Good Morning Fellow Colleagues,

I'm intending to do an LL.M in International Law with human rights or humanitarian focus the next academic year. As I want to study in Geneva, I'm only choosing between two programs: the LL.M in International Law from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (Specialty: Protection of Vulnerable Groups), and the LL.M in International Humanitarian Law & Human Rights from the Geneva Academy for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.

I'm sharply confused on both programs as they both correspond to my academic interest. I'm just wondering which one is better in terms of reputation and after-graduation prospects! The Graduate Institute program is only running for the second academic year but the International Law Department of the Institute is world-known. On the other hand, the Geneva Academy Program is more focused and richer but I'm not sure about the reputation of the Academy, especially compared to the Graduate Institute.

Your help and advice will be very much appreciated!

Best Regards,

Since I am in the IHL/IHRL field, I would say that the Geneva Academy is a far more prestigious and well known establishment. It was previously part of the Geneva Graduate School, and now it is a separate entity. However, of course, choose the one that corresponds more to your interests.

Thanks a lot for your reply dear! I highly appreciate your advice!

I'm just wondering how come the Geneva Academy - only 12 years old- is far more prestigious while the Graduate Institute is in existence since 1927! What makes it more prestigious then?

Cheers,

Because the Geneva Academy is not just a 'new institution', it is part of the collaboration between U. of Geneva and the Graduate Institute. It has very well known professors, and cooperation with the ICRC. Anyways, although it is fairly new, it was established by well known actors.

But then, I'm sorry, how come the Geneva Academy is more prestigious than the Graduate Institute, while the Institute is one of the founders of the Academy as you just said!

I think they are both good and prestigious, I just think that in terms of humanitarian law, Geneva Academy is more reputable, and I explained why I think so. I don't know that much about the international development program. That's my personal opinion and my personal feeling as a person who does humanitarian law.

Hi... As a recent graduate of the Academy, I can tell you that both have their points. But it really depends on what you want to do, and where you see yourself going. In terms of IHL, IHR or ICL, the Academy has a stellar reputation. Simply because it was created for this purpose, within these areas the Academy is given a special respect. But outside of these the Academy is almost a non entity. So if you are looking for a lot of flexibility in future career options, this may not be the place for you.
As for prestige, in the human rights and humanitarian sector, frankly, no one gives a damn. Oxbridge, Harvard and NYU grads will be competing on the same level once they graduate and don't get a free pass just because of the prestige. Its super competitive and it depends on whether you have the requisite skills and timing. Also, the Academy is still connected to the Graduate Institute and you get all the benefits of the Institute since students are also enrolled there. So if you really want to be in either of these 3 sectors, as a lawyer, its a great choice. If you want to diversify, probably consider the other options. As an aside, if you just want to work in the human rights sector, perhaps also consider MA programs and not just LLMs.