About the Programme

The Master of Arts in International Law and Diplomacy (online and hybrid formats) is a graduate programme permitting students to specialize in the interface between international law and diplomacy. It will not only broaden students' knowledge in the field of international law and its various foundational dimensions but will also equip them with knowledge and skills to work in the field of diplomacy and related international careers.

During this programme, students will analyse the different dimensions of international law including those related to law-making, armed conflicts, human rights, economic relations, territorial and maritime disputes, environmental disputes as well as those related to the theory and practice of diplomacy in the 21st century including dispute settlement and conflict resolution. Students will also attend skills development sessions that are designed to support their professional career and employability.

This master’s degree offered by two UN entities (University for Peace and United Nations Institute for Training and Research) combines the best of academic and executive-style education. Students will also gain first-hand experience of the work of the United Nations (UN), as they will have the opportunity to participate in a field trip to Geneva and The Hague, where the UN maintains a significant presence.

Who is it for?

M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy: HYBRID FORMAT

The hybrid model of the M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy (hybrid) has a duration of four semesters and caters to those applicants who would like to combine an on-campus experience at the UPEACE headquarters in Costa Rica with the convenience and flexibility of the online modality. In this format, participants spend the initial four months (end of August to mid-December) of the programme at UPEACE Headquarters in Costa Rica studying the fundamental courses on public international law, and then resume the programme in the online modality starting in January for the remaining three semesters.

You can find the calendar for the M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy (hybrid) here. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is 30 April 2023. If you are interested in this programme, please email admissions@upeace.org.

Click here to apply now for the hybrid M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy.

M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy: ONLINE FORMAT

The programme - offered entirely in the online modality across four semesters - has been designed for graduate students, diplomats, government officers, NGO representatives, international civil servants or private law practitioners who wish to strengthen their knowledge in international law, dispute settlement, international affairs management and diplomacy, but are unable to leave their jobs and attend courses on-campus in Costa Rica. Specifically designed with such working professionals in mind, the courses offered in the online modality combine the best pedagogical techniques of asynchronous online education with highly interactive methods of learning.

You can find the calendar for the M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy (online) here. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The application deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is 25 June 2023. If you are interested in this programme, please email admissions@upeace.org.

Click here to apply now for the online M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy.

Optional Field Trip to Geneva and The Hague

Each year, UNITAR will organize two optional 5-day field trips to Geneva (Switzerland) and The Hague (Netherlands) for the students enrolled in the joint UPEACE - UNITAR Master's Programmes and Certificates.

Students can sign up for one field visit or for both (Geneva and The Hague) if they wish to do so.

During this activity, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the very heart of diplomacy and international law, visit different international organizations and network with other diplomats, personnel of permanent missions accredited to the UN, civil servants of international organizations and civil society representatives. 

The fee of each five-day field trip is USD 1,500. The fee does not include travel, accommodation, food or visa expenses. The optional field visit will take place every Summer.