Switzerland: The Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law

The programme of the Master in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law is structured around the following components.

Mandatory Courses

Mandatory courses are structured in five modules that cover central theoretical and practical issues in the fields of transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law.

Clinical Work

Clinical work is an essential part of the programme. It exposes students to contemporary transitional justice issues and provides them with the necessary skills to work in the field.

A One-Week Spring School

The Transitional Justice Spring School, a special one-week course, discusses cutting-edge issues in transitional justice. It is held in Spring Semester and is also open to external participants.

The Writing of a Master’s Paper

The master’s paper gives students an opportunity to investigate a subject of special interest to them, deepening their knowledge and expertise through research as well as exchanges with experts, scholars and practitioners.

Four Tracks in the Spring Semester

During the Spring Semester, students can choose between the following tracks:

Optional Courses

Optional courses address topical issues like the rule of law in practice, peacebuilding in post-conflict and fragile situations or the case law and practice of international criminal law.

Research Internships

Research internships with leading actors and agencies in the field of transitional justice allow our students to acquire first-hand professional experience via

Moot Court

The Nuremberg Moot Court, organized by the International Nuremberg Principles Academy and held in Courtroom 600 of the Nuremberg Palace of Justice, allows our students to plead on issues related to international criminal justice.

Extended Master’s Paper

Our students can work on an extended version of their master’s paper and be directly involved in academic activities such as seminars and workshops.

Transitional Justice Cafés

This unique series of events allow our students to get exposure to practical situations, to have in-depth discussions with leading experts and practitioners in the field of transitional justice and to develop their networks.

Study Trip

In the second semester students have the opportunity to go on a study trip to learn about leading institutions and organizations active in the field of transitional justice.

A straightforward Online Application

You can apply for the Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law (MTJ) via a straightforward, online form. If you encounter problems with your application, do not hesitate to contact us.

Please read the information in this section carefully before starting an application, as it will help ensure a quick and smooth application process.

Two Application Tracks

There are two tracks through which you can apply:

• Without scholarship
• With scholarship (partial or full: see further information on scholarships)

Please note that you must choose one track or the other. If you apply through both, your application will be considered under the non-scholarship track. Successful applicants who applied without requesting a scholarship cannot subsequently be considered for a scholarship.

Four Simple Steps

The online application is divided into the following four steps:

1. Decide whether apply (1) without scholarship, (2) with full scholarship or (3) with partial scholarship
2. Complete the application form
3. Attach the required documents
4. Submit your application

Retrieving your Information

If you do not complete your application form in one go you have the following two options:

1. A cookie will allow you to retrieve all the information you have provided, only if (1) you work from the same computer; (2) you haven’t refused the use of cookies when accessing the Geneva Academy website for the first time; (3) you haven’t refused cookies by adjusting the settings of your web browser.
2. You can copy and paste or bookmark the URL found at the bottom of the online application form. When you paste this URL into your web browser you will retrieve all the information you have entered on the form, even if you are working from a different computer.

Confidentiality

The information you provide in the application form will be treated in the strictest confidence and will only be used by the Admissions Committee and scholarship donors.

Required Documents

All the documents required are specified in the online application form and have to be attached to your online application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please do not send original documents, as all submitted materials become the property of the Geneva Academy upon receipt. Documents cannot be returned to the applicant nor forwarded to other schools or agencies.

You will need to bring your original diplomas and transcripts to Geneva if you submit non-certified copies with your application.

The documents you have to provide with your application are:

• Your curriculum vitae
• A personal statement explaining your interest in the programme (1–3 pages)
• Two letters of recommendation– no specific format is required
• Certified copiesof relevant degrees and diplomas (with an officially certified translation when not in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish) – if copies are not certified, you will need to present the original documents upon your arrival in Geneva
• Certified copies of official records of university examinations taken and grades obtained (with an officially certified translation when not in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish) – if copies are not certified, you will need to present the original documents upon your arrival in Geneva
• If you are currently enrolled in a university programme, an attestation by the relevant university of your current enrollment with an official record of the latest university examinations taken and grades obtained
• Language tests– TOEF IELTS, DALF – or verification of language skills (the Geneva Academy does not have an attributed code; please do not use the University of Geneva code, nor the Graduate Institute code)
• A copy of your passport

If you apply for a scholarship (partial or full), you will also have to provide the following documents:

• Proof of your current income (e.g. salary statement, bank statement, tax declaration, employer’s letter) – if such proof is not available, please explain why
• Proof of your family’s financial situation (e.g. salary statement, bank statement) – if such proof is not available, please explain why
• Proof, if applicable, of any financial support you currently receive (e.g. letter from parents, sponsors, scholarship donor)