Public International Law 

Overview

Two specialisation tracks

In today’s globalised world, public international law addresses complex, challenging issues that touch everyone’s lives. 

In the Public International Law programme at Utrecht University , you will explore common themes of public international law with the option to take a specialisation in two tracks:

• Oceans, the Environment and Sustainability

• Human Rights

The Oceans, the Environment and Sustainability track will teach you significant knowledge of and insight in international environmental law and the law of the sea. The Human Rights track allows you to acquire both the broad overview and skills of a generalist and the in-depth knowledge of a specialist.

Multidimensional Teaching and Research

You will build relevant and current skills by studying actual cases facing the International Court of Justice and other international dispute settlement institutions. You will develop your argumentation abilities in moot courts, among other training methods, and learn to apply your knowledge of the law to real-life situations. 

This academic and challenging English-taught LLM programme reflects the Law School’s multi-dimensional approach to legal teaching: developments in public international law are best seen from a broad perspective.

Active, Self-Designed Learning

Our Master’s programme in Public International Law offers you active learning methods in which your own interests, ambitions and aims will guide your learning experiences. Your lecturers take a supportive role in this self-created, individualised approach to your studies. 

In the Capita Selecta modules and in your own specialisation, you will be trained in the essential skill of how to quickly deepen your knowledge of a current, specialised legal topic. From the very beginning, you will also take part in research and thesis training that prepares you to write your Master’s thesis, the culmination of your LLM programme. 

If you have the drive to go the extra mile in your studies, we offer the LLM's Honours Programme which is an additional honours programme for the best and most highly motivated students.

Specific Knowledge, Broad Perspectives

The Master in Public International Law provides you with thorough and highly individualised training that will prepare you for a legal career in an international environment. 

You’ll develop your academic and practical abilities through taking part in moot courts, visiting legal and professional organisations and undertaking research focused on your thesis. 

You will also learn to reflect critically on current legal dilemmas, both human and environmental, presented by our globalised and interdependent world. Whether you aim to build a career as a diplomat, attorney or policy officer in national government, research scientist, legal advisor in an NGO or governmental organisation, or attorney in the legal department of a multinational corporation business, you will learn to work effectively and ethically in the complex world of public international law. 

When you graduate from this programme, you will receive an LLM diploma.

Career Prospects

The LLM in Public International Law has a strong connection to practice, so it offers you an excellent introduction to the legal profession.  Moot courts, visits to legal and professional organisations and guest lecturers from the field provide a concrete vision of what it is like to work in public international law. 

With the ability to critically reflect on today’s driving legal issues – such as human and environmental rights –  you will be well-prepared for a legal career. Graduates from prior years have done well in a range of employment areas, including:

• Corporate and private law practice

• National public service as a diplomat or civil servant

• International courts

• Consultants for governments, international political organisations and NGOs

• Academic or legal research

Accreditation

Accredited by the NVAO - Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.