Although I have legal work experience, I am leaning towards studying one of Leiden's regular LLMs, mainly because I did not have much academic experience of international law during my undergrad degree.

Does this make a huge difference? I wouldn't want to be doing an 'inferior' LLM if there is a view that Leiden's advanced LLMs are superior to the regular LLMs. I wouldn't want this to damage my career prospects.

Does your Leiden degree certificate say 'regular' LLM? Do you have to call it a 'regular' LLM?

Hello,

What's the difference between Regular and Advanced Programmes?

Regular: The regular 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 bachelors programme in Law.

Advanced: 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. The Advanced Studies programmes are specifically designed for excellent students with legal experience and for qualified lawyers who wish to enhance their career prospects. Classes are small and the programmes 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. 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.

On your diploma "regular" will not be mentioned if you take the regular LL.M. programme. If you do the Advanced programme, the official title of the programme, which is Advanced Studies in NAME PROGRAMME will be mentioned.

Hope this information is helpful.

Kind regards,
Anette

Hello!

if anyone does not mind answering a couple of questions:

1) I want to pursue an advanced LL.M in Public International Law with a specialisation in International Criminal Law. Can anyone please tell me if I do not have any work experience, will it affect my application? It is not like work experience in the conventional sense, more like internships undergone during my course at law school. 6 in all, 2 in international organisations. I still have to graduate in May 2016

2) I do have publications. 7 in corporate law, tax law and IPR Law and then I really took up PIL and published two papers on international criminal law. how well does this seem to fare?