Program Overview

Table of contents

The MIDS Timeline
A Week at the MIDS
Curriculum Structure
Curriculum Elements at a Glance

The MIDS program is uniquely innovative, offering a distinct approach that may initially seem complex. Let us guide you through its features and structure.

"I applied to the MIDS hoping it would help me start a career in international dispute settlement. The reality far exceeded my expectations; it changed my life. I recommend it without reservation."

Ndanga Kamau, MIDS'10Vice President, ICC International Court of Arbitration

The MIDS curriculum in numbers

5Core Courses
4Core Workshops
20+ Elective Courses to choose from
10+ Intensive Courses to Choose From
2Research Papers
1LL.M. Thesis
1Academic Retreat including a moot court exercise
3Compact Workshops
2International Study Visits to Paris and The Hague
2Conferences in Switzerland and abroad

The MIDS Timeline

Timeline of the MIDS Program (approximate)

Mid-September

Welcome Day (Program Start)

September to December

Autumn Semester Courses

Some courses may have exams that take place during the semester.

Mid-December to early February

Autumn Semester Course Exams and Deadlines

In-person activities at the MIDS are suspended for approximately two weeks from late December to early January, coinciding with the closure of the MIDS Office (following the Geneva Graduate Institute's staff schedule).

Early February to late May

Spring Semester Courses

Some courses may have exams that take place during the semester.

The MIDS does not observe a week-long Easter break.

Late May to mid-June

Spring Semester Course Exams and Deadlines

Mid-June to early August

Intensive LL.M. Thesis Period

Early August to mid-September

Thesis Submission and Feedback Period

Late September

Graduation Ceremony

ALTERNATIVE TIMELINE: mid-June to the following September

Completing an Internship for Credit

Students may have the opportunity to enhance their education with an internship experience, which is counted towards their graduation requirements. The total internship experience may be between three and twelve months, occurring between the end of exams in mid-June to the end of September the following year.

A Week at the MIDS

The MIDS is an intensive program in every sense. An average week includes about 20 hours of in-person courses, each of which requires thorough preparation—typically two to three hours per hour of class time.

Our teaching approach prioritizes active engagement in the classroom, where students are expected to share opinions, discuss peer perspectives, and respond to required readings.

In the autumn semester, the two core courses follow a regular weekly schedule, while the remaining components (spring core courses, workshops, tutorials, lectures, seminars, study trips, conferences, etc.) vary in timing.

The MIDS schedule is designed with flexibility to accommodate the availability of in-demand faculty and to integrate exciting new opportunities at short notice. No two weeks look alike.

The program demands total commitment, rewarding students with a transformative experience where hard work truly pays off.

Curriculum Structure

The MIDS program offers a comprehensive and extensive curriculum. To help you navigate the program, we organize it into three categories: Core Curriculum, Modular Curriculum, and Enrichment Curriculum.

Core Curriculum
The core curriculum provides a foundation of essential knowledge and skills that all students must acquire, ensuring a consistent learning experience across the cohort.
The core curriculum includes:
- 5 Core Courses and their tutorials
- 4 Core Workshops
Modular Curriculum
The modular curriculum allows students to tailor their learning experience, fostering a personalized academic journey and deepening their expertise in areas that matter most to them.
The Modular Curriculum includes:
- 8 Intensive Courses (minimum requirement)
- 2 Elective Courses (minimum requirement)
- the LL.M. Thesis
Some students may also participate in an Internship Experience for credit.
Enrichment Curriculum
The enrichment curriculum offers a diverse range of additional activities meant to broaden students' perspectives, experiences, and skills, complementing their core and modular studies.
The enrichment curriculum includes:
- An academic retreat featuring a mini-moot court
- Compact workshops
- Institutional visits
- Conferences
- Lectures and seminars
Career Services
Finally, the career services offered to students throughout the year are considered an integral part of the MIDS program.
The career services offer a range of activities including:
- Workshops
- Individual counseling
- Networking opportunities

Curriculum Elements at a Glance

What makes up the MIDS curriculum?

Core Curriculum

The core curriculum provides a foundation of essential knowledge and skills that all students must acquire, ensuring a consistent learning experience across the cohort.

Modular Curriculum

The modular curriculum allows students to tailor their learning experience, fostering a personalized academic journey and deepening their expertise in areas that matter most to them. Students select courses that align with their interests, write a thesis on a subject of their choice, and have the option to pursue an internship experience for academic credit.

Enrichment Curriculum

The enrichment curriculum offers a diverse range of supplemental activities designed to broaden students' perspectives and enhance their overall learning experience. This includes a mini-moot court, short workshops, institutional visits, conferences, seminars, and lectures.

Core Courses

Five compulsory courses across both semesters that provide a comprehensive overview of international dispute settlement.

Tutorials

Small group sessions led by MIDS lecturers to revisit and further explore the content of the Core Courses.

Core Workshops

Clinical workshops designed to advance skills required in international dispute settlement practice.

Research Papers

Students actively participate in discussions and present two research papers throughout the autumn semester, engaging with both course content and their classmates' work.

Intensive Courses

Intensive courses, organized by the MIDS and taught by distinguished faculty and professionals, offer in-depth exploration of various topics in international dispute settlement, focusing on specialized mechanisms or specific issues. They typically consist of nine hours of class over two or three days.

Elective Courses

Semester-long weekly courses offered by the University of Geneva or the Geneva Graduate Institute that allow for a deeper engagement in dispute settlement-related areas or exploration of adjacent fields.

LL.M. Thesis

Compulsory scholarly paper addressing topics related to international dispute settlement chosen by students, written under the guidance of a faculty member.

Internship Experience

The MIDS program offers students the opportunity to enhance their education with an internship experience, which is counted towards their graduation requirements. Internships may take place at a law firm or institution specializing in international dispute settlement.

Academic Retreat

Two-day event focused on a moot court exercise in international arbitration.

Compact Workshops

Focused, short-format sessions taking place over a few hours, offering valuable learning and skill development. Topics include career services, academic research and writing, and thesis development.

Institutional Visits

Visits to international dispute settlement institutions in Switzerland or abroad (Paris, The Hague).

Conferences

External conferences in Switzerland or abroad organized by professional associations or other institutions; MIDS students attend one or two conferences of their choice, in Switzerland or abroad.

Public lectures

Public events featuring distinguished academics and practitioners to discuss current dispute resolution issues and developments.

Seminars

Closed-door lectures given to MIDS students by prominent guest speakers.