General information about courses

Course load & teaching blocks

Typical full-time exchange load:

30 ECTS per semester.
Courses are taught in blocks across the semester.

A good planning rule is to choose a mix across blocks so you are not overloaded in a single period.

Course selection

Courses are offered at three levels: Ba, Ba/Ma, and Ma.
Ma-level courses require C1 English and explicit permission from the International Office.
Your course list is approved through your Learning Agreement, or email before you create your Learning Agreement.

Details about the courses, including the specific prerequisites, can be found on Ocasys by clicking on the course name.

Course levels & ECTS

Ba (Bachelor): usually 5 or 10 ECTS
Ba/Ma (advanced / “first-phase Master”): 6 ECTS
Ma (Master): 6 ECTS (part of our English-taught LLM programmes)

Permission rule

Ba and Ba/Ma: usually allowed if you meet prerequisites
Ma-level: C1 English + explicit permission required.

If you take MA-level courses without permission, you can be excluded from the exam (your exam registration may be blocked).

Choosing courses

Depending on your level of education, you can choose from the following categories of courses:

You are a 3rd-year Bachelor law student (European partner universities)	You are a Master law student
Ba + Ba/Ma courses, and up to 1 MA-level course per semester, ONLY with C1 English and permission (maximum 2 MA courses per academic year).	Ba + Ba/Ma + Ma courses (as long as you meet entry requirements). Seminars are Ma-level: require C1 English often limited places typically for advanced students permission required

These Ba/Ma courses may be available to 3rd-year Bachelor exchange students (if you meet prerequisites and have sufficient English):

Dutch Law in a Comparative Perspective
Contemplating Democracy and the Rule of Law
European Private Law

Before arrival: how to choose your courses

Check the exchange course list and course descriptions.
Check teaching blocks, exam periods and holidays in the academic calendar.
Create your draft course list in your Learning Agreement (Mobility Online) and get the approval.
Follow the Learning Agreement instructions (available in Mobility Online under the step-by-step guide).

After arrival: finalising your Learning Agreement

You must attend the mandatory introductory sessions (the week before lectures start).
After the session, you can finalise your Learning Agreement (“Before the Mobility” if not done yet).
The Faculty of Law must approve your final selection.

Important: It is your responsibility to ensure the Exchange Coordinator receives your Learning Agreement on time.

Only after approval can you fully participate in the courses and (where applicable) exams.

Changes to your course list (During the Mobility)

If you change courses (e.g., timetable clash, level mismatch, changed interest):

Inform both your home university and the Law Exchange Office.
Request approval for the new courses.
Update your Learning Agreement in Mobility Online → “During the Mobility”.

Non-law courses

In principle, law exchange students cannot take non-law courses at other faculties.

Exception (case-by-case): if you do a double degree at home (e.g., Law & Business / Law & Arts).
Approval is required from:

International Office (Law),
Your home university, and
The faculty offering the non-law course.

Start by contacting the Law International Office, which will reach out to the exchange coordinator of the other faculty: exchangelaw@rug.nl
If approved, registration must be arranged via the Law Exchange Office.

Last modified:07 September 2026 10.19 a.m.