My name is Grisselle Rodriguez, I'm Panamanian. I'm interested in the Master's Degree in Public International that Leiden University offers :
1. Master of Laws, specialisation Public International Law.
2. Master of Advanced Studies in Public International Law.
I was wondering if you could tell me the difference between both programme and if I can apply for the Master of Advanced Studies in Public International Law without working experience.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.

I've just started the regular masters in PIL. I assumed that I needed work experience in PIL to apply for the Advanced Programme but there are people in that program that don't seem to have that experience. Maybe ask the faculty about which program you think you should apply to.

i am also interested in doing masters in public international law. Is this university good for this? Are there other univiersities that would be worth having a look at ? public international/EU law?

thanks

Hi everyone!! Thank you Hathureliya!! I did what you suggested me and they told me that I should apply for the regular masters in PIL because the advanced is for people who have a previous Master degree. Arsenal3054, as far as I know, Leiden have an excellent programme for public international law. People in other treats said that is the best place for PIL in the Netherlands but I'm looking for other options.

Hi there

I had one question regarding the regular llm. Do you know whether it is possible or not to take extra options? Im really interested in learning more about PIL but i am bit worried about job prospects. i was thinking of studying international economic law as well and was interested in WtO law more specifically. Do you think it would be possible to add that to a normal PIL llm? or should I choose a completely different degree?

Hi. I'm currently taking the PIL programme at Leiden.

There is no scope to take extra classes beyond a choice between international relations and an introduction to EU law offered in the Autumn semester. Both of these classes are offered because there are compulsory classes for Dutch students which the international students (for language reasons etc) can't take. Therefore these two options are basically 'filler' courses and fall outside of the PIL programme (although the IR course was enjoyable enough).

I for one was *very* disappointed to come to Leiden and find that there were no options especially since schools like Amsterdam offer a diverse range of classes that can be taken. Saying that however if you are interested in gaining 'core' PIL knowledge the programme is solid, but at the same time, it seems a little conservative and narrow. There is an odd balance between the 10 credit and 5 credit courses with IR and EU law being 10 credits compared with International Criminal Law and International Dispute Settlement being 5 credit courses. This meant that IR was a significant focus of my first semester as compared with ICL and IDS when the latter two courses are what you would usually expect to focus upoin when taking a PIL programme!

The classes that are on offer are:

-Autumn Semester-
Public International Law (introduction)
International Relations / EU Law
International Criminal Law
International Dispute Settlement

-Spring Semester-
Advanced Issues in International Law
International Law in Practice
Law of International Organisations

-Summer-
Thesis

Hope this helps you in making up your mind!

Thank you for your comments.
You say you're disappointed with the PIL program due to the lack of options. However, we often hear it's an excellent one. Do you at least like the quality of the courses, or is it a general disappointment?

Thank you for your comments.
You say you're disappointed with the PIL program due to the lack of options. However, we often hear it's an excellent one. Do you at least like the quality of the courses, or is it a general disappointment?

So this is why you haven't got any work done today!

I would concur with most of what hewhohuntselves has said.

The lack of feedback is a definite frustration, as is the inadequate library. I was a little surprised to find that the vast bulk of the teaching has been reserved for fairly junior members of the faculty. It seems the LL.M. (adv) course gets more senior/prominent lecturers. Anyone who is not eligible for the EU 'home fee' should definitely apply for the advanced masters, and disregard any advice saying you aren't eligible if you don't already have a masters degree as there are many students on that course who don't meet the stated requirements.

How about the MAS?

I heard just good things about it!

Please confirmations...

Cheers,

Rafael

I do agree with most of the criticism above.

However, personally, I find Leiden University library to be impressive. All the general classic books + all the periodical literature that you usually should not be able to find in online databases (such as BYIL and etc.) Of course, some books will always be missing when you have ~50 students working on the same topic, but it is not like it hampered any of the papers I have written. You can always go to the Peace Palace, but it has the same problem - loads of books are usually taken there as well.

General PIL course is very good in Leiden, the same thing with International Criminal Law, which, in my opinion, should get at least 5 more additional credits. Why they give 10 ECTS to International Relations is beyond my imagination. Perhaps they want to have something opposed to European Union Law.

Anyway, Leiden itself is a nice place, not too big, just the right spot for studying.

How about the MAS?

I heard just good things about it!

Please confirmations...

Cheers,

Rafael

well thank you for all your comments, it is well appreciated
I'm a bit disappointed by the VERY limited list of options.. ive seen a few PIL masters with whole courses devoted to human rights or humanitarian law, peacekeeping and collective security. i guess these are incorporated in more general topics... I need to think seriously about this since i want to keep some doors open.
I read that some classes were taking place in The Hague. is it true? is it convenient? it must a very nice place to study as well but maybe it concerns only MAS students. i was surprised to read that there were no more subjects in common with them.

another question, the internship issue. i saw there were like 5 to 10 endorsment available but how many students are on this llm? and it doesnt secure you a place apparently. My question is then is it hard to find an internship without it? not necessarily in the ICJ or one of the tribunal but in other institutions maybe.
Is there any information available about what former students did after graduation?
and also can one think of more realistic job prospects? (except from teaching)

well thank you for all your comments, it is well appreciated
I'm a bit disappointed by the VERY limited list of options.. ive seen a few PIL masters with whole courses devoted to human rights or humanitarian law, peacekeeping and collective security. i guess these are incorporated in more general topics... I need to think seriously about this since i want to keep some doors open.
I read that some classes were taking place in The Hague. is it true? is it convenient? it must a very nice place to study as well but maybe it concerns only MAS students. i was surprised to read that there were no more subjects in common with them.

another question, the internship issue. i saw there were like 5 to 10 endorsment available but how many students are on this llm? and it doesnt secure you a place apparently. My question is then is it hard to find an internship without it? not necessarily in the ICJ or one of the tribunal but in other institutions maybe.
Is there any information available about what former students did after graduation?
and also can one think of more realistic job prospects? (except from teaching)