Contents of the programme

Rechtsgeleerdheid

Whenever you buy a book, ride a bike without a rear light or rent a room, whether you are aware of it or not you are living your everyday life within a legal system. 
The law is an instrument for running a complex society by formulating and enforcing rules. If as many as possible of the members of a society are to adhere to these rules, they will have to coincide with their sense of justice. 
Sometimes a rule is amended because the norm has changed. Issues like euthanasia or the sale of soft drugs at coffee shops were inconceivable half a century ago. If someone violates a law or if some rule is not sufficiently clear, a judge can arrive at a certain decision or sentence someone to a certain punishment. 

A bachelor’s programme in Law familiarises students with the legal system and teaches them to solve legal problems.

Students majoring in Law do the first-year curriculum with students doing the two related bachelor’s degrees at the UvA (Notarial Law and Fiscal Law). In this first year the courses include constitutional law, liability law, contract law, settling conflicts, and the history of European law. A great deal of attention is also devoted to writing skills, since it is so important for people in the field of law to express themselves well in writing. After the general law courses in the first year, it is possible to switch to either of the other law study programmes without losing any time.

Students who go on with the Law study programme devote a great deal of attention to actual cases. Based on concrete situations, they learn to see which legal rules should be applied and which rights, obligations, competence and powers various parties have.
In addition to the required courses, there are also electives. The Law Faculty has a wide range of electives.
During the study programme, students can get practical experience at Legal Advice Centres, Legal Aid Centres for Migrants, or Environmental Law Centres.
The Law Faculty has an extensive international education network, so that students have ample opportunity to do part of the study programme abroad.

After completing the bachelor’s programme you will graduate as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

Master's programmes

The UvA offers a wide range of master's programmes, taught either in English or in Dutch. Follow the link below for an overview of these programmes (in Dutch).

The job market

With a master's degree in Law you will be able to find work in business, banks, government, trade unions, consumer organisations, employer organisations.

A master's also enables you to specialise as lawyer, judge or public prosecutor. After your master's degree, you will then need to take additional training.

If you are interested in research you can study for a PhD degree, which involves doctoral research and writing a dissertation.

Additional entry requirements

There are no additional entry requirements apart from the entry requirements which apply to all students (see below).

Application and admission

The application procedure for regular study programmes taught in Dutch depends on the country where you have obtained your diploma. Follow the link below for detailed information on application and admission.