A distinctive feature of the MIL curriculum is the carefully arranged combination of mandatory courses and electives. Three mandatory courses ensure that students will acquire a sound general understanding of the normative and analytical framework of international law. At the same time, a rich offering of electives enables them to specialise in selected topics in law, management studies or political science.
Mandatory courses
All of the three mandatory courses are foundational in character. They provide students with the knowledge, the analytical tools and the practical skills required for a general grasp of the theory and practice of international law. They cover legal method and theory of international business law, international negotiation and the international legal order.
Core electives
Core electives are courses designed to deepen students' understanding of specific international law topics. Courses are organised in clusters each concentrating on a particular subject area. Eventually, the programme may comprise up to six or seven clusters covering subjects such as International and European Business Law, Financial and Capital Markets Law, Dispute Resolution, International Organisations and Politics, Theoretical Foundations, Legal Profession, and Institutional Management. Students choose courses according to their own individual interests.
Legal electives
Legal electives enhance students' legal expertise and allow them to specialise while granting great freedom of choice. Students may opt for additional courses from the MIL core electives, or they select classes from specifically designed MIL legal electives. They may attend various courses from the MLaw and MLE. In addition, students are invited to participate in a variety of practice workshops, especially Moots in which the Law School regularly takes part.
Independent electives
Independent electives present a wide range of options. Students choose depending on their own preferences. They may wish to attend further core electives, legal electives or courses offered throughout the other Master's programmes of the University.
Master's Thesis
The Master's thesis allows students to concentrate on a research question in a specialized subject area of their own choice. It is graded and weighed with 18 ECTS. The focus of the Master’s thesis must be broadly related to international law. The thesis must normally be written in English.
Contextual studies
Contextual Studies complement the MIL's core studies. They include courses in Skills and in different Concentrations.
Practice credits
Practice credits are awarded for practical activities which are closely related to the MIL, such as internships at law firm, courts, national and international authorities, organisations and NGOs, projects and mandate in various settings.