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About the course
About the course
This online course introduces the foundational concepts and principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) within conflict settings. With a focus on legal literacy, participants explore key treaties, IHL principles (such as distinction, necessity and proportionality), and the responsibilities of parties to a conflict. Emphasis is placed on practical applications of IHL to protect civilians and aid humanitarian workers in securing access to affected populations.
This course is offered for credit or on a non-credit basis and is delivered jointly by Oxford Brookes University's Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
A flexible and user-friendly online learning environment will enable you to learn from your workplace. During the course, you will have support from a team of academic experts, top-ranked practitioners, and field experts. As well as the unique opportunity to interact and learn with peers and expert facilitators across the world.
Your time will be split equally among four main activities:
Staff-led activities, such as webinars, tutorials and discussions
Self-led activities, including readings and independent exercises
Drawing on your past or current professional practice
Preparing your assignments (credit-rated course)
The credit-rated CPD module, equivalent to 20 postgraduate credits, requires learners to complete assessments and can be counted towards the distance-learning PG Cert/ Master's in Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding. The non-credit-rated short course leads to a certificate of attendance.
Dates
Dates
Delivery dates: April - June 2026
This course is primarily self-paced, with a required one-hour weekly webinar. It's designed to be flexible for those with full-time jobs or for those studying from around the world.
Application deadlines: 9 January 2026 (Credit-rated course), 27 March 2026 (Non-credit-rated course)
Non-credit course: 8 weeks, starting with 2 reading weeks to build foundational knowledge, followed by 6 interactive, staff-led weeks that focus on peer-led discussions and practical applications. During these interactive weeks, participants will engage in two one-hour 'ExperCorner' webinars and, on alternate weeks, a one-hours 'Virtual Coffee session' for informal networking and discussion. To accommodate varying schedules, availability for these sessions is coordinated through participant polling.
Credit-rated course: 11 weeks starting with 2 reading weeks to build foundational knowledge, followed by 6 interactive, staff-led weeks that focus on peer-led discussions and practical applications. With an additional 3 weeks dedicated to completing assessments. During the 6 interactive weeks, participants will engage in two one-hour 'ExperCorner' webinars and, on alternate weeks, a one-hours 'Virtual Coffee session' for informal networking and discussion. To accommodate varying schedules, availability for these sessions is coordinated through participant polling.
Course cost
Course cost
Credit-rated course is £1,145*
Non-credit-rated course: £600*
Course Content
Course Content
The online course is estimated to be 200 hours per module and covers four core themes:
Introduction to IHL Concepts and Principles: Examines the purpose of IHL, including protections for persons and property, and restrictions on methods of warfare.
Sources and Key Treaties of IHL: Explores foundational treaties, such as the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols, and customary IHL.
Key Provisions and Applicability: Covers principles like distinction, necessity, proportionality, humane treatment, and non-discrimination, focusing on their relevance to humanitarian workers and peacebuilders.
Implications for Humanitarian Action and Peacebuilding: Examines the right to humanitarian assistance, rules governing aid delivery, and obligations to protect civilians and aid workers.
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Demonstrate legal literacy in IHL concepts and principles, focusing on civilian protection.
Analyse IHL's applicability to protect affected populations.
Understand key provisions, including principles of distinction, necessity, proportionality, and humane treatment.
Recognise IHL rules concerning the protection of vulnerable groups, emphasising non-discimination.
Who is this module for?
Who is this module for?
This course is suitable for practitioners already working in the humanitarian, conflict transformation and peacebuilding fields and in related areas such as diplomacy and journalism, who wish to continue their professional development, and practitioners working in other fields interested in exploring opportunities in these areas.
Contact us
Contact us
If you have any enquiries about the course, please email us at hst-cpdadmissions@brookes.ac.uk
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*Cancellation policy
*Cancellation policy
If you cancel on or before the application deadline, you will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made after this date are not eligible for a refund.
If the course is cancelled by Oxford Brookes University, all registered participants will get a full refund.
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