International Legal Internship
Melbourne Law Masters students enrolled in the Master of Laws or the Master of Public and International Law have the opportunity to undertake an International Legal Internship for credit towards their degree (please see the subject homepage for prerequisites).
The internship offers an exciting opportunity for students to gain professional work experience within an international organisation or institution, and to focus on an area of international law that is of particular interest. It is also a fantastic opportunity to experience living and working in another country.
It is expected that on completion of the internship students will demonstrate a greater understanding of international law, the relationship between institutions and the law in the global environment, the relationship between different components of an organisation and the role of politics in shaping international law.
Internship funding
Students are largely required to fund their participation in the International Legal Internship, however some funding assistance is available:
University of Melbourne funding:
The University also offers scholarships for students travelling abroad for credit. For further information and application procedures, please see Melbourne Scholarships Office.
Melbourne Law Masters students who have taken advantage of this opportunity have previously undertaken internships with the following organisations:
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, The Netherlands
The ICTY is an international court of law established by the United Nations in response to war crimes committed during the Balkans conflict in the 1990s. Website: International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, The Netherlands
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization is the body of the United Nations that aims to advance fair working conditions and promote the rights of workers globally. Website: International Labour Organization
World Trade Organization, Switzerland
The World Trade Organization is the most globally significant multilateral institution, established to manage the rules of trade between member nations. Website: World Trade Organization, Switzerland
Students are strongly encouraged to seek out and secure their own placements with an organisation that matches their particular area of interest (with approval from the subject coordinator). Possible internship placements may include:
Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme
UCWIP today includes 8 participating Australian universities as programmatic partners and works to match 12 students annually and exclusively to House and Senate offices within Congress. Website: Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Programme
Center for Constitutional Rights, New York, United States
This non-profit legal and educational organisation aims to protect the fundamental human rights that are enshrined in the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Website: Center for Constitutional Rights, New York, United States
Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, New York University
The NYU Law School is engaged in leading research into human rights law and advocating for global social justice issues. Website: Center for Human Rights and Global Justice, New York University
Center for Reproductive Rights, New York, United States
The Center aims to advance reproductive freedom as a basic human right through the application of the law. Website: Center for Reproductive Rights, New York, United States
International Center for Transitional Justice
The ICTJ works to promote justice, peace and reconciliation in countries emerging from conflict or that have experienced systematic human rights abuses.Website: International Center for Transitional Justice
United Nations Development Programme
The UNDP is the branch of the United Nations that advocates for poverty alleviation, crisis prevention and recovery and democratic governance on a global scale. Website: United Nations Development Programme
World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
The WHO is the United Nations body responsible for providing leadership on global health issues in the areas of research, policy, regulation and technical support. Website: World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Student profile:
Julia O'Brien
Julia O'Brien completed a Master of Public and International Law with Melbourne Law School in 2008. In 2007, as part of her course, Julia undertook the International Legal Internship, working in the Appellate Body Secretariat of the World Trade Organization in Geneva.
"I developed a considerable interest in the WTO during my studies and thus it became the ideal choice for an internship. I considered it a great privilege to be working at the WTO, because the WTO Appellate Body is a quasi international court. I had the opportunity to work on appeals and gain insight into the reasoning and decision-making process of the Appellate Body. It was also very valuable developing professional and personal contacts in the field."
Julia now works for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra and says her internship has really helped with her current role. "When I commenced a position in Canberra with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade directly following the internship, I was placed in the WTO Trade Law Branch because of my knowledge of and practical experience in WTO law. I am now part of the team of lawyers defending Australia in an international dispute in the WTO against New Zealand on apples."