The Summer Courses

Introducing the Summer Courses

The Academy’s Summer Courses, held at the Peace Palace, constitute its primary academic activity. They are organised in two sessions of three weeks each: the first focuses on Public International Law, and the second on Private International Law. These courses are designed for students and practitioners with a prior grounding in international law who are seeking a deeper understanding of the subject.

Each Summer Courses session includes a General Course that runs over the full three weeks, alongside Special Courses lasting one week each, covering six distinct topics in total. The programme also features afternoon seminars and guest lectures. All courses and lectures are delivered by renowned academics, practitioners, and diplomats from leading institutions around the world. The courses are delivered in either English or French, with simultaneous interpretation into the other language.

For those unable to attend in person, the Academy offers online access to the Summer Courses, allowing participants to follow the programme from anywhere in the world. Please note that online participants do not have access to afternoon seminars, guest lectures, the Directed Studies programme, or individual academic guidance. No scholarships are available for online attendance.

Since opening its doors in 1923, the Academy’s Summer Courses have welcomed thousands of participants from over 100 nationalities. Over the years, many alumni – having had the opportunity to engage with leading figures in international law – have gone on to become distinguished academics, legal practitioners, diplomats, and professionals in related fields.

After being delivered, the courses are published in the Collected Courses book series, which now includes 450 volumes. This prestigious collection ranks among the most important encyclopaedic publications in the field of public and private international law.

Since 2019, the Academy also offers Winter Courses in early January.