PhD with a specialisation in International Law

The Graduate Institute’s PhD with a specialisation in International Law is a challenging degree tailored for outstanding students with a strong commitment to international law and a proven ability in independent research work. It helps prepare graduates for an academic career, or for research-oriented positions in the public or private sector.

The PhD programme is small by design and admits a limited number of students each year. The size of the programme and close contact with professors offer an intimate and highly stimulating environment in which to grow intellectually. This specialisation is a recognised and well established platform for advanced graduate research in international law. With a large diversity of research and professional interests, the faculty members offer research supervision in a wide range of subjects.

Apart from formal research supervision from their doctorate supervisor (a professor of the Law Unit), doctoral students can expect wider intellectual support at all stages of their research.

During their doctoral studies, candidates are required to obtain 24 ECTS credits for coursework and to present and defend a preliminary thesis. The programme, culminating in the presentation and defence of a doctoral thesis embodying an original and significant piece of research, is designed to take a maximum of four years. For detailed information, refer to PhD Rules.