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Name of the Masters programme
Law and Politics of International Security
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Law and Politics of International Security at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Have you been studying law but want to understand the political context? Is your background in international politics, but you’re looking for insights into how the law shapes political decisions? Or is your Bachelor’s in a liberal arts subject and you want to focus on something more vocational?
Either way, this multi-disciplinary Master’s programme that combines the study of law and politics with a focus on international security may be just what you’re looking for.
War and peace, terrorism, human rights, criminal law – these are all fascinating areas of research that have never been more pertinent than in today’s global society. Which makes the career prospects afterwards just as interesting.
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Law and Politics of International Security
If we see a human rights violation elsewhere in the world, should we intervene? The lessons of imperialism would suggest not, but human rights lawyers might say we should.
The law of politics; the politics of law
Both of these sides of the debate are translated into legal claims, but which should we follow? If a state is attacked by a terrorist group, does it have the right to use military force in self defense? Is it politically prudent to do so? Should we use force against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, for example? How does law limit hostilities from being carried out? How are legal requirements translated into the military? How are these rules affected by politics?
In this one-year interdisciplinary Master’s programme, you’ll learn how to ask the right questions to increase your understanding of the complexities involved in these dilemmas. These questions are legal, political and ethical at the same time. International law is not treated as an abstract set of rules, but as a professional practice. You’ll therefore study what it is to be a lawyer in a variety of professional contexts, including litigation, legal advisory and diplomatic negotiations.
The programme is made up of four compulsory core courses, two electives and a Master’s thesis. We also offer interesting, related, extracurricular activities, such as the opportunity to be on the editorial board of the Amsterdam Law Forum.
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Law and Politics of International Security
Your multi-disciplinary background will make you very attractive to potential future employers: understanding the process of policymaking while also knowing how to talk to the lawyers. Your research and writing skills will be top notch, while your analytical skills will make you uniquely qualified to find solutions to complex problems.
Graduates have found jobs in a wide variety of fields, including the military, the Red Cross, human rights organisations, academia, the private sector, government and international organisations. In all these contexts, having a background in both international law and politics is a great asset.
Students at VU Amsterdam also come from all over the world, and those different cultural backgrounds mean you’ll not only learn a lot from one another – you’ll also graduate with your own international network. Plus, you’ll develop the confidence to voice your own opinions and to be self-critical, which are valuable skills in the workplace.
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Law and Politics of International Security
I have an international degree
Admission
You can apply with the following academic Bachelor's degrees:
- Law (LLB)
- Social Sciences plus basic knowledge of international law or international relations theory
- Liberal Arts plus basic knowledge of international law or international relations theory
If you do not have a background in either international law or international relations, you may still apply, provided that you have good grades and considerable experience in the field of Law, Social Sciences or Liberal Arts.
You cannot be admitted on the basis of a degree from a university of applied sciences.
We use the UK Naric comparison system and the Nuffic comparison and validation programmes to assess your application. Especially students from non-EEA countries should factor in the possibility that a relevant Bachelor’s degree may not be sufficient for acceptance to this Master of Science programme.
Proof of sufficient proficiency in English
VU Amsterdam requires all international applicants to take an English test and to submit their score as part of the application. Exceptions are made for students who have completed their secondary or academic education in the Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, New Zealand or Australia or who have obtained an international Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma or have earned a Bachelor's or Master's degree in an accredited English-taught programme in the EU.
You must have passed the test no longer than two years before you start the ICC programme, the following minimum scores apply for this master:
- IELTS: minimum total score ≥ 7.0, minimum score per test section: 6.5
- TOEFL iBT: minimum total score ≥ 100, minimum score per test section: 22
- TOEFL Paper-delivered Test: minimum total score 68, minimum score per test section: 22
- C1 Advanced (CAE): minimum score B
- C2 Proficiency (CPE): minimum score C
The proof of English proficiency can be submitted after the application deadline, but must have been received by the faculty before the start of the programme. Without an English proficiency test score which meets the specifications mentioned above, or a waiver, you cannot start the programme.
I have a Dutch university level (WO) bachelor’s degree (VU bachelor's degree, VU premaster or bachelor's degree at another university)
Admission
You can apply with the following Bachelor's degrees:
- Law (LLB)
- Social Sciences plus basic knowledge of international law or international relations theory
- Liberal Arts plus basic knowledge of international law or international relations theory
If you do not have a background in either international law or international relations, you may still apply, provided that you have good grades and considerable experience in the field of Law, Social Sciences or Liberal Arts.
VU premaster
The faculty does not offer a pre-master for this master.
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Overview of Masters programmes - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
More information on this programme? Visit the website!
Institution
Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam De Boelelaan 1105
1081 HV Amsterdam
Niederlande
Nord Holland
| T | +31 20 59 89898 | |
| E | international@vu.nl |
Facts about the Masters programme
Location
Amsterdam
Field of study
Law, Social Sciences
Degree
Master of Laws
Language
English
Start
winter semester - September
Application deadline
Type of study
Full-time
Duration of study: 1 year
Tuition fees EU: 2168 EUR / year
Tuition fees Non EU: 16630 EUR / year
Facts about the Masters programme
Location
Amsterdam
Field of study
Law, Social Sciences
Degree
Master of Laws
Language
English
Start
winter semester - September
Application deadline
Type of study
Full-time
Duration of study: 1 year
Tuition fees EU: 2168 EUR / year
Tuition fees Non EU: 16630 EUR / year