The ever increasing importance and complexity of public international law is reflected in an increasing demand for professionals specializing in this area of law. The Public International Law track of the Master's International and European Law prepares you for a wide range of career paths.
Our graduates can for example be found in:
- International organizations
- International courts and tribunals
- National public service, including the diplomatic service
- Law firms (e.g. international criminal law; international trade and investment law; human rights advocacy)
- National judiciary
- NGOs
- Academic or legal research
Amsterdam Law School offers students information, workshops and individual vocational counseling through its Career Services Programme.
Meet our graduates
Joshua Jackson, Project ManagerAction4Justice, London
‘I joined UvA to further my ambition of working in the field of human rights and environmental law. My time at UvA was and will continue to be a key step in helping me realise this ambition.'
Birte Böök, Postdoctoral Researcher, Utrecht University
‘I am now working as a legal consultant in Brussels, where I am directly involved in providing legal and policy advice to the EU institutions.’
Morillio Williams, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Simavi
‘I grew up in Suriname and was a peer educator at the age of 12, connected to a NGO that worked on ensuring Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.’
Joaquim Roodheuvel, Associate, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, Amsterdam
‘Even with a background in public international law, it is possible to work at a corporate law firm. I regularly put into practice what I learned.’
Ellen Gorris, Policy officer for Gender and Age at the European Commission, Brussels
‘I started as a trainee at the Directorate-General for Justice and Gender Equality. I became an assistant policy officer on the rights of the child after completing the traineeship. In 2017, I moved to my current position.’
Ruben Brouwer, Human Rights Officer, Women's Rights and Gender Section of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva
‘During my degree I gained invaluable experience with the Netherlands Permanent Mission to the UN and Human Rights Watch in New York.’
Joëlle Trampert, PhD Candidate, University of Amsterdam
‘I became deeply interested in state responsibility and human rights law during my Master’s. The Amsterdam Law School offers an ideal Master’s in this field, as students can tailor the programme to meet their individual interests and needs.’
Robin de Ruiter, Legal officer International Law Division, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
‘At the International Law Division, we deal with the practice of almost all fields of international law, for instance human rights law, trade and investment law, treaty law, and the law of the sea.’