The United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Africa is an in-person professional training course of about three and a half weeks. It is for candidates with a legal background and professional experience in international law who come from United Nations Member States that are members of the Group of African States (also called the African Group). It is not a degree, and it is not a new one-off scholarship. It is a standing course that the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs runs under the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law, which the General Assembly established by resolution 2099 (XX) of 20 December 1965. The Africa course is organized in cooperation with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
The 2027 cycle runs from 15 March to 7 April 2027 at the ECA facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is taught in English. It takes up to 30 participants. Fellowship places are offered, together with a limited number of self-funded places. Applications close on 30 October 2026.
Short verdict: this is a strong fit if you have a legal background, professional experience in international law, fluent English, the ability to attend the entire course, and an institution willing to nominate you and certify on the Letter of Transmission that you will be released from your duties to attend it. It is intended for professionals who have acquired practical experience in international law, rather than people who are still studying. Current United Nations staff cannot apply.
This guide is written to help you decide whether to apply and to avoid the mistakes that get applications set aside. Every fact comes from the official course pages, the 2027 English brochure and the 2027 application form on legal.un.org, checked 14 October 2026.
Quick facts
| Item | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Africa, 2027 cycle | Hub |
| Parent programme | United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law | Brochure |
| Organizer | Codification Division, United Nations Office of Legal Affairs | Hub |
| Partners | Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, African Union, ECA | Hub |
| Venue | In person at the ECA facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Hub |
| Dates | 15 March to 7 April 2027 | Brochure |
| Language | English (fluent spoken and written English required) | Brochure |
| Places | Up to 30, including a limited number of self-funded places | Hub |
| Who can apply | Legal professionals with international law experience from African Group Member States | Application page |
| Funding | Fellowship or self-funded; fellowship cover and a meals wording difference are explained below | Financial page |
| Deadline | 30 October 2026 (no time of day or time zone stated) | Brochure |
| How to apply | Part 1 online form, then signed Part 2 Word form by email | Form |
| Fees | No fee at any stage of application and selection | Brochure |
The split between fellowship places and self-funded places within the 30 is not stated on the official pages. Meals are listed in the fellowship cover on the website and in the official frequently asked questions (FAQ) page, but not as a separate item in the 2027 brochure; see the fellowship section below.
Who this course is for (and who it is not for)
The brochure says the Regional Courses are meant to help “qualified professionals, in particular government officials and teachers of international law from developing countries and countries with emerging economies” deepen their knowledge of international law and of the legal work of the United Nations. The selection considerations are set out under Eligibility requirements below.
Likely a good fit
- You have a legal background and already work with international law in your job, for example in public administration, academia, or an intergovernmental or non-governmental organization engaged in international law activities in the region.
- You are a candidate from a United Nations Member State that is a member of the Group of African States.
- You can follow and take part in seminars in English, and you can prove it if English is not your mother tongue or language of instruction.
- Your institution is willing to nominate you and have a senior official sign the Letter of Transmission, which includes the institution’s certification that you will be released from your duties to attend the whole course if selected. Your institution or supervisor will complete and sign the Recommendation.
- You can explain clearly how the training connects to your current duties and how you will use it afterwards.
Probably not for you (yet)
- People who are still studying: the FAQ says it does not make sense to apply while you are still a student, because the course trains professionals who have already acquired some practical experience in international law.
- Current United Nations staff: not eligible, according to the FAQ.
- People who cannot attend every day: partial attendance is not allowed. If selected, you undertake to attend the course in its entirety, without exceptions.
- People looking for a degree or long-term study funding: this is a short professional course with a certificate, not a degree programme.
- People who cannot take part in English: English is the language of instruction for the 2027 course, and fluency in spoken and written English is required.
What the course offers
Content and format
The 2027 brochure lists these core seminar topics, plus “other topics of particular interest to the region”:
- Introduction to international law
- Treaty law
- State responsibility
- Diplomatic and consular relations
- International peace and security
- Peaceful settlement of international disputes
- The law and institutions of the African Union
- International human rights law
- Law of the sea
- International humanitarian law
- International criminal law
- International environmental law
- International trade law
- International investment law
The brochure says the course consists of “seminars delivered by eminent scholars and practitioners in international law from different regions and legal systems”. It is run as interactive seminars and discussions, and participants are expected to take part in the discussions, so be ready to speak about how these topics arise in your own work.
Each participant receives a comprehensive set of training materials at the start of the course. Certificates go to participants who complete the course in its entirety.
If selected, you undertake in the certifying statement on the application form to attend all lectures, seminars and study visits, submit any reports and assignments, follow the United Nations Code of Conduct to Prevent Harassment, avoid political or commercial activities during the course, and return to your country of residence at the end.
Fellowship places: what is covered
The official financial arrangements page says the fellowship covers travel, accommodation, meals, medical insurance and training materials. Fellows also receive a modest stipend for other living expenses, paid in line with the policies and procedures that govern United Nations fellowships. The FAQ uses the same list and also mentions participation in the course itself.
There is one wording difference to know about. The website and FAQ include meals in the fellowship cover. The 2027 English brochure lists travel in economy class, accommodation, medical insurance, training materials and the modest stipend, and does not list meals separately. The FAQ says the stipend “reflects local living costs (food, public transport, etc.)”. Exact handling of meals is not further detailed on the official pages. If this matters for your budget, ask the Codification Division.
What the FAQ says about the stipend:
- It “suffices for a decent but by no means luxurious living standard”.
- Accommodation is provided without charge.
- Rates are set by United Nations regulations and can vary significantly from year to year, depending on the US Dollar exchange rate.
- No stipend amount is published.
One practical warning from the FAQ: medical insurance is covered, but many medical institutions require advance payment for services, and the stipend does not include funds for such advance payments. The FAQ asks selected fellows to bear this in mind when preparing for their stay.
Self-funded places: what you pay
There is a limited number of self-funded places. Self-funded participants bear all costs of taking part, for example travel, medical insurance, accommodation and living expenses. Training materials are provided to all participants, including self-funded ones.
Self-funded participants go through the same application process and the same selection criteria as fellows. They have the same rights and obligations, attend the same lectures, take part in the same activities and receive the same certificate.
The official pages do not state a separate course or tuition fee. They do state that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the application and selection process.
How you choose a lane
The choice is made on the Letter of Transmission in Part 2 of the application form. Your nominating institution ticks either “a fellowship” or “a self-funded place”, so agree the lane with your institution before it signs. The official pages do not say whether a candidate nominated for one lane can be moved to the other.
Eligibility requirements
All of the following come from the official application page, brochure, FAQ and form:
- Legal background with professional experience in international law. Both are required. Professional experience in international law is required in addition to a legal background.
- Fluency in English for 2027. The brochure asks for fluency in spoken and written English.
- Proof of English if needed. If your mother tongue or language of instruction is not English, you must submit proof. The form gives examples: a diploma of courses conducted in English, a language test certificate, or extensive work experience in English. The brochure also refers to providing “a valid language certification”.
- Full attendance. Selected candidates must certify that they can attend the whole course.
- Nationality. Open to candidates from United Nations Member States that are members of the Group of African States.
- Institutional nomination. The form’s Letter of Transmission must be completed and signed by a senior official of the institution presenting your application. The Letter of Transmission is issued by the nominating government, university or institute. Candidates who are not government officials can be nominated by the institution they work for or are affiliated with, such as a university or an intergovernmental or non-governmental organization.
- Not current United Nations staff.
How selection works: the official pages say due consideration is given to your qualifications, the scope of your professional duties, the relevance of the training to those duties, and gender balance. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
What the official pages do not state: a minimum number of years of experience, an age limit, a specific English test or score, or an acceptance rate. Do not assume any of these.
Key dates and deadline
| Item | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline | 30 October 2026 | No time of day or time zone stated |
| Course starts | 15 March 2027 | In person, Addis Ababa |
| Course ends | 7 April 2027 | Full attendance required |
| Results | Not stated | Not published on official pages |
The hub, brochure, application page and application form all give the same deadline: 30 October 2026. None of them states a time of day or a time zone, so do not plan around a particular hour. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be considered, and both parts of the application must be received. Treat 30 October 2026 as the date by which your online Part 1 and your emailed Part 2 must both be in, and aim to finish several days earlier.
The signatures depend on other people. Your nominating institution has to sign the Letter of Transmission, and the institution or your supervisor has to complete and sign the Recommendation. Start those conversations now.
How to apply
The 2027 application has two parts. If only one part is received, the application will not be considered. Follow this order:
- Read the 2027 brochure and the FAQ, and confirm that you meet every requirement above, including full attendance from 15 March to 7 April 2027.
- Speak to your institution. Ask a senior official to agree to nominate you and to choose the fellowship or self-funded lane on the Letter of Transmission. The letter certifies that, if selected, you will be released from your duties to attend the course in its entirety, so confirm the institution can sign that before it does.
- Ask the institution or your supervisor to complete and sign the Recommendation (Part III), which comments on your education, international law experience, personality, English, and how you will use the training.
- Download the Part 2 application form (Word document, English only) from the official course site.
- Complete Part 1, the online Microsoft form linked from the Part 2 instructions and from the apply button at the end of this guide.
- Complete Part 2 in English, typewritten, preferably electronically in Word, with clear and detailed answers. Sign the certifying statement.
- Make sure Part 2 includes the signed Letter of Transmission (Part II) and the signed Recommendation (Part III).
- Scan the signed original of Part 2 as a PDF or JPG.
- Prepare your evidence of English ability if English is not your mother tongue or language of instruction.
- Name the file using the official formula: [Last Name], [First Name] – RCIL Africa 2027 (RCIL is the form’s abbreviation for Regional Course in International Law). The form’s example is “Doe, John – RCIL Africa 2027.pdf”.
- After Part 1 has been submitted, email the scanned Part 2 to [email protected]. Submit your English evidence too if it applies; it is the third item on the form’s checklist.
- Make sure both parts are received by the 30 October 2026 deadline.
You do not have to route your application through your government. The FAQ says your sponsoring institution has to fill in certain parts of the form, but you can send the completed form directly to the Codification Division of the Office of Legal Affairs.
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the application and selection process and does not ask for candidates’ bank account details. Treat any request for payment or bank information as a warning sign and check it with the official contact address.
How to make your application stronger
The official selection considerations are short: your qualifications, the scope of your professional duties, the relevance of the training to those duties, and gender balance. Build your application around them.
- Scope of duties: the employment record (question 12) asks for complete details of the duties and responsibilities of each post. Describe the international law work you actually do, such as treaty review or advising on disputes, rather than only a job title.
- Relevance and use: question 13 asks how international law relates to your current duties, and question 14 asks how you will use what you learn in your current or expected responsibilities. Link both answers to specific seminar topics in the brochure list.
- Complete, signed Recommendation: the Recommendation (Part III) asks your institution or supervisor to comment on your qualifications, experience in international law, personality, language ability, and how you will use the knowledge on your return. It must be complete and signed.
- Letter of Transmission: it must be completed and signed by a senior official of the institution presenting your application, with the fellowship or self-funded lane ticked. The letter also contains certifications by the institution; see the form for the exact fields and check each one before you scan it.
- Gender balance: female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending only one part. Part 1 without the emailed Part 2, or Part 2 without Part 1, means the application will not be considered.
- Emailing Part 2 before Part 1. The form says Part 2 is sent after the first part has been submitted.
- Missing signatures. An unsigned certifying statement, Letter of Transmission or Recommendation leaves the file incomplete.
- Wrong file name. Use [Last Name], [First Name] – RCIL Africa 2027 exactly, following the official example “Doe, John – RCIL Africa 2027.pdf”. The separator is an en dash, as printed on the form.
- Thin answers. The form asks for responses that are clear and as detailed as possible, and says incomplete forms will not be considered.
- No English evidence. If English is not your mother tongue or language of instruction, proof is required.
- Skipping the eligibility check. Confirm that you meet the legal background, professional experience and Group of African States requirements. Current United Nations staff are not eligible, and the FAQ advises that it does not make sense to apply while you are still a student.
- Planning to attend only part. You must be able to attend the entire course from 15 March to 7 April 2027.
- Leaving it to the last day. Both parts must be received by 30 October 2026. No closing time or time zone is stated, and late applications are not considered, so submit early.
- Using old information. Use the official 2027 brochure, financial arrangements page and application form rather than details from earlier course cycles.
- Assuming fixed numbers. No stipend amount and no split between fellowship and self-funded places are published.
FAQ
Is the United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Africa fully funded?
For fellowship participants, the website and FAQ say the fellowship covers travel, accommodation, meals, medical insurance and training materials, plus a modest stipend. The 2027 brochure lists economy travel, accommodation, medical insurance, training materials and the stipend, without listing meals separately. A limited number of self-funded participants pay their own costs. So it is best described as a funded professional course with two lanes, not a blanket fully funded scholarship.
What is the difference between fellowship and self-funded places?
The main difference is the financial arrangements. Fellowship participants receive the cover described in the fellowship section above, including a modest stipend, while self-funded participants bear their own costs of taking part, except training materials, which are provided to all participants. Both go through the same application process and selection criteria, have the same rights and obligations, attend the same lectures and activities, and receive the same certificate. Your nominating institution ticks the lane on the Letter of Transmission.
How much is the stipend?
No amount is published. The FAQ says it reflects local living costs such as food and public transport, supports a decent but not luxurious standard, and is set by United Nations regulations that can change significantly from year to year with the US Dollar exchange rate. Accommodation is free for fellows.
Who can apply, and is it only for government officials?
Candidates from United Nations Member States that are members of the Group of African States, with a legal background, professional experience in international law, fluent English, and the ability to attend the whole course. It is not only for government officials. The FAQ says the course is also open to academia and to professionals from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and similar institutions engaged in international law activities in the region. Non-government candidates can be nominated by the institution they work for or are affiliated with.
Can lawyers in private practice apply?
The official pages do not address this directly. The FAQ names government, academia, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and similar institutions engaged in international law, and the Letter of Transmission is signed by the nominating “Government / University / Institute”. If you work in the private sector, ask [email protected] before you invest time in the form.
Can current United Nations staff or students apply?
Current United Nations staff members are not eligible. Students are not the intended audience: the FAQ says it does not make sense to apply while still a student, because the course is for professionals with some practical experience in international law.
What language is the 2027 course in, and what proof do I need?
English. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. If English is not your mother tongue or language of instruction, submit evidence such as a diploma of courses conducted in English, a language test certificate, or extensive work experience in English.
What is the deadline, and is there a time or time zone?
The deadline is 30 October 2026. No time of day and no time zone is stated on the official hub, brochure, application page or form. Submit early.
Do I have to send my application through my government?
No. Your sponsoring institution must fill in certain parts of the form, but you can send the completed form directly to the Codification Division of the Office of Legal Affairs.
Is there an application fee?
No. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the application and selection process, and it does not require information about candidates’ bank accounts.
Can my country nominate more than one person, and can I re-apply?
Yes to both. Countries are strongly encouraged to nominate several qualified candidates, and being the only applicant from a country does not necessarily increase your chances. If you applied before and were not selected, you can re-apply with a new complete application.
Who do I contact with questions?
Email the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs at [email protected]. The official contact page does not list a phone number, and it points you to the FAQ first.
Official sources
Checked 14 October 2026. Recheck the brochure and the hub before you submit, as details can change.
- United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Africa: general information (hub)
- Application process: qualifications and selection
- Financial arrangements (fellowship and self-funded)
- Frequently asked questions
- Contact the Codification Division
- Past courses (earlier cycles, venues and languages)
- 2027 brochure in English (PDF)
- 2027 brochure in French (PDF)
- 2027 application form, Part 2 (Word document, English only)
- Application form, Part 1 (online Microsoft form): use the apply button below.
