The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

M.A. International Law and the Settlement of Disputes (in partnership with UPEACE)

The Master of Arts in International Law and the Settlement of Disputes (online, onsite and hybrid formats) offered by UPEACE in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a graduate programme that offers students an understanding of the role that international law and institutions play in the settlement of international and transnational disputes. This specialization examines the role of national and international courts and tribunals in contributing to the settlement of disputes. As international and transnational adjudication has acquired a more prominent role in international relations, it is essential to understand how these global and regional courts are responding to the challenges of the early 21st Century.

Students will examine the role of international law in the settlement of disputes in a wide array of fields such as human rights, armed conflicts, territorial and maritime border issues, environment and climate change, multilateral trade, and investments, amongst others. Students will learn not only the traditional legal processes employed in international and transnational adjudication but also the alternative forms of dispute settlement prevalent in international law. Students will also attend skills development sessions that are designed to support their professional careers and employability.

Certificates

Students can also enroll in any of the individual courses offered by the Online Programmes. Students enrolling in and successfully completing individual courses for credits will obtain a certificate of completion and upon request, an academic transcript. Students enrolling in and successfully completing individual courses without credits will obtain a certificate of completion.

This course is availible in three modalities; online, hybrid and in-person.

Application Deadline:

-The online course (Distance Learning) application deadline is 25th June 2026.

-The hybrid course (Blended) application deadline is 31st May 2026.

-The in-person course application deadline is 31st May 2026.

Course Start Date:

-The online course (Distance Learning) begins 6th July 2026.

-The hybrid course (Blended) begins the 7th September 2026.

-The in-person course begins 7th September2026.

Tuition Fees:

-The online course (Distance Learning)fee is $11,000 USD.

-The hybrid course (Blended) fee is $13,000 USD.

-The in-person course fee is $19,500 USD.

For the hybrid modality: UN staff will be eligible for a 20% waiver. Costa Rican Citizens will be eligible for a 30% waiver. 

For the face-to-face modality: Costa Rica Citizens and UN Staff will be eligible for a 50% waiver. All other applicants may apply for a 20% waiver.

For the online modality: UN staff will be eligible for a 20% waiver. Costa Rican Citizens will be eligible for a 30% waiver. 

Optional Field Trip to Geneva and The Hague

Each year, UNITAR will organize two optional 5-day field trips to Geneva (Switzerland) and The Hague (Netherlands) for the students enrolled in the joint UPEACE - UNITAR Master's Programmes and Certificates.

Students can sign up for one field visit or for both (Geneva and The Hague) if they wish to do so.

During this activity, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the very heart of diplomacy and international law, visit different international organizations and network with other diplomats, personnel of permanent missions accredited to the UN, civil servants of international organizations and civil society representatives. 

The fee of each five-day field trip is USD 1,500. The fee does not include travel, accommodation, food or visa expenses. The optional field visit will take place every Summer.