Public International Law (LL.M.)
About the programme
The Regular LL.M. (Public International Law specialization) is taught by lecturers who possess expertise in a wide range of aspects of public international law, including international criminal law, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, the law on peace and security, international institutional law, international dispute settlement, international economic law and international environmental law.
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Watch the video on the original website orSmarter Academic Year Pilot
The Public International Law LL.M. is participating the ‘Smarter Academic Year’ pilot project, which aims to reduce the workload for lecturers and students and improve the quality of the programme. Compared with other countries, the academic year in the Netherlands is long and intensive, leading to a high workload for students and lecturers. The new ‘Smarter Academic Year’ is structured in such a way to give students, lecturers and researchers a bit more breathing space.
Full-time or part-time
The programme is offered full-time (one academic year) and part-time (two academic years). Part-time students are offered the same facilities and courses as full-time students. For non-European students, the part-time option is not possible due to visa requirements.
Part-time students will attend the same courses as full-time students, which will be held during the day and for which attendance is required. The difference between full-time students and part-time students is that part-time students can take longer to finalize the entire programme, preferably within 2 years.
It is up to the student to decide when they want to take which course, but it is strongly advised that part-time students to take the foundational courses in the first year (i.e. Public International Law and International Dispute Settlement in the first semester) in addition to what else they can manage. The amount of contact hours therefore depends on how many courses you take at once. As a reference, the full-time programme has on average eight contact hours a week.
February start is discouraged
You may start the programme either in September or in February, although it is strongly discouraged that students to enter the programme in February. This master’s programme is designed with the September timeline in mind. The courses and the thesis trajectory of Semester 2 builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in Semester 1. Starting in February may thus result in difficulties in your study trajectory.
Note for international students
Before applying to the programme, international students are advised to verify with the relevant 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.