Special features of the programme
The English-taught bachelor's programme in International and European Law is a unique programme, which sets graduates apart from graduates of other academic programmes, distinguishing them on the job market.
International perspective
The programme does not focus on one national legal system, which gives the programme a completely different focus compared to national law programmes. It provides students with a different legal framework in which to approach legally pertinent scenarios beyond a national legal context. In addition to all fields of law being covered by the programme, the main focus is with European and (public) international law. Moreover, each semester offers an interdisciplinary component and the programme gives considerable weight to the development of English language communication and writing skills.
Another unique feature concerns the fact that the programme combines both public international law and European Union law in one programme and with equal weight.
Technology Law track
It is possible to choose to join our Technology Law track in year 2 and 3 of the LLB programme. This track partially overlaps with the main programme, but offers more in-depth knowledge of Technology law in a global setting.
The Technology Law track is designed in light of the understanding that technology operates across jurisdictions and, as a result, regulatory responses have to occur at the interface between domestic, regional and international law.
Study associations
With the start of the English-taught LLB programme, very many initiatives have come from the LLB students to form communities. In most cases they have led to study associations, but there are also other groups collaborating to leave their mark in the field of law.
When joining the LLB, we welcome you to engage in social and professional activities with other law students in those communities. Below you can find some of the official groups that sprang from the LLB programme:
DSLA
DSLA stands for Decentralized Student Association and is a study association for students of the Technology Law track and the LLM Health and Technology Law and the LLM Technology Law and Innovation. It is the Faculty's newest association but certainly has big ambitions! DSLA aims to connect students of the Technology Law track with students of artificial intelligence, and computing science, therefore giving DSLA a truly cross-faculty element.
DSLA is an internationally friendly association, and has a number of exciting tech-based events all year round including day excursions around the Netherlands, international trips, moot courts, and monthly socials for their members.
ELSA Groningen
ELSA Groningen was founded in 2013 and became the 7th local group of ELSA the Netherlands. ELSA (European Law Students' Association) aims at integration and professional development of motivated law students. With more than 100 members, they cover both Dutch and international parts of the Faculty and wish to provide future lawyers with a unique chance to explore the limitless opportunities European Law Students' Association has to offer.
Nexus
Nexus is the study association for the LLB International and European Law and related master programmes. With very many international students joining these programmes, Nexus is very internationally orientated.
Besides organising activities to integrate internationals into Dutch culture, such as a political debate with local parties in English, Nexus also aims to provide members with the chance to obtain a social network, participate in the organisation of guest lectures or informal activities, attend debating trainings, trips and workshops, all in a multicultural environment.
GroJIL
The Groningen Journal of International Law (GroJIL) is a Dutch foundation, which was founded in 2012. The Journal is a not-for-profit, open-access, electronic publication. GroJIL is run by students at the University of Groningen with supervision conducted by an Advisory Board of academics. The journal is edited by volunteering studetns from several different countries and reflects the broader internationalisation of law.
Dura Lex, Sed Lex
The student podcast Dura Lex, Sed Lex is created by a team of University of Groningen studetns and aims to discover the most engaging and essential topics. Combining the areas of international and European law, as well as international relations, the episodes aim to educate and start conversations on diverse academic and current subjects. A new episode appears once every two weeks on all regular podcast platforms.
Study abroad
As an LLB student, you will spend one semester abroad with one of our exchange partners. The Faculty has exchange partners all over the world. You can find these partners in our International Exchange Search Engine (IESE). The exchange period abroad offers you a truly international experience in being able to not only study international and European law in the Netherlands, but also obtain extra international experience in studying law in yet another country.
If you are interested in the possbilities regarding studying abroad, please find more information here. You can read more about the exchange period from a student perspective in our student blog.
Access to LLM programmes
The programme is fully accredited with the educational authorities in the Netherlands, and our LLB is widely accepted within other countries beyond the Netherlands for granting eligibility to apply for further LLM study.
Our LLB graduates are also automatically granted access to our selective LLM programmes, meaning they can continue their legal studies in a specialised field here at Groningen.