This specialization examines the role of national and international courts and tribunals in contributing to the settlement of disputes. As international and transnational adjudication has acquired a more prominent role in international relations, it is essential to understand how these global and regional courts are responding to the challenges of the early 21st Century. Students will examine the role of international law in the settlement of disputes in a wide array of fields such as human rights, armed conflicts, territorial and maritime border issues, environment and climate change, multilateral trade, investments, amongst others. Students will learn not only the traditional legal processes employed in international and transnational adjudication but also the alternative forms of dispute settlement prevalent in international law. Students will also attend skills development sessions that are designed to support their professional career and employability.

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For more information, or enquiries regarding the application process, please email: admissions@upeace.org 

The programme is designed for graduate students, diplomats, government officers, NGO representatives, international civil servants or private law practitioners willing to strengthen their knowledge in international law, dispute settlement, international affairs management and diplomacy.

This unique programme, backed by the United Nations, is designed to give students a first-hand experience in the field of international law and the settlement of disputes.

• Learn from highly experienced experts
• Field visit to Geneva, the birthplace of the UN, and the Hague, the heart of international law
• Benefit from an interdisciplinary approach
• Flexible learning methods with diversity of optional courses
• Broad employment perspectives

At the end of the programme, students should:

• Gain holistic, rigorous, and critical knowledge of the role that international law and institutions play in the settlement of disputes
• Learn skills in developing pleadings before international courts and tribunals through moot court simulations and opportunities such as representing UPEACE-UNITAR directly in the final rounds of the Phillip Jessup Moot Court competition
• Build a solid understanding of dispute settlement norms and practices in diverse areas of international law, such as human rights law, law of armed conflicts, law of the sea, law related to territorial and boundary disputes, international trade and investment, international criminal law, international environmental law, amongst others
• Learn practical tools for the settlement of legal disputes through non-judicial means including diplomacy, negotiation, mediation, and conciliation, as well as an in-depth understanding of non-judicial mechanisms for justice, including in post-conflict transitional settings.

Each year UNITAR will organize two optional 5-day field trips to Geneva (Switzerland) and/or The Hague (Netherlands) for the students enrolled in the Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes (Onsite, Online and Hybrid) and the Certificate in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes (online). 

Students can sign up for one field visit, or for both (Geneva and The Hague) if they wish to do so.

During this activity, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the very heart of diplomacy, visit different international organizations and network with other diplomats, personnel of permanent missions accredited to the UN, civil servants of international organizations and civil society representatives.

The fee of each five-day field trip is 1,500 USD. If students register for both field visits, the ten-day field trip is 3,000 USD. The fee does not include travel, accommodation, food or visa expenses.

An online certificate programme permitting students to specialize in the interface between international law and the settlement of disputes. It will not only broaden students' knowledge in the field of international law and its various foundational dimensions but will also equip them with knowledge and skills to work in the field of the settlement of disputes and related international careers.

For more information, and/or to apply, please click here:

For any enquiries, or assistance with the application process, please email: admissions@elearning.upeace.org

Kindly note the following deadlines for application (in bold):

• Master International Law and the Settlement of Disputes - On-Campus at UPEACE: 30 June
  • Programme Start Date: 28 August 2023
• Master International Law and the Settlement of Disputes - Hybrid (On-Campus at UPEACE and Online): 30 June 2023
  • Programme Start Date: 28 August 2023
• Master International Law and the Settlement of Disputes - Online: 30 June 2023
  • Programme Start Date: 3 July 2023
• The Certificate in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes - Online: 15 November 2023 
  • Programme Start Date: 15 January 2024
• Field Visit to The Hague: 12 June 2023
  • Field Visit Start Date: 26 June 2023
• Field Visit to Geneva: 23 June 2023
  • Field Visit Start Date: 3 July 2023

The Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes (online) and the Certificate in International Law and the settlement of Disputes (online) will be implemented online. All coursework will be hosted on UPEACE’s Virtual Learning Environment. 

The Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes (on-campus) will be implemented face-to-face in San José, Costa Rica on UPEACE’s campus. 

The Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes (hybrid) will be implemented both face-to-face (in San José, Costa Rica on UPEACE’s campus (first semester) and online (second, third and fourth semesters). All online coursework will be hosted on UPEACE’s Virtual Learning Environment.

Students can also enroll in any of the individual courses offered by the Online Programmes. Students enrolling in, and successfully completing, individual courses for credits will obtain a certificate of completion and upon request, an academic transcript. Students enrolling in, and successfully completing, individual courses without credits will obtain a certificate of completion.