The LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in a Nutshell

Olivier Chamard / Geneva Academy

What

The LLM Master of Advanced Studies in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights is:

• An intensive one-year programme aimed at educating around 40 highly qualified and open-minded students in all the laws pertaining to armed conflicts
• An in-depth study of the following areas: international law, international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law (IHRL) in armed conflict, international refugee law and international criminal law (ICL)
• A focus on topical and emerging issues like the Islamic law of armed conflict, or cybersecurity and new military technologies
• A prestigious faculty composed of leading academics and renowned experts and practitioners who are abreast of the latest developments and debates
• An ongoing focus on practice via exchanges with practitioners and military actors, work on concrete case scenarios, participation in public pleadings, a course on humanitarian skills, and an internship and the possibility to participate in a moot court
• A study trip to familiarize with field work
• An international, multicultural and diverse student body with a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, experiences and motivations
• Two annual awards that recognize exceptional academic work
• Access to our events which provide a critical and scholarly forum for experts and practitioners to discuss and debate topical issues in IHL, IHRL and ICL
• An LLM-MAS degree conferred by two prestigious academic institutions
• The foundation for a successful career in inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations dealing with IHL, human rights, ICL refugees or migration, as well as public administration, international tribunals or academic institutions

Why

10 reasons for choosing the LLM-MAS in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights at the Geneva Academy:

• A leading institution in the field of IHL and IHRL
• The opportunity to gain solid and unique expertise in IHL, IHRL in armed conflict, international refugee law and ICL and the interplay between them
• A programme that forms high-level professionals qualified to work as academics, staff members or field workers for inter-governmental, governmental, and non-governmental organizations
• Familiarity with a wide range of contemporary contexts and challenges
• The combination of theory and practice
• A personal teaching style that encourages interaction between students and lecturers
• Specialized supervised research for the master’s thesis
• Career counselling and advice
  
• Ties with leading actors in the humanitarian and human rights fields
• A unique human experience during which all those involved (students, faculty and resident staff) develop long-term bonds

How

• 60 ECTS Credits
• Core courses that provide a firm grounding in public international law, IHL, IHRL in armed conflict, international refugee law, ICL and the interplay between them
• Weekly tutorials that allow students to revise and discuss concepts and issues addressed in the core courses
• Optional courses that allow students to deepen their expertise in a particular issue such as armed non-state armed groups, the Islamic law of armed conflicts or international disaster law
• Mandatory internship with leading humanitarian and human rights actors
• Participation in public pleadings and, for selected students, in the prestigious Jean-Pictet Competition
• The writing of a master’s paper
• Possibility to organize a study trip
• A graduation ceremony