The International Law Programme works to enhance the capacities of diplomats, public officials, delegates, professionals, students, and other stakeholders on various topics related to international law. The programme offers a wide range of training activities, including master programmes offered jointly with other institutions, high-level executive diplomas, tutor-facilitated online courses, self-paced online courses, face-to-face training activities, and the blended Intensive Training Programme on International Law. Furthermore, the International Law Programme cooperates with partner organizations to create tailor-made learning products for a specific target audience. Kindly find below UNITAR's programmes in International Law and Legal Skills, amongst the following offerings:
M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy in cooperation with the University for Peace (UPEACE)
UNITAR and the University for Peace (UPEACE) offer a joint Master of Arts in International Law and Diplomacy. This two-year graduate programme, offered in online and hybrid formats, allows students to specialize in the interface between international law and diplomacy. It will not only broaden student’s knowledge in the field of international law and its various foundational dimensions but will also equip them with knowledge and skills to work in the field of diplomacy and related international careers. The online course begins 7th July 2025, with a fee of $11,000.00 and an application deadline of 30th June 2025. The hybrid course begins 19th August 2025, with a fee of $13,000.00 and an application deadline of 30th April 2025.
M.A. in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes in cooperation with the University for Peace (UPEACE)
UNITAR and the University for Peace (UPEACE) offer a joint Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes. This two-year graduate programme, offered in in-person, online and hybrid formats, allows students to specialize in the interface between international law and diplomacy. This specialization examines the role of national and international courts and tribunals in contributing to the settlement of disputes. As international and transnational adjudication has acquired a more prominent role in international relations, it is essential to understand how these global and regional courts are responding to the challenges of the early 21st Century. Students will examine the role of international law in the settlement of disputes in a wide array of fields such as human rights, armed conflicts, territorial and maritime border issues, environment and climate change, multilateral trade, investments, amongst others. Students will learn not only the traditional legal processes employed in international and transnational adjudication but also the alternative forms of dispute settlement prevalent in international law. Students will also attend skills development sessions that are designed to support their professional career and employability.
The online course begins 7th July 2025, with a fee of $11,000.00 and an application deadline of 30th June 2025. The hybrid course begins 19th August 2025, with a fee of $13,000.00 and an application deadline of 30th April 2025. The in-person course begins 19th August 2025, with a fee of $19,500.00 and an application deadline of 30th April 2025.
Certificate in International Law and Diplomacy (UNITAR-UPEACE)
The Online Certificate in International Law and Diplomacy is a programme permitting students to specialize in the interface between international law and diplomacy. It will not only broaden students’ knowledge in the field of international law and its various foundational dimensions but will also equip them with knowledge and skills to work in the field of diplomacy and related international careers. During this programme, students will analyse the different dimensions of international law including those related to law-making, armed conflicts, human rights, economic relations, as well as those related to the theory and practice of diplomacy in the 21st century including dispute settlement and conflict resolution. The programme begins 8th September 2025, with a fee of $3,550.00 and an application deadline of 20th August 2025.
Certificate in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes (UNITAR-UPEACE)
The Online Certificate in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes offers participants an understanding of the role that international law and institutions play in the settlement of international and transnational disputes. This specialization examines the role of national and international courts and tribunals in contributing to the settlement of disputes. As international and transnational adjudication has acquired a more prominent role in international relations, it is essential to understand how these global and regional courts are responding to the challenges of the early 21st Century. The programme begins 12th January 2026, with a fee of $3,550.00 and an application deadline of 30th November 2025.
Online Executive Diploma on Law and Neuroscience – A Comparative Approach
Advances in neuroscientific research and technologies have become increasingly important for the field of law. Not only are the number of court cases involving neuroscientific evidence rapidly rising, neuro-legal studies are also used to inform us on substantive legal doctrines, such as the insanity defence. Additionally, the interaction between the law and the neurosciences is highly relevant for criminal policy issues, such as the possible implications of brain research for juvenile offenders or addicts. However, the use of neuroscientific techniques in the legal system is not without its problems, and raises empirical, practical and ethical questions. This Online Executive Diploma on Law and Neuroscience critically reflects on the present and future relevance of applications of neuroscience in the field of law, in particular criminal law. By using a comparative approach, considering both US and European jurisdictions, participants will understand how neuroscientific research may inform criminal justice doctrine, practice, and policy. Fee: $3,650.00 | Next Dates: TBC
Online Diploma on the Fundamentals of International Law
The Online Certificate on the Fundamentals of International Law offers a unique opportunity for both students wanting to pursue a career in international law or international relations, and professionals working in international and regional organizations as well as governmental and non-governmental institutions, to expand their knowledge on the key aspects of international law. Using internet-based training, UNITAR brings participants and trainers together in a unique virtual learning environment, allowing students follow the three webinar tracks of the Law core courses: International Law, Law of Treaties and Law of International Organisations. Fee: $1,000.00
Spring: 24 February – 15 June 2025, Deadline 16 February 2025. Register Here.
Fall: 1 September – 23 November 2025, Deadline 24 August 2025. Register Here.
Online Executive Diploma on International Law in the 21st Century
International law is pushing frontiers both on earth, outer space and in the digital realm. Explore these cutting-edge legal topics together with high-level international experts. Following the successful previous editions, the fall intake of UNITAR’s Online Executive Diploma on International Law in the 21st century aims at introducing students and practitioners to newest developments in international law, covering diverse issues such as Law of the Sea and Cyber Warfare and International Humanitarian Law. Fee: $1,490.00
Next Dates: 3 – 7 February 2025, Deadline 24 January 2025. Register Here
Executive Diploma on International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice
Under UN leadership, the last 30 years have seen remarkable development in the fight against impunity. Many different accountability mechanisms – truth commissions, international and hybrid tribunals, as well as commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions and investigations – have been established and successfully implemented. This Executive Diploma on International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice will provide participants with unique access to information, perspectives, updates and analysis on accountability mechanisms for both those seeking to develop a working background on the topics as well as those already thoroughly versed in their dynamics. Combining substantive sessions on topics such as the notion of mass human rights violations, as well as the history, development and achievements of different accountability mechanisms, with skills-focused modules, this training will provide participants with a wholistic training experience and allow them to put their substantive knowledge into practice. This Executive Diploma is delivered in partnership with the IUSTICOM. Course Fee: $2,850.00
Next Dates: 13the October - 16th November (TBC).
Introduction to the UN System Course
With the increasing prevalence of current issues that transcend national boundaries, the international field is constantly changing and the role of international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), cannot be overlooked. Spearheading multilateral conversations, the UN continues to transform along with our dynamic world. For those interested in the workings of the UN and broadening their knowledge on the international system, this course equips participants with insight on the UN System of Organizations, including its structure and function. UNITAR’s tutor-facilitated course will additionally cover the evolution of multilateral diplomacy, the needs and role of the UN, and provide insight into the formal and informal processes of UN organs and agencies. Fee: $600.00
Next Dates: 17 March – 13 April 2025, Deadline 9 March 2025
Human Rights, Environmental Protection, And Climate Change
This tutor-facilitated course introduces participants to the application of human rights to environmental issues and the procedural and substantive obligations relating to the environment, covering Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration, as well as the obligations relating to vulnerable groups. Through examples of constitutions that have incorporated a right to a healthy environment, good practices in procedural and substantive environmental protection, as well as good practices in the protection of groups particularly vulnerable to environmental harm, participants will understand how the relationship between human rights and environmental protection takes place in practice. Fee: $500.00
Next Dates: 11 – 24 August 2025 (tbc), Deadline 10 August 2025
International Humanitarian Law
War remains a matter of great concern to humanity. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that the ravages of war continue to have a devastating impact especially on the civilian population. War might be the “end of the law” as one said, but International Law is not silent on armed conflicts. From its conception in 1859 on the battlefield of Solferino to contemporary warfare, modern International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has been confronted with significant challenges. Since the times of horses and bayonets to drones and other ‘Lethal Autonomous Weapons System’ (the so-called “killer robots”), the IHL has always had the purpose of regulating the means and methods of warfare in order to limit human suffering. The development and sophistication of weapons has made it paradoxically problematic to distinguish between civilians and combatants in order to better protect the former. In addition, the proliferation of non-international armed conflicts (civil wars) and the emergence of new forms of armed conflicts, i.e. the “war on terrorism”, pose new challenges to the protection of civilian persons and goods. Fee: $650.00
Next Dates:
- Spring: 3 – 30 March 2025 (tbc), Deadline 23 February 2025. Register Here
- Fall:13 October - 9 Nov 2025 (tbc), Deadline 5 October 2025. Register Here
International Law Course - Webinar Track
The subject of international law brings a lot of concepts to mind, from war and settlement of disputes between States, protection of the environment, responsibilities and obligations, to human rights protection between citizens, refugees of different States and corporations. Globalization has forced us to interact with each other, making it essential to have common rules to guide and sustain relationships (of trade, investment, technology, etc.) between individuals and States from different regions and continents. Now, many of domestic laws are highly influenced and molded by the rules of international law. International law provides mandatory principles, norms and rules that regulate the relations between States as well as with other non-State actors, like international organizations and individuals. This webinar edition of UNITAR's traditional online course offers participants the chance to ask questions to a high level expert during a Q&A webinar. Fee: $400.00
Next Dates:
- Spring Edition 24 February – 16 March 2025: Webinar on Friday 14 March, 10:00 – 12:00. Deadline 16 February. Register Here
- Fall Edition: 1 – 21 September 2025: Webinar on Friday 19 September, 10:00 – 12:00 (tbc). Deadline 24 August. Register Here
Law of International Organizations Course - Webinar Track
International organizations are playing an increasingly important role in the international legal order. They are active in virtually all fields of human activity, they regularly conclude international treaties and continuously interact with other actors of international law. Nowadays, they wield growing normative powers. For those working for or dealing with international organizations, a sound understanding of the law of international organizations thus appears indispensable. UNITAR’s self-paced course on the Law of International Organizations is structured in a way to cover the main legal questions related to international organizations, from both a theoretical and practical perspective. In addition, the e-learning methodology used to deliver the Course allows participants the flexibility to combine their learning activities with work responsibilities and to benefit from high-quality training. This webinar edition of UNITAR's traditional online course offers participants the chance to ask questions to a high level expert during a Q&A webinar. Fee: $400.00
Next Dates:
- Spring Edition: 28 April – 18 May 2025: Webinar on Friday 16 May, 10:00 – 12:00. Deadline 20 April. Register Here
- Fall Edition: 29 September – 19 October 2025: Webinar on Friday 17 October, 10:00 – 12:00 (tbc). Deadline 21 September. Register Here
Law of Treaties Course - Webinar Track
The International Law of Treaties is a set of international principles and rules regulating the conclusion procedure of treaties, as well as the issues of operation, amendments and modifications, termination, suspension and invalidity of treaties. For those involved in the drafting, negotiation and conclusion of international treaties, a sound knowledge of the Law of Treaties is indispensable. Efficient implementation and application of international legal norms is impossible without knowing the essentials of the International Law of Treaties. UNITAR’s course on the Law of Treaties is designed to cover both the theoretical and the practical aspects of this subject, starting with the basic notions, sources, subjects, principles, and scope of application of conventions forming the base of the Law of Treaties. This webinar edition of UNITAR's traditional online course offers participants the chance to ask questions to a high level expert during a Q&A webinar. Fee: $400.00
Next Dates:
- Spring Edition: 26 May – 15 June 2025: Webinar Friday 13 June, 10:00 – 12:00. Deadline 18 May. Register Here.
- Fall Edition: 03 – 23 November 2025: Webinar Friday 21 November, 10:00 – 12:00 (tbc). Deadline: 26 October. Register Here.
International Law Course - Self Paced Track
The subject of international law brings a lot of concepts to mind, from war and settlement of disputes between States, protection of the environment, responsibilities and obligations, to human rights protection between citizens, refugees of different States and corporations. Globalization has forced us to interact with each other, making it essential to have common rules to guide and sustain relationships (of trade, investment, technology, etc.) between individuals and States from different regions and continents. Now, many of domestic laws are highly influenced and molded by the rules of international law. International law provides mandatory principles, norms and rules that regulate the relations between States as well as with other non-State actors, like international organizations and individuals. This self-paced course aims to provide participants with a comprehensive knowledge of the fundamentals of International Law that is necessary to understand the importance, role and purpose of international law in the contemporary legal order and international community. Fee: $200.00
Next Dates:
- Q1: 6 January - 6 April 2025, Deadline 5 January 2025. Register Here
- Q2: 7 April - 6 July 2025, Deadline 6 April 2025. Register Here
- Q3: 7 July - 5 October 2025, Deadline 6 July 2025. Register Here
- Q4: 6 October 2025 - 4 Jan 2026, Deadline 5 October 2025. Register Here
Law of the Treaties Course - Self Paced Track
The International Law of Treaties is a set of international principles and rules regulating the conclusion procedure of treaties, as well as the issues of operation, amendments and modifications, termination, suspension and invalidity of treaties. For those involved in the drafting, negotiation and conclusion of international treaties, a sound knowledge of the Law of Treaties is indispensable. Efficient implementation and application of international legal norms is impossible without knowing the essentials of the International Law of Treaties. UNITAR’s course on the Law of Treaties is designed to cover both the theoretical and the practical aspects of this subject, starting with the basic notions, sources, subjects, principles, and scope of application of conventions forming the base of the Law of Treaties. Fee: $200.00
Next Dates:
- Q1: 6 January - 6 April 2025, Deadline 5 January 2025. Register Here
- Q2: 7 April - 6 July 2025, Deadline 6 April 2025. Register Here
- Q3: 7 July - 5 October 2025, Deadline 6 July 2025. Register Here
- Q4: 6 October 2025 - 4 Jan 2026, Deadline 5 October 2025. Register Here
Law of International Organisations Course - Self Paced Track
They are active in virtually all fields of human activity, they regularly conclude international treaties and continuously interact with other actors of international law. Nowadays, they wield growing normative powers. For those working for or dealing with international organizations, a sound understanding of the law of international organizations thus appears indispensable. UNITAR’s self-paced course on the Law of International Organizations is structured in a way to cover the main legal questions related to international organizations, from both a theoretical and practical perspective. In addition, the e-learning methodology used to deliver the Course allows participants the flexibility to combine their learning activities with work responsibilities and to benefit from high-quality training. Fee: $200.00
Next Dates:
- Q1: 6 January - 6 April 2025, Deadline 5 January 2025. Register Here
- Q2: 7 April - 6 July 2025, Deadline 6 April 2025. Register Here
- Q3: 7 July - 5 October 2025, Deadline 6 July 2025. Register Here
- Q4: 6 October 2025 - 4 Jan 2026, Deadline 5 October 2025. Register Here
International Environmental Law Course - Self Paced Track
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) are the predominant legal method for addressing transboundary environmental problems. Adopted by States, MEAs are standard-settings instruments for effective global environmental protection. However, nowadays some States, particularly least developed and developing countries, face the challenge of implementing over 300 MEAs due to limited technical, financial and human resources. This course will provide you with the basics of International Environmental Law (IEL) by identifying its sources and fundamental principles, the law-making process, its main actors, as well as the implementation and compliance procedures needed to understand and apply Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Fee: $200.00
Next Dates:
- Q1: 6 January - 6 April 2025, Deadline 5 January 2025. Register Here
- Q2: 7 April - 6 July 2025, Deadline 6 April 2025. Register Here
- Q3: 7 July - 5 October 2025, Deadline 6 July 2025. Register Here
- Q4: 6 October 2025 - 4 Jan 2026, Deadline 5 October 2025. Register Here
Techniques and Procedures of International Environmental Law Course - Self Paced Track
For the adequate implementation of and compliance with MEAs at a national level, there is a need to raise awareness on International Environmental Law (IEL) and develop specific capacities for its implementation at the national level. This course explores the the technical and procedural aspects of the different mechanisms made available in international environmental law to facilitate the creation and implementation of sound environmental norms; from the regulatory and economic instruments used by policy-makers, to the role of Environmental Impact Assessments and public participation in environmental decisions. Fee: $200.00
Next Dates:
- Q1: 6 January - 6 April 2025, Deadline 5 January 2025. Register Here
- Q2: 7 April - 6 July 2025, Deadline 6 April 2025. Register Here
- Q3: 7 July - 5 October 2025, Deadline 6 July 2025. Register Here
- Q4: 6 October 2025 - 4 Jan 2026, Deadline 5 October 2025. Register Here