Hi, friendly LLMers --

I wonder if anyone here can help me untangle the relationships between these two institutions and their programs. They're both apparently highly regarded.

All's I know is that if I go to graduateinstitute.ch and click around I find a "tuition fee" "set at" 2,500 chf (for non-swiss, 1,500 chf for swiss), and if I go to adh-geneva.ch and similarly sniff about I find that their tuition fees "amount to" 15,000 chf. On this here llm-guide, there is a link to the Gva-Acad program under one of the Grad-Inst's 2 programs that merit listings here.

Now, my query is: if you were a smart shopper, why would you ever apply to the program(s) you find at adh-geneva.ch, when you can (assuming qualification for the in-swiss rate) get a similar-or-related (or perhaps even better?) LLM over at graduateinstitute.ch for 80% less? (Unless of course, you're like me and you missed the 15 Jan deadline to apply to the Grad-Inst and must make due with applying to pay 10x more expensive tuition at Gva-Acad, which offers a generous 28 Feb deadline.)

yrs, vcnt

Well, firstly - the LLM at ADH is one year long. The Masters of Advanced Studies in International Law at HEI is two years. So in some ways, if you go to ADH you are paying extra for expediency.

Secondly, the program at HEI is not technically an LLM, it is a Master of International Affairs in International Law. Whether this means anything in the real world is debatable, but it might be something worth considering for some people.

Finally, the course offerings are quite different. The courses at ADH are explicitly human rights, humanitarian and international criminal law-based, with additional courses related to conflict (migration/the law of refugees, etc.) But there is a very strict theme on human rights and humanitarian law and the courses don't really deter from that theme. At HEI, there is a much broader range of courses, including classes on climate change, international trade law, international labour law and globalization, intellectual property law...

So. if you are focused on human rights and humanitarian law, ADH will allow you the opportunity to really specialize in those topics. If you are more interested in general international law, including international public law, international health law, etc, then HEI will offer you a more supportive environment capable of dealing with the breadth of your interests.

Thanks for your helpful clarification!

Regarding the technical designations of degrees, check out this from ADH's admissions FAQ:
22. Which degree will I receive after concluding the LL.M. programme? Our programme is a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS), which is equivalent to an LL.M. The certificate is issued jointly by the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.

So ADH is itself a joint creation of the Graduate Institute and the Univ. of Geneva: "Founded in 2007, the Academy replaces the University Centre for International Humanitarian Law created in 2002 by the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International Studies, now the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID)." Source: ADH Mission page.
And IHEID was "orn of the 2008 merger of the Graduate Institute of International Studies (HEI) and the Graduate Institute of Development Studies (IUED)"
Source: the Grad. Inst's "the Institute" page.

Mysteries yet unanswered: who or what founded the original HEI and/or IUED? and when? (and to what potentially nefarious ends?)

Geneva Academy of Intl Humanitarian Law and Human Rights is expensive. However, for example doing a Masters in Intl & European Law at U of Geneve is extremely cheap and you can take courses from the Academy as part of your (cheap) program at U/G. Living in Geneva is terribly expensive and going the U/G route makes the experience affordable with an excellent education for someone interersted in a career in human rights.

Important point: That program is also taught in French. (edited to add: *Exclusively* in French.)

"Master in International and European Law, with an equal focus on public international law, conflict of laws, arbitration and European law. An internship in a law firm or administration in Switzerland or abroad may replace one of the optional courses." (http://www.unige.ch/droit/international/studies_en.html)

It's true that it is very cheap though! I think it's around 700 euros or something. Definitely a valid option for people who don't want to study International law for 2 years at HEI, or who don't want to focus so much on humanitarian/refugee/human rights law, etc and want a healthy mix between international & european public and private law.

Oui, it is in French. I believe the tutitiont is 1,500 Swiss Francs per semester. And the entire Masters (M.D. I.E.) can be comfortably done in two semesters by taking an extra course load (instead of the normal 3 semesters). It is hard work throughout. The healthy mix is good as you are prepared for both the public and private sectors. From the perspective of future employment prospects having a wider net to cast can only be a good thing!

Important point: That program is also taught in French. (edited to add: *Exclusively* in French.)

"Master in International and European Law, with an equal focus on public international law, conflict of laws, arbitration and European law. An internship in a law firm or administration in Switzerland or abroad may replace one of the optional courses." (http://www.unige.ch/droit/international/studies_en.html)

It's true that it is very cheap though! I think it's around 700 euros or something. Definitely a valid option for people who don't want to study International law for 2 years at HEI, or who don't want to focus so much on humanitarian/refugee/human rights law, etc and want a healthy mix between international & european public and private law.