Of course, you will want to know what to expect when you come to study with us. The type of education and academic support we offer are important, as are the study facilities, additional opportunities to challenge yourself during your studies and, of course, the social aspects of student life.
The library in the Kamerlingh Onnes Building is an excellent place to study. It offers 259 study spaces without computers and 136 computer workstations. The library also provides access to an extensive collection of legal resources.
Fancy a cup of coffee or tea while studying? JuCa, our Law Café, is the perfect place. You can also meet up with fellow students here, for example to work on a group assignment together.
One of the enjoyable and distinctive aspects of studying at Leiden Law School is the wide range of study associations. There is a dedicated association for almost every area of law. These associations organise a variety of academic activities, including conferences, study trips and visits to law firms. They also organise lectures and excursions in the Netherlands and abroad, and provide textbooks and practice exams. There are also plenty of opportunities to socialise, with drinks, galas and other events.
During your Master’s programme, you will experience a range of teaching methods delivered by dedicated lecturers. A distinctive feature of the Master’s programmes at Leiden Law School is the use of the privatissimum and practicum. These intensive courses allow you to develop essential legal skills, such as drafting legal documents, giving presentations and debating. As teaching takes place in small groups, there is plenty of opportunity for individual feedback. These courses provide valuable preparation for a career as a legal professional.
Leiden Law School has its own purpose built Moot Court, giving students the opportunity to practise advocacy in a professional and realistic courtroom setting. Here, you learn how to represent your clients’ interests and present persuasive arguments before a judge. In addition to the Moot Court course, you can participate in various Moot Court competitions, including:
International Air Law Moot Court
Telders International Law Moot Court
International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition
Children's Rights Moot Court
Our students participate in these competitions with great enthusiasm.
There is no specific part time track for the Master’s programmes at Leiden Law School, meaning that, for example, no separate evening classes are offered. You follow the same courses as full time students, but study at a slower pace. This reduces your study load and allows you to combine your Master’s programme with other commitments, such as part time work. You can decide independently, or in consultation with a study adviser, to complete, for example, 15 or 20 ECTS in a semester instead of 30 ECTS.
The study adviser or programme coordinator for your programme is an expert on all matters related to your studies. You can contact them if you need help or advice, whether regarding personal study related issues or more practical matters such as:
Leiden University is committed to preparing students and recent graduates for the job market. To support this, we draw on the knowledge and experience of Leiden alumni.
Our Mentoring Network includes more than 100,000 alumni from a wide range of academic backgrounds, working in many different organisations and roles. If you have questions about choosing a Master’s programme, internships, your first job, job applications, work experience opportunities, or a particular company or sector, the network makes it easy to connect with alumni who are happy to share their knowledge and experience.
More information
Leiden University’s Career Services advise students and recent graduates on the transition from study to their first job and provide guidance on study choices and career related questions during both Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.
You can contact the faculty’s Career Service at (loopbaanadviseur@law.leidenuniv.nl) for support with, among other things:
After receiving your degree, you too can add your signature to the famous Sweat Room. This long standing tradition has seen many thousands of graduates leave their name or signature on its walls. They include Queen Beatrix, Queen Juliana, King Willem Alexander and the renowned Dutch resistance fighter Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema. Leiden University honorary doctorate recipients, including Sir Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela, also left their names here.
During many Master’s programmes, you can undertake an internship or participate in a research project. In some programmes, this is a compulsory part of the curriculum. Find out more about the available opportunities.
Are you interested in exploring the world of academic research? Or are you considering pursuing a PhD? This programme provides excellent preparation for a PhD position. As part of the Pre PhD Programme, Master’s students and recent graduates develop a research proposal under the guidance of the academic coordinator and an academic supervisor. The programme lasts up to 1.5 years and consists of two phases. It starts every year in January.
Motivated Master’s students at Leiden University who want to develop their leadership skills can take part in the Leiden Leadership Programme (LLP). The programme is aimed at Dutch speaking students. It is a one year, 20 ECTS programme that you complete alongside your regular Master’s programme. During the programme, you will experience the complexities of leadership in practice while exploring and developing your own leadership skills.
