Admissions & Costs

The MIDS is a world-leading LL.M. program jointly offered by the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute. It focuses on international arbitration, investment disputes, public international law, and commercial litigation, and is based in Geneva - a global hub for diplomacy and international law.

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The MIDS program is consistently ranked among the top Master's programs in dispute settlement, offering:

• A curriculum tailored to investment arbitration, commercial arbitration, and public international law
• Faculty drawn from leading institutions including Queen Mary, Sciences Po, and Geneva's Graduate Institute
• A global alumni network active in law firms, arbitral institutions, and academia

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The MIDS offers a unique blend of academic rigor, practical training, and global exposure. Students learn from top faculty like Professor Zachary Douglas KC, Professor Laurence Boisson de Chazournes, and Professor Alexander Fessas, and benefit from proximity to institutions such as the WTO, UN, WIPO, and CAS.

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The MIDS stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, integration with Geneva's legal institutions, and its faculty composed of globally recognized practitioners and scholars. It offers both public and private international law perspectives, making it uniquely comprehensive.

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The MIDS is a strategic investment in your legal career. With competitive tuition, scholarships, and career services from day one, students gain access to elite legal placements and a global alumni network. 80% of students secure a position before graduation. Geneva offers unmatched access to international legal institutions and a vibrant legal ecosystem. Students engage directly with global practitioners and institutions throughout their academic year.

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MIDS graduates work at top law firms (Freshfields, Cleary Gottlieb, Lalive), arbitral institutions (SIAC, HKIAC, DIS), international courts (ICJ, ECtHR), and organizations like the WTO, ICSID, ICC, and the World Bank. Many also serve in government and academia worldwide.

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The MIDS provides personalized career services including CV and cover letter coaching, mock interviews, networking workshops, and access to a mentorship program with experienced alumni. Students also benefit from exclusive panels and recruitment events.

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Yes. The MIDS offers a limited number of scholarships - approx. 10 partial or total tuition fee waivers and / or partial or total living expense scholarships - to ensure accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds, considering both financial need and academic merit.

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The MIDS welcomes candidates from all jurisdictions who demonstrate academic excellence, professional experience, and a commitment to international justice. MIDS students come from over 40 countries and include recent law graduates, junior associates, government lawyers, and professionals transitioning into international dispute settlement. The cohort is intentionally small to foster close academic and professional interaction.

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All courses, tutorials, and materials are delivered in English. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of English proficiency, typically through TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent credentials.

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No. While many applicants have prior exposure to dispute settlement, the MIDS welcomes candidates from diverse legal backgrounds who demonstrate strong academic potential and motivation to enter the field.

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 The MIDS is a one-year, full-time LL.M. program that runs from September to July. It includes core courses, electives, workshops, moot courts, and a supervised research paper.

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Unfortunately no. To be considered for the program, applicants must have received, or expect to receive by the end of December 2025, a first complete law degree (such as a Bologna Master's degree, a J.D. or an LL.B.) or another academic qualification deemed equivalent by the MIDS Admissions Committee.

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Due to the program's intensity and full-time schedule, students are generally not advised to work during the academic year. However, some part-time research or internships may be possible depending on visa status and workload. In addition, kindly note that certain nationalities are not authorised to work in Switzerland with a student visa.

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The MIDS provides guidance and documentation to help admitted students obtain Swiss student visas. The admissions team supports applicants throughout the process.

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While the MIDS does not offer on-campus housing, admitted students receive support in finding accommodation in Geneva, including access to university housing platforms and local resources.

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