Law: Public International Law

First Year

The LL.M programme Law – Public International Law is part of the ‘Smarter Academic Year’ pilot project. This project aims to make the academic year shorter and more efficient while maintaining (or even improving) the quality of teaching. As the project is in its pilot phase, this course description may be subject to change. All changes will be communicated and agreed with students in good time. For more information about the project, see here and here.

If you have any questions, please contact the secretariat at Volkenrecht@law.leidenuniv.nl.

Career perspectives

Career orientation

Career preparation in master Public International Law

In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.

'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.

2. Transferable skills
   These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
   But also think of job application skills: preparing a CV, formulating a cover letter, compiling a LinkedIn profile, networking, practising job interviews, preparing and holding a pitch.

3. Self-reflection
   This involves reflecting on your own (study) career (choices), reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Gaining insight into, among other things, your competences and personality, your (work) values and motives. what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market? Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?

4. Practical experience
   Gaining practical experience through practical and social internships and work placements, external research internships and projects, practical assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment, business challenges etc.

5. Labour market orientation
   Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers from the work field, alumni presentations and experiences, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.

Employability/labour market programme in master Public International Law

You will also find these employability elements in your study programme. Examples of subjects that pay attention to this are:

Discipline-specific knowledge and skills

• Public International Law

• International Dispute Settlement

• International Criminal Law

• International law in context (international students)

• Global Law – Interaction between legal systems (Dutch students) •International Human Rights Law

• Law and Practice of International Organisations (practicum)

• Contemporary issues of public international law (privatissimum)

Shared transferable skills

• Public International Law

• International law in context (international students)

• Global Law – Interaction between legal systems (Dutch students)

• Law and Practice of International Organisations (practicum)

• Contemporary issues of public international law (privatissimum)

• Thesis

Self-reflection

• Contemporary issues of public international law (privatissimum)

Practical experience

• Law and Practice of International Organisations (practicum)

• Contemporary issues of public international law (privatissimum)

• Moot courts en IHL clinic (privatissimum)

Labour market orientation

• International Dispute Settlement(guest lectures)

• Law and Practice of International Organisations (practicum)

• Career orientation talks (with program directors)

• Career event

Activities to prepare for the labour market outside the curriculum

Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These may be information meetings on decision moments within your programme, but also career workshops and events organised by your own programme, the faculty Career Service or your study association.

For example:

• Workshops and (faculty) career events organised by the (faculty) Career Services

• Workshops and visits organised by student association LPILS

Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar

Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.

Leiden University Career Zone Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.

Workshops and events
On the course calender you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.