International Operational Law – one-year Master’s Programme

This programme is suitable for those wanting to immerse themselves in the specific field of international law that regulates the actions of armed forces and other actors in armed conflict and crises. Among other things, you will study the law of armed conflict, human rights and the legal frameworks for peace operations.

The programme is an international, practice-informed Master’s programme for those who hold a law degree or bachelor’s degree in law specialising in International Law, or an equivalent Swedish or foreign degree. The programme leads to the Degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.), (60 credits) in International Operational Law. All courses are given in English.

About the programme

The Master’s programme in International Operational Law gives you as a student a highly specialised, practice-informed education in the international law that governs armed conflict and other crises.

The programme focuses on studying the legal room for manoeuvre for states and other actors in the areas of crisis management, defence and security. The programme covers the entire spectrum from peace to crisis and armed conflict from an international legal perspective.

You will have the opportunity to study, for example:

• The right of states to use force against other states or against non-state actors.
• The rules of international law applicable to non-state actors in armed conflicts.
• How violations of international law, such as war crimes, are regulated and enforced by domestic and international courts.
• How cyber operations and hybrid warfare are regulated.
• Which laws govern the way countries deal with, and can support each other in the event of major crises and natural disasters such as storms, earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
• How human rights can be affected in the event of crisis or armed conflict through limitations and state of emergency regimes.

The programme is practice-informed and contains a high degree of application elements, such as different types of exercises and gaming, as well as Socratic course components in order to create an educational environment that is characterised by a high degree of active participation in the programme. Courses are taught in a combination of physical in-class teaching and distance-learning.

Your teachers will be internationally acknowledged and highly specialised academics and practitioners who link the programme to both current international research and experience drawn from work in international organisations, the armed forces and in international contexts. The teaching staff and the student group are also characterised by a high degree of internationalisation with links to relevant national and international government agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations. All in all, this creates a dynamic, stimulating educational environment in which students and teachers work closely together.

Outline of the programme

The programme starts with five mandatory courses during the first term, which lay the foundations for the subject of international operational law. This also includes a course on Selected Aspects of Operational Law, in which a topical subject will be studied under the guidance of a visiting professor who conducts research in that specific area.

During the second term you will choose two courses, each comprising 7.5 credits, which provide an opportunity for further specialisation, practical application or a broadening towards any of the Swedish Defence University’s other subjects, such as leadership, defence systems or political science. The term and the programme are then completed with the writing of a master thesis. The thesis course comprises 15 credits.

The teaching of all mandatory courses and the elective courses mentioned below are offered in English.

Selection

Applicants should attach a CV (no more than 2 pages written in English), a motivation letter (no more than 1 page, in English), 2 reference letters (one academic reference and one professional). If no work-related reference letter can be issued, two academic reference letters are acceptable. All official academic transcripts and necessary official translations to English or Swedish (this applies to applicants with documents in other languages than English, Swedish, Norwegian or Danish), must be uploaded to your University Admisisons account under Documents or showing under Merits in the same portal. All documents must be uploaded by February 1, 2023.

About the Swedish Defence University

The Swedish Defence University (SEDU) contributes to national and international security through research and education. We are a highly specialized university focusing on defense, crisis management and security.

Founded as an institution for higher military education within the Swedish Armed Forces, the SEDU today is an independent higher education institution that offers education at all academic levels - bachelor, master, and doctoral.- for civilian students as well as military officers.

A unique academic environment

The Swedish Defence University aims to be an instrument for change in the fields of Defence and Security Policy. Through the development of new knowledge and by offering education and training, we make an active contribution to shape the future of defense.

The Swedish Defence University is Sweden's leading resource in, and the first choice for, education, training, and research in the management of crisis, war, and periods of tension in the leadership of both civil and military agencies. We are an accredited institution for academic education for military and civilian students and researchers where different experiences, approaches, and traditions come together.

Our international master programmes

• Defence and Security Systems Development, two-year Master's Programme
• International Operational Law, one-year Master's Programme
• Politics, Security and War, two-year Master's Programme

Our research

Research at the Swedish Defence University concentrates on specially selected subject areas.

• International and Operational Law
• Leadership and Command and Control
• Military History
• Political Science
• Systems Science for Defence and Security
• War Studies

All research projects are closely linked to the education and training at the university and look into areas which are not the subject of research at other colleges, universities and research institutions in Sweden.