Dual degree option with GW Law (USA)
The Faculty of Law offers a dual degree option with the The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. (USA) for applicants to our LLM Energy and Climate Law. In this option, you will study part of the curriculum at the University of Groningen (UG) and part at The George Washington University (GW).
Dual degree option outline
The dual degree option takes a full year to complete. Students start their studies in Groningen, where they participate in the full first semester of the LLM in Energy and Climate Law. They leave for Washington D.C. by early January, where they continue their studies by joining a second semester of courses at GW. They will begin writing their Master's thesis during their semester at GW Law School and finish a joint Master's thesis no later than July.
It is not possible to start this dual degree at The George Washington University Law School nor in semester 2.
Degrees awarded
On successful completion of the dual degree option, you will receive two Master of Laws (LLM) degrees:
-
an LLM in Energy and Climate Law from the University of Groningen, and
-
an LLM in Energy Law & Sustainability from The George Washington University Law School.
Application and admission
Admission requirements
You must meet the admission requirements for both the University of Groningen and The George Washington University Law School. Each school applies the same entry requirements to dual degree students as applicants seeking only one degree. Please see the Energy and Climate Law LLM at the University of Groningen or Energy & Environmental Law at The George Washington University Law School, respectively, to review those requirements.
One application
You will submit only one application. The application and admission process is handled by the University of Groningen. You will pay only one application fee, which will be the fee established by the University of Groningen. You can find the information on how to apply here.
Documents
You need to provide the Admissions Board with the following documents:
-
official transcripts from all schools you attended
-
degree certificate or statement of (expected) graduation
-
an English proficiency test score, which for the dual degree can only be either a TOEFL or an IELTS test score
-
a curriculum vitae
-
a motivation letter (max. 650 words)
-
two letters of recommendation
Please note that visas to study in the Netherlands and/or the USA may be required depending on a student's nationality. All costs and arrangements for travel, visas, insurance, and living expenses are the responsibility of the student. Students are eligible to apply for financial assistance.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are paid at both partners separately. The fees for the degrees amount to the following:
|
EU/EEA students 2026/27 (approximately)
|
non-EU/EEA students 2026/27 (approximately) |
|
|
UG Law |
€ 2,694 |
€ 22,200 |
|
GW Law
|
The costs will, at minimum, approximately be 30,500 US dollars.
|
|
The cost of tuition at GW Law for the LLM programme is calculated based on the credit hour cost. The GW Law website will be updated when the new credit hour tuition cost is released for the 2026/27 academic year. Dual degree students must take a minimum of 12 credit hours at GW Law. For more information on the cost of attendance at GW Law, please consult this page.
More information about UG fees can be found here.
Visa and other costs
Visa
Please note that you might have to apply for visas to study in the Netherlands and/or the USA. This will depend on your nationality. Visa costs are not included in the tuition fee.
Other costs
All costs and arrangements for travel, visas, insurance, and living expenses are the responsibility of the student. You are eligible to apply for financial assistance.
Contact
If you have questions about the dual degree option, please contact the UG Law study advisers at LLM rug.nl.
