Masters in International Law of Security, Peace and Sustainable Development

• 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: ILSPSD appli­cation portal
• 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

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.

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.

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

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.

On the Leuphana Career Service website, you will find numerous job offers for student jobs, internships, career entry, or topics for your thesis from companies, research institutions, and non-profit organizations that are specifically aimed at Leuphana students and graduates. In addition, you will find job offers and student jobs within Leuphana University.

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's ILSPSD application portal. Applications are not accepted in any other way.

The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is awarded for full-time enrolment, and will cover the entire duration of the programme (24 months). The scholarship will be a contribution to the costs incurred by the beneficiary students and shall cover travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs. The amount of the scholarship is 1.400,00 € per month. Scholarship recipient are exempt from tuition fees.

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.

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