Global Criminal Law
(Image: The International Criminal Court in The Hague; © Adam Mørk)
Our LLM in Global Criminal Law equips you to understand and apply criminal law – both substantive and procedural – in today’s globalised world. The programme addresses pressing forms of criminality, including organised, transnational, and international crime. What makes this programme unique is its two-fold focus:
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You will gain in-depth knowledge of substantive and procedural criminal law from a comparative and international perspective.
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You will specialise in specific areas of criminal behaviour such as organised and financial crime, cybercrime, and international crimes.
This is more than a degree – it’s a gateway to a meaningful international career in law, policy, or practice.
We warmly invite you to join our diverse community of students and scholars for a rewarding and inspiring study experience. If you do not hold an LLB from a research university but do have previous law-related studies, our pre-LLM programme can help you prepare for admission.
To explore the programme further, please review the sections below or register for one of our Masters Week events held throughout the year.
Schedule of courses
The Global Criminal Law programme is a one year long, full-time programme. The language of instruction and examination in the programme is English. The academic year in Groningen runs from the first week of September to the end of August and is divided into two semesters of two blocks each. Each lecture block is followed by periods of examinations.
Programme structure
Below you will find the exact build-up of our LLM programme Global Criminal Law. You can find full course descriptions in Ocasys.
*Course names and schedules are occasionally subject to change.
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Block 1
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Block 2
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Block 3
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Block 4
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6 ECTS
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6 ECTS
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6 ECTS
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6 ECTS
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6 ECTS
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6 ECTS
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6 ECTS
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6 ECTS
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12 ECTS
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If you'd like to know more about the Global Criminal Law LLM programme, you are welcome to particpate in our free online webclass, and/or join one of our Masters Week presentations for the programme. You can also watch a recording of our most recent (online) masters week presentation here.
Special features of the programme
The Global Criminal Law programme has a strong focus on the application of criminal law in a globalised and internationalised context. It thus draws from comparative criminal law and international criminal law as well as from rules regulating international cooperation in criminal matters to explore particular types of global criminality. This includes organised and financial crimes, cybercrimes, and international crimes.
By studying in the one year, you will join a very dynamic and vibrant environment which attracts students from all around the world. The programme offers a unique insight into transnational criminality and you will benefit from the expertise of renowned academics as well as from specific training into research and presentation skills, with a view to fully equip you for careers within international organizations and judicial institutions as well as within intergovernmental and national government agencies.
The Academic Director of the LLM is Assoc. Prof. Laura Peters. You can learn more about her research in the video below (click subtitles button for English subtitles).
If you'd like to know more about the Global Criminal Law LLM programme, you are welcome to particpate in our free online webclass, and/or join one of our Masters Week presentations for the programme.
Career prospects
The Global Criminal Law programme is specifically tailored to train students into becoming well-equipped legal professionals with both academic skills and practical knowledge in the field of criminal law. Graduates of the programme can apply their specialized understanding of substantive and procedural criminal law in domestic, regional, and international contexts. In particular, the programme is designed to meet the requirements of a career within international organizations and judicial institutions as well as within inter-governmental and national government agencies.
Below you will see a distribution of the different arenas where past students are currently working. And here you can read about the career paths of our Faculty international graduates. One of our graduates was appointed as Prosecutor General of Rwanda.
Further, all students have access to the university Career Services and Career Services Law, where they can seek advice about finding and preparing for internships and employment.
If you'd like to know more about the Global Criminal Law LLM programme, you are welcome to particpate in our free online webclass, and/or join one of our Masters Week presentations for the programme. You can also watch a recording of our most recent (online) masters week presentation here.
Testimonials
You can read about the experiences of previous students below:
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Beatriz Bernabe Cardaba, Spain
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Eva Papageorgiou, Greece
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Kosovare Duraku, Kosovo/Netherlands
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Mihaela Prakova, Bulgaria
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Richard Patassy, Slovakia
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Taulant Sejdiu, Kosovo
How to apply
You will find information about applying to our LLM programmes, including admissions requirements and application deadlines, here.
Tuition fees & Studying in Groningen
Tuition fees
Full information about tuition fees (and payment of fees) for studying at the University of Groningen can be found here.
Study information
The Dutch higher education system may differ from those in the home countries of many students. More information about aspects to know about when studying law in Groningen can be found here.
Practical information
Studying in Groningen requires that students arrange for other necessities beyond being accepted to participate in an LLM programme. Further information about moving to, and living in, Groningen can be found here.
Questions?
Prospective students
Prospective students interested in pursuing an LLB, pre-LLM or LLM at the Faculty of Law can fill out our information request form.
Applicants
If you have started an application to a degree programme and are applying with a non-Dutch educational qualification, please contact the Admissions Office if you have questions about your application. If you have applied to a degree programme with a Dutch educational qualification, please contact the International Office if you have questions about your application.
Current students
Current Faculty of Law students should contact the International Office if questions about their current studies or admissibility to other Faculty of Law degree programmes.
The LLM Global Criminal Law is registered under the LLM CROHO label Global Criminal Law (60669). The Academic Director of the LLM is Assoc. Prof. Laura Peters.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of all information, there may be unintended errors and changes or deletions without notice. The matters covered by these webpages are subject to change from time to time both before and after a candidate’s admission.
| Last modified: | 02 October 2025 1.37 p.m. |