(I posted this in the UK section, but also thought I would post it here)

Hello All,

I have been considering applying for fellowships to the UK/Europe (Marshall, Fulbright, etc.) 2010-2011 term (applying this fall). I have been looking around for potential LLM programs to join, specifically in Public International Law, Conflict and Security Law, or Conflict Management.

I have found a number of programs including a program in Conflict and Security Law at Utrecht University and Sheffield University over a year. Has anyone heard anything about this program, and are there other suggestions as to where to look at/apply? Which are the best programs in this area?

Thanks!

The Utrecht programme in Conflict & Security Law is run by two of the top scholars in the field. It is focused specifically on conflict and security law, and provides undoubtedly one of the best programs in the world in that area of law. If that is what you want to study, then definitely go there. If, however, you are seeking a more general education in public international law, then you should undertake a PIL LL.M. In that case, Utrecht and Leiden may provide some of the best educational opportunities on the Continent.

Great! Thanks for your post. Do you know if students with a Bachelors degree coming from the US (instead of a JD) can get into an LLM program?

Students with only a bachelor's-level degree from an American institution (that is, without an LL.B. or a J.D.) have been granted admission into the LL.M. in international law of human rights and criminal justice, but only if & when they've demonstrated a sufficient educational and/or professional background relevant to the programme. In principle, it would seem logical that the conflict & security law program would presumably require the same minimal background (though of course related to conflict and security instead of to human rights and criminal justice). The conflict & security law programme is much newer, so there may be less practice in assessing such candidates. But you may consider writing directly to the program administrator to confirm. Good luck!