Law and Politics of International Security

Understand international law in its political context. Study the interaction between international legal institutions and international politics.

This one-year Master's programme aims at transferring to students the knowledge, skills and insight necessary to operate as a professional or academic researcher in the area of international peace of security.

Issues of international peace and security are becoming increasingly important in legal, political and administrative practice. The concept of ‘international security’ is no longer confined to traditional issues of war and peace, but now also covers topics such as terrorism, criminal law, the protection of human rights and ‘human security’.

The programme is based on the assumption that international law cannot be properly understood outside its political context, whereas contemporary international politics cannot be fully grasped without a solid knowledge of international legal institutions. It offers a multidisciplinary approach to the rapidly changing field of international peace and security. It includes topics such as the United Nations system of collective security, the transformation of war (including catastrophic terrorism and other forms of political violence), human rights protection, the development of international criminal tribunals and humanitarian law.

The programme has three basic characteristics:

• a multidisciplinary approach, combining international law and international relations;
• a thematic focus on international security;
• an interactive and international academic community where staff and students are engaged in research and the development of knowledge.

Open for students from other programmes
Certain courses can be taken as secondary subjects by students who do not follow the complete programme. Please check with the faculty for more information. Students from other universities should check with their own university first to see if the course is offered there. Please keep in mind that courses are sometimes full.

Information days (in Dutch)
Information days (in English) 
Contact: info.law@vu.nl
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