Faculty profile
The Faculty of Law has a strong international outlook with a focus on high-quality, innovative and closely interwoven education and research.
Research is geared towards comparative law, human rights, and the internationalisation and ‘Europeanisation’ of law. The faculty aims to be a frontrunner with its two leading research schools, Ius Commune and Human Rights. Alongside this, it has a strong focus on the ‘robed’ professions with its:
- Toga minor and the toga master track within the master Dutch Law
- The unique master Forensics, Criminology and Administration of Justice
- Own legal advice clinic
- Excellent intership opportunity
- Strong emphasis on moot court activities
Education at the faculty is based around its many English- as well as Dutch-language bachelor’s and master’s programmes. The unique, international (English-taught) bachelor’s in European Law School trains the international jurists of the future. The Dutch-taught programmes, too, emphasise the internationalisation of law. This mix is complemented by the international and varied student body and staff: the faculty is fully bilingual in Dutch and English and participates in many international networks of faculties and research schools.
Prospective student profile
Prospective students must have a Dutch VWO (gymnasium/atheneum) degree or higher vocational education (HBO) propedeutic degree (or international equivalent). In some cases, admission may be granted via a special entrance exam (colloquium doctum).
Knowledge of the following is recommended:
- history and (for the Tax Law programme) economics;
- the VWO ‘Culture and Society’ or ‘Economics and Society’ study profiles (or equivalent);
- three modern languages (for European Law School, French, German and especially English).
For the English-language master’s programmes, English proficiency must be demonstrated via a TOEFL or IELTS test score.
Student profile
Most students (80%) have completed Dutch pre-university education (VWO), around 10% come from higher vocational education (HBO), and the remaining 10% were educated abroad or accepted after taking the entrance exam (colloquium doctum). Over 20% of all bachelor’s students come from abroad, half of them attracted by the bachelor’s in European Law School. The student intake of the English-language master’s programmes, too, is highly varied and international.
Staff profile
Likewise, FL staff is very international: about 20% come from abroad (Germany, Belgium, North America, Italy, etc.). This variety helps us maintain the international character of our education and research.
Graduate profile
Typically, jurists enter traditional occupations within the magistrate, either in court or with the public prosecutor, and in many cases as defence lawyers. Graduates can also often be found working as government policymakers, as corporate lawyers, and of course in academic and higher education.
Graduates who took English-language programmes have thorough knowledge of European law and legal systems as well as excellent knowledge of English. They often find employment in international law firms and businesses, and international or European institutes.
