact with and involvement of the professors of the LL.M., as well as the (internship) opportunities create the perfect atmosphere for students to develop their academic skills and help the students prepare for a career in Public International Law.