UNITAR is delighted to offer the Master’s Programme in Public International Law (Master of Laws (LL.M.)., in cooperation with Sigmund Freud University Vienna (SFU). This new graduate programme will combine SFU`s academic strength with UNITAR´s practical focus and will be implemented on-campus in Vienna, or online, for one year. 

The programme aims at deepening students’ knowledge and skills in international law and provides direct insights into the activities of the United Nations and other international organizations. Apart from the legal qualifications, the joint Master's offers a direct connection to the UN and its agencies. Students can expect to:

• experience the UN work environment in Vienna first-hand
• build personal relations with UN experts and staff members
• benefit from tailor-made UN career development sessions  
• gain support and access to entry points into the UN system

The Master’s programme in Public International Law (Master of Laws (LL.M.) has a strong focus on practice. It starts with a UN Immersion Week at the Vienna International Center (VIC), where students get a first-hand experience of the United Nations by visiting UN agencies and receiving expert lectures, training workshops and career development sessions. The programme offers next to the extensive training sessions additional events for instance, a welcome or farewell dinner for the participants in order to socialize and getting to know each other.

As several courses are implemented by UNITAR, its instructors are highly experienced practitioners in the diplomatic field. These include current and former ambassadors, high-level UN staff or other distinguished individuals from the public and private sector.

The contents of the specific courses are presented in detail in the Module Handbook. The Master’s is divided into four modules to which the courses are assigned to as follows:

Module 1: Core Fields of Public International Law

• Sources and Principles of Public International Law
• International Organizations Law
• International Humanitarian Law
• International Human Rights Law
• Recent Challenges in Public International Law

Module 2: Theory and Practice of Global Diplomacy

• Theories of International Relations
• Introduction to Global Diplomacy
• Introduction to the Work of the United Nations
• Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Module 3: Legal Thinking and Communication in International Contexts

• Comparative Public Law
• Europe as an Actor under International Law
• Negotiation Skills and Techniques in Intercultural Contexts
• English Report Writing Skills

Module 4: Examination Phase

• Master Seminar
• Master Thesis
• Oral Examination

UNITAR welcomes a variety of professional backgrounds as well as different degrees of experience among its participants.

Pre-studies:

The prerequisite for admission to the Master’s programme of Public International Law is the proof of a completed Bachelor’s or diploma in law or a comparable degree. This could also come from a recognized post-secondary educational institution and should include a standard study period of at least three years.

For candidates from countries with a legal education other than a university Bachelor’s degree in law, it is assumed that they have obtained a comparable degree if (i) they have passed the bar exam according to the law of their home country or (ii) have been admitted to the bar in another way and are practicing attorneys.

English skills:

Applicants for the Master’s programme must also provide evidence of English language skills at least at a C1-level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The proof can be provided in the form of an internationally recognized language test. 

Work experience: 

Applicants must provide evidence of at least two years of professional/work experience. We cannot accept applicants without any proof of work experience.