The LLM in International Law has built a strong global reputation over the past decade. What are the key elements behind its success?

The LLM in International Law programme was created in 2013 to complement the Institute’s two-year MA in International Law. This one-year programme is practice-oriented, and the curriculum offers students a solid grounding in the foundations of public international law. It also introduces students to particular areas of concentration within the field.

Over the past years, our LLM in International Law programme has consistently ranked among the world’s top five LLM programmes in public international law. Its success is due to its small-scale format, the diversity of courses and faculty, and its close connections with International Geneva. With cohorts of around 30 students, the programme benefits from both internal faculty members of the International Law Department and a large number of invited faculty, including members of the UN Human Rights Committee, the International Law Commission, and a sitting judge in the Interna- tional Tribunal for the Law of the Seas.

A core focus of the programme is to offer students a strong grounding in public international law while ensuring that our graduates are flexible and adaptable in a fast-changing world.
 

Legal clinics are a core part of the programme. How do they prepare students for careers in international law?

LLM in International Law students participate in a legal clinic in the spring semester. They work in small groups on a project with one of our partner organisations under the academic supervision of a faculty member in the LLM programme. The legal clinics allow students to work on real legal questions from various partner organisations working on issues broadly related to international law. They provide hands-on experience in international law, requiring students to manage projects, collaborate with external partners, and communicate findings effectively.
 

How does the programme connect students to professional opportunities in the field?

Students are already connected to a wide range of faculty and practitioners who teach in the programme through dedicated courses, skills workshops, and legal clinics. Beyond academic assessment, the clinics often serve as a stepping stone to professional opportunities, with students building valuable connections that frequently lead to internships and job prospects in the field. The growing LLM alumnae·i network plays a crucial role in these connections. Events like the 2024 rooftop gathering at Grand Morillon bring together alumnae·i and current students, fostering networking opportunities. Additionally, the “LLM Community” LinkedIn page, with over 200 members, continues to expand, strengthening ties between past and present students.
 

Learn more about the LLM in International Law programme. 

This article was published in Globe #35, the Graduate Institute Review.