Academic Calendar

Last week of August 2024: Orientation (required)
September 1, 2024: Classes Begin
December 23, 2024 (TBC): End of Semester

Students in this program should consider building on their presence in Leiden or The Hague by attending programs not only at the Grotius Centre but also at various international entities in The Hague. The students might also consider an internship at one of The Hague’s many international entities or elsewhere in Europe, either before or after their semester.

Available Courses and Academic Programs

Courses will be made available online by August 2024.

In the fall semester, students will apply and enroll in one of the following programs:

• Master’s of Advanced Studies in European and International Business Law
• Master’s of Advanced Studies in Public International Law (more courses here)
• Master’s Programme in European Law
• Master’s Programme in Public International Law

Students are required to select one of the programs mentioned above. Students who are interested in taking one or two courses in a program other than the one in which they are officially enrolled, will be given the opportunity to add/drop once they arrive in Leiden. Students should realize that the availability of classes outside their program might be limited due to time conflicts and course enrollment limits.

The Grotius Centre courses are under the category of the Master’s of Advanced Studies in Public International Law. Other international law courses are at Leiden’s main campus, including the courses in the Master’s of Advanced Studies in European and International Business Law, the Master’s Programme in European Law, and the Master’s Programme in Public International Law.

Note that Dutch legal education differs from American legal education in that college undergraduates can major in law. As a result, the appropriate Dutch legal courses for a second or third year Georgetown J.D. student would be in the LL.M. or Advanced LL.M. programs at Leiden University and the Grotius Centre. Therefore, students may only enroll in courses in the programs referred to above. Courses offered in the undergraduate law program are not open to Georgetown students.

Because new course offerings may not be publicized until the start of the term, it is possible that not all eligible courses are listed above. Participants in this program who wish to enroll in any course not listed above must contact the Office of Transnational Programs by email to request approval. Participants should not expect to receive credit for courses that are not expressly approved by OTP.

Credits earned at the University of Leiden are calculated with reference to the ABA’s standard class formula (12.5 hours of class time, plus 30 hours of out of class preparation and studying, per one credit hour.) Students may be asked to verify the number of minutes each course meets in order to confirm the number of credits that the student will receive upon completion of their semester abroad program.  See the Study Abroad Policy for details.  Students participating in the program will receive credit for each approved course for which they receive a passing grade.

Grades at the University of Leiden are given on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest grade, and 6 being the minimum passing grade.

Housing & Facilities

The University of Leiden provides some online practical housing and facilities information. Leiden University does actively help students find housing by putting students together with housing companies that cater to students. They also encourage students to apply early for housing options.

The University of Leiden’s Fenestra Disability Centre offers support to students with disabilities. The Netherlands also requires public buildings to be accessible.

Students at Leiden also have access to the university’s law library.

Estimated Budget

The budget below reflects 2023 amounts, an updated budget will be posted when available.

Leiden will also provide residency permit and visa advice to admitted students.