Program Overview

International Crimes, Conflict and Criminology Programme

The International Crimes, Conflict and Criminology programme is a one-year, full-time programme taught entirely in English. This programme aims to analyse why people commit crimes in times of conflict, how to measure and research these crimes, and how governments and international organisations can respond to such crimes.

Curriculum

The programme consists of three compulsory core courses in the first semester, and a choice of several elective courses in the second semester. Students will conclude the programme with an interdisciplinary Master’s thesis focused on conflict-related crimes.

• Overview of the curriculum
• Curriculum details
• Future prospects
• Admissions criteria

Courses

Some examples of courses on offer include:

• Atrocity Actors: Perpetrators, Bystanders and Victims – This course explores the people involved in atrocities, why perpetrators commit crimes, and the consequences for victims.
• International Criminal Courts and Tribunals – This course provides an in-depth look at the International Criminal Tribunals for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, as well as other international tribunals.
• Corporations, Conflict and Crimes – This course examines why businesses are involved in gross human rights violations and international crimes, using insights from history, social psychology, organisational sciences, business ethics, and political science.

Subjects

The programme covers a range of subjects, including:

• Master's Thesis International Crimes, Conflict and Criminology
• Conflict and Crimes
• International Criminal Courts and Tribunals
• Research Methodology on Conflict and International Crimes
• Expert Seminars
• Restricted electives:
  • Atrocity Actors: Perpetrators, Bystanders and Victims
  • Corporations, Conflict and Crimes
  • Terrorism and Security
  • Transnational Organized Crime and Conflict

Internships

The programme regularly recruits interns to help with academic research in CICJ projects. Interns assist in gathering data, analysing information, and may have the opportunity to publish in academic journals. Many professional contacts in the field are available, and past students have interned at institutions such as:

• International Criminal Court
• International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia
• International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
• United Nations
• Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Human Rights Watch
• Amnesty International
• Team International Crimes, Netherlands Police
• Royal Marechaussee
• Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement
• Netherlands Institute of International Relations, “Clingendael”

Research Track Law

The Research Track Law is a selective programme aimed at motivated and talented master's students who want to further develop their analytical research skills. This programme helps students decide whether to pursue a career in the academic world and improves their opportunities on the labour market outside academia.

Summer School on International Criminal Justice

The Summer School on International Criminal Justice is a two-week programme that covers many of the questions addressed in the Master’s programme. Fields of interest include criminology, law, psychology, social sciences, and conflict studies.

Career Prospects

After graduating from the International Crimes, Conflict and Criminology Master’s programme, students can take on analyst positions for national and international public-interest organisations working in law enforcement, immigration, refugee matters, or foreign policy. Alumni have also found work as analysts for private companies, consultants, and in research positions at universities, research centres, and think tanks. Many alumni combine their expertise from this Master’s programme with their Bachelor’s degree to find work in fields such as communications, journalism, or international justice.