Extra information for Dutch-speaking students

If you are a Dutch-speaking student, it is important to realise that the Faculty of Law in Groningen offers two internationally oriented bachelor's degree programmes:

• the Dutch-taught Internationaal en Europees Recht track, which is part of the Dutch-taught programme 'Rechtsgeleerdheid', and
• the English-taught LLB programme International and European Law.

When choosing between these two options, it is important to realise that the English-taught programme does not give you access to the bar or judiciary, so you will not be allowed to become a lawyer ('advocaat') or judge ('rechter') in the Dutch system.

What type of career do you have in mind?

When looking at these two programmes, it would be wise to keep in mind what kind of job you would like to have upon graduation. That should be your main driver when choosing one of the two programmes.

The programmes are far from the same, as the Internationaal en Europees Recht-track within the general Dutch Law programme is based on national (Dutch) law and gives access to the bar and the judiciary.*
The English-taught bachelor is based on concept of law rather than national law and does therefore not have the opportunity of giving direct access to the bar or judiciary.

* after also completing a Dutch law Master's degree programme.

No Dutch law taught in English

The English-taught programme covers all fields of law, but on a conceptual basis. It is impossible to teach Dutch law in English with all the sources being in Dutch. This also means that the English-taught programme will train you to become a diplomat or work for an international (non-)governmental organisation, or a company for instance.

When in doubt

If you are not certain yet what type of career you would prefer after graduation, it is strongly recommended that you join the Dutch-taught programme. In that Dutch-taught programme you will be in some of the same (English-taught) classes as the student of the English-taught programme. In addition you will have a strong basis in Dutch law, which allows for careers as lawyers ('advocaat') and judges ('rechters') within the Dutch system as well.