UNICRI United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Global Criminal Justice and Accountability
Turin, Italy
LLM
DURATION
8 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Nov 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 14,000 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
Blended
Key Summary
About: The LL.M. in Global Criminal Justice and Accountability at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) replaces the former LL.M. in Transnational Crime and Justice. It equips students with knowledge on investigating and adjudicating international crimes and human rights violations, the workings of international, special and hybrid tribunals, rule of law and transitional justice, and UN and national responses to organized crime, corruption, trafficking, environmental crime, terrorism and cybercrime through lectures, seminars and practical exercises.
Career Outcomes: Graduates may work in international courts, UN and intergovernmental organizations, national justice systems, law enforcement, NGOs, policy, or academia.
The programme was formerly known as the LL.M. in Transnational Crime and Justice. The shift to Global Criminal Justice and Accountability reflects a broader and more contemporary vision of the challenges shaping today’s justice landscape. It highlights our commitment to preparing professionals who can confront atrocity crimes, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and engage with the complex global systems that govern human rights and security. The updated name captures the programme’s expanded focus and its mission to equip future leaders with the tools to drive meaningful justice outcomes worldwide.
Depending on each student’s background and interest, the programme is functional for careers in the legal and political sectors both at a national and international level as well in further academic studies.
Through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical exercises selected students will acquire:
- In-depth knowledge on the theoretical and practical aspects related to the investigation and adjudication of international crimes and human rights violations.
- Overall comprehension of the functioning of international criminal tribunals, special and hybrid courts and their legacy to national courts.
- Familiarity with the principle of rule of law and thorough understanding of the interdisciplinary processes and mechanisms related to transitional justice and justice reform in post-conflict situations and countries in transitions.
- Unique insights into the policies and tools of the United Nations, other international organizations as well as national bodies for the prevention, investigation, control and punishment of transnational organized crime and transnational crimes, including corruption, trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, environmental crimes, terrorism, and cybercrime.
The academic curriculum of the Master programme is divided into two phases:
- Distance-learning Phase: 16 November 2026 – 8 January 2027;
- Residential Phase: 27 January 2027 – 25 June 2027.
The Graduation Project, at the end of the residential phase, will consist of a Moot Court simulating proceedings before a Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC). that will help students to refine their skills in written and oral courtroom advocacy on selected matters of substantive international criminal law.
The Graduation Ceremony will take place on 9 July 2027.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be awarded an LL.M. degree officially issued by UPEACE.
The residential phase of the programme is held in the unparalleled setting of the United Nations Campus in Turin, Italy. The Campus is located on 10 hectares of riverside parkland and hosts other national and international organizations such as the ITC-ILO and UNSSC. Under regular circumstances, it annually runs more than 450 programmes and projects involving approximately 11,000 people from over 180 countries, also offering to its guests leisure, dining, and sports facilities.
Through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical exercises selected students will acquire:
- In-depth knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects related to the investigation and adjudication of international crimes and human rights violations;
- Overall comprehension of the functioning of international criminal tribunals, special and hybrid courts, and their legacy to national courts;
- Familiarity with the principle of rule of law and a thorough understanding of the interdisciplinary processes and mechanisms related to transitional justice and justice reform in post-conflict situations and countries in transitions;
- Unique insights into the policies and tools of the United Nations, other international organizations as well as national bodies for the prevention, investigation, control, and punishment of transnational organized crime and transnational crimes, including corruption, trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, environmental crimes, terrorism, and cybercrime.
A limited number of fee exemptions may be available. Please indicate and motivate your request of fee exemption in the application form. Candidates will be informed in the course of the selection process about the availability of such exemptions, which will be awarded only at the end of the selection process.