Any current/past Amsterdam students?


Queen88

Hey
I saw you are pursuing the LLM in trade and investment, currently thinking myself about applying. Could you tell me something about the programme, the quality of courses, professors etc?

Thanks!


I join the question!

<blockquote>Hey
I saw you are pursuing the LLM in trade and investment, currently thinking myself about applying. Could you tell me something about the programme, the quality of courses, professors etc?

Thanks!</blockquote>

I join the question!
quote

I don't know your situation so I cannot give you advice on your situation, but I can tell you about my experience.

As for the organization of the program I have found it to be quiet frustrating. I have had a question about some of my grades and have contacted 4 different people only to find that they tell me to contact someone else. This lack of support has effected my ability to focus on the program. I have found that there is a lack of transparency about what is expected of students. I have also found in 2 different classes where final exams were offered professors allowed select students to write papers in place of the exam. These discretionary decisions of the professors give an appearance of favoritism that really has been frustrating to deal with.

As for the professors some of them are really good, some of them feel like they really don't care about the students. I think that is pretty par for course of any educational institution. I will say a few of the professors do have out standing credentials and have very practical first hand experience in the field.

If you happen to be coming from America and don't have a foundation in European Union law I would discourage you from taking this program. At this time there are a few compulsory courses that are directed at EU law in such a way that presumes you have a familiarity with EU law. This class is not the least bit practical for international trade if you plan on practicing in America. Further you will be required to take a Intro to EU law course that fails to educate you on the areas of EU law that are practical for the Masters program. This intro class also will not count towards the credits needed for the masters.

I am over halfway through my masters and am starting to second guess my choice of picking this program. I have gained some insight into the WTO, ILO, and international investment issues....but I also have taken enough classes that don't feel trade oriented to make me question if I have been wasting my time and a whole lot of money.

What you have to remember is this is just my experience, I have classmates who have not been as frustrated as I am. I think a large part of this is due to my legal background being from an American perspective. If you have any further questions please private message me.

I don't know your situation so I cannot give you advice on your situation, but I can tell you about my experience.

As for the organization of the program I have found it to be quiet frustrating. I have had a question about some of my grades and have contacted 4 different people only to find that they tell me to contact someone else. This lack of support has effected my ability to focus on the program. I have found that there is a lack of transparency about what is expected of students. I have also found in 2 different classes where final exams were offered professors allowed select students to write papers in place of the exam. These discretionary decisions of the professors give an appearance of favoritism that really has been frustrating to deal with.

As for the professors some of them are really good, some of them feel like they really don't care about the students. I think that is pretty par for course of any educational institution. I will say a few of the professors do have out standing credentials and have very practical first hand experience in the field.

If you happen to be coming from America and don't have a foundation in European Union law I would discourage you from taking this program. At this time there are a few compulsory courses that are directed at EU law in such a way that presumes you have a familiarity with EU law. This class is not the least bit practical for international trade if you plan on practicing in America. Further you will be required to take a Intro to EU law course that fails to educate you on the areas of EU law that are practical for the Masters program. This intro class also will not count towards the credits needed for the masters.

I am over halfway through my masters and am starting to second guess my choice of picking this program. I have gained some insight into the WTO, ILO, and international investment issues....but I also have taken enough classes that don't feel trade oriented to make me question if I have been wasting my time and a whole lot of money.

What you have to remember is this is just my experience, I have classmates who have not been as frustrated as I am. I think a large part of this is due to my legal background being from an American perspective. If you have any further questions please private message me.
quote
arc10

hi,
I was accepted at the LLM in International investment and trade law. I would like to ask any current or former students, if it is any good? and any possible career prospects after completing the master? Is the course difficult to complete?

hi,
I was accepted at the LLM in International investment and trade law. I would like to ask any current or former students, if it is any good? and any possible career prospects after completing the master? Is the course difficult to complete?
quote
jaswe

Anyone accepted to the international trade and investment track? Thoughts about accepting and housing etc??

Anyone accepted to the international trade and investment track? Thoughts about accepting and housing etc??
quote
lllaw

Please, can you tell me, what should my average grades be to admitt to Amsterdam or Tilburg LLM?

Is it very important or they don't really matter?

Please, can you tell me, what should my average grades be to admitt to Amsterdam or Tilburg LLM?

Is it very important or they don't really matter?
quote
arc10

Please, can you tell me, what should my average grades be to admitt to Amsterdam or Tilburg LLM?

Is it very important or they don't really matter?


No idea if it does really matter! I think what matters most is your general performance.. I was accepted in Amsterdam University and they did not require a specific grade.

<blockquote>Please, can you tell me, what should my average grades be to admitt to Amsterdam or Tilburg LLM?

Is it very important or they don't really matter?</blockquote>

No idea if it does really matter! I think what matters most is your general performance.. I was accepted in Amsterdam University and they did not require a specific grade.
quote
lllaw

What do you mean by general performance?? I have no idea :/

What do you mean by general performance?? I have no idea :/
quote
arc10

What do you mean by general performance?? I have no idea :/

<blockquote>What do you mean by general performance?? I have no idea :/</blockquote>
quote

Some of the best advice I can give you about moving to Amsterdam is that unless you have a housing connection here sign up for student housing as soon as possible.

Some of the best advice I can give you about moving to Amsterdam is that unless you have a housing connection here sign up for student housing as soon as possible.
quote
paulac

Hello everyone!

I came across this thread while looking for reviews on student housing with University of Amsterdam. I will be attending a Masters degree in the fall and am in the process of looking for a place to live.

Now that a lot of you have already started, maybe you can give me better advice based on your experiences.

I have a chance to apply for student housing. I am 31 years old, and am not really into the whole party scene, so I'm wondering if I should go out on a limb and try to get a place on my own. I am in the United States, so of course I will have all the overseas challenges some of you had.

Is it stupid to not jump on student housing if it's available? I enjoy my privacy and doing my own thing, and though I want to meet other students, I don't want to be overwhelmed by the student scene.

Thanks for any advice you might have! Basically I want to know is student housing valuable in terms of the price you pay for the space you get (I would probably want my own room which is like 580 euros a month). Or would I be getting just as nice of a place if I looked on my own.

Paula

Hello everyone!

I came across this thread while looking for reviews on student housing with University of Amsterdam. I will be attending a Masters degree in the fall and am in the process of looking for a place to live.

Now that a lot of you have already started, maybe you can give me better advice based on your experiences.

I have a chance to apply for student housing. I am 31 years old, and am not really into the whole party scene, so I'm wondering if I should go out on a limb and try to get a place on my own. I am in the United States, so of course I will have all the overseas challenges some of you had.

Is it stupid to not jump on student housing if it's available? I enjoy my privacy and doing my own thing, and though I want to meet other students, I don't want to be overwhelmed by the student scene.

Thanks for any advice you might have! Basically I want to know is student housing valuable in terms of the price you pay for the space you get (I would probably want my own room which is like 580 euros a month). Or would I be getting just as nice of a place if I looked on my own.

Paula
quote
HazelS

Hi,

I have also applied for a Masters at UvA (I submitted a late application, so I haven't heard back yet). I plan on taking the Public International Law track. I would love if some past students could comment on their experiences at the University. Also any tips re accommodation are much appreciated!

Hi,

I have also applied for a Masters at UvA (I submitted a late application, so I haven't heard back yet). I plan on taking the Public International Law track. I would love if some past students could comment on their experiences at the University. Also any tips re accommodation are much appreciated!

quote
Martyna

Hi!!
I was accepted for the LLM International and European Law: European Union Law. Maybe someone did this program before and can tell me something about this experience?? I am still not sure if I should go to Amsterdam or choose other place - Leuven. However I studied in Leuven during erasmus program and choice of courses in Leuven for erasmus students and LLM students are quite the same..... Maybe is there someone who is also accepted for this LLM in Amsterdam??
And what about the scholarships in Amsterdam? Is there any possibility for a foreign student to apply for the scholarship or be granted with it?

Thank you in advance!!

Hi!!
I was accepted for the LLM International and European Law: European Union Law. Maybe someone did this program before and can tell me something about this experience?? I am still not sure if I should go to Amsterdam or choose other place - Leuven. However I studied in Leuven during erasmus program and choice of courses in Leuven for erasmus students and LLM students are quite the same..... Maybe is there someone who is also accepted for this LLM in Amsterdam??
And what about the scholarships in Amsterdam? Is there any possibility for a foreign student to apply for the scholarship or be granted with it?

Thank you in advance!!
quote
markmcr

Hi all!
Any news, feedbacks about how's it going in Amsterdam with your LLM?
Thanks in advance

Hi all!
Any news, feedbacks about how's it going in Amsterdam with your LLM?
Thanks in advance
quote

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