Current Dates for the Module Exam in International Law (IREWI) can be found here
Exam format
You will receive a specific time for your exam no later than the day before the exam. The exam usually lasts 15 minutes. Each candidate is asked 3 questions, plus follow-up questions that arise from them. I examine individually and do not pass on questions to other candidates. Some questions relate to short real or fictional scenarios, international law decisions, or provisions in international treaties.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate the following: issue spotting and critical thinking, a solid overview of the fundamentals rather than mere memorization, understanding of legal contexts and current developments in international law, legal reasoning and the ability to argue different perspectives, precise expression and ability to apply the law to fact patterns. Please bring a compilation of international legal provisions to the exam, such as Blackstone’s International Law.
Coverage of the exam
- Fundamentals and framework of contemporary international law
- Sources of international law
- International law, European Union law, and national law
- Subjects of international law
- The individual in international law
- Privileges and immunities in international law
- The prohibition of force and intervention
- Territorial aspects of international law
- International economic law
- International law violations and their consequences
- Law of war and humanitarian law
- The international status and legal position of Austria since 1918
Study Aids for the Module Exam in International Law (IREWI)
James Crawford, Brownlie’s Principles of International Law (Oxford University Press, 9th ed., 2019)
To get started, you may also want to use one of the following two introductory textbooks.
Cecily Rose, Niels Blokker, Daniëlla Dam-de Jong, Simone van den Driest, Robert Heinsch, Erik Koppe, and Nico Schrijver, An Introduction to Public International Law (Cambridge University Press, 2022) OR
Jan Klabbers, International Law (4th ed., Cambridge University Press, 2024)
For the international status and the legal position of Austria since 1918, use Section XII in volume I and Section XIV. in Volume 2 in Reinisch (Hrsg.), Österreichisches Handbuch des Völkerrechts (Manz, 6th ed., 2021), Volumes 1+2
Requests to be examined at a specific date and time must be sent during the registration period to ssc.rechtswissenschaften@univie.ac.at, stating the reason for this request.
For organizational questions and other matters regarding the exam such as manual de-registration, please contact service.int-law2@univie.ac.at.