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

LLM Class LLM Class

What

The LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights (LLM) is:

  • An intensive one-year course 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 the law of weaponry 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 the possibility for several students to carry out internships and 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 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 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
  • The possibility to carry out internships with leading humanitarian and human rights actors
  • Participation in public pleadings and in the prestigious Jean-Pictet Competition
  • The writing of a master’s paper
  • A study trip
  • A graduation ceremony

The professors, teaching assistants, staff and remarkable classmates are a source of continued inspiration to me not only because of their expertise and experience but also because of their genuine love for their work.

Vanessa Murphy

Legal Advisor at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Portrait of Andrew Botz News

LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights: What our Alumni Say

22 January 2024

As a Human Rights Officer with the UN Mission in South Sudan, Andrew Botz supports investigations into alleged violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in the context of the armed conflict in the country. In this interview, he tells about the programme, fond memories and what it brought to his career.

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Portrait of Arianna Pia Mazzariello News

LLM in IHL and Human Rights: What our Students Say

9 January 2024

Arianna Pia Mazzariello is enrolled in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. In this interview, she tells about her background, the programme and what it will bring to her career.

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News

Meet our 2023–2024 Faculty

9 October 2023

Discover the photo gallery of our 2023–2024 faculty members and their motivation to teach and share their expertise with our students.

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