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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Public International Law
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Public International Law

“Imagine all the people, Sharing all the world... You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one…” (John Lennon). International law is not a dream nor for dreamers.

The programme is designed to provide an optimal mix to ensure the realization of our goals in the field of knowledge dissemination and the training of academic, legal and practical skills. Within these parameters the programme offers some flexibility in the range of courses that can be chosen. The master's thesis allows you to spend considerable time to study a topic of your choice under the supervision of an experienced staff member.

Official detailed information on the programme can be found here.

This is a selective LLM, see Faculty pages here for further details.

The LLM Public International Law is registered under the LLM CROHO label Public International Law (60856). This is a Top Rated Programme in the Netherlands.

Facts & Figures
Degree
LLM in Public International Law
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60856
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Law
Why study this programme in Groningen?

The basic approach of the programme is that students learn most from being actively engaged in working on international law topics. Lectures are useful form of teaching, but much of the work will be done through practical investigation of relevant issues in international law and critical interaction between lecturers and students and among students. The programme is suitable for recent law graduates as well as for young professionals working in private practice or in the public sector.

Programme

Students will have to participate in five compulsory courses and the compulsory seminar for this programme plus one optional compulsory course. Like all masters, this programme is also concluded by writing a Master's thesis, worth 18 ECTS.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
International Human Rights Law (6 EC)
International Institutional Law (6 EC)
Seminar International Law in the 21st Century (6 EC)
Advanced International Law (6 EC)
UN Peacekeeping and Peace Enforcement (6 EC)
International Environmental Law (6 EC, optional)
International Humanitarian Law (6 EC, optional)
Refugee and Asylum Law (6 EC, optional)
International Law in Practice (6 EC)
Master's Thesis (12 EC)
Settlement of International Disputes (6 EC)

Curriculum

Students will have to participate in five compulsory courses and the compulsory seminar for this programme plus one optional compulsory course. Like all masters, this programme is also concluded by writing a Master's thesis, worth 18 ECTS.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional

More information about studying abroad within this programme can be found on www.rug.nl/law/lep.

Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
International and European LawUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

LLB or equivalent

knowledge minimum

basic knowledge of public international law, on a similar level as the course Public International Law and elementary knowledge of European Law

grade average

On top of providing the Admissions Board with transcripts and diplomas, students should have an equivalent minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) of 7/10 (Dutch grading scale).

language test

For more details about language requirements please check: https://bit.ly/2Ho7gkM

reference letter

For further details about letter of reference please check: https://bit.ly/2Ho7gkM

(motivation-) letter

For more details about motivation letter please check: https://bit.ly/2Ho7gkM

other admission requirements

Curriculum vitae. For further information please check: https://bit.ly/2Ho7gkM

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

LLB or equivalent

knowledge minimum

basic knowledge of public international law, on a similar level as the course Public International Law and elementary knowledge of European Law

grade average

On top of providing the Admissions Board with transcripts and diplomas, students should have an equivalent minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) of 7/10 (Dutch grading scale).

language test

For more details about language requirements please check: https://bit.ly/2Ho7gkM

reference letter

For further details about letter of reference please check: https://bit.ly/2Ho7gkM

(motivation-) letter

For more details about motivation letter please check: https://bit.ly/2Ho7gkM

other admission requirements

Curriculum vitae. For further information please check: https://bit.ly/2Ho7gkM

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 17800full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

You can read more about career prospects for graduates here: https://www.rug.nl/rechten/education/international-programmes/llm/pil/career-prospects

Research

Research

The faculty's research is carried out under the umbrella of the Groningen Centre for Law and Governance, in which all departments of the faculty are participating. Wherever possible teachers will use and involve this research in the courses that are being taught.

  • 
						Testimonial of

    Public International Law

    Read more

    It's challenging to learn how to analyse and critically assess various aspects of international law, from interpretation of treaties to the intricate development of public international law in the international community and it is quite mind-blowing. And if I have to do it all over again, I would love to.

    My name is Ketrin Triwidiastuty. I'm from Indonesia. It's a fact that the Netherlands is one of the best places to study international law. I have always dreamt of taking my master degree in the Netherlands. After careful consideration and taking advices from my friends, I decided to apply for the LLM programme in International Law and the Law of International Organization of the University of Groningen and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. From the various courses offered, the very helpful faculty staff and the lecturers, I enjoyed every moment I spent here. Not only that, for someone who grew up in a big city like Jakarta, I love the city of Groningen, it is not crowded but very lively. The people of Groningen are very friendly, even to foreigners like me.

    Of course I did not come here for sight-seeing, although my photography skills have improved greatly ever since I came here. I have to study hard for my classes because the lecturers here expect great things from us, in a good way of course. It's challenging to learn how to analyse and critically assess various aspects of international law, from interpretation of treaties to the intricate development of public international law in the international community and it is quite mind-blowing. And if I have to do it all over again, I would love to.

    I can say that I never really had a bad experience during my stay. Sometimes I got homesick but I made a lot of friends from various countries that have made me feel at home. In a way, Groningen is also home to me now. Studying at the University of Groningen has been a great adventure for me; the kind of adventure that I won't trade for anything in this world. I only have one thing to say to prospective students: Come to the University of Groningen, have your own adventure of a lifetime!

    Close
Study support

If you come across questions with regard to your programme, study progress, your way of studying, personal circumstances, etc., you can go to the International Office for guidance. All discussed in these conversations is treated confidentially.