Programme requirements and structure

(Image:The United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland)

The Public International Law LLM is a one year long, full-time programme. The language of instruction and examination in the programme is English.

Programme requirements
In order to obtain an LLM degree in Public International Law a candidate must successfully complete at least 60 ECTS*:
a. Six compulsory course**:        

• Advanced International Law (6 ECTS)
• International Human Rights Law (6 ECTS)
• International Institutional Law (6 ECTS)
• Settlement of International Disputes (6 ECTS)
• UN Peacekeeping and Peace Enforcement (6 ECTS)
• International Humanitarian Law (6 ECTS) or International Environmental Law (6 ECTS) or Refugee and Asylum Law (6 ECTS)

b. Seminar International Law in the 21st Century (6 ECTS)
c. Law in Practice (6 ECTS)
d. Master’s thesis (12 ECTS)

* Students who have not taken Public International Law (or an equivalent) in their Bachelor should take this course as an extra course. The course will not be part of the required 60 ECTS.
** Students who already took one of the compulsory courses in their Bachelor can apply for an exemption for such a course through the Board of Examiners. An extra course(s) should be chosen to replace the exempted course(s). Please contact the Study Advisors in the International Office about this process.

Programme structure
All programmes consist of six courses (minimum), a seminar, a law in practice module, and the writing of a thesis. The academic year in Groningen runs from the first week of September to the end of August and is divided into two semesters of two blocks each. Each lecture block is followed by periods of examinations.

If you'd like to know more about the Public International Law LLM programme, you are welcome to join one of our Masters Week presentations for the programme. You can also watch a recording of our most recent (online) masters week presentation here.

Do you have a question about an LLM programme? Contact the Faculty of Law directly through our information request form .

The Faculty reserves the right to cancel or alter courses when necessary. Applicants receive due notice of any changes in the curriculum. These webpages will always hold the most recent information about the programmes.