Program Overview

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Introduction to the Advanced Course in Law of Armed Conflict

The Advanced Course in Law of Armed Conflict is an English-language master's course that covers the central principles of the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC). The course is offered every fall and can be taken as a standalone course or as part of the Experience-Based Master's in Operational Management and Exercise of Authority.

Facts about the Study

• Course code: JUR661
• English-language master's course
• 10 study points
• Part-time over one semester (fall)
• Teaching is digital/on-campus
• Tuition fee: NOK 24,300
• Semester fee: NOK 650
• Admission for fall 2025 is now closed

Introduction

The course JUR661 is an English-language, legal course that covers the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), with a special focus on maritime operations. This is a standalone further education course that can be taken separately or as one of several courses in the Experience-Based Master's in Operational Management and Exercise of Authority.

Content of the Study

The Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) applies between parties to an armed conflict, whether it is an international armed conflict or a non-international armed conflict (sometimes called an internal armed conflict). The subject of LOAC is therefore not when or whether parties to a conflict have the right to resort to armed force, but the rules that apply between them when they do.

The Law of Armed Conflict is built around four principles: (i) Distinction between military and civilian targets, (ii) Proportionality, (iii) Military necessity, and (iv) Limitations. The course will focus in-depth on these fundamental principles. Furthermore, we will look at the interaction between LOAC and general human rights obligations. We will also discuss the ethical implications for professionals working within LOAC.

Key topics:

• The method and sources of international law, with particular emphasis on questions and differences that arise in LOAC
• The application of human rights law in situations that are also covered by LOAC
• The rules on protected persons and objects
• The four core principles of LOAC and their application in maritime operations
• The significance and importance of status as combatants, non-combatants, and civilians
• The limitations that LOAC imposes on means and methods of armed conflict, particularly as they apply to operations conducted at or from sea
• The legal status, rights, and obligations of neutrals
• Special issues that arise in maritime operations covered by LOAC, such as questions of blockade and the establishment of security/exclusion zones

How is the Study Organized?

The course is part-time, with a combination of physical teaching on the UiB campus and digital teaching via the UiB digital learning platform Mitt UiB.

Physical lectures are not mandatory, but we recommend that you participate in these if possible. However, the lectures will be recorded, so you can watch them later if you are unable to attend the on-campus teaching.

Teaching

Digital teaching consists of various modules where we will discuss the theoretical basis for the course, among other things.

During the course, you will contribute to a mandatory group assignment, which will be assessed as pass/fail.

Dates and times for physical lectures on the UiB campus in fall 2025 will be determined during the spring. You will then find an overview of the teaching schedule here.

Examination

The course concludes with an oral examination. Two days before the examination, you will be given access to a case description. You must take this as a starting point and prepare legal advice for a commander. The examination itself lasts approximately 25 minutes, and you must present your legal advice and answer questions about it. You may also be asked about other topics that have been covered during the course.

You can choose to take the oral examination in either Norwegian or English.

Admission Requirements and Documentation Requirements

Admission requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree, cand.mag. degree, or other equivalent degree or basic education with a scope of at least three years/180 study points.
2. Minimum two years of relevant work experience from operational activities in various organizations and/or public authorities that exercise authority.

You must be able to document that you meet both the education requirement and the requirement for relevant experience at the same time as you register your application. In particular, long and relevant work experience beyond the minimum requirement of two years may, after individual assessment, replace up to one year of the education requirement (60 study points).

See otherwise the information about credit transfer and admission to the Master's in Operational Management and Exercise of Authority.

Documentation requirements: To process your application, we need documentation that shows you meet the admission requirements:

• Diploma/grade transcript from higher education
• CV
• Confirmation of relevant work experience

If you have education from UiB or from other public universities/colleges in Norway, we will in most cases have access to this information and you do not need to upload anything.

If you have education from a private college, from abroad, or if it has been a long time since you completed your education, we ask you to upload diplomas/grade transcripts along with your application. You will find an overview of educational institutions that share results automatically when you log in to register your application.

You must also upload your CV and an employment certificate from previous relevant employment or an employment confirmation from, for example, your closest manager/HR that documents the employment (position and duration/extent).

Employment contract/CV is not sufficient documentation alone.

What Does the Study Cost?

Tuition Fee

The course has a tuition fee of NOK 24,300.

The tuition fee includes all costs for teaching and examination. Course literature and expenses for any travel/accommodation in connection with physical gatherings must be covered by the individual participant/employer in addition.

The invoice for the tuition fee will be sent out around the start of the study.

In principle, the invoice for the tuition fee will be sent to you personally. If your employer is to pay the tuition fee, your employer must fill out a form with invoicing information. You will receive information about this when we send out confirmation of your study place.

Semester Fee

All who are going to study with us must also pay a statutory, personal semester fee of NOK 650 per semester. The semester fee goes to Sammen the Student Welfare Organization of Western Norway and will cover common welfare benefits and services for all students.

You will receive more information about how and when the semester fee must be paid when you have received a study place.