Structure & Modules

Structure

The programme is taught over 24 months and includes at least three mobility periods.

The degree-awarding partners are Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals, University of Glasgow, Université libre de Bruxelles, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and University of Tartu.

You will spend Semester 1 at Leuphana University of Lüneburg (to pursue either an LL.M. or M.A. degree in International Law of Security, Peace & Sustainable Development) and Semester 2 at Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (to study Theories of International Security).

Semester 3: you will select one of the semester 3 partners, which offer thematic study track options:

  • University of Glasgow International Law and International Security
  • Université libre de Bruxelles: Security and Conflict
  • Universidade NOVA de Lisboa: Globalization, Law and Security
  • University of Tartu: International Law and Human Rights


Semester 4: you will remain at your semester 3 location to write your dissertation. Supervisor allocation will be based on staff subject background and research interests.

Diagram of the programme structure and mobility phases of the Master's in International Law of Security, Peace and Sustainable Development

The pedagogical design of this programme will expose you to a broad range of teaching, learning and assessment formats including lectures, discussion-oriented seminars, work placements, project-based teamwork, law clinics, e-learning, dissertation, written assignments and exams and oral presentations.

Please note that courses offered may vary from year to year and modules are subject to cancellation.

Modules

International Law of Security, Peace and Sustainable Development

Semester 1 (October – January) at Leuphana

Core modules

  • Global Security and Peaceful Dispute Settlement in International Law (5 ECTS)
  • International Economic Law and Sustainability (5 ECTS)
  • International Sustainability Law (5 ECTS)
  • Sustainable Ocean Law and Governance (5 ECTS)

Elective

One elective to be selected from this list:

  • Environmental Law (5 ECTS) (This module will entail changing courses on selected issues in International Law of Security, Peace and Sustainable Development taught by visiting lecturers from Consortium Partners or Associate Partners.)
  • Public International Law (5 ECTS)

Complementary Studies

  • Introduction to Sustainability Science and Governance (5 ECTS)

Theories of International Security

Semester 2 (February – June) at IBEI

Core Modules

  • Theories of International Security (8 ECTS)
  • Research Methods in International Security (6 ECTS)

Electives

Dissertation (Summer)

  • Thesis (10 ECTS)

Study Track: International Law and International Security

Semester 3 (September – December) at UofG

Core Courses

  • International Law and International Security (10 ECTS)

Electives

Two electives to be selected from this list:

  • Advanced Introduction to International Criminal Law (10 ECTS)
  • Advanced Introduction to the Law of the United Nations (10 ECTS)
  • Climate Change Law and Governance (10 ECTS)
  • International Courts and Tribunals (10 ECTS)
  • International Human Rights Law (10 ECTS)
  • International Law and International Economic Governance (10 ECTS)
  • International Law and Security in a Digital World (10 ECTS)
  • Law and International Development (10 ECTS)
  • The Laws of Armed Conflict (10 ECTS)

Study Track: Security and Conflict

Semester 3 (September – December) at ULB

Core modules

  • International Adjudication and Pleading (5 ECTS)
  • Exercise in Public International Law (5 ECTS)
  • Methodology of Public International Law (5 ECTS)

Elective modules

Three electives to be selected from this list:

  • Terrorism and International Law (5 ECTS)
  • Law of Armed Conflict (5 ECTS)
  • International and European Criminal Law (5 ECTS)
  • Droit des organisations internationales et sécurité collective (in French) (5 ECTS)
  • Droits international et crise climatique (in French) (5 ECTS)

Globalization, Law and Security

Semester 3 (September – December) at NOVA

Core modules

  • International Humanitarian Law (6 ECTS)
  • Globalization and Security (6 ECTS)
  • Security, Governance and the Rule of Law (6 ECTS)

Elective modules

Electives with at least 12 ECTS in total to be selected from this list:
  • Cybersecurity and Governance (6 ECTS)
  • Diplomatic and Consular Law (6 ECTS)
  • Intelligence and Strategic Analysis (6 ECTS)
  • Transitional Justice (4 ECTS)
  • Emerging Technologies: Governance and Regulation (4 ECTS)

Study Track: International Law and Human Rights

Semester 3 (September – December) at UT

Core modules

  • Human Rights Law (6 ECTS)
  • History and Theory of International Law (6 ECTS)
  • Law of International Institutions (6 ECTS)
  • Protection of Marginalised Groups in International Human Rights Law (6 ECTS)

Elective modules

One elective to be selected from this list:

  • Human Rights and Education (6 ECTS)
  • Law and Practice of the United Nations (6 ECTS)
  • European Human Rights Law (6 ECTS)
  • International Criminal Law (6 ECTS)

Research and Dissertation

Semester 4 (January – August) at Semester 3 Partner

You will write your dissertations at the partner university where you spent semester 3. The dissertation comprises 20-25,000 words (footnotes included). Further specifications may vary depending on the chosen university. The dissertation corresponds to 30 ECTS credits. 

Supervisor allocation will be based on staff subject background and research interests.

Non-Credit Bearing Offers

As an ILSPSD student, you can diversify and strengthen your knowledge and experience by selecting a non-credit bearing summer school option.

Munich Advanced Course in International Law
(MACIL) at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Germany)

Learn more about the Munich Advanced Course in International Law

Summer Course on Refugee Issues at York University (Toronto, Canada)

Learn more about the Summer Course on Refugee Issues

Summer School on International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice at Grotius Centre Kalshoven-Gieskes Forum on International Humanitarian Law (Leiden, The Netherlands)

Learn more about the Summer School on International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice

IFLOS Summer Academy at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) (Hamburg, Germany)

Learn more about the IFLOS Summer Academy

Law of the Sea Summer School at Instituto Português de Direito do Mar (IPDM) (Cascais, Portugal)

Learn more about the Law of the Sea Summer School

International Summer School Sarajevo at University of Sarajevo (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Learn more about the International Summer School Sarajevo

Introduction to International Human Rights: Theory, Law and Practice (Summer School) at London School of Economics and Political Science (London, UK)

Learn more about the Introduction to International Human Rights Summer School

A range of further formative and extra-curricular features are embedded within this programme. These include:

  • Law clinics and moot courts (including the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, Willem C. Vis Moot Court Competition, European Law Moot Court Competition, Telders International Law Moot Court Competition, Charles Rousseau Moot Court Competition, Manfred Lachs Moot Court Competition on Space Law, International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition, and the Jean-Pictet Competition in International Humanitarian Law)
  • Study trips to key international organisations and institutions, such as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, International Court of Justice, International Criminal Court, UN agencies and offices, and NATO
  • Opportunities to attend conferences in international law and on issues of security, peace and sustainable development
  • Specialist guest lectures and seminars
  • Employability training
  • Research methods training
  • Language learning opportunities (see below)

You will have a prospect to undertake formative language learning at each of degree-awarding partner institutions. Foreign language training is offered as a non-credit bearing option, throughout Semester 1, 2 and 3.

Leuphana University of Lüneburg (Semester 1) runs a 4-week Language and Orientation Programme designed to help new international students settle in Lüneburg, including an intensive German course. Additional language courses can be found on the website of the Language Center.

At IBEI in Semester 2, you have the opportunity to benefit from the language training courses offered by all three universities contributing to the institue (at an additional but sometimes discounted cost). Find the language course offers on the institute’s website.

Semester 3 partners also offer extensive language training opportunities that you can find on their repective websites (available languages might vary year to year):

Importantly, because ILSPSD is taught and assessed in English, specialist support for English for Academic Study is essential. All partner institutions offer such training – and if your first language is not English, you are entitled to attend classes and support services during Semester 1, extendable to Semester 2 and Semester 3 if required.