APPLICATION DEADLINES: 

• For non-EU Citizens to study on-site in Vienna: April 13th, 2026
• For EU Citizens, holders of EU residence permits or the citizens of  Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland to study on-site in Vienna: August 31st, 2026
• For online participants: August 31st, 2026

We strongly encourage early applications as we process applications on a rolling basis. If we reach maximum student capacity before August, applications will close early.

The programme is conducted in cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research – UNITAR). Headquartered in Geneva (Switzerland) UNITAR is the official training arm of the United Nations thus adding a strong practical focus to the programme. The programme is the only LL.M. programme of its kind offered in cooperation with UNITAR.

Apart from the legal qualifications, the joint Master in Public International Law also offers a direct connection to the United Nations and its agencies:

• experience the UN work environment in Vienna first-hand
• build personal relations with UN experts and staff members
• benefit from tailormade UN career development sessions
• gain support and access to entry points into the UN system

The programme has been designed in a hybrid format. This means that the participants have the flexibility to attend the program either in person in Vienna or online, providing diverse learning options tailored to individual preferences and circumstances. The participants can also decide to attend some parts of the programme on site in Vienna, while completing most of the courses online. We particularly encourage in-person attendance on the UN Orientation Week, taking place on the first week of October.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

If you decide to apply for this Master’s programme, please make sure that you fulfil the following requirements.

1.     Pre-studies

In order to proof the academic qualifications for this course, applicants must hold:

• At least a Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B.)

In special circumstances, applicants who are practicing lawyers and/or passed the bar exam in their respective countries may be admitted without a LL.B. (e.g. applicants that passed the First State Examination („Erstes Staatsexamen“) in Germany fulfil this requirement).

• A first academic degree in a related field with a law component

Related fields include, but are not limited to, the following:

• International Relations
• Political Sciences
• International Business
• Human Rights

2.     English skills

Applicants for the Master’s programme Public International Law must also provide evidence of English language skills at least at a C1-level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the Council of Europe. The proof can be provided in the form of an internationally recognized, standardized language test.

The language level C1 corresponds to a score of at least

• 500 on the TOEFL Paper-based Test (pBT)
• 80 on the TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)
• 627 on the TOEFL ITP Plus for China at Level 1
• 6,5 on the IELTS Academic Module
• 105 on the Duolingo English Test
• 176 for the Cambridge Certificate English C1 Advanced (CAE)

The following applicants are not required to provide proof of language proficiency.

• applicants whose native language is English
• applicants who have obtained their high school diploma in an English-speaking country or at an English-speaking school in their home country
• graduates who have completed a university programme on at least Bachelor’s level (in presence) at a recognized post-secondary educational institution in an English-speaking country or one that teaches its courses in English
• employees of the United Nations and its affiliated international organizations
• employees with a job reference from their employer, that states that the main working language within the organization is English

3.     Professional Experience

This Master Programme requires professional experience.

• Applicants with an LL.B. or equivalent law degree must prove at least two years of professional experience in a legal field by the start of the programme. Experience during legal traineeship, e.g. Austrian Gerichtsjahr or German Referendariat, will be considered.
• Applicants that hold a first academic degree from a related field (see –Pre-studies) require three years of professional experience within the UN, another international organisation or a NGO.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding the work experience requirement. We are open to considering exceptional cases where other qualifications or achievements fulfill the program’s standards.

Please make sure that you fulfil all three requirements before you apply!
Find a quick checklist below to see if you qualify:

1. Academic qualification (LL.B. or related Bachelor with at least 12 ECTS in legal courses)
2. English C1 (or equivalent)
3. Professional work experience (2 years for lawyers, 3 years for qualifying Bachelors in relevant environments)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Please click on the “Apply Online” button at the top of the program webpage.

Step 2: Please register, fill out the online forms inside the Application Platform and upload the required documents

For proof of general personal data:

• letter of motivation (at least half a DIN A4-page)
• copy of your passport or identity card
• high school diploma

To prove academic qualifications (see Admission requirements, 1. Pre-Studies):

• degree certificate

To prove English proficiency (see Admission requirements, 2. English proficiency):

• English certificate OR
• proof of English as main medium of instruction at your university

This requirement doesn’t apply for native speakers or applicants that work in mainly English speaking environments.

To prove professional work experience (see Admission requirements, 3. Professional Experience):

• Curriculum Vitae
• proof of work experience (Certification of Service)

For administrative purposes:

• payment confirmation of the admission fee

Step 3: Invitation for an admission interview

Step 4: Signing of the contract

An official letter of acceptance can only be issued once the contract is signed and 50% of the first semester fee (4,000€) has been paid.

CONTACT

PIL Program Team