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Career preparation in Adv. LLM in International Dispute Settlement & Arbitration
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:
Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
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.
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?
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.
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 in Adv. LLM in International Dispute Settlement & Arbitration
/ labour market programme
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
The programme's strengths primarily stem from its focused curriculum, which blends in-depth theoretical exploration of a dynamic legal field with practical learning through a problem-solving method. The first semester of the programme covers general principles and theories, with core courses introducing international dispute settlement principles and mechanisms. The end of the first semester and thesecond semester delve into specialized topics, such as investment arbitration and international commercial arbitration. The curriculum balances public international law methods of dispute settlement with connected fields. The programme emphasizes critical analysis and practical skills by linking theory to real-world cases and fostering a deep understanding of dispute resolution.
This approach, in conjunction with the depth and structure of instruction, and the programme's experiential dimension, equips students with the knowledge and essential skills required for a variety of professional roles in the field of international law dispute resolution, spanning from legal counsel law firms and arbitral institutions, in-house counsels for companies, state advisers, and litigation before international courts to cutting-edge research.
Shared transferable skills
The Adv. IDSA programme seeks to enhance students' confidence in handling legal materials, both orally and in writing, using the specialized language of international dispute settlement, fostering their ability to apply relevant case law and rules in professional contexts and laying the foundation for future academic research in this field. The research, drafting and oral & written presentation skills that are developed throughout the programme will be of benefit to students, whatever line of work they decide to go into.
Self-reflection
Practical experience
The Advanced IDSA programme aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and education. The teaching methods are geared toward long-term and problem-based learning, creating an interactive classroom culture that fosters peer learning and individual progress. The teaching staff recognize the vital importance of linking research to practice, particularly given the rapid developments in the field of international dispute settlement and its reactive nature to economic, political, and social events.
Students are encouraged to engage in critical reflection on legal matters, drawing from problem scenarios in legal practice, examining regulatory dilemmas and choices, and analyzing case law and jurisprudence from various courts and dispute settlement bodies, considering their interplay, distinctions, and interactions. The courses emphasize not only the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, and theoretical understanding of international dispute settlement and arbitration, but also the application of this knowledge in practical contexts, helping students identify the most suitable methods for addressing real-world issues.
Labour market orientation
A number of courses and/or specialist lectures offered in the Advanced LLM programmes are being taught by guest lecturers, mostly specialised, and often international professionals dealing with the programmes’ areas of law on a daily basis. The added benefit of having such guest lecturers is seen as a positive feature of our advanced LLM programmes. Their experience in dealing with real cases, sharing first-hand information from practice, as well as being in positions our graduates aspire to apply for adds valuable learning experience. Furthermore, students visit law firms, international legal organisations and businesses at the invitation of the guest lecturers, which means that they have the opportunity to build upon their legal network.
Activities to prepare for the labour market outside the curriculum
The IDSA programme provides students with exceptional networking opportunities, invaluable peer-to-peer career guidance, and potential career advancement possibilities. Initiatives in this regard include:
A vibrant alumni community to facilitate connections and mentorship for current students. We have forged meaningful relationships with prominent law firms specializing in international dispute settlement in the global hubs of Paris and London, expanding students’ exposure to real-world legal practice.
Establishing and strengthening formal partnerships with influential international institutions located in The Hague, a pivotal centre for international law. Notably, the Adv. IDSA programme is granted the privilege each year to nominate exceptional candidates for prestigious fellowship positions at the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
A study trip to Paris, where IDSA students visit law firms and institutions engaged in international arbitration and international dispute settlement.
Career events, such as ‘Careers Evening’, at which speakers discuss future trajectories in private practice, international organisations, and academia.
