COURSE CURRICULUM

The master’s program in Public International Law offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines foundational knowledge with specialised training, giving students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the global legal order. At the core of the program are a series of compulsory courses designed to establish a strong base in public international law. These include Public International Law: Capita Selecta, which introduces key debates and developments in the field, International Institutional Law, which explores the functioning of global and regional organisations, International Humanitarian Law, focusing on the regulation of armed conflicts, and International Protection of Human Rights, which examines legal frameworks and institutions safeguarding fundamental rights. Students also take International Criminal Law as part of the core, ensuring a broad perspective on how international legal norms apply to individuals. In addition, the course Privatissimum: UN Peacekeeping provides an in-depth study of the legal and institutional dimensions of peace operations.Building on this foundation, students choose one of two specialisations. The International Criminal Law specialisation focuses on issues of accountability and justice in the aftermath of mass atrocities. Courses such as Advanced International Criminal Law and International Criminal Litigation allow students to engage with both substantive and procedural aspects of international criminal justice, including the work of tribunals and the International Criminal Court.Alternatively, the Peace, Justice and Development specialisation directs attention to how international law contributes to conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, and sustainable development. Courses such as Peace Building and Transitional Justice provide insights into legal approaches to reconciliation and rebuilding societies, while International Economic Law and Sustainable Development explores how economic governance and legal frameworks can promote equitable global progress.This structured combination of core and specialised courses ensures that students not only gain an advanced understanding of international law but also acquire the expertise needed to pursue careers in international organisations, NGOs, legal practice, diplomacy, or academia.