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 and The Hague
Croho/isat code: 60084
Share |

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.

Entry requirements

  • Bachelor’s in Law (LL.B.) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from a recognised university; in exceptional cases a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline (e.g. in Political Science or equivalent) will be acceptable, provided that a substantial number of law courses are included in the bachelor’s programme.
  • Proof of sufficient proficiency in English: IELTS test level of at least 7.0 or TOEFL score of at least 600/250/100, evidenced by an appropriate test.
    This requirement does not apply if you have:
    • completed your education in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia, or
    • an International Baccalaureate
      Students who want to start in September and who do not meet this level of English but who have a minimum score of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent may be offered a place on the programme on the condition that they attend a two-month pre-sessional English course at Leiden University. For the February intake no pre-sessional English courses are offered.

Applicants with a higher professional education (HBO) degree are not eligible for admission, but start in the first year of the bachelor’s. For more information see the Faculty of Law website (in Dutch).

Students who have a LL.B. (Bachelor’s degree) in Law from Leiden University do not have to apply for admission.