Tanya Norton
Programme Manager
+41 (0)79 770 61 15 | llm@graduateinstitute.ch
LLM Programme Office is situated on the 7th floor, office 707. See LLM calendar for the office hours
Dear LL.M. Participants,
Bienvenue! It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the Graduate Institute and to Geneva for the LL.M. in International Law. The Graduate Institute is located at the heart of international legal affairs, providing a close proximity to a number of international institutions heavily involved in the making of international law: fertile ground on which to cultivate the next generation of international lawyers!
Combined with exposure to our world-known faculty, innovative teaching methods and internationally diverse student body, we believe your time at the Graduate Institute will offer you a unique opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to advance your career. The LL.M. Programme is tailored to ensure you receive a firm grounding in public international law, while at the same time exploring the most pressing questions in your chosen specialty area. In addition, you will have the possibility to acquire important professional skills and gain exposure to practitioners at the cutting edge of international law.
Upon arrival at the Graduate Institute, you can expect to be among similarly exceptional individuals with proven intellectual ability, distinguished experience and remarkable achievements. Never before has there been a more critical time to train lawyers like you to meet the environmental, economic and social challenges that our world faces. In this context, we have every confidence that you will make the most of your experience at the Graduate Institute and apply what you will learn to face these challenges.
We very much look forward to meeting you in person.
Anne Saab
Director of the LL.M. in International Law
Classes take place at the Graduate Institute’s Maison de la Paix
(Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2, 1202 Geneva), except otherwise indicated on your programme’s schedule. You also have full access to the Maison de la Paix library.
Villa Barton, a historic villa which is home to the Executive Education and to the LL.M. programme, is currently undergoing renovation.
To find the different locations, please refer to the Campus Map or the International Geneva Map.
LL.M. Orientation Session (10h in S12)
Monday 16 September 2024
First day of classes
Tuesday 17 September 2024
Last day of classes
Friday 20 December 2024
First day of classes
Monday 10 February 2025
Easter break
Friday 18 to Sunday 27 April 2025
Last day of classes
Friday 6 June 2025 (to be confirmed)
Deadline LL.M. paper
August 2025
LL.M. Graduation Ceremony
September 2025
The LL.M. course structure is as follows:
General Courses
Foundations of International Law I and II
Selected Topics in International Law I and II
Concentration Streams
International Environmental Law and Governance
International Economic Law
Protection of the Individual in International Law
Concentration Stream Elements
Courses
Law clinic
LL.M. paper
Elective courses
Professional Development and Immersion
Workshops on practical knowledge, professional skills, and career development
Guest lectures, colloquia, roundtables and institution visits
The Institute will be closed on the following dates:
2024
2025
Before coming to Switzerland, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa application process is managed by the Swiss consulate or embassy in your country and is independent from the Graduate Institute. The Graduate Institute will be pleased to support you by providing a visa support letter upon confirmation of your participation in the programme.
Before starting the visa process, you should contact your local Swiss embassy or consulate to obtain further information regarding the visa application process and requirements.
Please be aware that the visa process can take time. We therefore advise that you start the application process 2-3 months before your planned arrival in Geneva.
Health insurance is mandatory when living in Switzerland. You are required to provide proof of coverage within three months of your arrival. If you are an EU or EEA citizen, you may be exempt from signing up for Swiss health insurance coverage.
Students who can demonstrate to the relevant authority that their existing health insurance covers treatment in Switzerland or those holding a European Health Insurance Card may be eligible for a waiver of the Swiss health insurance requirement. To request a waiver, please follow the following steps here.
In addition to the Edgar and Danièle de Picciotto Student House, the Institute opened the Grand Morillon Student House that has been welcoming students since February 2021.
Living in our student residences will allow you to integrate into a supportive community and will help you get the most out of your academic experience.
You may find descriptions of all housing options on our website here.
In order to apply to the Graduate Institute’s student housing, please fill this online form.
Other housing options
Several options are available in Geneva. More information? Click here.
When should I arrive in Geneva?
The orientation session will take place on 18 September and classes begin on 19 September. You are not required to be in Geneva prior to 18 September. Please note that, for those applying to the student residences, the likely move-in date is 16 September.
Can I take the French courses before the beginning of the semester?
The Institute organizes French courses for its MA and PhD students. However, since the LL.M. is taught exclusively in English, no classes are organized for LL.M. students.
If you wish to learn French during your stay in Geneva, please consult this document for some courses offered by different institutions.
Should I live in France or another canton during my studies?
We strongly recommend you to live in the Canton of Geneva during your studies.
Have any further questions?
Drop us an email at llm@graduateinstitute.ch, or call us at 0041 22 908 45 03.
Available at taxi stops at the airport / train station or by phone (e.g. +41 (0)22 331 41 33 for Taxiphone).
Most taxis only accept cash. The drive from Geneva airport to city center costs approximately CHF 35, and takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
All timetables, routes and maps are available online.
Tickets must be bought from machines at every stop before you board. The entire city, including the airport, is within Zone 10. The most common tickets are:
"Billet Tout Genève" / All Geneva (valid for one hour, regardless of how many vehicles are taken), CHF 3.00
"Carte dès 9 heures jusqu'à minuit" / All day from 9.00 am to midnight, CHF 8.00
"Carte 24 heures Tout Genève" / A full-day city pass, CHF 10.00
Some machines only accept cash (coins, not notes). To avoid looking for coins, you can buy a “tpgPay” card (CHF 20, 50 or 100) at tobacco shops, or at the TPG Office at the train station.
For travels in zone 10 (Geneva city) only, you can also buy your ticket online or with your mobile phone via the TPG application for Apple and Android, or, if you have a Swiss SIM card, by SMS (see the procedure here). The ticket must be purchased before entering the vehicule (you must have received it on your phone beforehand).
If you stay at a hotel, it will provide you with a free city pass for public transports valid for the duration of your stay. You may ask for it at the hotel's reception.
You can pick up a free ticket for public transports from the TPG machine located in the baggage collection area next to the exit door and customs (before exiting the baggage collection area). This ticket, offered by Geneva Airport, allows you to use public transport in Geneva (including buses, trams and trains to Geneva train station) free for up to 80 minutes.
More information on how to access Geneva city center from the airport can be found here.
From Airport to Graduate Institute's Villa Barton
Bus 28, stop at “Jardin Botanique” (last stop). 20 minutes.
From Cornavin to Graduate Institute's Villa Barton
Bus 1 or 25 towards "Jardin Botanique", stop at “Perle du Lac”. Walk straight, then turn right in the park just after the radar box. Villa Barton is a pink villa located in the park.
From Cornavin train station to Graduate Institute's Maison de la Paix
Tram 15 towards "Nations", stop at "Maison de la Paix". Walk up the hill (same direction as the tram) and you will find Maison de la Paix on your right.
24 hours emergency services:
Hôpital Universitaire Cantonal (HUG), Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, Tel. +41 (0)22 372 33 11
Doctors coming at home for emergencies 24/7:
A domicile Tel. +41 (0)22 321 21 21
SOS Médecins à domicile, Tel. +41 (0)22 748 49 50
Genève-Médecins, Tel. +41 (0)22 754 54 54
Permanences médicales: on-duty medical centers (English speaking doctors)
Permanence Médico-Chirurgicale, 21 Rue Chantepoulet, Tel. +41 (0)22 731 21 20
Centre médical du Léman, Rue Alfred-Vincent 17, Tel. +41 (0)22 716 06 60
You can also go to any pharmacy for basic medication. The pharmacy at the train station is open 24/7, from 7am to 11pm.
Emergency phone numbers:
Police 117
Fire 118
Ambulance 144
Information 1818
Do you want to learn more on international Geneva? Click here
Over 350,000 documents, 1,000 journal titles and 4,500 DVDs are available in the areas of international relations and development studies. The Library is also a depository for United Nations publications from 1947 onwards, as well as for publications from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Library is equipped with WiFi and study tables, as well as computer and printer facilities. Workrooms are also available for group study.
Address
Maison de la paix, Ch. Eugène-Rigot 2, Petal 2
Contact
library@graduateinstitute.ch
T. +41 22 908 58 88
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 10:00 pm | Saturday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm | Sunday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm (opening hours may change during holidays, please check the library website)
For those wishing to pay their tuition fees by cash, the Accounting service cash desk is opened Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 12.30pm. It is located at Maison de la Paix (Petal 1).
The IT Centre handles and develops all IT resources that support educational, research and administrative objectives.
Address
Maison de la paix, Ch. Eugène-Rigot 2, Petal 1
Contact
servicedesk@graduateinstitute.ch
T. + 41 22 908 44 44 (for emergencies only)
Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday, 7:30am – 6:00pm | Friday: 7:30am – 1pm
IT information will be provided before the start of your programme. It includes:
User name and password for a personal and confidential IT account, allowing access to computers and printers at Villa Barton and at the Library, and to WiFi network
User name and password for an email address
Graduate Institute's email address and mailbox (gmail)
Your email address has no expiry date if used however it will be deactivated if not used during 6 months. The user guide, and terms and conditions for the use of IT resources are available on Moodle and on the IT website.
Computers and WiFi
A Business Center with four computers and a printer is at your disposal at Villa Barton. Computers are also available in the Library. The Villa Barton and the Library are equipped with WiFi.
Printing rates
The use of IT resources is free of charge, with the exception of printing. LL.M participants have a
free print and photocopy credit of 500 pages (Equivalent A4, single sided, black and white) per
year. Pages are then charged at a rate of 10 cents per page (recto only).
Multi-Services Card
A personal multi-service card will be provided at the start of your programme. This card is an ID card for the Institute to borrow books at the Library, a payment card for the cafeteria (to benefit from discounted rates), and a printing card.
Participants can load cash on their cards through the machines located at Maison de la Paix cafeteria entrance (on the right). They only accept cash (notes).
The Institute encourages its students to improve their professional skills and to develop networking opportunities throughout the course of their studies at the Institute. In the context of the LL.M. Programme, you will have the opportunity to attend exclusive networking sessions with invited practitioners working in the international law field.
Moreover, a series of workshops are given to help LL.M. Participants develop their professional skills. The Career Services Department provides participants with personal counselling, distributes an e-letter containing job
opportunities, and organises regular workshops for career enhancement as well as career fairs. An online portal with job and internship postings is accessible by all Graduate Institute students through the Career Services website.
GISA’s mission is to make sure all students have the richest student experience possible during their time at the Graduate Institute in Geneva. The Association ensures that academic concerns are adequately addressed, offers a diverse array of social and cultural activities, communicates effectively and constantly with all Institute officials, faculty and staff, and promotes student exchange as much as possible to foster a collegial and fun environment in and outside of the classroom.
The mission of the Graduate Institute Alumni Association is to reinforce ties between alumni and the Institute’s reputation. The Association organises, in Geneva and abroad, various meetings and events for the alumni network and provides professional opportunities for the Institute’s students and graduates through roundtables and information sessions. All information on the alumni activities will be provided to participants upon their graduation.
The tuition fee includes teaching costs, course material and the use of Graduate Institute facilities. It does not include travel, accommodation or insurance (personal or health coverage).
All amounts indicated are the net payable fees in Swiss Francs.
Failure to pay the tuition fees in due time may lead to expulsion from the programme or preclude a participant from graduation.
Withdrawal must be clearly stated in written form to the Programme Manager.
Withdrawal conditions:
The Graduate Institute reserves the right to modify, postpone or cancel the Programme upon unforeseen circumstances.
Should the evolution of the current health crisis prevent the Institute from delivering the programme or any part thereof face to face, the Institute is committed to maintaining the quality of its programme with online courses. Consequently, no tuition refund will be considered.
