Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes
Format: Onsite, Hybrid, or Online
Programme Start Onsite: 19 August 2025
Programme Start Hybrid: 19 August 2025
Programme Start Online: 7 July 2025
Application Deadline Onsite: 30 April 2025
Application Deadline Hybrid: 30 April 2025
Application Deadline Online: 30 June 2025
Programme Overview
The Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes (onsite, hybrid, and online formats) is a graduate programme that offers students an understanding of the role that international law and institutions play in the settlement of international and transnational disputes. This specialization examines the role of national and international courts and tribunals in contributing to the settlement of disputes.
As international and transnational adjudication has acquired a more prominent role in international relations, it is essential to understand how these global and regional courts are responding to the challenges of the early 21st century.
Students will examine the role of international law in the settlement of disputes in a wide array of fields such as human rights, armed conflicts, territorial and maritime border issues, environment and climate change, multilateral trade, and investments, amongst others. Students will learn the traditional legal processes employed in international and transnational adjudication, as well as alternative forms of dispute settlement prevalent in international law.
In addition, students will attend skills-development sessions and coaching sessions designed to support their professional careers and employability.
Students will have an opportunity to participate in an optional field visit to Geneva (Switzerland) and/or The Hague (Netherlands), immersing themselves in the heart of diplomacy and international law.
This programme is offered in an Onsite Format (face-to-face on the UPEACE campus in Costa Rica), in a Hybrid Format (asynchronous classes online and face-to-face on the UPEACE campus in Costa Rica), and an Online Format (within the UPEACE Virtual Learning Environment).
Click on the image below to see the full programme brochure.
Onsite Programme Modules
Hybrid Programme Modules
Online Programme Modules
Field Visits
Admissions
Fees
Onsite Programme Modules
Onsite Programme Modules
The ONSITE Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes will be implemented face-to-face in San José, Costa Rica on UPEACE’s campus. Some courses taught by UNITAR may, if necessary, be delivered synchronously through virtual modality, although students will be required to be on campus.
Course List:
- Foundation Course (UPEACE)
- Public International Law (UPEACE)
- United Nations System (UPEACE)
- International Human Rights Law (UPEACE)
- Universal Human Rights system (UPEACE)
- Law Related to Armed Conflict I (Ius ad Bellum) (UPEACE)
- Law Related to Armed Conflict II (Ius in Bello) (UPEACE)
- International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice (UPEACE)
- International and Transnational Adjudication (UPEACE)
- International Trade and Investment Law and the Settlement of Disputes (UNITAR)
- Cyberlaw and Warfare (UNITAR)
- Maritime and Territorial Dispute Settlement (UPEACE)
- International Environmental Law and the Settlement of Disputes (UPEACE)
- Skills for a Successful International Career (UNITAR)
- Alternative Dispute Resolution in International Law (UPEACE)
- Model United Nations Conference (UPEACE)
- Thesis or Internship (UPEACE)
Onsite M.A. in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes Calendar (2025-2026): click here.
Hybrid Programme Modules
Hybrid Programme Modules
The HYBRID Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes will be implemented both face-to-face on the UPEACE campus in Costa Rica during the first semester and online during the second, third and fourth semesters. All online subjects will be hosted on UPEACE’s Virtual Learning Environment.
Course List:
- Foundation Course (UPEACE)
- Public International Law (UPEACE)
- United Nations System (UPEACE)
- International Human Rights Law (UPEACE)
- Universal Human Rights system (UPEACE)
- Law Related to Armed Conflict I (Ius ad Bellum) (UPEACE)
- Law Related to Armed Conflict II (Ius in Bello) (UPEACE)
- International Criminal Law (UPEACE)
- International Environmental Law (UPEACE)
- Law of Treaties (UNITAR)
- Transitional Justice (UPEACE)
- International Trade and Investment Law and the Settlement of Disputes (UNITAR)
- Cyberlaw and Warfare (UNITAR)
- Maritime and Territorial Dispute Settlement (UPEACE)
- Skills for a Successful International Career (UNITAR)
- Workshop on Negotiation and Mediation Skills (UPEACE)
- Law of International Organizations (UNITAR)
- International Environmental Law (UPEACE)
- International and Transnational Adjudication (UPEACE)
- Final Graduation Project
- Thesis or Internship (UPEACE)
Hybrid M.A. in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes Calendar (2025-2026): click here.
Online Programme Modules
Online Programme Modules
The ONLINE Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes will be implemented entirely online. All subjects will be hosted on UPEACE’s Virtual Learning Environment.
Course List:
- Foundation Course (UPEACE)
- Public International Law (UPEACE)
- United Nations System (UPEACE)
- International Human Rights Law (UPEACE)
- Law Related to Armed Conflict I (Ius ad Bellum) (UPEACE)
- Law Related to Armed Conflict II (Ius in Bello) (UPEACE)
- Law of International Organizations (UNITAR)
- International Criminal Law (UPEACE)
- International Environmental Law (UPEACE)
- Law of Treaties (UNITAR )
- Transitional Justice (UPEACE)
- International Trade and Investment Law and the Settlement of Disputes (UNITAR )
- Cyberlaw and Warfare (UNITAR)
- Maritime and Territorial Dispute Settlement (UPEACE)
- Workshop on Negotiation and Mediation Skills (UPEACE)
- Skills for a Successful International Career (UNITAR)
- International Environmental Law (UPEACE)
- International and Transnational Adjudication (UPEACE)
- Final Graduation Project
- Thesis or Internship (UPEACE)
Online M.A. in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes Calendar (2025-2027): click here.
Field Visits
Field Visits
Students admitted to the programme are offered a unique opportunity to partake in an optional field visit to Geneva, Switzerland, and/or The Hague, Netherlands, immersing themselves in the heart of diplomacy and international law.
The five-day field trip(s) cost USD 1,500 each and include exclusive experiences such as visiting various international organizations, the ICRC museum in Geneva, the ICJ in The Hague, and engaging in networking sessions with diplomats, personnel from permanent missions accredited to the UN, civil servants working in international organizations, and representatives from civil society.
Scheduled for the summer, the confirmed dates for these optional field visits will be shared with interested students by UPEACE and UNITAR well in advance. Students have the flexibility to enrol in either the Geneva or The Hague visit individually, or they can choose to participate in both field trips to maximize their learning experience.
(*) Please note that the fellowship programme does not include travel, accommodation, food, or visa expenses. Please note that students should have a valid health insurance plan in place during their stay in Switzerland and/or The Netherlands.
Admissions
Fees
Costs
The costs for pursuing the Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Dispures can be found below:
Onsite:
The cost for pursuing an ONSITE M.A. in International law and the Settlement of Disputes is USD 19,500*. This includes tuition, administrative fees, and other associated costs. It is important to note that additional expenses, such as textbooks and field visits may not be covered by this figure.
(*) UN staff and Costa Rican nationals can opt for a 50% waiver (tuition balance: 9,750 USD). All other applicants may apply for a 20% waiver (tuition balance: 15,600 USD), which may be granted in limited numbers by mutual decision of UPEACE and UNITAR to ensure equitable gender and regional representation.
Hybrid:
The cost for pursuing a HYBRID M.A. in International law and the Settlement of Disputes is USD 13,000*. This includes tuition, administrative fees, and other associated costs. It is important to note that additional expenses, such as textbooks, accommodation, field visits and living expenses, may not be covered by this figure.
(*) UN staff will be eligible for a 20% waiver (2,600 USD). Therefore, UN staff will pay 10,400 USD. Furthermore, Costa Rican citizens and residents will be eligible for a 30% waiver (3,900 USD). Therefore, Costa Rican nationals and residents will pay 9,100 USD.
Online:
The cost for pursuing an ONLINE M.A. in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes is USD 11,000*. This includes tuition, administrative fees, and other associated costs. It is important to note that additional expenses, such as textbooks and field visits may not be covered by this figure.
(*) UN staff will be eligible for a 20% waiver (2,200 USD). Therefore, UN staff will pay 8,800 USD. Furthermore, Costa Rican nationals and residents will be eligible for a 30% waiver (3,300 USD). Therefore, Costa Rican citizens and residents will pay 7,700 USD.