Students are expected to advance existing skills in reading and interpreting legal texts, to critically examine the policies underlying legal requirements, and to prepare written and oral legal arguments based on the applicable laws and facts. The KIMEP Master of International Law takes advantage of the unique geographic, economic, and political positions of Kazakhstan and Almaty in Central Asia. Close working relationships between faculty, students, and practitioners, allow opportunities to engage in collegial consultations on both academic and professional matters.
Objectives:
Students will be instructed in class and through experiential learning relative to:
- Drafting legal documents in the English language;
- Innovatively thinking about how to interpret and apply law to formulate creative solutions to client matters;
- Understanding legal principles triggered by cross border transactions, as well as state and non-state actions;
- Comprehending the business and other social models upon which laws are based;
- Working with legal formalities without losing sight of the substance of an issue;
- Utilizing critical thinking and the tools of advocacy;
- Producing an LL.M. thesis demonstrating deep knowledge of a subject and representing scholarly work at a global standard.
The program consists of 38 KIMEP Credits / 63 ECTS credits and and is designed for students who commit to completing all coursework except the thesis in one calendar year of full-time attendance. The Law School strongly recommends students begin studies in the Fall semester and enroll in a Full Course Load of 17 credits in the Fall, 16 credits in the Spring, and then complete their thesis in the next semester. If students do not complete their program of study, including thesis submission, within this time period, the University will award a terminal Certificate of Attendance indicating the number of ECTS earned and then separate the candidate from the LL.M. program. Academic leave will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and for good cause shown. The only time a student may register for less than the minimum number of credits is if less than the minimum number remains to complete the program.
Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 to graduate from the program and may not have more than 2 courses in which they receive a grade below “B-.”.
7M04201 – Master of International Law, LL.M. – 63 ECTS to complete
| Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MSHE) Graduate Degree Curriculum Categories | KIMEP Credits | ECTS Credits |
| Program Foundation Required courses | 4 | 6 |
| Program Foundation Elective courses | 3 | 5 |
| Program Specialization Required courses | 6 | 10 |
| Program Specialization Elective courses | 12 | 20 |
| Experimental Research Work | 8 | 14 |
| Final Attestation | 5 | 8 |
| TOTAL | 38 | 63 |
Program Foundation Required courses
Students must take all of the following courses:
| Course Code | Course Title | 4
KIMEP Credits |
6
ECTS credits |
| LAW5201.2 | Legal Method, Skills and Reasoning | 2 | 3 |
| LAW5207 | Psychology for Lawyers | 2 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 4 | 6 |
Program Foundation Elective courses
Students must take one of the following courses:
| Course Code | Course Title | 3
KIMEP credits |
5
ECTS credits |
| LAW5299 | Selected Graduate Topics in Law | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5711 | Comparative Legal Systems | 3 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 3 | 5 |
Program Specialization Required courses
Students must take all of the following courses:
| Course Code | Course Title | 6
KIMEP credits |
10
ECTS credits |
| LAW5203 | Public International Law | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5205 | Private International Law | 3 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 6 | 10 |
Program Specialization elective courses
Students must take 4 of the following courses:
| Course Code | Course Title | 12
KIMEP credits |
20
ECTS credits |
| LAW5802 | International Tax Law | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5803 | International Investment Law and Practice | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5809 | Law of the WTO | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5810 | International Anti-Corruption Law | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5399 | Selected Graduate Topics in Law | 3 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 12 | 20 |
Experimental Research Work
Students must take all of the following courses:
| Course Code | Course Title | KIMEP credits | ECTS credits | Prerequisites |
| LAW5924 | Research Apprenticeship and Internship | 4 | 7 | LAW5989 Experimental Research including Masters Thesis |
| LAW5989 | Experimental Research including Masters Thesis | 4 | 7 | None |
| TOTAL | 8 | 14 |
Final attestation
| Course Code | Course Title | KIMEP credits | ECTS credits | Prerequisites |
| LAW5993 | Thesis Defense | 5 | 8 | Completion of all program requirements; may take concurrently with final program requirements |
| Total | 5 | 8 |
Notes:
- Students must comply with School of Law Thesis Guidelines in writing and defending their theses.
- Students who do not timely complete all required forms, supply the necessary documentation, or write their thesis in the proper format cannot defend their thesis.
Example Degree Plan
This Plan is a guideline for students to show the general arc towards graduation. It assumes students will take a Full Course Load each semester, pass every class, begin studies in the Fall semester, and finish the following Spring semester. The Plan is only an example and is not a guarnatee. Please keep in mind that regardless of what the Plan below says, the Law School does not offer all courses every semester, sometimes courses fill before a student can enroll, and new courses rise and faculty change regularly. Therefore, you may not be able to follow the Plan precisely. And students who do not satisfy prerequisites or otherwise diverge from the Plan, cannot fullfill the Plan. It is a guide to show how the above requirements apply. Work closely with the Law School’s academic advising staff to stay on track for graduation.
The following table is illustrative and may vary.
| 1ST YEAR | SEMESTER I | Credits | ECTS |
| LAW5201.2 | Legal Method, Skills and Reasoning (Professional English) | 2 | 3 |
| LAW5207 | Psychology for Lawyers | 2 | 3 |
| LAW5xxx | Program Foundation Elective course | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5203 | Public International Law | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5205 | Private International Law | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5989 | Experimental Research including Masters Thesis | 4 | 7 |
| Total | 17 | 28 |
| 1ST YEAR | SEMESTER II | Credits | ECTS |
| LAW5xxx | Program Specialization Elective course | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5xxx | Program Specialization Elective course | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5xxx | Program Specialization Elective course | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5xxx | Program Specialization Elective course | 3 | 5 |
| LAW5924 | Research Apprenticeship and Internship | 4 | 7 |
| Total | 16 | 27 |
| 2ND YEAR | FIRST SEMESTER | Credits | ECTS |
| LAW5993 | Thesis Defense | 5 | 8 |
| Total | 3 | 8 |
LAW5201.2 Legal Method, Skills and Reasoning (2 credits, 3 ECTS)
Certain skills are required for the successful study of law. This course teaches those skills: Methods of Study, Use of Language, Critical Thinking, Legal Text Interpretation, Legal Research and Writing, and Architecture of Argument. The course uses legislation, case reports, and research assignments to achieve its multiple objectives. Writing about the law and learning the art of advocacy are taught through solutions of practical problems. This course must be taken during the first semester in which a student enrolls in the LL.M. program. This course may also serve as a Professional English Language course. It will introduce students to the methodology of reading legal text: extending from Treaties, constitutions, legislation and cases. It also provides an overview of the structure and hierarchical form of most domestic legal systems and their relation to international law and organizations. The course also covers the basic techniques of legal research, writing and analysis. Students learn briefcases, perhaps synthesize cases from related fields, and write legal documents as opinions, memoranda or thesis related essays. The course is based on solving and analyzing legal questions taken from different disciplines.
LAW5203 Public International Law (3 credits, 5 ECTS) Public International Law is the system of law that governs the international community; thus the aim of the course is to provide a framework to understand the normative dimensions of international relations. The course introduces students to the fundamental principles and doctrines of public international law as a meaningful tool for providing order to world politics and for minimizing global conflict. The course reflects the breadth and diversity of international law by covering all main branches, including: sources; the subjects and international institutions; the law of treaties; peaceful settlement of international disputes; the use of force; territory; human rights; diplomatic and consular law and international economic law. A problem-oriented approach to various case studies is used in both lectures and discussions.
LAW5205 Private International Law (3 credits, 5 ECTS)Private International Law is the set of legal rules that determine the jurisdiction, the applicable substantive law, as well as the recognition and enforcement of judgments in cross-border relations among individuals and legal persons. This course will mainly focus on Private International Law rules applicable to transnational business transactions. Preliminary matters such as renvoi, characterization, and historical principles guiding forum selection and applicable law are covered. There is no uniform “international convention” in this field accepting the Hague Conventions dealing with the Service Abroad of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil matters and the Taking of Evidence Abroad in civil and commercial matters. Several “dead” Hague conventions may be examined to facilitate an understanding of the aims of unification of rules. Since there are similarities among the rules found in several jurisdictions, this course covers the subject matter from a comparative perspective. The Private International Law rules of the United States, the European Union, and the Republic of Kazakhstan serve as the foundation for the study of Private International Law principles. The CIS Treaties governing enforcement of arbitral awards within the member States are identified and discussed. Pertinent provisions of the Customs Union Agreement are tracked during the course.
LAW5207 Psychology for Lawyers (2 credits, 3 ECTS)
The psychology part will provide a brief overview regarding the application of positive psychology to work settings and the psychological influences on the development and behavior of managers and organizational leaders. Increasingly business leaders are realizing that an understanding of psychology helps them unlock the potential of the “human capital”. Topics include: follower influences, nature vs. nurture in the development of leaders, relationship of personality to leadership style, behavioral decision- making biases, tactical, operational, and strategic decision-making, group think, and scenario planning and the retention and development of individual talent, and the selective departure of talent.
LAW5299 Selected Graduate Topics in Law (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
This course provides further study into various areas of law. Topics covered will vary from semester to semester depending on expertise and interests of instructors and students’ particular needs and strengths. This course may be repeated for credit if the topics are different.
LAW5399 Selected Graduate Topics in Law (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
This course provides further study into various areas of law. Topics covered will vary from semester to semester depending on expertise and interests of instructors and students’ particular needs and strengths. This course may be repeated for credit if the topics are different.
LAW5711 Comparative Legal Systems (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Today’s globalized, pluralistic world is characterized by increasing interactions among different legal systems and jurisdictions. Different legal traditions often coexist on the same territory or influence each other through a number of factors such as legal scholarship, international jurisdictions, migration, international trade, international marriages, and many others. The study of legal traditions prepares the students for a career in this environment. The course examines the major legal traditions of the world with an emphasis on Civil law, Common law, Islamic law, and their sub-categories. It begins with an introduction to comparative law and its methods. Then, the legal traditions are studied with regard to: historical development; sources of law; constitutional law; judicial review; elements of substantive and procedural law; legal professions; legal education.
LAW5802 International Tax Law (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
This course is an advanced tax law course focusing on the issues of international taxation, including the sources of international tax law and their interpretation and application. The students will study in depth both perspectives of international taxation – country of source and country of residence tax issues. The structure of tax treaties will be studied in detail and students will learn to apply the key principles of international tax planning in practical scenarios. The domestic and tax treaty based anti-avoidance rules (including transfer pricing, thin-capitalization, controlled foreign corporation rules as well as other applicable principles beneficial ownership and limitation of benefits clauses) and their application will also be explored as well as other challenges related to tax planning and avoidance.
LAW5803 International Investment Law and Practice (3 credits, 5 ECTS) This course deals with the international law applicable to the rights and obligations of foreign investors and States of the place where the foreign investment is made. The course will have two parts: substantive and procedural. The substantive part will study the rights and obligations of foreign investors and national States, as included in Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), other international instruments, as well as in customary law and which protect the investment from unlawful State actions such as expropriation without appropriate compensation or unfair and inequitable treatment. Special attention will be paid to BITs to which the Republic of Kazakhstan is a party. The procedural part will deal with the different dispute resolution mechanisms between foreign investors and national States, focusing on arbitration under the Washington Convention of 1965 and the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). This type of arbitration is particularly important in Kazakhstan, because this country relies heavily upon foreign participation in the development of its energy sector. BITs are triggered and their terms may or may not provide clarity on substantive and dispute resolution issues. Recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards issued under the different instruments will also be studied.
LAW5809 Law of the WTO (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
This graduate-level course examines the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its role in regulating international trade. Students will study the WTO’s core principles, structure, and key agreements on trade in goods, services, intellectual property, and agriculture, with a focus on its dispute settlement system. The course covers fundamental WTO principles such as non-discrimination, transparency, and predictability, while addressing global trade concerns like environmental protection, animal welfare, development, and public health. It also explores the One Health concept, connecting human, animal, and environmental health, particularly in trade related to animals, agricultural products, and food safety. Students will analyze real-world trade disputes and case studies to understand how WTO rules are applied in practice. By the end, students will be equipped with a deep understanding of WTO law and its impact on the global trade landscape.
LAW5810 International Anti-Corruption Law (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
The course focuses on the phenomenon of corruption and the illegal use of public office for private gain. The course, among others, encompasses the following topics: the definitions and scope of corruption (what is corruption and why does it matter?); causes and consequences of bureaucratic corruption; judicial corruption; international, regional and national regulatory anti-corruption frameworks; case studies; when are anti-corruption campaigns successful; corporate criminal liability; international cooperation; extradition; confiscation, seizure and asset recovery procedures.
LAW5924 Research Apprenticeship and Internship (4 credits, 7 ECTS) The apprenticeship provides the students with an opportunity to research issues related to the thesis topic in a supportive environment, while the internship provides students with the opportunity to learn about the practice of law through the supervised performance of legal work in: judicial chambers; prosecutor’s office and other government agencies; law firms; in-house legal departments; or other placements approved by the faculty supervisor. In addition to enhancing practical skills and exposing students to the world outside academia, internships offer the opportunity to increase the knowledge of substantive law, often in a specialized area. The Internship program requires students to work at least 150 qualifying hours, of which at least 100 hours must be spent in the field and 50 hours, preparing internship documents. Interns must file an internship report with the Faculty Supervisor conforming to the requirements of the School of Law for the LL.M. program. The Internship Guidelines and Forms contain all details regarding the operation of the Internship program.
LAW5989 Experimental Research for the Master Thesis (4 credits, 7 ECTS)
The Seminar is designed to provide a step-by-step approach to researching and writing an LL.M. thesis. The course starts with assisting students develop an appropriate theme or problem statement upon which to write a thesis. The objective of the course is to assist students to produce an acceptable thesis to submit to a Supervisory Panel and proceed to the oral defense. Students will also research and identify possible placements for their apprenticeship/internship. Classes will introduce research and drafting techniques. By the end of the course, students should have a thesis topic and a timeline for completing their thesis in stages.
LAW5993 Thesis Defense (5 credits, 8 ECTS)
Thesis Defense is a culminating course that offers students the opportunity to present and defend their research thesis before a panel of academic experts. The course focuses on the clear articulation and defense of legal arguments, research findings, and methodologies, allowing students to showcase their proficiency in legal analysis and scholarly writing. Students will present their research, engage in critical discussions, and respond to questions from the panel. Topics of the thesis may be in any legal area of interest. It may be a further elaboration of an earlier issue that the student finds interesting, a topic of recent activity in Kazakhstan’s legal scene or a suggestion by a professor. The LLM thesis is a requirement of the Final Attestation of the LLM program.
At the successful completion of this Program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional-grade understanding of public and private international law, both substantive and procedural;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the interaction of domestic and international law;
- Evaluate the role of international law in international relations and in the furthering of Kazakhstan’s interests in the international arena;
- Complete substantive research projects, which demonstrate advanced knowledge of international law, and proficiency in research methodologies, academic conventions, and academic English;
- Provide ethical legal advice and solutions to legal problems involving the international aspects of actions by private individuals, business, government and civil society;
- Communicate ideas and information clearly and effectively, in both oral and written English, using correct legal terminology;
- Demonstrate ability to work in teams.
Having achieved these learning outcomes, students are prepared to pursue further study of law at the PhD level or to work locally or internationally. For example graduates will be qualified to work in:
- Law Firms
- Business Firms
- Financial Services Firms
- Government
- International organizations