PhD
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Law
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Law at the College of International Justice (CI Justice) stands at the pinnacle of academic and jurisprudential postgraduate education. It is engineered to prepare an elite cadre of international jurists, legal s...
Duration3 Years
Credit hours90
DegreePhD
Language of studyArabic
Terms6
About the program
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Law at the College of International Justice (CI Justice) stands at the pinnacle of academic and jurisprudential postgraduate education. It is engineered to prepare an elite cadre of international jurists, legal scholars, international judges, and senior strategic advisors capable of producing original, groundbreaking legal research that advances international legal doctrine and resolves complex cross-border legislative and judicial dilemmas. The programme is delivered by a distinguished international faculty carefully selected following the review of academic CVs worldwide, ensuring educational excellence and rich cultural and legal diversity.Spanning three academic years (6 semesters), the programme follows a rigorous, structured progression. Candidates complete 9 advanced doctoral courses (36 credit hours) across the first three semesters: 4 compulsory courses in the First Semester (commencing strictly with Advanced Philosophical Research Methodology), 4 specialized courses in the Second Semester, and 1 culminating course in the Third Semester accompanied by the Comprehensive Doctoral Examination. Upon passing the Comprehensive Exam, candidates transition in Semesters 4, 5, and 6 to concurrent completion of Practical & Academic Application (1, 2, 3) and Doctoral Dissertation (1, 2, 3), concluding with a public Viva Voce defense before an expert Jury Committee.
Vision
To stand as the premier global academic and jurisprudential benchmark in graduating international law scholars and jurists who drive international legislative and judicial innovation and uphold global justice and the rule of law through pioneering scientific research.
Mission
To provide a world-class research and academic ecosystem that integrates comparative philosophical depth, methodological rigor, and intelligent educational flexibility (Open, Virtual, and Blended Learning), empowering scholars to formulate original legal theories and solutions that bridge international legislative gaps while supplying universities, international courts, UN bodies, and sovereign institutions with exceptional intellectual and legal leadership.
Objectives
- Original Knowledge Production & Innovation: Empower candidates to critique existing legal paradigms and formulate novel doctrinal and legislative frameworks addressing gaps in Public and Private International Law.
- Mastery of Philosophical & Comparative Methodology: Deepen scholars' command of advanced legal research methodologies and legal epistemology to deconstruct complex international phenomena and judicial precedents.
- International Judicial & Arbitral Leadership: Qualify senior experts to preside over international arbitral tribunals and plead or deliver authoritative legal opinions before the ICJ and international criminal and human rights courts.
- University Professorial Preparation: Prepare university professors and international lecturers skilled in academic delivery, curriculum design, and legal knowledge transfer through three dedicated Practical Application semesters.
- Foresight in Emerging Legal Frontiers: Build scholarly capacity to regulate cyberspace, artificial intelligence, climate change, and geopolitical crises under international law.
Educational philosophy
The College of International Justice adopts the philosophy of "Directed Research Autonomy and Comparative Jurisprudential Inquiry" at the doctoral level, resting on the following pillars:Three Flexible Learning Modalities: Candidates select the learning method best suited to their commitments among Open Learning, Virtual Learning, and Blended Learning, with options to accelerate studies after the first semester based on cumulative GPA or utilize summer semesters.Sequential Research Seminars: Each of the 9 courses carries 4 credit hours and is studied sequentially for a minimum of four weeks via intensive research seminars relying on authoritative references and international case law, followed by a competency test before progressing to the next module.The Comprehensive Examination Milestone: Held in the third semester to verify holistic mastery of international law and research methodology prior to dissertation candidacy.Integration of Dissertation & Academic Practice: Across Semesters 4, 5, and 6, candidates simultaneously write their doctoral dissertation under close supervision and complete virtual university teaching and workplace practice portfolios.
Learning outcomes
- Exhibit encyclopedic and profound mastery of the philosophy of international law, its jurisprudential schools, and the evolution of its sources amidst global transformations.
- Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC), international arbitral tribunals, and emerging international legislative trends.
- Exercise original doctrinal critique and deconstruct conflicting treaty texts and judicial precedents using rigorous scientific methodology.
- Deduce innovative legal theories, frameworks, and norms to address emerging transnational disputes and phenomena lacking explicit legislative regulation.
- Lead legal research and advisory teams, and draft multilateral treaties, arbitral rules, and high-level judicial memorials.
- Master advanced university-level teaching and curriculum design, and author an original doctoral dissertation meeting the highest standards of peer-reviewed international scholarly publishing.
- Command authoritative legal argumentation, intellectual and academic leadership, complex international negotiation, and rigorous cross-cultural scholarly communication.
Career prospects
- Academia and Higher Education: Serving as University Professors, Department Chairs, and Deans of Faculties of Law and International Relations at prestigious universities worldwide.
- International and Supreme National Judiciary: Assuming roles as judges, public prosecutors, or senior counselors within national supreme and constitutional courts, or serving on international and regional judicial tribunals.
- Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations: Serving as Ambassadors, Chief Legal Advisors in Ministries of Foreign Affairs, or Senior Legal Counsel within the United Nations (UN), its specialized agencies, and regional organizations.
- International Arbitration Tribunals and Centers: Presiding as Chairs or Co-Arbitrators in international commercial and investment arbitral tribunals (ICSID, ICC, PCA) and acting as expert witnesses in sovereign cross-border disputes.
- Strategic Think Tanks and Legislative Policymaking: Directing strategic and legal research centers (Think Tanks), and chairing national and international legislative and constitutional drafting committees.
Curriculum
Advanced Philosophical Research Methodology & Deep Legal Analysis 4 credit hours · DIL701Philosophy of International Law & Critique of Contemporary Jurisprudential Theories 4 credit hours · DIL702International Constitutional Judiciary & Evolution of International Courts Jurisprudence 4 credit hours · DIL703International Humanitarian Law & Collective Security in Contemporary Conflicts 4 credit hours · DIL704
International Criminal Law & Accountability for Sovereign Core Crimes 4 credit hours · DIL705Settlement of International Economic & Investment Disputes and Advanced Arbitration 4 credit hours · DIL706International Law of Cyberspace, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Sovereignty 4 credit hours · DIL707International Environmental & Climate Law and Transboundary Ecological Justice 4 credit hours · DIL708
Frequently asked questions
Is the College of International Justice officially licensed and accredited to award the PhD degree?
Without a doubt. CI Justice is fully accredited and shares its institutional and academic accreditations with International Suleiman University. Furthermore, the College is officially licensed by the UK Government to operate under classifications: 85421 (First-degree level higher education), 85422 (Post-graduate level higher education), 85600 (Educational support services), and 69109 (Activities of patent and copyright agents; other legal activities), holding official authority to provide academic programmes under verified registration ID: 10093951.
How is the academic faculty supervising PhD students selected, and how are applicants guided upon admission?
Our academic staff was carefully selected after reviewing the CVs of more than 10,000 academics from countries around the world, ensuring educational excellence and cultural diversity. Upon inquiry, our Guidance and Academic Center communicates with prospective students to provide full program details, supported by an intelligent tool within our initial admission system that helps candidates select the most suitable program path through a data-driven questionnaire.
What study modes are available for the PhD, and what flexibility exists regarding duration, fees, and scholarships?
Flexibility is embedded throughout the programme. Scholars can choose the learning method that suits them best among three options: (Open Learning, Virtual Learning, and Blended Learning). After the first semester, high-achieving students may accelerate their study duration by registering for additional credits or taking an extra summer semester. Regarding tuition fees, students achieving a high cumulative GPA can obtain partial scholarships of up to 90%, and selected students from war and crisis-affected countries may be awarded a 100% full scholarship.
How are coursework, the Comprehensive Exam, Practical Application, and the Dissertation distributed across the six semesters?
The PhD spans 3 years (6 semesters):In Semester 1 (4 compulsory courses), Semester 2 (4 courses), and Semester 3 (1 course), the scholar completes 9 courses (36 credit hours) via research seminars, culminating in the Comprehensive Exam at the end of Semester 3.In Semesters 4, 5, and 6, the candidate concurrently completes Practical Application (1, 2, 3) (structuring and recording 10–20 minute PowerPoint video lectures and Word summaries for an undergraduate course, alongside workplace practice reports through the College's corporate partnerships) and Doctoral Dissertation (1, 2, 3).The dissertation is governed by semi-annual supervisor reports, a final supervisor evaluation (out of 140 marks), and individual reports from a three-member Jury Committee (out of 100 marks each). A minimum score of 70% in both the supervisor's evaluation and individual Jury reports (plus a 15-day interval post-committee approval) is required to proceed to the public defense.
Can prior studies or professional qualifications be transferred? What support ecosystem is available during my PhD?
Yes. Through our Transfer of Accreditation process, prior postgraduate university studies as well as a wide range of recognized professional qualifications can be counted toward your qualification—saving you both time and money by reducing the number of required units. Throughout your PhD journey, you are supported by a dedicated Personal Tutor for each unit, a high-quality e-Library, interactive e-learning resources (podcasts, digital texts, community forums, and educational groups), free Microsoft Office 365, and full IT support from our Computing Help Center.
Admission requirements
- Academic Qualification: Hold a Master's degree in International Law, Public/Private Law, or a closely related discipline from a recognized university.
- Guidance & Initial Admission Tool: The Guidance and Academic Center supports applicants and provides a data-driven questionnaire tool within the initial admission system to help candidates identify their optimal specialization pathway.
- Transfer of Accreditation: Prior postgraduate studies or recognized high-level professional qualifications may be evaluated and credited toward the programme, saving time and tuition costs.
- Language & Research Readiness: Advanced proficiency in the language of study (Arabic or English) and submission of an initial Doctoral Research Concept Note.
Tuition & fees
Application fee$145.00
Start your academic journey today
Submit your application now and our admissions team will contact you to complete the process.
Apply to this programAdvanced Philosophical Research Methodology & Deep Legal Analysis
DIL701 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Serving as the mandatory foundational cornerstone and the very first course for doctoral candidates in International Law, this module elevates scholars from traditional research techniques to legal epistemology and methodological philosophy. The course delves into complex doctoral-level legal research methodologies, encompassing philosophical doctrinal analysis, deconstructive critical methodology, cross-family comparative legal methodology (Civil Law, Common Law, and international legal orders), and empirical qualitative and quantitative assessment of international legal norms. Candidates receive rigorous training in identifying genuine scholarly and legislative research gaps within international jurisprudence, formulating complex research problems, and constructing testable theoretical hypotheses. Furthermore, the course emphasizes systematic deconstruction of judgments and advisory opinions issued by international tribunals, alongside objective scholarly critique of competing doctrinal schools. The module culminates in intensive practical training on engineering a comprehensive Doctoral Dissertation Prospectus, managing multilingual bibliographic databases, and adhering to the highest standards of academic integrity and peer-reviewed international publishing (Scopus / Web of Science), delivered through intensive research seminars.
Philosophy of International Law & Critique of Contemporary Jurisprudential Theories
DIL702 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This compulsory doctoral course centers on a profound philosophical and critical investigation of the metaphysical, ethical, and political foundations underlying the contemporary international legal order. Transcending surface-level positivist rules, the curriculum engages with intense jurisprudential debates among major philosophical schools: revived Natural Law, Legal Positivism (Kelsen and Hart), Legal Realism, the New Haven School (policy-oriented jurisprudence), Critical Legal Studies (CLS), and Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL). Doctoral researchers critically analyze the tension between legality and legitimacy in the global order, deconstruct the concept of sovereignty in a post-Westphalian era, and examine the phenomenon of the "Fragmentation of International Law" versus its "Constitutionalization" through peremptory norms (Jus Cogens) and Erga Omnes obligations. The course is designed to cultivate independent jurisprudential reasoning (Ijtihad), empowering candidates to evaluate the justice and efficacy of existing international norms and formulate original theoretical paradigms through intensive research seminars.
International Constitutional Judiciary & Evolution of International Courts Jurisprudence
DIL703 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This doctoral module provides an anatomical, in-depth examination of the international judiciary's role in generating, evolving, and interpreting international legal norms, focusing centrally on the contentious and advisory functions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alongside specialized and regional tribunals. The course critically examines jurisdictional proliferation and conflicts among international courts, as well as the doctrinal debate surrounding international judicial review of political organs' resolutions (notably UN Security Council resolutions)—a domain termed "International Constitutional Adjudication." Scholars deeply investigate the philosophy of international judicial reasoning, the role of separate and dissenting opinions in shaping emerging legal principles, complex evidentiary standards, and the assessment of scientific, technical, and digital evidence in major sovereign and boundary disputes. Through intensive research seminars analyzing landmark and contemporary jurisprudence on state responsibility, maritime/territorial delimitation, and genocide prevention, candidates master elite judicial analysis.
International Humanitarian Law & Collective Security in Contemporary Conflicts
DIL704 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This compulsory doctoral course addresses the intricate legal and geopolitical intersections between the UN Charter's collective security architecture (Jus ad Bellum) and the rules governing the conduct of hostilities and victim protection (Jus in Bello). Doctoral researchers critically analyze structural crises within the collective security system, expansive interpretations of the right to self-defense (preemptive and anticipatory self-defense, and self-defense against non-state actors), humanitarian intervention, and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine. Within the humanitarian sphere, the curriculum examines legal dilemmas posed by hybrid warfare, internationalized non-international armed conflicts, the deployment of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs), and the use of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) and military AI in targeting decisions. Through critical research seminars, scholars evaluate the adequacy of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols in addressing modern warfare technologies.
International Criminal Law & Accountability for Sovereign Core Crimes
DIL705 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This doctoral course delves into the punitive and procedural philosophy of international criminal justice and the future of global criminal accountability. Researchers deeply analyze doctrinal and practical complexities of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), including the activation and exercise of jurisdiction over the "Crime of Aggression" post-Kampala amendments, jurisprudential evolution of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, and scholarly proposals to codify "Ecocide" as a fifth core international crime. Furthermore, the module deconstructs the legal and diplomatic tension between the irrelevance of official sovereign immunities (Article 27) and state cooperation/immunity waiver rules (Article 98) under customary international law. It also examines the exercise of Universal Jurisdiction before national courts and hybrid/internationalized tribunals through intensive research seminars grounded in contemporary international criminal jurisprudence.
Settlement of International Economic & Investment Disputes and Advanced Arbitration
DIL706 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This course delivers an elite critical and applied examination of the international economic legal order and cross-border commercial and investment dispute resolution mechanisms. Doctoral scholars investigate the structural crisis facing the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism (specifically the Appellate Body impasse), proposed institutional reforms, and the impact of unilateral economic sanctions and trade wars on multilateral trade norms. In the investment sphere, the course explores the global doctrinal debate surrounding the legitimacy of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) before ICSID and UNCITRAL tribunals, ongoing negotiations to establish a Multilateral Investment Court (MIC), and the delicate balance between protecting foreign investors' legitimate expectations and the host state's sovereign "Right to Regulate" for public health, environmental protection, and macroeconomic stability during crises, supported by rigorous analysis of landmark arbitral awards.
International Law of Cyberspace, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Sovereignty
DIL707 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This cutting-edge doctoral module explores the frontiers of international law in the face of digital and technological revolutions, addressing the complex legal challenges of applying Public International Law to cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence. Scholars deeply analyze the rules of the Tallinn Manual 2.0 on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Operations, the technical and legal "Attribution Problem" in cross-border cyberattacks, the threshold at which a cyber operation constitutes a "use of force" or "armed attack" triggering self-defense, and the principle of cyber due diligence. Furthermore, the course examines emerging international legal frameworks for AI governance, state digital sovereignty over data flows, protection of critical infrastructure, and digital foreign interference in domestic elections and internal affairs—opening fertile ground for pioneering doctoral dissertations.
International Environmental & Climate Law and Transboundary Ecological Justice
DIL708 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This course examines the rapid evolution of International Environmental and Climate Change Law as a defining pillar of 21st-century international law. Doctoral candidates analyze the legal architecture of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement (2015), the legal nature of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), climate finance mechanisms, and Loss and Damage funds. Special emphasis is placed on the burgeoning phenomenon of International Climate Litigation and landmark advisory opinion proceedings before the ICJ, ITLOS, and regional human rights courts concerning states' legal obligations to protect the climate system. Additionally, the module addresses novel legal questions triggered by sea-level rise—including the continuity of statehood for submerging small island states, climate-induced displacement, and the legal governance of transboundary freshwater resources.
Drafting International Treaties & Comparative International Legislative Policies
DIL709 4 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Serving as the culminating coursework module prior to the dissertation phase, this course focuses on high-level legal engineering in drafting multilateral and bilateral treaties, alongside the jurisprudence of treaty interpretation under the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT) and the work of the UN International Law Commission (ILC). Scholars deeply examine intricate issues surrounding treaty reservations (particularly in human rights treaties), Evolutionary Interpretation by international courts, conflicts between successive and overlapping treaties, and the legal consequences of treaty withdrawal or suspension during armed conflicts and international crises. Furthermore, the module trains candidates in comparative legislative harmonization techniques for integrating international obligations into domestic constitutional and statutory frameworks, and drafting authoritative international instruments free of interpretive ambiguity.
Comprehensive Doctoral Examination in International Law
DIL710 0 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Administered at the conclusion of the third semester upon successful completion of all nine coursework modules (36 credit hours), the Comprehensive Doctoral Examination (written and oral) assesses the scholar's holistic and profound mastery of the philosophical foundations, doctrinal theories, and substantive and procedural rules of Public and Private International Law. Rather than testing rote memorization, this rigorous examination confronts the doctoral student with complex, multi-layered international legal problems requiring precise legal characterization, rebuttal of competing arguments, invocation of international jurisprudence, and formulation of doctrinally sound solutions. Passing the Comprehensive Examination is a mandatory prerequisite for advancing to formal "PhD Candidate" status and commencing the Doctoral Dissertation and Practical Application modules in the fourth semester.
Practical & Academic Application (1)
DIL711 6 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Initiated in the fourth semester, this module marks the first phase of advanced practical and academic training designed to prepare the doctoral candidate as a university professor and practicing international legal expert. The College assigns the candidate an academic course (or an applied legal portfolio leveraged through the College's extensive partnerships with major international firms and institutions). In this first part, the candidate designs a comprehensive syllabus and structures the first sequence of concise academic lectures. For each lecture, the candidate authors a rigorous written scholarly text (Word format) meeting university textbook standards, accompanied by a professional voice-over video presentation (PowerPoint) lasting between 15 and 20 minutes, alongside submitting a detailed reflective report on their workplace legal practice—honing their university teaching and knowledge-transfer competencies.
Doctoral Dissertation (1): Theoretical & Methodological Grounding
DIL712 11 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This module marks the formal commencement of the Doctoral Dissertation, undertaken concurrently with Practical Application (1) following the Comprehensive Examination. Working under the direct supervision of a senior faculty professor specializing in International Law, the candidate completes the official registration of the dissertation topic with the Faculty and University Councils. Research in this semester centers on conducting an exhaustive, multilingual literature and jurisprudence review, refining the core research problem and hypotheses, and drafting the foundational first part/chapters of the dissertation dedicated to philosophical, historical, and conceptual grounding. The academic supervisor closely monitors the candidate's methodological rigor and submits a semi-annual progress report detailing accomplishments and adherence to doctoral standards.
Practical & Academic Application (2)
DIL713 6 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: In the fifth semester, the doctoral candidate advances to the second phase of academic and professional training. The candidate develops and records the second sequence of lectures for the assigned course, focusing on integrating applied case studies and international judicial rulings into both the written scholarly texts (Word) and interactive video presentations (PowerPoint). Additionally, the candidate trains in designing academic assessment instruments (analytical problem questions, moot court hypotheticals, and grading rubrics), co-moderating virtual seminars (Webinars), and submitting detailed workplace practice reports—solidifying their readiness as a university faculty member and senior international legal counsel.
Doctoral Dissertation (2): In-Depth Comparative Jurisprudential & Judicial Analysis
DIL714 12 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Representing the analytical and critical core of the Doctoral Dissertation, this fifth-semester module transitions the candidate from theoretical grounding to in-depth comparative jurisprudential, legislative, and judicial analysis (the main substantive chapters of the dissertation). The candidate rigorously tests their research hypotheses by deconstructing treaty provisions, comparing legal solutions across international regimes and tribunals, and analyzing pertinent case studies and judicial/arbitral precedents. At this stage, the scholar's independent academic voice must emerge prominently—critiquing prevailing doctrines, advancing original legal arguments, and deducing novel principles that address the core research problem. The supervisor continuously reviews the manuscript to ensure analytical depth and originality, submitting the periodic progress report to the Faculty Council.
Practical & Academic Application (3)
DIL715 6 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: Concluding the practical and academic training track in the sixth semester, the candidate completes the final sequence of written summaries and video lectures for the assigned undergraduate course, yielding a complete, peer-reviewed instructional portfolio (12 to 14 model lectures) ready for university delivery. Furthermore, the candidate culminates this track by authoring a publishable scholarly paper derived from their research or delivering a comprehensive Doctoral Colloquium / Masterclass before faculty and peers, alongside submitting their final workplace practice report—demonstrating full readiness for professorial appointments or senior international legal consultancy upon graduation.
Doctoral Dissertation (3): Conclusions, Final Drafting & Public Defense
DIL716 12 credit hours Advanced
•Academic Description: This module represents the final culmination and public defense of the Doctoral Dissertation. The candidate drafts the concluding chapters, synthesizes verified research findings, formulates actionable legislative recommendations or draft treaty amendments, and completes comprehensive linguistic and methodological editing of the final manuscript. Upon the supervisor's final review confirming fulfillment of statutory duration and originality standards, the supervisor submits a formal readiness report (evaluating the candidate's performance out of 140 marks) and proposes the examining Jury Committee. Following individual written evaluations by the three Jury members (out of 100 marks each—requiring a minimum score of 70% in both the supervisor's evaluation and individual Jury reports, and a minimum 15-day interval after committee approval), the candidate defends the dissertation in a Public Viva Voce Defense, concluding with a signed collective Jury report conferring the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in International Law.