I am a 1999 JD from the University of Southern California. I am applying to the University of Copenhangen LL.M. program for the purpose of pursuing a career as a lawyer in Denmark. I'm compiling my application, and several questions have come up that the university has not responded to when I've asked.

I would deeply appreciate any insight or advice anyone can provide to any of these questions:

1. The one-page application has a section entitled "SUBJECTS" where an applicant is to enter up to four "SUBJECTS". See the form here: http://jura.ku.dk/english/education/llm/eu-eec_citizens/applicationformllm.pdf/

Are these "SUBJECTS" simply areas of law in which the application is interested in studying? I suspect so, but the website for applicants does not specify particular subject areas in which an LL.M. student can focus.

2. Is the "letter of motivation" simply an admissions essay identical to those required by most US law schools? If there are differences between a European LL.M. application "letter of motivation" and a US law school admissions essay, what are they?

3. Based on my read of other discussion board posts, I suspect that I'm qualified to apply to a European LL.M. program with a US J.D. However, I just want to ask to confirm.

Thanks to anyone who can help with these questions!

Hi

Don't worry if you have many questions and feel a bit lost. University of Copenhagen isnøt very international minded like other universities so their application forms are a bit absurd at times.

With regards to SUBJECTS, you are correct in assessing that the subjects are areas in which the applicant is interested in studying. What this basically means is that you need to choose up to 3 subjects for a semester. You should have or should have acquired a list of english subjects available and list your 3 subjects with priority (incl. a fourth if there are not any places left).

A lot of courses are popular so they get filled up quickly.

The 2 year LLM is structured in 4 semesters. Each semester you have 3 subjects except the 4th semester where you have 1 subject and thesis. You need 120 credit (ECTS) to complete the degree i.e 10 subjects at 10 credit each and 20 credit thesis-

Letter of motivation is exactly what it means a letter stating why you want to apply to CPH uni. Not too sure about US JD. In Denmark they use the CIRIUS system to judge a foreign application, call the uni to ask. I think CIRIUS has been replaced by IU http://en.iu.dk/ you need to get an assesment as quickly asap

ironjaw,

Thank you SO much for your reply!

Though I am an (ethnic) Dane born and raised in the US but having been to DK many times, I find much of the social processes derived from Danish culture to be confusing -- and not very apt to providing help.

I now understand the "SUBJECT" list. Before your reply, I thought it was for listing what one wanted to major in (i.e., focus on) throughout the LL.M. program. Now, I understand it is for listing the classes I want to take during the first semester. In other words, "SUBJECT" equals "CLASS." Check one cultural boundary crossed! :)

I've solicited the help of a good friend for writing the letter of motivation. I've learned that there are MANY cultural differences between a US application essay (which is required in most US JD applications) and a Danish/European LL.M. "letter of motivation." If you (or anyone else reading this post) would like to know what I learn from the help I am to get, please post a reply and I'll post the details once I'm competent to discuss them.

As to CIRIUS, I've already submitted my assessment application and received assessment letters. Here was the result: I have the equivalent of a Danish B.A. in Social Science, a Danish B.A. in Journalism and a Danish Master's Degree in Social Science (that's my JD). I called CIRIUS and spoke with the adviser who assessed my J.D. He said that ALL US JDs are equivalet of a Danish Master's degree. I found that a bit insulting given a US JD is a doctorate degree, and the work load is significantly higher than a social science Master's degree in any country.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS:

1. The KU LL.M. website says that one can transfer units/credits from a foreign degree into the KU LL.M. program as long as CIRIUS has assessed the degree as a "Danish LL.B. or higher." Do you know if this means that I cannot transfer units based on my assessment of having two B.A.s and one Master's degree?

2. I've already missed the deadline for scholarships and grants for this fall semseter. If I apply and am admitted, can I defer my admission until next year?

3. Do you have any general advice or insight about the KU LL.M. program?

Thanks!!

Hi ! i'm very interested in the details for the letter of motivation, i'm planning to apply for fall 2011, and i'll appreciate any information, i was in denmark last summer and i really liked it ..
i have a question about the degree, do you know if a bachelor of law degree qualified for aplication ?
Thank you

Hi there.
I also want to apply for the KU,LLM, but I already got the offer of stockholm university, master of legal science of European Intellectural Property Law, but I am not sure whether should I go or not, because I am not sure about the title" master of legal science of ...."
I am very grateful if some one can tell me sth about the meaning and which school is better, (specially, on the scale of IP, because both of two school can offer this course)
Thanks a lot

The Master's degree at Uni Cph wasn't really "designed" to fit foreign students seeking a full Master's degree. Thus, a course in Danish Tax Law and one in Danish Civil Procedure is mandatory in order to be awarded the degree (the exams can be taken in English but classes will be in Danish and I'm not sure how much English literature you'll find on Danish Tax Law).

http://jura.ku.dk/english/education/llm/courses/

@ lizamat

Yes, a bachelors law degree should suffice for you to be admittet (provided you meet the language criteria as well, etc.).

http://jura.ku.dk/english/education/llm/non-eu-eec_citizens/
http://jura.ku.dk/english/education/llm/eu-eec_citizens/

Please note there's a tuition fee for non-EU/EEC citizens.


@dirkgirl

Is the LL.M in Stockholm a 1 year degree?

In any case, Uni of Copenhagen have good lecturers in IP, but the number of courses offered in the field (in English) isn't overwhelming:

http://sis.ku.dk/kurser/lptree.aspx?xnr=57382&sprog=2&dybde=3&xslt=classic

ironjaw,

Thank you SO much for your reply!

Though I am an (ethnic) Dane born and raised in the US but having been to DK many times, I find much of the social processes derived from Danish culture to be confusing -- and not very apt to providing help.

I now understand the "SUBJECT" list. Before your reply, I thought it was for listing what one wanted to major in (i.e., focus on) throughout the LL.M. program. Now, I understand it is for listing the classes I want to take during the first semester. In other words, "SUBJECT" equals "CLASS." Check one cultural boundary crossed! :)

I've solicited the help of a good friend for writing the letter of motivation. I've learned that there are MANY cultural differences between a US application essay (which is required in most US JD applications) and a Danish/European LL.M. "letter of motivation." If you (or anyone else reading this post) would like to know what I learn from the help I am to get, please post a reply and I'll post the details once I'm competent to discuss them.

As to CIRIUS, I've already submitted my assessment application and received assessment letters. Here was the result: I have the equivalent of a Danish B.A. in Social Science, a Danish B.A. in Journalism and a Danish Master's Degree in Social Science (that's my JD). I called CIRIUS and spoke with the adviser who assessed my J.D. He said that ALL US JDs are equivalet of a Danish Master's degree. I found that a bit insulting given a US JD is a doctorate degree, and the work load is significantly higher than a social science Master's degree in any country.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS:

1. The KU LL.M. website says that one can transfer units/credits from a foreign degree into the KU LL.M. program as long as CIRIUS has assessed the degree as a "Danish LL.B. or higher." Do you know if this means that I cannot transfer units based on my assessment of having two B.A.s and one Master's degree?

2. I've already missed the deadline for scholarships and grants for this fall semseter. If I apply and am admitted, can I defer my admission until next year?

3. Do you have any general advice or insight about the KU LL.M. program?

Thanks!!

@USCtoDK
i'm going to apply for CPH now in february and i'll like to know the cultural differences and details you mention about the letter of motivation ! it will be very helpfull ! !

@bakarak
i contact the IU people at the danish ministry of education and i'm getting my bachelor diploma assed
does anybody else have any advice or tip for me About CPH?!!

As far as i know theres not gonna be any scholarships this year for non eu students.
Do you know how much time i have to wait for a response after i'll submit all my papers to the law department ?
Thank you !

Hello. I'm a British LL.B graduate but I spent one year on exchange at the law faculty in Copenhagen. There is a very large international student population at the university and a wide range of course choices available in English.

I found the teaching to be excellent and the university very helpful. Perhaps the most marked difference you will find coming from the USA is the general absence of coursework throughout semester- most are graded wholly on a written or oral exam at the end of each course. However, the classes remain very participation-orientated.

I certainly enjoyed my time in Copenhagen; the courses are interesting, the city is really cool and you will have an excellent social life (even the law faculty turns into a bar after 5pm on a Friday).

Feel free to PM me. And good luck!

Hi!
Sorry if I am repeating, but as far as I understood in order to take the LLM course on IP law at the Uni CPH I have to take Danish Civil Law an Tax Law courses, which are in Danish?
I can't choose 3 courses out of plenty that are offered in English?

I have a 4 year law diploma (the pre-Bologna system) which is, to my knowledge, in most of the systems equivalent to master diploma.

Thanks for your help!