Masters in International Law of Security, Peace and Sustainable Development

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme

Tackle global challenges at the intersection of inter­national law and inter­national rela­tions, with a focus on secu­rity, peace and sustain­ability with the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Inter­national Law of Security, Peace and Sustain­able Develop­ment (ILSPSD). This multi­disci­plinary two-year programme unites six European Higher Education Institutions and associate 30 partners world­wide to train future lawyers and policy-makers.

Through study and mobility across several countries, students gain a deep under­standing of inter­national law, politics, and sustain­ability. Combining theory with practical experience, the ILSPSD prepares graduates for careers and leadership in inter­national organisations, govern­ments, NGOs, and beyond.

For detailed information, please visit the ILSPSD Consortium website.
 

©Leuphana
©Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals
©University of Glasgow
©Université libre de Bruxelles
©Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
©University of Tartu

At a Glance

  • Degrees awarded: Joint, double or multiple degrees depending on the partner institution you choose for Semester 3. For a detailed overview of degree combinations, see website of the Consor­tium
  • Highlights: Multi­disciplinary programme at the fore­front of inter­national law, secu­rity, peace, and sustain­ability; study across leading European uni­versities with extensive mobility oppor­tunities; compre­hensive multi­degree com­bining inte­rnational law, sustain­ability, peace, security, and human rights; enriched by summer schools, guest lectures, legal clinics, intern­ships, and prac­titio­ner engage­ment; prepares future leaders for complex global challenges in law and inter­national affairs
  • Is aimed at: Graduates of law or other disci­plines (e.g. European Studies, Inter­national Relations, War Studies, Political Science) as long as they aquired enough ECTS from the area of law
  • Application deadline: see website of the Consortium
  • Application via: Website of the Consortium
  • Start date: October 2026
  • Extent: 120 ECTS
  • Duration: 4 semesters
  • Language: English
  • Location: Lüneburg (semester 1), Barcelona (semester 2) and Glasgow, Brussels, Lisbon or Tartu, depending on your choice (semester 3 and 4)
  • Tuition fees: Please note that there are tuition fees for this programme. For further information please visit the website of the Consor­tium
©European Union

International Law of Security, Peace & Sustainable Development - The Programme

  • Content
  • Structure
  • Specifics

International Law of Security, Peace & Sustainable Development - The Programme

Content

This programme stands at the fore­front of innovative legal edu­cation with its multi­discipli­nary and compre­hensive approach to the inter­national law of security, peace, and sustain­able develop­ment. As part of an integrated, team-delivered curriculum, students study at leading European uni­versities and benefit from extensive mobility oppor­tunities. The degree unites all major inter­national legal regimes relevant to security, peace and sustain­ability, offering specialisations in human rights, international security, law and conflict, and law in globalized contexts.

Through summer schools, guest lectures, legal clinics, intern­ships, and practitioner engage­ment, students gain both aca­demic depth and practical experience. Designed for an increa­singly complex and inter­connected world, the pro­gramme equips graduates with the expertise and leader­ship skills needed to excel in inter­national law and global affairs.

For detailed information, please visit the ILSPSD Consortium website.

Structure

All students of the ILSPSD spend Semester 1 at Leuphana Uni­versity of Lüne­burg (to pursue either an LL.M. or M.A. degree in Inter­national Law of Security, Peace & Sustain­able Develop­ment) and Semester 2 at Institut Barce­lona d'Estudis Inter­nacionals (to study Theo­ries of Inter­national Secu­rity).

Semester 3: Students select one of the semester 3 partners, which offer these study tracks:

  • University of Glasgow International Law & International Security
  • Université libre de Bruxelles: Security & Conflict
  • Universidade NOVA de Lisboa: Globalization, Law & Security
  • University of Tartu: International Law & Human Rights

Semester 4: Students remain at their respective semester 3 location to write their dissertation. Supervisor allocation will be based on staff subject background and research interests.

For detailed information on the structure of the programme, study tracks and modules, please visit the ILSPSD Consortium website.

Specifics

Dates of Studies

SemesterInstitutionTime Period (Subject  to Change)Activity
1Leuphana University of LüneburgSeptemberILSPSD & International Orientation Week
  October - JanuaryCourses
2Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI)FebruaryOrientation Week
  February - JuneCourses
  Mid-June - early SeptemberSummer Break / Summer School
3Chosen Partner UniversitySeptemberOrientation Week
  September - DecemberCourses
4Chosen Partner UniversityJanuary - AugustResearch Period for Master's Thesis
©Leuphana/Jannis Muser
The Master's programme International Law of Security, Peace and Sustainable Development is an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master of Leuphana and five other European partners.

Study Regulations and Subject-Specific Schedule

The following link provides access to documents which set out the general conditions for examinations, an overview of the curriculum, as well as detailed and legally binding regulations.

General Assessment Regulations and the Subject-Specific Schedules

Programme Directors

Leuphana University of Lüneburg

Director

  • Prof. Dr. Valentin Schatz

Co Director

  • Prof. Dr. Jelena Bäumler

Institut Barcelona d'Estudis Internacionals (IBEI)

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Robert Kissack

Université libre de Bruxelles

Prof. Dr. Vaios Koutroulis

University of Tartu

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katre Luhamaa

University of Glasgow

Dr. Asli Ozcelik Olcay

 

Universidade NOVA de Lisboa

Dr. Laura Íñigo Álvarez
Dr Felipe Pathé Duarte

Career Prospects

This Master’s programme serves as a launchpad for a career in law, policy, and international relations. Students gain multidisciplinary expertise, transferable skills, and valuable professional experience through internships and work placements. Graduates are well prepared for roles in international organisations such as the United Nations, government ministries, and policy institutions at both global and national levels. The programme also provides a strong foundation for pursuing doctoral research and an academic career.

Admission Requirements and Application

In order to enrol in the ILSPSD, applicants need to have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (a minimum of 180 ECTS – within the European Higher Education Area – or its equivalent) from a fully accredited institution of higher education (within or outside the EHEA), provided that this undergraduate degree grants access to master’s level studies in the country in which the undergraduate degree diploma was issued. Applicants must have successfully completed 60 ECTS in relevant subjects, of which at least 30 ECTS must have been acquired in law. Beyond that, different requirements apply, depending on the study track the applicant wants to pursue. 

All applicants must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English, with the exception of native speakers and graduates of an undergraduate degree from a Institution in an English-speaking country.

You can apply as an Erasmus Mundus scholarship-funded student or as a self-funded student. There are separate application procedures for scholarship and self-funded students.

All applications for the ILSPSD programme and Erasmus Mundus scholarships must be submitted online to Leuphana. Applications are not accepted in any other way.

For detailed information on entry require­ments, application and admission procedures and fees for the Masters in Inter­national Law of Security, Peace and Sustain­able Develop­ment, please visit the ILSPSD Consortium website.

International Students

This study programme matches your interests? Then you will find further infor­mation for prospec­tive inter­national students on resi­dence and social matters, such as visa, resi­dence permit, health in­surance or finding accommo­dation, on the following pages.

Please note that the infor­mation for in­coming ex­change students and inter­national degree-seeking students differs slightly.

Information for in­coming ex­change students

Information for inter­national degree-seeking students

Contact and Counselling

First contact point

The Information Office (Infoportal) is your contact point for

Information Office

Building 8, Ground Level
Fon +49.4131.677-2277
studierendenservice@leuphana.de

Campus opening hours
Mon - Thu 9.00 am - 4:00 pm
Fr 9.00 am - 12 noon

Student Counselling

To make an appointment with our Student Counselling Service, please use our booking tool on our website.