Hi all,
Which of the following you think is the best for international law (and especially in the human rights field)
Leiden? Utrecht? Tilburg? or Maastricht?
I applied for all 4, and in the meantime got admitted to Tilburg and Maastricht.
Did anybody study there and wants to share his/hers experiecne?
Thanks!!!
Shimrit

I'm interested too... I got ammitted to Utrecht and Leiden in the field of International Criminal Law... I really don't know what to chose. Hope someone will answer!

Hi Shimrit,

Having graduated from Utrecht, i can only share my exepreice there. My advice is - don't go there. Not if you are looking for an interesting, stimulating academic expereince.
The level of studies was very low, and the style was very old fashioned. The teachers come into class and talk - there are no discussuions and you are discouraged from asking questions. You are not expected in any way to process the information and form an opinion - just show up to the exam and copy the relevant information from the text book.

The Dutch students were generaly unmotivated, lacking in knowladge and disinterested. Most times it was unclear why they were there, as they seemed to have no particual interest in interantional law.

In addition, while the programme is defined as "full time", you have 2 classes a week at most ( 1 hour 45 minutes each). You are discouraged from taking more than 2 classes at a time, as the Dutch believe it to be too much.

So if you are looking for an easy degree - that's your place. If you are interested in international law, and are looknig for an enriching and stimulating experience - stay away.

Thanks avivit for your genuine response. Initially I had been told of how highly effective the programme is!. could you kindly suggest other programmes that someone can actually come out better?

I haven't participated in any of the programs that you mention, however, for many posts in this website I think that the opinion of avivit in Utrecht is the same one as many international students pursuing studies in International Law in The Netherlands in several universities. Many of them complain about the attitude of professors towards international students, and they even say that Dutch students always get higher grades than international students. According to them, being an international student it is impossible to get a higher grade than B, while Dutch students (desinterested and lazy) always get higher grades.

Thanks avivit for your genuine response. Initially I had been told of how highly effective the programme is!. could you kindly suggest other programmes that someone can actually come out better?

Now that i have read what most people experienced while studying in the Netherlands, I am thinking twice about applying. I am interested in International Law, with bits of International Criminal Law and Human Rights. I have had a chance to look at the modules for ADH-Geneva and UNICRI and I like it.

I am open to studying anywhere in Europe and America so you can suggest anything.....Thanks andresob5

Hi, Nekeg!

I'm also very interested in International Law so I can give you a piece of advice of some to great programs I've seen.

In the UK: Cambridge (LLM), Oxford (MJur or BCL depending on your country of origin: civil law or common law) and LSE.
In France: Paris 1 or Paris 2, Master 1 in International Law (in french).
In Switzerland besides the one you said, the Master in International Law of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies is very good too!
In Austria, the LLM in International Legal Studies of Universitat Wien (Vienna University).
In the US there are many LLMs focus in International Law, like the one from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy from Tufts Univeristy, NYU, Georgetown, Harvard, Columbia, Yale, UCLA, and many others.

Take a look at those programs. I think they are great, and I hope you like them as well!

Best regards! :)

I had forgotten to mention the LLM in Public International Law and "Theory and Practice of Human Rights" offered by University of Oslo. They are very good and prestigious programs!

Thanks so much andresob5, let me look at them....Are you applying to any School?

Unfortunately, I'm not applying to any School yet, since I have some things to do before I prepare my applications, but I can't wait to go!

Thanks for your input andresob and goodluck!