Career perspectives
**Career preparation in Adv. LLM in Public International Law **
In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.
'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
Transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
But also think of job application skills: preparing a CV, formulating a cover letter, compiling a LinkedIn profile, networking, practising job interviews, preparing and holding a pitch.
- Self-reflection
This involves reflecting on your own (study) career (choices), reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Gaining insight into, among other things, your competences and personality, your (work) values and motives.
What can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through practical and social internships and work placements, external research internships and projects, practical assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment, business challenges etc.
Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers from the work field, alumni presentations and experiences, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Employability in Adv. LLM in Public International Law / labour market programme
You will also find these employability elements in your study programme. Examples of subjects that pay attention to this are:
**Discipline-specific knowledge and skills **
The programme's strengths primarily stem from its focused curriculum, which blends in-depth theoretical exploration of a dynamic legal field with practical learning through a problem-solving method. The first semester of the programme covers general principles and theories, with core courses introducing public international law, including its substance, institutions and procedures. Students also cover specific branches of international law, such as international human rights law, international criminal law and international humanitarian law. In the second semester, the programme offers the possibility to specialise in one of two tracks: (i) International Criminal Law; and (ii) Peace, Justice and Development. The former allows students to gain an in-depth knowledge of the theory and practice of international criminal law and its procedures. The latter gives students the opportunity to gain an advanced understanding of specialised areas such as sustainable development and UN peacekeeping, amongst others.
The approach of the programme, in conjunction with the depth and structure of instruction, and the programme's experiential dimension, equips students with the knowledge and essential skills required for a variety of professional roles in the field of public international law, spanning from legal counsel involved in international litigation or in international institutions, in-house lawyers for multinational corporations, state legal advisers and cutting-edge research in academia.
**Shared transferable skills **
The Advanced LLM in Public International Law seeks to develop students' transferable skills in handling legal materials, both orally and in writing, fostering the ability to apply relevant case law and rules in professional contexts and laying the foundation for future research in this field. The research, drafting and oral and written presentation skills that are developed throughout the programme will be of benefit to students, whatever line of work they decide to go into.
**Self-reflection **
The Advanced LLM in Public International Law programme encourages students to look at their initial goals with a view to growth and development in future fields that students previously may not have thought of. Gaining competences and abilities that question and examine thoughts, emotions, actions, and experiences, often with the goal of gaining clarity, insight, or personal growth. This act of introspection allows you to pause and ask yourself critical questions like: What motivates me? What do I want to aspire to achieve?
**Practical experience **
The Advanced LLM in Public International Law aims to bridge the gap between practice, cutting-edge research and education. The teaching methods are geared toward long-term and problem-based learning, creating an interactive classroom culture that fosters peer learning and individual progress. The teaching staff recognize the vital importance of linking research to practice, particularly given the rapid developments in the field of public international law and its reactive nature to economic, political, and social events.
Students are encouraged to engage in critical reflection on legal matters, drawing from problem scenarios in legal practice, examining regulatory dilemmas and choices, and analyzing case law and jurisprudence from various courts and dispute settlement bodies, considering their interplay, distinctions, and interactions. The courses emphasize not only the acquisition of knowledge, concepts, and theoretical understanding of public international law, but also the application of this knowledge in practical contexts, helping students identify the most suitable methods for addressing real-world issues.
**Labour market orientation **
A number of courses and/or specialist lectures offered in the Advanced LLM programmes allow for guest lectures by legal practitioners. What is more, several of the professors of the Advanced LLM in Public International Law are involved with the practice of international law on a regular basis and at a high-level. Their experience in dealing with real cases, sharing first-hand information from practice, as well as being in positions our graduates aspire to adds a valuable learning experience. Furthermore, students visit international institutions, NGOs and other organizations, giving a practical dimension to their studies and allowing them to build their professional network in the field.
**Activities to prepare for the labour market outside the curriculum **
The Advanced LLM in Public International Law programme provides students with exceptional networking opportunities, invaluable peer-to-peer career guidance, and potential career advancement possibilities. Initiatives in this regard include:
An engaged alumni community to facilitate connections and mentorship for current students.
Establishing and strengthening formal partnerships with influential international institutions located in The Hague, a pivotal centre for international law. Notably, the programme is granted the privilege each year to nominate exceptional candidates for prestigious fellowship positions at the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
A study trip to Geneva, where students visit international institutions, NGOs and other organizations.
Career events, such as the ‘Careers Evening’, at which speakers from practice discuss future trajectories in the United Nations, other international organisations, courts and tribunals, private practice and academia.
**Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar **
Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.
