sanja84 - I am also hoping to apply for 2008/09 as well. I would very much like to stay in touch and share information.

Language Question:
I am not fluent in French- (barely proficient) Althought the UCIHL program states it is in English and French, will I still be accepted by the Univ. of Geneva - Graduate Studies? Do I need to be fluent in French to be accepted? Best wishes to all starting in 2007 -

Hi USAEsq. I do not know a word on French!!! As far as I know,when you applying at UCIHL,you can chose between French and English. But When you want to apply for some programmes at University of Geneva,I do not know a procedure. If they did not put terms on the internet site,contact them personal. I know that in Geneva exists Graduate Institut of International Stuidies-they demand a passive knowledge of French,and besides this a lot of other things. I think it is highly competetive there. But if it easy to be accepted there I would not go,because it lasts two years. It is two much for me. Especially I will finish faculty who lasts 4 years,then a master 1=it is 5 years of education. It is enough. I cannont forever ask money of my parens,I have to let them live a little :-)))
a little advise: You apply anywhere you think might be interested,and after can choose. If you apply only for one you might be dispponited when you rely for one. I will apply for more then one.
Good luck. Ciao

Does anyone know, where are the classes for this programme actually taught?

Hello. That's actually a really good question. I was under the impression classes would either be at HEI or University of Geneva but I'm really not sure. Right now I'm just looking for housing. Any suggestions? I really haven't received any information yet other than my acceptance and a confirmation from University of Geneva stating they had received my online registration. Let me know if you have any ideas... thanks :)

Hi,

I went over a few months ago and i was told by a student currently studying that classes are split between the HEI and the University of Geneva. You have to enroll with either school when you get there, but i got the understanding that it didnt really matter which. I have accomodation at the RUI so as probably going to register at the HEI because it's closer, although i have to admit i dont really undertsand the process!!!!

Hi,

i'm a french student which will be studing next year at the UCIHL. I'd like to know if some of you know what is the reputation of this programm and what are the job oppurtunities then. Thanks !!!!

I'm interested in getting the Master in Advanced Studies in International Humanitarian Law that the University Centre for International Humanitarian Law offers. I was wondering if you could help me by providing the following information:
Admission requirements
1. What are the admission requirements regarding education or in general?
2. About the language, what are the requirements I have to meet to enter the programme? Is TOEFL or IELTS needed? What's the score that I should get in both?
3. There's a deadline for applying for the programme and I won't get my diploma before the deadline, but I will receive my degree before the programme starts. I want to know if I can apply because I really want to begin my Master in the 2008. Is there a possibility, in that case, to receive a conditional offer?

Hi all! I am enrolled in the 2007/2008 MAS program and have yet to secure housing. I have registered for the list to receive student housing but have yet to be notified of any availability. Has anyone else registered and heard from the Bureau des logements? Any ideas/suggestions as to other avenues to securing affordable housing?
Thanks!

Hi everyone, I want to apply for the academic year 2008-2009 and I would like that any of you that have study there or that applied and get admitted for the period 2007-2008 give me some tips or advice for the application process. Good luck all of you :)

hi grisselle27, do you know of anyone else who is applying for the next year for this program? Also do you know if in the essay outlining why you are interested in a program, you need to specify anything about your 'future' thesis or a study plan of any sort? I wasn't planning to, because I don't have concrete thoughts on that, but I am not sure if it's something that is usually put in.
Thanks,
Tanya

Hi Tanya, I am applying to UCIHL and I sent my application yesterday. I did not specify my future thesis in my statement but rather gave a broad overview of my future goals and how the degree will help me achieve that. I didn't think I could decide on a thesis right now but if you are already sure about your thesis, it doesn't hurt to put it in. In any case, it shows how very focussed you are. I am also applying to other schools but UCIHL remains a priority to me so I decided to send the application early and await the outcome as I apply to the others.

Hi Petra!
Thanks for your thoughts. I haven't sent my documents in. I noticed that the new website for the academy is still a bit under construction. As of yesterday, the forms were still in French, although they are identical to the older ones for the universtiy centre. I am also waiting for my reference letters from Canada. You see, I am Canadian, but right now I am staying in Austria. At first, I was not sure if I need to provide the reference letters themselves or only names of those who are writing the reference, but then I saw that they want an assessment of my English by a professor/employer as although I lived in Canada since I was a child, I don't have formal English training or tests, like TOEFL, so I decided to wait for full references and then send it all. And as for the thesis, no I am not that focused ;) It's just that I was a bit paranoid as to what I have to include as the application form is pretty basic. Do you know of anybody who finished the program? I contacted one girl (I got her email from one of the blogs here). SHe said that the program was good, but they had a problem with students whose English was not quite as fluent as was needed, because they were falling behind. I guess that's why the academy is so keen on English this year. She also said that as the program is relatively new, they try to implement something new every year and that it's partially trial and error, but she said that overall it was great, the class was about 35 students and they were from like 30 countries. So, I am still very much interested. Where else are you applying?
Tanya

Hi Tanya,
I used the old forms as the website was under reconstruction and I wanted to get this out of the way before applying to other schools. I am also applying for a scholarship from the Swiss Government in my Country and I needed to apply to UCIHL first and get an acknowledgement to present with my scholarship application. I am quite fluent in English and have a fair knowledge of French. I hope to study in Geneva because apart from the great program and good job prospects, I will also get to advance my French.
I am also applying to IHE, I know it partnered up with University of Geneva to form UCIHL but its programme is better known worldwide, though it takes two years. They also have a number of interesting scholarships, frankly, without a scholarship,I would not be able to attend any of these schools. I will also apply to UNICRI and LEIDEN, in that order. All the best as you prepare your application. One thing about UCIHL is that they dont require too many things ,so that at the end you look at your application and wonder, is this all they need? But I guess they pretty much know what they are looking for.

Hi Petra and TT!! It seems that we have same interest. Please don't hesitate in asking me whatever you need. Any information regarding UCIHL that you could share with me will be highly appreciated.

Griselle27, I got an e-mail from UCIHL stating that my application had been received and was complete. They said I should expect a reply within 6 weeks after 30th Nov. 2007, so I am crossing my fingers. Have you sent your Application? I am now preparing my material for Leiden, UNICRI and IHE.

Hi Petra! I thought the deadline was January 31, and that as opposed to previous year it was just one deadline this time. I am surprised that they give an answer 6 weeks from the end of november, I thought it was 6 weeks from the end of January 2008. It's a little bizzare, but thanks for letting us know. I am still waiting for some references (as I need them for scholarships, otherwise I would have applied earlier). I have to check my mailbox, maybe I get them today :)
T

Hi Petra, Hi TT!! Well I'm still collecting my supporting documents because in my University everything is slowww, but anyway I'm waiting for my letters, etc, and then make the translations. I hope to be sending my application before december. Im kind of nervous and a little streess heheheh. About the deadline, in passed years they established 2 deadlines: nov 30 and jan 31. I check the website and they put jan 31 as a deadline, but the sooner we send it, I think it would be better. Good luck all of you.

Hi there,

Is here anybody from Switzerland? I need help. How can one be a lawyer in Switzerland? What's the procedure and everything else.

Has anyone received any information from Ucihl?? Petra and Tanya, how are you?

Hey there,
no, no word from the academy yet. I sent my application in November, in case they were still using the old deadline, but from their reply it looks like they use January 31 as the deadline. So, no news yet. But if you hear something, let us know. By the way, have you managed to contact any students that are studying there now or who have already graduated?
Talk to you later,
Tanya