FAQ

• Can I take the course on a part-time basis?
• Can I take the course via distance-learning?
• Does the program provide for any financial aid, such as scholarships?
• I do not have a law degree. Can I still apply?
• I am currently finalising my undergraduate law studies but will not have obtained my degree before the closing date for applications. Can I apply?
• I am interested in one or two, or just one block of classes (eg, European Environmental Law) only. Can I cherry-pick classes?
• I already have contacts in an organisation which may want to host me for the internship. Am I obliged to take a host on your list of internships?
• I believe I can secure an internship with an organisation of my choice, however they do not want to take me on unless it is for longer than one month. Does that rule out that internship?

Can I take the course on a part-time basis?

Yes you can. In fact, although we recommend residential study (in view of the library’s facilities, contact with faculty and the program director, contact and group work with your fellow students), you only really ‘need’ to be physically present in Leuven during the 9 (or ten, if you take the introductory week on international and EU law) weeks of intensive teaching. This can either make the one-year program more feasible for working students, or open up even greater flexibility in taking the program part-time. Part-time students are advised to spread the program over two-years, with a more or less equal amount of credits for each of these two years.

Can I take the course via distance-learning?

That depends on what you mean by ‘distance-learning. Part-time study with only 9 weeks of physical presence in Leuven (see above, ‘Can I take the course on a  part-time basis?’) and electronic correspondence for the remainder, to a degree can be called ‘distance-learning’. However we do not presently provide facilities such as video-link teaching, conference call Q&A sessions etc. Hence a minimal physical presence in Leuven for the classes especially, is required.

Does the program provide for any financial aid, such as scholarships?

Several students may need partial or substantial financial support to fund their stay in Leuven. It is important to keep in mind that the Faculty of Law does not grant any direct financial support to graduate or undergraduate students, nor does it have any teaching or research assistantships (TA/RA) available for the program. The Centre for Advanced Legal Studies does provide some modest financial support to a small number of applicants in the form of partial tuition waivers (see below). Applicants are strongly recommended to explore various alternative sources of funding prior to applying to the program:

1. Candidates can apply for scholarships to several national or international institutions:

   • A large number of international organisations grant scholarships for study abroad in law, such as the World Bank, UNESCO, the European Union, the Council of Europe, NATO, and others. As the financial and application requirements differ widely between these organisations, it is recommended that they be contacted directly and well in advance.

   • The Flemish Community has concluded a number of bilateral cultural agreements with certain countries. A list of these countries and a survey of the application requirements can be obtained from any Belgian Embassy. Scholarships from the Flemish Community usually include living expenses and a small tuition fee.

   • Under the Erasmus Mundus program financed by the European Commission, Russian students may apply for scholarships, i.a. for the Master of Energy and Environmental Law: http://www.utu.fi/en/iii/index.html

2. Some grants and scholarships are specifically reserved for students from Third World countries:

   The Belgian Office for Development Co-operation awards a number of grants to postgraduate students in law. The applications must be submitted simultaneously to the Belgian embassy and to the Ministry of Education of the applicant's country about one year before the expected commencement of the study or research period. Information regarding the application procedure for these study grants can be obtained from any Belgian Embassy.

3. Financial support for law studies abroad can also be obtained from a large number of private foundations or organisations.  The classic examples include the Rotary Foundation, the Fulbright Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Soros Foundation, the Belgian American Educational Foundation, and the Commission for Educational Exchange. More precise information can be obtained from each of these foundations directly.

4. An increasing number of national and international law firms are willing to support students during their studies abroad. Here too, the financial provisions and the application requirements may differ widely. Upon completion of the LL.M., some law firms offer the possibility of an internship or another position at their head office or in a branch office abroad.
5. Though not in a position to give active financial support, the Centre for Advanced Legal Studies may assist applicants in meeting their tuition needs. The Institute has two major options.

   • The first is that applicants with particular financial problems may be permitted to pay the tuition fee in installments. In this case, the fee may be paid in two or at most three installments, the last of which must be paid before the beginning of the examination session in June-July. Candidates who wish to make use of this possibility should include a written request at the time of application, clearly stating their reasons.

   • The second option is to grant a partial waiver of tuition. Students who submit a duly motivated request for a reduced fee after outlining their financial needs (on a confidential basis), may, upon acceptance of the request, obtain a reduction of €600 (Euro) from the €5.600 fee, or of €1.600 (Euro) from the €8.600 fee for professionals. The selection board shall not justify its decisions with respect to these applications. You are advised to contact the programme's director should you feel you may qualify for a reduced fee. The request has to be accompanied by official documents that give sufficient proof of the applicant's financial situation and also clearly demonstrate that he/she has applied to a national or international institution or organisation for a fellowship or scholarship.

I do not have a law degree. Can I still apply?

Under the laws of the Flemish Region, we cannot issue an LL.M. degree to those without prior formal legal degrees (LL.M., LL.B. or equivalent). We have had in the past students taking the program with MA (Master of Arts) or science degrees: they are called ‘non-degree students’. While they receive a certifcate outlining their participation, these students cannot receive an LL.M. degree at the end of the program. The added value for you as for those who have taken this route in the past, lies in the networking, the meetings with resident and visiting faculty, the internships, and the very review of the regulatory developments in the energy and environmental sector.

Please do note that if you register as a full-time, non-degree student, the same fees will apply, and you will also have to show minimal legal training in your prior education.

I am currently finalising my undergraduate law studies but will not have obtained my degree before the closing date for applications. Can I apply?

Absolutely. The program can admit you ‘subject to obtaining your current degree’ by a specified date. In principle, you have to have obtained your degree prior to coming to Leuven, however in exceptional circumstances (eg final paper not submitted until late summer, and your home university consequentially not formally handing out degrees until say november) you may be accepted with a later graduation date, however not later than December of the first calendar year of study in Leuven. In case of doubt, contact us.

I am interested in one or two, or just one block of classes (eg European Environmental Law) only. Can I cherry-pick classes?

Yes, you can, although you will of course not receive the LL.M. degree. For those interested in taking selected classes only, please click here.

I already have contacts in an organisation which may want to host me for the internship. Am I obliged to take a host on your list of internships?

No, you are not. Quite a few students secure internships with organisations with whom they either had dealings in the past (eg a past or current place of employment), or which they have recently contacted. As long as your place of internship is approved by the program director, you are not discouraged from seeking your own internship host rather than one on the list provided by the programme.

I believe I can secure an internship wih an organisation of my choice, however they do not want to take me on unless it is for longer than one month. Does that rule out that internship?

No, it does not. We have experience with students who have interned with law firms, international organisations etc. where e.g. 3 months is the minimal duration of an internship. Since the last of the taught component takes place in February, your physical presence in Leuven is very flexible from that moment onwards. However you must be aware that the program is not a walk in the park, and that if you take on longer internships for reasons which we can appreciate, you will have to combine your internship with coursework (including the writing of the Master paper).