Air and Space Law (Advanced)

Degree: Master of Laws in Advanced Studies in Air and Space Law
Mode of Study: Face-to-face (Full-time, part-time, single modules) or Blended Learning
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 75024
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements

All applicants should:

  • have completed their full law degree (offering access to legal practice) with sufficient knowledge of international law [1]. Some prior knowledge of Air and Space Law is certainly an asset, but is not compulsory. In addition, candidates for the blended learning version of the Advanced Master’s programme must have at least five years of professional experience in the field of air and/or space activities, as the programme is specifically designed for experienced professionals;

  • demonstrate a sufficiently high performance in a general law programme, validated by grades on their university degree/transcript and accompanying grade criteria, and two letters of recommendation from current or previous professors and/or employers;
  • have sufficient knowledge of European Law and international organisations. Applicants whose legal studies did not include these subject areas may be admitted provided they take the compulsory supplementary courses offered;
  • demonstrate a keen interest in aviation and space activities and the legal implications thereof, illustrated by, for example, a letter of motivation, past experience related to the subject i.e., professional experience, publications, conference papers;
  • have proven English-language proficiency, validated through a TOEFL test (600 paper-based/250 computer-based or 100 Internet-based) or IELTS test (7.0), occasionally complemented by a telephone interview. This requirement does not apply if you have:
    • completed your education in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia, or
    • an International Baccalaureate

Students who want to start in September and do not meet this level of English but have a minimum score of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, may be offered a place on the programme on the condition that they attend a two-month pre-sessional English course at Leiden University.
For the February intake no pre-sessional English courses are offered.

[1] A full law degree is considered a degree that gives access to the legal professions in the country where the degree was obtained. Where specialist expertise is required to assess the level of degrees obtained by applicants, the expertise of the Admissions Office or the Nuffic (Netherlands Organization for International Co-operation in Higher Education) is sought.

Note

All of Leiden University’s LL.M. and LL.M. Advanced Studies programmes are NVAO accredited. However, as the LL.M. Advanced Studies programmes are not funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Dutch and EEA students will be required to pay the same tuition fee as that of (other) international students.

Advanced Programme

“What is an Advanced Studies programme?”

The LL.M. Advanced Studies programmes differ from regular LL.M. programmes both in their level of teaching and learning. The Advanced Studies programmes are specifically designed for excellent students with legal experience and for qualified lawyers who wish to enhance their career prospects. Regular LL.M. programmes are the final part of the standard Dutch law curriculum, and form a required programme for Dutch students wishing to gain the right to enter legal practice in the Netherlands. The regular programmes the Leiden Law School offers are also accessible for international students (and attract many!), and are aimed at those participating directly after completing a bachelor‘s programme in Law.

In terms of level of study, the Advanced Studies programmes are substantially more in-depth and demanding. In just one academic year they offer a thorough and focused education on a specific area of legal expertise. Advanced Studies students benefit from teaching based on the Socratic method, as well as both a practical and theoretical approach to the subject area. The Advanced Studies programmes are not in the first place research programmes. Whilst they are an excellent vehicle for the further development of research skills and as such also offer entry into PhD research, the programmes are first and foremost professional in their orientation. They cater exclusively for a group of students who benefit from close contact with their professors and with expert practitioners from the relevant legal field. There are very few universities that offer LL.M. programmes at this level.