Hi all,

I have been admitted to both UCL and Leiden University and am now trying to pick between the two.
UCL offers a specialist LLM in Public International Law with the student being able to pick what modules he/she wishes to take up to the value of 180 credits. For Leiden, I have been admitted to the regular LLM in PIL and the structure of that course appears to be more rigid, with only one or two optional modules.

I can't decide between the two. I know UCL is ranked in the top 5 universities in the world (where as Leiden is around 60-ish), but Leiden also has a campus in the Peace Palace at Den Haag at students have access to all the conferences, libraries and proceedings that take place there.

Any feedback/opinions/views on either programme would be greatly appreciated!

I think this post might help you, mate

http://www.llm-guide.com/board/81282/last/#post-81815

If you go to Leiden, you're better off with the Advanced program, which could at least stand (some) scrutiny alongside UCL. But with your offer right now, I think you should ask someone who's completed the program on how the regular LL.M program is like.

I am not sure about the quality of the regular llm in leiden...I don't like the idea of separating between "regular" and "advanced" students. To be honest, I am also interested in international law and I was admitted to the regular llm in p.int.law in leiden, but I won't go there..
p.s: I was rejected by UCL..

I don't think it's separating 'regular' and 'advanced students', not at all.

The regular is aimed at people who want to study a broader spectrum of PI Law, while the Adv. one is for those who are already certain that they want to focus on either International Criminal Law or Peace and Development.

That been said, I do agree that Leiden lacks more electives, and that this only contributes to this idea of separation between regular and advanced studies (since the 'regular' llm student won't be able to focus on Int Criminal Law, if he so chooses).

Thanks for all your help and input guys.

Well i've decided to go for UCL, sent off the acceptance of admission letter to them yesterday, accepting their conditional offer.

My decision was influenced by a number of factors. Firstly, the LLM at Leiden doesn't offer the law governing warfare/international humanitarian law as an option to their regular students, only advanced students, whereas at UCL its available for selection. Although at Leiden i'm sure I would've been able to sit in on the module for advanced students, I figured that seeing as this is the field I want to go into, it would probably be better to learn the topic to a good depth through personal and taught methods.

Secondly, given the structure of the course at Leiden, it didn't seem as if the modules would be covered in very much depth (with there being three modules in the first semester and another three in the second). The structure at UCL, on the other hand, permits the in depth learning of modules throughout the whole of the LLM (as you only pick three modules which run throughout the two semesters).

Thirdly, the most appealing part of the program at Leiden was its proximity to the Hague and all of the opportunities to conduct internships at the various institutions. However, this can still be done after completion of the LLM at UCL.

So, now all I have to do is graduate with a minimum 2:1! Anyways, thank you all once again for all your help and good luck with your studies!

Hi Suneetk

I am sorry that I wouldn't see you in Leiden. Would have been great =)).. But good luck with UCL and I am sure at this point in our lives it is these universities who should be lucky to have us and not vice versa =))

You are right about getting your internships after your LLM. Hope to see you in DH someday =))