Schedule
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Applications open: 15 October 2022
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Deadline: 15 January 2023
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Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online between the end of January and mid-March
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Deadline for notification: 31 March 2023
Scholarship
Application form
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the LL.M. Programme, applicants must possess a complete legal education which entitles them to sit for the bar exam in their country of origin, e.g. the Maîtrise de droit in Switzerland, the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in the United Kingdom, the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in the United States, the Maîtrise de droit (or equivalent title from a Haute Ecole) in France or the Erstes Juristisches Staatsexamen in Germany. However, please note that there is no need to have completed any professional courses requirements, such as the Ecole d'avocature in Switzerland or Legal Practice Course in the United Kingdom, or other training courses organised by the bar association of the respective country.
Accommodation
The Graduate Institute offers excellent housing options in the heart of international Geneva. We are pleased to announce that, as of autumn 2020, the Institute will be able to provide accommodation for all its students. Please get in touch with the Programme Manager for questions related to your housing application.
English
All students must have an excellent command of English. Students whose mother tongue is not English, who do not have secondary or post-secondary qualifications taught in English, or who have not spent a minimum of one year studying full-time at the university level in English must provide a certificate to prove their mastery of English.
Recognised tests and scores
TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language)
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Internet-test: 100
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Paper-test: 600
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Computer-based test: 250
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 7.0
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English, Cambridge English, part of the University of Cambridge): A-B-C
CAE (Cambridge Advanced English, Cambridge English, part of the University of Cambridge): AB
Application process
To apply for the LL.M. in International Law, applicants must complete an online application form, available here.
In addition, the following supporting documents must be uploaded during the online application process:
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A curriculum vitae (in English or French);
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A letter of motivation describing why you wish to pursue the LL.M. programme (1 page maximum);
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Copies of official transcripts of all grades obtained in all university exams, accompanied by grade scales and their values;*
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Copies of all university diplomas and qualifications obtained;*
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English language test results. NB: French is not required for the LL.M. Programme;
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Two reference letters (in French or English) are also required. The applicant must nominate two referees and will be asked to provide the professional email addresses of their referees on the application form. Once the applicant has validated their application, the nominated referees will automatically be prompted to upload their reference letters.
* a certified translation (in English or French) must be provided for all documents.
The following documents can be uploaded during the online application process, although those are not compulsory for admission :
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A copy of the page(s) of your passport with your surname, first name and nationality;
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A recent passport-sized photograph
Application fee
We require a non-refundable application fee of CHF 100 for the LL.M. in International Law.
Guidelines for reference letter
Terms and conditions
Cost of living

Residence permit and VISA
All students must apply for a student residence permit (Permis B) from the Office Cantonal de la Population (OCP) within eight days of their arrival in Switzerland.
Information on the application procedure can be found with:
Service des étrangers
Rue David-Dufour 3
1211 Genève 8
Tel.: +41 (0)22 327 48 88
Fax: +41 (0)22 327 75 91
Depending on your country of origin, you may also need a visa to enter/stay in Switzerland. If you are a citizen of an EU/EFTA country, you do not need a visa to enter Switzerland but will still need to apply for a residence permit.
The Federal Office for Migration's website provides an overview of travel documents and visa provisions for entry into Switzerland. You can also contact the main Swiss embassy or consulate in your country. The residence permit and visa costs vary but can be up to 300 CHF.