Graduation and degree certificate

You’ll receive an email from the Board of Examiners once all your approved course units are completed and registered. This email explains how to obtain your degree certificate. You have two weeks to inform the Board of Examiners if you want to add or drop courses. If you do not respond, your degree certificate will be issued automatically.

You can apply for your degree certificate in advance by completing the application form. This form is available in step 5 of the graduation process.

Submit your application form before 1 June.

• Application form LLB degree certificate

At step 6 in of your graduation process, you will receive an email with your graduation date and judicium. You can expedite your degree certificate production by forwarding this email to degree-law rug.nl and confirming your agreement with the graduation date and judicium granted.

If you don’t respond to this email, this step will be automatically finalised after two weeks have passed.

Contact the study advisers for assistance.

Your graduation date is the day you complete your final course unit on your approved list of courses. This date depends on the type of course:

• For an exam: the exam date
• For a thesis or internship: the date on your result slip

The Board of Examiners sets your graduation date if:

• You are properly registered for the LLB programme
• Your course list was approved at least two months before your final result

If your course list isn’t approved by your final course completion, your graduation date becomes the approval date of your course list.

Exception: if you wish to alter your list of courses after the graduation date is set, you can only do so within two weeks after receiving the graduation notification. This change of courses will very likely lead to a new graduation date. If you respond later than these two weeks, no changes can be made any more.

• Your degree certificate typically takes 2–3 weeks to produce after completing all requirements.

• You can join the annual LLB graduation ceremony in August if your grades are finalised by 1 August.

• All graduates automatically receive a statement of graduation upon completion of their degree.

• The statement of graduation is an official document, which can be used until the degree certificate is issued.

• When graduating after three years, the degree certificates will be available from the LLB graduation ceremony onward.

Contact the study advisers for clarification.

If you have fulfilled all requirements of the bachelor examination, you will be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

The Faculty of Law organises an annual graduation ceremony in August for graduates of the LLB in International and European Law. This is your first opportunity to receive your degree certificate in person.

• If you cannot attend the graduation ceremony, you may pick up your certificate from the Röling Building reception after the ceremony date.

• You can do so after having received a message that the degree certificate is available

• You’ll need to show a valid ID

To have someone else pick up your degree certificate, you must:

• Provide them with a signed authorisation letter
• Give them a copy of your ID
• Ensure they bring their own ID for verification

If you are outside the Netherlands, Student Service Law can send you your diploma by registered mail. Please fill out the consent form to arrange this.

Contact the study advisers for assistance.

The Faculty of Law awards Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude distinctions to students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. The Board of Examiners evaluates eligibility based on the criteria outlined in Article 19a of the Examination Regulation.

To qualify for these distinctions, you must meet the following conditions:

Cum Laude

• Research Colloquium grade: minimum 8.0
• Non-rounded Grade Point Average (GPA) for all other compulsory course units: minimum 8.0

Summa Cum Laude

• Research Colloquium grade: minimum 9.0
• Non-rounded Grade Point Average (GPA) for all other compulsory course units: minimum 9.0

The GPA calculation includes only curricular (optional) courses, excluding the Research Colloquium. Courses categorised as extracurricular are not considered.

You will not receive (summa) cum laude if:

• you retake an examination,
• you score below 7.0 in one or more courses, and/or
• you commit fraud, as defined in Article 15 of the Examination Regulation

The Board of Examiners may make exceptions in extraordinary cases. If you believe your situation warrants a deviation from the standard rules, you can submit a request for discretionary cum laude under Article 19a.8 of the Examination Regulation by sending an email to BoE-law rug.nl.

Review the full conditions in the Examination Regulation or contact the study advisers for clarification.

Your studies are more than a degree; they’re the foundation for your future career. The University of Groningen Career Services empowers you to make informed career choices and turn them into reality.

We offer:

• Workshops and training sessions
• CV and cover letter support
• Personalised career advice

As the central hub for career support, we connect students with faculties, alumni associations, employers, and peer networks.

Explore UG Career Services

For law students, Careers Services Law (CSL) provides tailored support to navigate internships and legal careers. We help you build skills and stand out in the job market.

Discover:

• Career planning tools
• Internship and study-abroad opportunities
• Legal career events and practical applications

Visit Careers Services Law

The UG values lifelong connections. All alumni will receive Broerstraat 5 magazine and exclusive networking opportunities.

Join our alumni community:

• Access career resources
• Support current students
• Engage in social and professional events

Read about our Alumni Network

Join RUGconnect

The LLB International and European Law programme does not grant access to the bar or judiciary. However, some countries offer pathways to qualify. Requirements vary by country, and the Faculty of Law continues to update available options.

To qualify for the Dutch bar or judiciary, you need effectus civilis (civil effect). This requires completing Dutch law courses covering all main legal fields.

The University of Groningen offers a shortened Bachelor of Laws programme in Dutch for LLB International and European Law students. Note:

• Technology Law track students must complete 25 ECTS from the regular track on top of their Technology Law track to join this programme.
• After this shortened LLB, we advise pursuing a Dutch-taught master’s degree. Alternatively, you can choose from these English-taught LLM programmes:
  • Energy and Climate Law
  • Advanced European Union Law
  • Technology Law and Innovation

Other Dutch law faculties may have different requirements. For more details, visit the Dutch Bar Association (‘Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten’).

All courses for effectus civilis are in Dutch, so a minimum C1 (CEFR) Dutch language proficiency is required.

To qualify for the UK bar, you can pursue one of these pathways:

• Graduate Diploma of Law (PGDL)
• MA Law
• Legal Practice Course (LPC)

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) introduced the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). Foreign lawyers must:

• Pass two SQE tests
• Gain two years of legal experience in England or Wales (can be completed before the tests)

For more information, visit the SRA SQE page.

In Zimbabwe, you must complete a one-year conversion degree with 14 exams. Exemptions may apply. For details, contact the Zimbabwean Law Society or their Facebook page.