12 October 2026 – 28 November 2027 

Overview

The online Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and International Law aims at training participants in international law and applied practices to investigate and combat malicious cyber activities, as well as at providing them with in-depth knowledge of existing cybercrime prevention strategies at national and internation level.

Participants will also be trained in all areas and disciplines related to law and revolving around cybercrime criminology and social sciences, victimology, psychology, economics, organizational sciences, and computer science. Students will be equipped with knowledge of the main trends on cybercrimes with a focus on the profiles of perpetrators and victims, the most-up-to-date intelligence operations, and the methods and analytical tools implemented to understand, adapt, and respond to cybercrime continuously.

The LL.M. also includes a specific focus on cybersecurity, a key element in the prevention and management of cyber threats. Participants will examine the legal, technical and organizational aspects of cybersecurity, including risk assessment, incident response, protection of critical infrastructures, and compliance with national and international regulatory frameworks. The programme places emphasis on the practical challenges faced by public institutions and private actors, enabling participants to understand how cybersecurity measures are designed, implemented and enforced in real-world contexts.

The study plan is designed to address the Masters’ topics, at first, from a theoretical perspective and then, from a practical standpoint.

The LL.M. is aimed at training university graduates and professionals into highly interdisciplinary law experts able to analyse, prevent, investigate and counter cybercrime and address cybersecurity threats, in order to protect the community, institutions, and businesses.

This programme offers a rigorous and forward‑looking exploration of cybercrime and cybersecurity, beginning with a solid grounding in the international law, comparative criminal law and international human rights standards that govern conduct in the digital sphere. Students will engage with the full spectrum of contemporary cybercrime phenomena, including organized cybercrime, cyberterrorism, cyberwarfare, AI‑enabled offenses, and emerging risks in virtual and metaverse environments. The curriculum further examines the actors and victims in the cybercrime landscape, providing insight into hackers, activists, criminal networks, non‑state actors, and the diverse forms of online victimization. These themes are supported by theoretical, psychological, methodological, and economic perspectives that equip students to critically analyse digital offending and its global impact. The program culminates in an applied focus on cybersecurity, digital forensics, and prevention strategies, offering hands‑on experience with investigative tools, risk management, governance, and crisis response, preparing graduates to address complex cyber threats with both legal and technical expertise.

The LL.M. is carried out fully online, and it is complemented by a 10-day optional workshop in July 2027. 

The LL.M. is ideal for those wishing to pursue a master’s degree by engaging in flexible learning arrangements from where they work and at any time.

Through a combination of recorded videos, live webinars, self-study material and interactive forums, selected participants will acquire in-depth knowledge on the theoretical and practical aspects related to cybercrime, cybersecurity and international law.

The workshop will provide an intensive and interactive learning experience combining case studies, simulations, and collaborative discussions on cybercrime and cybersecurity. Participants will analyze complex cybercrime scenarios, address transnational legal challenges, and assess cybersecurity strategies and policies. 

The final graduation project will consist of a paper to be submitted after having completed all courses.

Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be awarded an LL.M. degree officially issued by the University for Peace (UPEACE).

Application form 2026/27

The partner organizations:

The LL.M. in Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and International Law is organized by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the University for Peace (UPEACE) in cooperation with the Centre of Security and Crime Sciences of the Universities of Trento and Verona (CSCS).

UNICRI is one of the main training and research institutes of the UN System. It was established in 1968 and is mandated to support countries worldwide in preventing and countering crime and promoting justice and security in support of human rights, peace and development. Over the years the Institute has developed a sound expertise in research and training, which is reflected in the organization of several capacity-building activities and specialized postgraduate courses.

UPEACE, headquartered in Costa Rica, is a Treaty Organization established in 1980 through an International Agreement approved by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 35/55, and has the mandate “to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace and with the aim of promoting among all human beings the spirit of understanding, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, to stimulate cooperation among peoples and to help lessen obstacles and threats to world peace and progress, in keeping with the noble aspirations proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations”. By virtue of the mandate granted to it by Article 15 of the Charter of the University for Peace, annexed to the International Agreement Establishing the University, UPEACE conducts Master's and Doctorate Degree programmes in fields that promote peace and security.

The Centre of Security and Crime Sciences (CSSC) is a joint research Centre of the Universities of Trento and Verona. Founded in 2021, the Centre conducts applied research and high-level training activities to identify, analyse, prevent and mitigate security, safety, crime and risk management risks. The Centre’s research and knowledge dissemination activities are developed using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates data from the fields of criminology, law, statistics, mathematics, information sciences, sociology, human sciences and engineering to produce tailored solutions to tackle security and safety issues of modern global challenges. 

Selection process

Application form 2026/27

All applicants will be evaluated and admitted based on the merits and completeness of their applications. The minimum requirements for consideration are:

• Relevant academic background and achievements

• A well‑structured and thoughtful motivation letter

In addition to the minimum requirements, the Admissions Committee may also consider the following when applicable:

• Professional experience (if available)

• Additional professional training (if any)

These elements may strengthen an application but are not mandatory, ensuring that recent graduates with strong academic preparation or specialization in the LLM topics are not disadvantaged.

The selection is carried out on a rolling basis; applicants will be notified of the results of the selection process via e-mail within 7 working days of the submission of their application. Please note that, if you are offered a place, you will have 3 days to accept the offer (from the date of the confirmation email), and after that, you will have 10 days to complete the payment. Applicants who are not selected after the first review are placed on a waiting list. 

Wait-listed applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection starting from 13 September. If selected, applicants will be given 2 days to accept the offer (from the date of the confirmation email) and 5 days to complete the payment. In light of the above, we strongly advise students to plan for the payment of the fees already at the time of the application. These deadlines cannot be postponed and payment in multiple instalments is not allowed at such stage.

*_{The organizers retain the possibility to hold an interview with applicants}.

Data Protection and Privacy Notice

Your personal information is collected solely for the purpose of processing your application and administering the course. Information is handled in accordance with United Nations system‑wide Personal Data Protection and Privacy Principles (2018) and UN Secretariat information‑management policies, including ST/SGB/2007/6 and ST/SGB/2004/5.

• Confidentiality: Your information is classified and protected as UN Internal or UN Confidential, in line with ST/SGB/2007/6.

• Secure Handling: Data is stored, accessed, transmitted, and disposed of using UN‑mandated security measures, including those outlined in ST/SGB/2007/6 and ST/SGB/2004/15.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your information will be processed according to these standards.

Structure, content and methodology

The LL.M. is characterized by an interdisciplinary academic strategy that integrates theory and practice, favours active exchange of ideas, and furthers the comparative and critical thinking skills of the students.

Throughout the master’s implementation (12 October 2026 – 28 November 2027), participants will have access to the e-learning platform of the LL.M. Programme, on which, in addition to self-study, they will have to attend live webinars and participate to interactive activities. Each block of three weeks will be composed of 2 modules running in parallel. Participants will have to carry out all activities foreseen for the modules but with the flexibility to organize the workload to suit their own schedules thanks to asynchronous learning activities.

 Material and activities for each module of three weeks will be organized as follows:

• Required and optional readings 

  A series of selected mandatory and optional reading material will be made available to students at the beginning of each week. All reading material will remain available during the entire duration of the programme.

• Pre-recorded lectures/videos and live webinars

  Every week, there will be 2 lectures per module lasting -approximately- one hour each. Out of 6 lectures per module foreseen, one/two will take place live to allow students to interact synchronously with the professors and among each other, while the remaining ones will be recorded lectures.

  The date and time for the live webinars will differ from module to module and will be communicated on the platform. All webinars will be recorded and uploaded on the platform for students who are unable to join synchronously.

• Discussion forums

  Two discussion forums will be available each week (one per module considering that two modules run in parallel) where the instructor will pose a question, and students will be required to participate and engage with the instructor and with their classmates. Forums will usually be opened for discussion towards the end of each week to allow students to go through all mandatory lectures and readings. 

All the above activities will envisage between 13 to 15 hours per week of self-study of which 6 hours are devoted to live webinars, recorded lectures and forums.

At the end of each module a test (quiz) will take place to assess the understanding of the module's topics.

Additionally, an optional 10-day in-person workshop (July 2027) will be organized. This workshop foresees full time activities where students will additionally be tutored by a faculty advisor who will support them in elaborating the final graduation project. 

The classes delivered during this phase will also be offered online, for those who are not able to join in person. The in-person attendance to the workshop is not compulsory. All students (both attending in-person and online) will receive 4 UPEACE credits upon completion of the workshop and related test.

The submission of the final graduation project is compulsory, and its grade will count 6 university credits.

In order to be awarded the final Master of Laws Degree worth 42 UPEACE credits (equivalent to 42 US credits/63 ECTS), students need to complete all activities and foreseen exams. Attendance and participation in activities will be considered towards the final assessment of student’s performance.
 

Faculty

The Faculty of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and International Law is composed by international academics, including UPEACE and CSSC professors, UNICRI staff members, experts and practitioners, also from the UN system:

Mihir Kanade – Head of UPEACE Department of International Law and Director of UPEACE Human Rights Centre. Independent Expert, UN Special Mechanism on the Right to Development.  Member of the UN Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. Co-coordinator of the Master programme.

Andrea Di Nicola – Associate Professor of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Trento, Italy. Scientific Coordinator of eCrime and Director of the Joint Centre of Security and Crime Sciences (CSSC) of the University of Trento and the University of Verona. Scientific Advisor of the Master programme.

Albert Antwi-Boasiako – Cybersecurity Expert; Former National Cybersecurity Authority Lead (Ghana); African Cybersecurity Policy and Governance Leader.

Gabriele Baratto – Senior Researcher, eCrime, Faculty of Law and Institute of Safety and Security Sciences, University of Trento, Italy.  Academic specialist of the Master programme.

Jennifer Bramlette – Legal Officer at Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).

Nicolò Bussolati – Criminal Lawyer; Consultant in Legal and Cyber Issues; International Criminal Law Specialist.

Lorenzo Cavassa – IT Professional, Cyber Security Expert, AI and Quantum Computing Specialist.

David Décary-Hetu – Associate Professor at the Department of Criminology of the University of Montreal, Canada. 

Joshua Fischer-Birch – Researcher, the Counter-Extremism Project (CED).

Mariateresa Garrido - Assistant Professor at the Department of International Law at UPEACE and Doctoral Program Coordinator.

Andrea Ghirardini – Consultant and Expert on Computer Forensics for UNICRI, law enforcement agencies and private companies. 

Thomas Holt – Professor of Cybercrime at the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University, USA.

Krisztina Huszti-Orban – Human Rights Officer at the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism (UNOCT).

Jaishankar Karupppannan - Principal Director & Professor of Criminology and Justice Sciences at the International Institute of Justice & Police Sciences, India and Professor of Criminology at Saveetha School of Law, Chennai, India. 

Steven Kemp – Assistant Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Girona, Spain.

Anita Lavorgna – Associate Professor at the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the University of Bologna, Italy.

Gianluigi Me – OF-4 at Carabinieri Law Enforcement, Deputy Head of the ICT Security Department at Carabinieri Headquarters; Adjunct Professor at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and LUISS Guido Carli University; Expert/Trainer for CEPOL and other international organizations.

Fernando Miró – Professor of Cybercrime & Cybersecurity, Specialized Criminal Practice and Criminological & Victimological Prevention at the University Miguel Hernandez de Elche, Alicante, Spain.

Boban Misoski – Professor of Criminal Procedure and Head of Master Studies in Criminal Law, Iustinianus Primus Law Faculty, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, North Macedonia. 

Adejoke Odebade - Ph.D. Researcher at Smart Systems, AI, and Cybersecurity Research Centre at Staffordshire University, United Kingdom.

Aunshul Rege – Associate Professor at the Department of Criminal Justice at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA.

Marco Romagna – Professor of Cybercrime and Cybercriminology at Criminology Department of Leiden University, The Netherlands.

Elena Maria Rusconi – Professor of Psychobiology and Physiological Psychology, University of Trento, Italy.

Markus Stemeseder – Associate Expert in Cybercrime, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Sarah Tas – Assistant Professor of European and Comparative Administrative Law at Maastricht University, The Netherlands.

Barbara Vettori – Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

Mauricio Vieira – Assistant Professor and Head of the Chair on Countering Illicit Trade and Preventing Transnational Organized Crime at the University for Peace

Career opportunities

The LL.M. aims to build the capacities of interdisciplinary experts with a solid legal background able to promptly address cybersecurity and cybercrime threats at all levels not only understanding technical issues but also having the capacity to combine the understanding of the problems with technical and legal solutions, drawing also on information and communication from technology specialists.

The LL.M. prepares interdisciplinary professionals with a strong legal foundation who can operate confidently across all domains involved in combating cybercrime and addressing cybersecurity threats. Graduates will develop the ability to understand technical issues, communicate effectively with specialists, and translate complex problems into both legal and non‑legal solutions.

Throughout the programme, participants will engage directly with lawyers, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, officials from international organizations, and industry experts who work on these specialized fields. This hands-on, case-based exposure will equip students with the operational mindset and practical skills needed to tackle real world challenges in an evolving digital landscape. 

The programme further envisages dedicated sessions on career guidance and professional development, including reference to the UN System.

The LL.M. Degree will enable participants to have the required knowledge and skills to engage, or further develop, a professional career as: 

• Prosecutors and law enforcement officials dealing with cybercrime investigation and judicial cooperation 

• (International) cybercrime lawyers 

• Transnational cybercrime analysts 

• Researchers investigating transnational cybercrime in public and private research institutions 

• Officials from international organizations working on cybercrime and cybercrime policy 

• Cyber risk management analysts and business continuity professionals in international industries 

   

Tuition fees and exemption

Tuition fees

Tuition fees amount to USD 12,000.

Please note that:

• Tuition fees do not cover additional expenses such as those related to VISA, travel, food, and accommodation for students wishing to participate in the in-person workshop.

• Tuition fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.

• The only event under which tuition fees will be refunded is the cancellation of the course by its organizers.

• Applicants receiving an offer for the 2026-27 edition of the LL.M. cannot defer it to the following academic year.

Fee Exemptions 

A limited number of fee exemptions may be available. These are awarded based on merit and giving priority to students coming from developing countries and women. Please indicate and motivate your request of fee exemption in the application form under Section 23 - “Other Relevant Information”. Candidates will be informed during the selection process about the availability of such exemptions, which will be awarded only at the end of the selection process.

Cancellation Policy

UNICRI and UPEACE reserve the right to cancel the programme due to low enrolment or unforeseen circumstances. Participants will be notified by 28 September 2026 of any change in the programme. If the programme is cancelled by the organizers, tuition fees will be reimbursed to participants.

In case of cancellation, the organizers will not be liable for any loss, including travel and accommodation costs suffered by or on behalf of any person who wished to attend the in-person workshop.

Entry requirements

• Hold at least a 3-year university degree issued by an internationally recognized university in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Criminology, Social Sciences, Information Engineering, Psychology/Cognitive Sciences, or equivalent academic subjects;

• Full proficiency in written and spoken English. Minimum score of 6.5 (IELTS); 90 (internet based TOEFL); grades A, B (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency English) or grades A, B, C (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English);

• Computer literacy in standard software applications.

A certificate of English knowledge is not a mandatory requirement.  Proficiency in English language is needed to attend the course. For reference, score ranges from the below internationally recognized certificates are suggested to be equal to or above the following:

*_{The programme’s coordination officers may arrange phone interviews to assess the linguistic competencies of candidates before the selection is finalized}

How to apply

Applicants will need to submit their application form using this link and considering the established deadlines outlined. Upon submission, applicants will receive an email prompted from our account unicri.llmcyber@un.org with the request to submit the following documents:

• Motivation letter, a personal statement explaining why you are interested in this programme and outlining any relevant experience you have. The statement should be written in English and not exceed one page.
• Curriculum Vitae in English.
• Scanned copy of passport reproducing only the personal details and photo page(s).
• Official English certificate if available (see section on entry requirements and item number 10 of the application form).
• An official copy of the bachelor’s diploma(s) in its original language issued by the competent University.
• An official certified translation of the above diploma(s) into English if the original document(s) is issued in another language. *
• An official copy of the university transcript(s) of records of all the university studies completed or ongoing in the original language issued by the competent University. The official transcript of records must include the following information: full titles of all the courses completed throughout the degree; dates of completion of each course (or at the very least the overall time spent to complete the entire programme); grades obtained; credits awarded; and information on the grading scale.
• An official certified translation of the above transcript(s) of records into English if the original document(s) is issued in another language.

*^{The official certified translation of the university diploma(s) and transcript(s) of records are issued by the National Competent Authority of the country where the student has conducted his/her studies according to national regulations.}

Once the form and documents have been received by UNICRI LL.M. Staff, applicants will receive a confirmation with the outline of timeframes for a reply on eligibility. 

Application form 2026/27

Please note that the submitted application is valid for the 2026/27 edition of the LL.M. only. If you are not selected and wish to apply for the forthcoming edition of the same programme, you may submit a new application as soon as the new call for applications is open. 

LL.M. Office Contacts

E-mail: unicri.llmcyber@un.org
Tel.: (+39) 011 6537 157 - (+39) 011 6537 111

Postal address
LL.M. in Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and International Law, UNICRI
Viale Maestri del Lavoro, 10 - 10127 – Torino, Italy

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply to a Ph.D programme after completing this LL.M?

Firstly, you should check the specific entry requirements of the Ph.D. programme that you intend to apply to. The LL.M. in Cybercrime, Cybersecurity and International Law provides you with a legally recognized LL.M. diploma worth 42 credits equal to 42 UPEACE credits, equal to 42 US credits/63 ECTS.

What services will be available to students during the LL.M.?

Participants are granted access to UPEACE Library resources. Such databases provide full-text access to documents and offer a comprehensive coverage of key criminological journals, law reviews and other law-related documentation. 

For students participating in the in-person workshop, the UN Campus offers several facilities for daily living such as a bank, a post office, a laundry service, a canteen, a café and a first aid centre.

Sightseeing, cultural activities and trips are coordinated through the Participant Services of UN Campus and students may join these tours (costs may vary, and they are not included in the tuition fees). Students may also enjoy the sport facilities of the UN campus, which includes a football pitch, tennis courts and a gym.

Is the LL.M. compatible with other professional activities?

The course is structured in blocks of three weeks, and two modules are delivered contemporaneously. Each week is designed to involve 9-11 hours of study. 

Modules consist of self-paced activities (readings, recorded lectures), at least one live webinar (that can also be watched asynchronously), some weekly assignments that are due by Monday of each week and a quiz at the end of each three-week module that is open (and has to be completed) within the last weekend of the module. Considering that the deadlines for all activities consider weekends, the course is compatible with other commitments (professional or academic) thus activities can be completed during the weekend.

Is it easy to find accommodation in Turin for the workshop?

Finding accommodation depends on the specific needs of each student. Students who prefer to live closer to the central area of Turin (Centro, Quadrilatero Romano, San Salvario) should generally expect to find more expensive solutions, whilst accommodations in areas that are closer to the UN Campus are usually cheaper. You can expect to pay between € 350 and € 700 per month depending on the type of accommodation you choose (i.e. shared flat, single room, double room, studio, etc.) and on the area of town. Public transport from the city centre to the Campus area can take approximately 25 minutes.