International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
- Studienfeld(er): Internationales Recht, Rechtswissenschaft, Jura
- Startdatum: Sommer- und Wintersemester
- Regelstudienzeit: 3 Semester
- Studienform(en): Vollzeitstudium, Internationaler Studiengang, Teilzeitstudium
- Zulassungsmodus: Örtliche Zulassungsbeschränkung, zwingend mit NC
- Trägerschaft: öffentlich-rechtlich
- Hauptunterrichtssprache: Englisch
Das Studium im Portrait
The special character of the programme International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law lies in its integration of the protection of human rights generally with rights protection in diverse situations of armed conflict.
Thus, many aspects of the programme are directed specifically to providing understanding and insight into the links between tradition international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
As well, the programme aims not only to provide a solid theoretical understanding of the issues, principles, structures, substantive law and institutions relevant to this topic but also to aid students in acquiring reliable practical skills in the application of their theoretical knowledge:
- comprehensive knowledge of the system of protection of the individual spanning both the international law of peace and the international law of armed conflict, including the philosophical, political and historical foundations of that system
- in-depth knowledge of legally binding international rights and guarantees and their protection and enforcement under various legal remedial regimes
- practical skills in applying international standards of protection in specific circumstances, in particular in international court proceedings and other institutional procedures, the investigation of facts, or conflict resolution
- skills and procedures in undertaking academic investigation and research including the preparation of reports
- intercultural communication and transfer of knowledge
The master’s programme International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law prepares graduates for taking up career opportunities in policy making, international, public and governmental service, public and private legal practice, work for non-governmental organisations, and academic teaching and research.
Hochschulabschluss im Fach Rechtswissenschaften oder Äquivalent; mind. einjährige qualifizierte Berufserfahrung; Englischkenntnisse (IELTS 6.0)
- Schwerpunkte:
- Friedenssicherung, Humanitäres Völkerrecht, Menschenrechte, Politikgestaltung
- Nächste Vorlesungszeit:
-
12.10.2026 - 05.02.2027
- Bewerbungsfrist für Studieninteressierte aus Deutschland:
-
01.12.2026 - 15.02.2027Early admission deadline: 1 January 2027, 23:59 CET (recommended for students needing a visa for Germany).
Regular admissions deadline: 15 February 2027, 23:59 CET
- Bewerbungsfrist für Studieninteressierte aus dem EU-Ausland:
-
01.12.2026 - 15.02.2027Early admission deadline: 1 January 2027, 23:59 CET (recommended for students needing a visa for Germany).
Regular admissions deadline: 15 February 2027, 23:59 CET
- Bewerbungsfrist für Studieninteressierte aus dem Nicht-EU-Ausland:
-
01.12.2026 - 15.02.2027Early admission deadline: 1 January 2026, 23:59 CET (recommended for students needing a visa for Germany).
Regular admissions deadline: 15 February 2026, 23:59 CET
Bemerkung:
Tuition fees for each selected IHL programme qualification variant (LLM, Diploma, or Certificate) must be paid fully, in advance of starting the programme.In addition to the respective tuition fees, a standard semester charge (currently approximately 175 €) applies for each semester. This administrative charge does not include the cost of a student pass for public transport in Germany
- Zulassungssemester:
- Sommer- und Wintersemester
- Zulassungsmodus:
- Örtliche Zulassungsbeschränkung, zwingend mit NC
- Zugangsvoraussetzungen:
- Hochschulabschluss im Fach Rechtswissenschaften oder Äquivalent; mind. einjährige qualifizierte Berufserfahrung; Englischkenntnisse (IELTS 6.0)
- Schwerpunkte:
- Friedenssicherung, Humanitäres Völkerrecht, Menschenrechte, Politikgestaltung
- Nächste Vorlesungszeit:
-
12.10.2026 - 05.02.2027
- Bewerbungsfrist für Studieninteressierte aus Deutschland:
-
01.12.2026 - 15.02.2027Early admission deadline: 1 January 2027, 23:59 CET (recommended for students needing a visa for Germany).
Regular admissions deadline: 15 February 2027, 23:59 CET
- Bewerbungsfrist für Studieninteressierte aus dem EU-Ausland:
-
01.12.2026 - 15.02.2027Early admission deadline: 1 January 2027, 23:59 CET (recommended for students needing a visa for Germany).
Regular admissions deadline: 15 February 2027, 23:59 CET
- Bewerbungsfrist für Studieninteressierte aus dem Nicht-EU-Ausland:
-
01.12.2026 - 15.02.2027Early admission deadline: 1 January 2026, 23:59 CET (recommended for students needing a visa for Germany).
Regular admissions deadline: 15 February 2026, 23:59 CET
- Studienbeitrag:
- 7900.00 EUR / gesamt
- Studienbeitrag (Bemerkung):
-
Tuition fees for each selected IHL programme qualification variant (LLM, Diploma, or Certificate) must be paid fully, in advance of starting the programme.
In addition to the respective tuition fees, a standard semester charge (currently approximately 175 €) applies for each semester. This administrative charge does not include the cost of a student pass for public transport in Germany
It provides solid theoretical foundations and practical skills, preparing for career opportunities in policy-making, international or national public service, public or private legal practice, non-governmental organisations both International and national, or in academic teaching, research and publication.
Key Features
Practical application: development of practical skills in applying international legal standards of protection to particular circumstances, for example in court proceedings, public administration and other institutional settings, forensic investigation, conflict resolution, peace negotiation and post-conflict transition.
Comprehensive knowledge: deep understanding of international legal frameworks for individual protection, spanning the full range of circumstances from peace to declared warfare, addressing philosophical, political, and historical foundations.
Intercultural communication: enhancement of multicutural communication competences and awareness, and sharing of knowledge and experience, through intensive interaction in a distinctive multinational setting of students and professors.
Research abilities: strengthening of skills and techniques needed in academic and scientific investigation and research, report preparation, policy advice, and scholarly publication.
Legal expertise: comprehensive attention to international rights and guarantees, and their protection and enforcement through diverse remedial regimes, institutions, and procedures.
- Fakultät*:
- Juristische Fakultät
- Akkreditierung*:
- ACQUIN
-
Credits: Heide Fest -
Credits: Heide Fest -
Credits: Heide Fest -
Credits: Willi Wallroth -
Credits: Heide Fest
The master's programme is open to graduates with sufficient background in law, especially those from central, eastern and south-eastern Europe, but also from other regions of the world.
The programme is constructed to meet the needs of people seeking to establish or develop a career in field of the human rights or in related fields whether on the governmental or private level, both internationally, regionally or nationally, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and in the military, defence and policing sectors. Its primary appeal is to relatively recent graduates who have already commenced working in the relevant area. However, those who have had longer experience in the field wishing to develop, deepen or update their theoretical knowledge or acquire additional skills will benefit from the programme. In addition, those pursuing and academic career (for example, prospective or current doctoral students or aspiring university teachers) will find the programme equally useful.
Students are selected for the programme competitively based on their university grades, previous experience and motivation. Sufficient ability in the English language is required. At least basic knowledge of public international law is also necessary for enrolment (in certain circumstances this requirement may be satisfied by taking a bridging course in public international law at the Viadrina European University before the commencement of the formal course programme).
