Top LL.M. Programs for Public International Law 2024

In the academic landscape of Leiden Law School, the Public International Law LL.M. program stands out as a cornerstone of legal education. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the foundational principles of public international law. Through a blend of theoretical exploration and practical analysis, students navigate diverse perspectives on global governance and legal challenges. The curriculum is designed to provoke critical thinking on pressing legal issues such as human rights, climate change, and terrorism, reflecting the evolving landscape of international relations. An integral aspect of the program is its integration with The Hague, a prominent hub of international institutions and courts. And indeed, public international law LL.M. students benefit from proximity to key organizations like the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, gaining valuable insights from real-world practitioners. This hands-on approach enhances their grasp of international legal mechanisms and prepares them for careers in law, diplomacy, and policymaking.

Columbia’s LL.M. students have the opportunity to study many aspects of public international law, including environmental law, human rights law, and international law, as well as related institutions such as the World Trade Organization. The school is staffed with well-known scholars in the field of international law, such as Lori Damrosch and has several related research centers, including the Human Rights Institute.

Cambridge hosts the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, which is one of the leading institutions worldwide for the study of public international law. Although the school does not offer a specialized LL.M. in Public International Law, it does offer a series of related courses as part of its general program, covering topics like international human rights law, international environmental law, and international law of global governance, among others.

Many students interested in public international law gravitate to Geneva, home to many international organizations. Founded in 1927, the Graduate Institute Geneva has been on the forefront of research in the public international law area. The Graduate Institute’s LL.M. in International Law leverages the school’s location and research background to help students understand the nuances of public international law. Students in the LL.M. can choose three concentration streams, in International Economic Law, International Environmental Law and Governance, or The Protection of the Individual in International Law.

Another Netherlands-based law school offering a top Public International Law LL.M is Amsterdam Law School, which has a Public International Law track as part of its International and European Law LL.M. This program delves into critical inquiries surrounding the application of human rights treaties in global military operations and the collaborative response to pressing issues like climate change, terrorism, and mass migration. This program offers a robust curriculum anchored by compulsory courses, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of general international law and honing essential skills for a future in the field. Alongside these foundational courses, students have the freedom to customize their studies by selecting from a diverse array of electives. Learning extends beyond traditional lectures, with small-group seminars facilitating discussions and the exchange of ideas on complex legal matters.

For public international law enthusiasts, NYU is home to several LL.M. programs that are of interest, covering topics like International Legal Studies and Environmental and Energy Law. NYU also hosts several relevant centers, such as the Institute for International Law and Justice, which infuse the programs’ curriculums with up-to-date research. LL.M. students also have opportunities to take part in various clinics, such as the Global Justice Clinic and the United Nations Diplomacy Clinic.

Georgetown’s Washington, DC location puts it in close proximity to many international organizations as well as important US decision-makers. In addition to offering an International Legal Studies LL.M., the school also offers a LL.M. in Global Health Law and Governance, which it runs in partnership with the Graduate Institute Geneva. In this dual-degree program, students can delve into a variety of public international law oriented topics, through courses like “Judicial Interpretation of Human Rights,” “Terrorism and International Law,” and “Multilateral Governance and International Organizations,” among others.

Harvard, which is current ranked highly for international law by US News, produces a range of public international law research through its relevant research centers and programs. Harvard LL.M. students can take a range of classes related to public international law.

As part of UCLA’s LL.M. program, students can opt for a specialization in International and Comparative Law, where students can explore aspects of public international law. US News ranks UCLA in the top-20 for International Law. 

The school is currently ranked highly for international law by the Dutch publication Keuzegids, which assesses master’s programs in the Netherlands. The school offers an LL.M. in Public International Law, which covers topics in international human rights law, international institutional law, and others; as well as other related LL.M.s such as an LL.M. in International Human Rights Law.