This one-year, full-time postgraduate programme offers an intensive legal education in international dispute resolution, with a strong concentration on international arbitration. Delivered entirely in English, it is designed for students who want concentrated, practice-oriented training in resolving cross-border disputes. The curriculum responds to the growing role of arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in international trade and investment, equipping graduates with both the theoretical foundations and practical skills needed for work in the global legal market.
The course structure is split across two semesters. In the first semester the emphasis is on international arbitration, including core subjects such as commercial and investment arbitration, together with a course in private international law to ground students in cross-border legal principles. During the second semester attention turns to ADR theory and practice — covering adjudication, mediation and negotiation — and students can deepen their expertise by undertaking focused research.
Students complete the programme by writing a Master’s thesis, allowing them to specialise in a topic of individual interest within dispute resolution and further develop research and writing skills valued by employers and academic institutions.
Key facts / requirements
The LLM runs over two semesters (one academic year) and balances doctrinal study with practical skills training:
Learning outcomes include the ability to analyse complex transnational disputes, apply arbitration and ADR procedures, prepare written and oral advocacy in English, and conduct independent research on contemporary international dispute‑resolution topics.
This program seeks candidates who already have a solid legal background and some practical experience. Ideal applicants hold a law degree and/or are admitted to a jurisdiction’s bar, and bring at least one year of work experience after their first degree. Preference is given to those whose professional background includes dispute resolution, since practical exposure strengthens classroom discussion and research. A very good command of English is required to follow lectures, participate in seminars, and complete written assessments.
When preparing your application, be ready to evidence your legal qualification, postgraduate experience, and English ability. These requirements ensure you can engage with advanced legal topics and contribute meaningfully to an international cohort.
Winter Semester (International)
https://www.rewi.hu-berlin.de/en/sp/angebote/master/idr/how-to-apply
Graduates are prepared for careers in international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, including roles as arbitration counsel in international law firms, in-house counsel for multinational companies, practitioners at arbitration institutions, and case managers or advocates in investor–state and commercial disputes. The programme’s blend of substantive arbitration law, private international law and practical ADR skills (mediation, negotiation, adjudication) equips alumni to operate in cross-border dispute contexts and on transnational teams.
Additional career paths include positions in government and regulatory bodies dealing with international trade and investment, NGOs focused on cross-border legal issues, and opportunities in academia or policy work related to dispute resolution. The international orientation, guest lecturers and Berlin location support networking with practitioners and institutions active in the global arbitration community.
University of Mannheim — Mannheim
University of Hamburg — Hamburg
Goethe University Frankfurt — Frankfurt am Main
Dresden University of Technology — Dresden