Year Abroad in Europe Options 2015/16

For students taking degrees in Law

Contents

Introduction��������������������.. 1

Why study abroad?............................................................... 2

How to approach the Year Abroad����������.. 3

Support����������������������. 3

Erasmus���������������������� 4

Financial Matters������������������. 4

Study Placements�����������������... 5

Timetable for the second year������������.. 6

Guide to the universities: 6

• English and French Law������������ 7

• English and German Law��...��������� 8

• English and Italian Law������������. 8

• English and Spanish Law�����������.. 9

• European Legal Studies������������. 9

1

INTRODUCTION

Your year abroad will be an unforgettable experience and, if you approach it in the right spirit, you will have a wonderful time!

This document is designed to help you decide on the best option for your year abroad. Please read it carefully and contact us or the Academic Co-ordinators if you have any queries or would like to discuss your plans. To help you research the destinations, please visit our office where we have Lonely Planet guides and student reports/university information in our library. We can also help you contact current exchange students abroad or at Kent.

Please spend the summer considering your choices. When you have made your choice, you must return your Year Abroad application form to the Erasmus Team by Friday 17 October 2014. (It is obligatory to return the form even if you do not have a choice of university because we need your personal details.)

The university allocations will then be made by the School in consultation with the Erasmus Team, taking Stage 1 marks into account. (Forms will not be accepted after this deadline, unless there are extenuating circumstances. The School will allocate a university place to any student who does not return their Choice form within the deadline.) After the allocation has been confirmed, it will not be possible to change except in very exceptional circumstances.

For further details about allocations, students should consult the academic co-ordinator.

While every effort will be made to respect your expressed preferences of university, the School reserves the right to decide otherwise, on the grounds either of the suitability of the courses and locations involved or of the availability of places at the institutions concerned. (The particular allocation methods for English and French Law and European Legal Studies are explained later on.)

Please note that progression to the Year Abroad is dependent on Stage 2 marks. Contact your school for further details.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Françoise McKee, Brechje Klok-White and Janet Wilson-Sharp Erasmus Team International Development, Room 155, Registry, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ; T: 01227 824042 F: 01227 827115 E: erasmus@kent.ac.uk Web: www.kent.ac.uk/goabroad/

The University of Kent is pleased to acknowledge the support of the European Commission within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme.

We are grateful to our partner universities for the many of the photos provided.

The information in this booklet is correct at the time of going to print and is the sole responsibility of the publisher. The European Union is not liable for any use that may be made of the information.

Issued by the Erasmus Team, May 2014

2

WHY STUDY ABROAD?

A placement overseas brings exciting opportunities and experiences, whether through meeting new people, trying new activities or sports and travelling! You will have the opportunity to become part of a community and study/work alongside local people rather than just being a tourist.

Study or work abroad is also extremely valuable for your studies and your future employment. Through it, you will gain skills and experiences which will help you in your final year and be very attractive to employers. The key points to remember are:

1. Students who study or work abroad get better degree results than those who don’t.1 2. Employers view students with study/work abroad experience as more employable.2 3. British companies need employees with language skills and international experience.3 4. Graduates have found their study/work abroad period to be “a significant factor in getting

their first or subsequent jobs”.4

Study or work abroad can help you develop valuable skills specific to living abroad such as intercultural communication or a new language, but also more general skills like budgeting, time management, problem solving and team working. It is a valuable source of material for job interviews, demonstrating your skills and showing your personal and intercultural awareness. After the time abroad, students usually have a new maturity and well-deserved self-confidence and have enhanced attributes like tenacity, flexibility, enterprise and initiative, all of which are essential for employers.

Employability Points Did you know that you can claim Employability Points for a range of activities while you're abroad?

As a Year Abroad student, you could get points for a range of activities, for example: representing Kent at a study abroad fair at your host university; participating in the Tandem programme; volunteering with a charity; for active participation in an orchestra, sport club or student society. It's not just limited to your Year Abroad though: you can get points for your current activities at Kent or for promoting study/work abroad at Kent's Go Abroad Fair in your Final Year!

As your points increase, you can apply for a range of rewards from internships to training with local, national or international employers. The EP Team say: "With over 250 work experience related rewards, we wanted to give students valuable opportunities, across a diverse range of fields and sectors*." It couldn’t be simpler! Just sign up and record details of the activity on the form. To find out more and to sign up, go to: http://www.kent.ac.uk/employabilitypoints/

1 HEFCE “Attainment in Higher Education: Erasmus and Placement Students” report 2009 2 Council for Industry and Higher Education and i-graduate report 3 British Chamber of Commerce October 2013 4 Valuing the Year Abroad, a British Academy position statement issued with the University Council of Modern Languages and ThirdYearAbroad.com

New skills

and attributesTravel

New

opportunities

and

experiences

New people

3

HOW TO APPROACH THE YEAR ABROAD

Before making your university choices, spend time thinking about what you want to accomplish during your time abroad and how you will make the most of the experience.

Read widely about the country to which you will be going and consider environment and location as well as academic and social matters.

It is important that you approach the year abroad with an open mind and make the effort to meet local people. This can be nerve-wracking at first but will really add to your enjoyment of the year abroad. If you do this, you will almost certainly join your predecessors in calling the year abroad the best year of your degree!

SUPPORT The Erasmus Team will provide practical and administrative assistance to you before, during and after your Year Abroad, and you are welcome to contact us. We are also responsible for processing the Erasmus grants. The Academic Co-ordinators at Kent are responsible for the academic side of the exchange. They deal with queries about module choices and any queries/problems with modules or exams. There is also support from the International Relations/Erasmus Office and the Academic Co-ordinator at host universities. They will provide advice and information. In some cases, the International Relations staff will also give help with accommodation, module registration or other matters. At some universities, staff may have shorter office hours than at Kent so it may be necessary to make appointments or to speak to tutors after class.

What do you want to achieve?

What will you need to put into

it?

What skills/attributes will help you?

What skills do you want to develop?

4

ERASMUS+ Erasmus+ is a European Union funded scheme to promote student mobility within the EU, EFTA-EEA, and candidate countries5.

Eligible students will receive financial benefits from participation in Erasmus study and work placements by way of Erasmus grants. Study placements of less than 3 months are not eligible for Erasmus funding.

The University of Kent has signed exchange agreements under Erasmus with partner universities in the eligible countries. Partner universities agree to help Kent students with issues such as finding accommodation and academic/administrative support.

All the partners in this booklet are Erasmus partners.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Erasmus Grant Students participating in an Erasmus study or work placement may be eligible to receive an Erasmus grant, which contributes towards the extra costs arising from the Year Abroad. The purpose of the grant is to help you make the most of your time abroad. It should be regarded as a ‘top-up’ to normal sources of funding because it is not sufficient in itself to cover all living and travel expenses.

It is completely separate from Student Finance funding so students may get the Erasmus grant on top of their normal funding. It is not means-tested. The grant only has to be paid back if the recipient does not complete the approved placement. Tuition fees Tuition fees are not payable by any student to any of our partner universities.

Students are expected to pay to Kent just 15% of the normal Home/EU fee for the Year Abroad (£1,350). This rate is set by the UK Government. Student Finance If you are eligible for funding from Student Finance, you can apply for your normal loans and grants for the Year Abroad. Travel expenses It is possible to apply to Student Finance for a partial reimbursement for travel expenses at the end of the Year Abroad. This is means-tested and the student has to cover the first £300 of costs. Cost of Living Details of living and accommodation costs are included in the student questionnaires in the International Development library. Contact with students who are currently on/have completed their Year Abroad is also one of the best resources!

5 EU member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

EFTA-EEA countries: Liechtenstein, Norway

Candidate countries: Iceland, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey

5

STUDY PLACEMENTS

Studying abroad is a very different experience to studying in the UK but it offers many advantages.

• You may be able to widen your field of study and undertake courses not offered by Kent.

• Some of our partner universities offer a structured programme of studies for the year abroad whereby an exchange student can achieve a separate qualification from the host university. This can obviously be extremely useful in terms of the employment market.

• Many universities have Erasmus networks and international student societies which arrange parties, trips and events for exchange students.

• The towns and cities where our partners are located often have a vibrant social scene and most have regular cultural events or sports facilities. However, many students in mainland Europe go to university in or near their home town, so there are fewer activities organised through the university.

The main differences which you might come across are:

• The teaching may be formal, with more emphasis on knowledge rather than discussion. It may take place in large lectures; even seminars may contain 20 or 30 students.

• It may be difficult to get in touch with academic staff.

• Examinations are often oral, and written papers may offer little, if any choice of question.

Enjoy the differences and remember that – with the right attitude – you will almost certainly return to Kent in the final year having had a memorable, exciting and fulfilling experience. ACCOMMODATION Our partner universities guarantee to do their best to find accommodation for our students, often in student halls of residence. This is an arrangement that usually works well. If a room in a student residence is not available or you prefer to find a room in private accommodation, you will be given help to find something by the host university; however, the extent of assistance varies greatly. The reports written by previous students give a lot of useful information about accommodation, cost of living and other matters. These are kept in the International Development Library. APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR UNIVERSITIES During the Spring and Summer Terms of your second year, your host university will send you information and forms and will advise you on how to complete the necessary application procedures. Deadlines can be very short: you must make sure that you check your Kent e-mail regularly throughout that year. YEAR ABROAD CREDITS You will be required to take modules to a value of 60 ECTS (equivalent of 120 Kent credits) at the host university.

In a few cases a different total has been agreed by the universities because of credit weighting or a specific programme at the host university. Your Academic Co-ordinator will be able to advise you about this. ASSESSMENT Contact your Academic Co-ordinator for information.

6

TIMETABLE FOR YOUR SECOND YEAR

17 October 2014 Deadline for submitting application form to the Erasmus Team

December 2014 Students will be notified of the allocations before the end of term.

February 2015 Year Abroad meeting - led by the Erasmus Team

Spring 2015 Meetings to discuss module choices with Academic Co-ordinator

Spring/Summer 2015 Partner universities will send information/forms to students.

Mid-June 2015 Exam boards - final decision on progression to the Year Abroad.

July 2015 The Erasmus Team will send important documents to you by email

August 2015 Start of academic year* in Finland and Norway

September 2015 Start of academic year* in the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, the

Netherlands, Spain and Sweden

October 2015 Start of academic year* in Austria, Germany and Italy.

*Please note that term dates vary slightly from year to year. Details of current academic calendars can be obtained from the Erasmus Team.

GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSITIES

Please read the university descriptions in this booklet and consider your options carefully before making a choice.

Students of English and German Law and English and Italian Law do not get a choice of destinations but should still refer to the relevant university section and other sources of information. The Year Abroad form must still be submitted so that the Erasmus Team has your contact details and Erasmus eligibility information.

PLACES The University of Kent has agreed a certain number of places at each partner university. The number of places may vary slightly from year to year depending on various factors and is always subject to the agreement of the partner university. The Erasmus Team ensures that there are sufficient places in total for every student on a Year Abroad degree. Academic Co-ordinators: The academic co-ordinators are the Programme Directors:

EFL, EGL, EIL and ESL: Dr Sophie Vigneron (2013/14), Dr Simone Glanert (2014/15) ELS: Martin Hedemann-Robinson

7

English and French Law

Places will normally be allocated according to the following criteria:

i) Subject to language requirement (Paris Sorbonne) and criterion ii) specified below, students with the best first year results in LW 567 (Droit Administratif) will be given priority as regards their preferred choice(s) of university for the year abroad;

ii) In exceptional circumstances, the Director may, at his/her discretion, decide to approve a student’s request where there are good reasons for this. Examples of good reasons include, notably, strong familial ties with the town of the host university.

Full details of the programmes offered by the French universities will be provided by the Law School. NB: The CROUS is the regional organisation which manages most student accommodation, cafeterias and bursaries in France. It is part of a national organisation, the CNOUS (http://www.cnous.fr/).

UNIVERSITE MONTESQUIEU BORDEAUX IV Situated in one of the most famous wine growing regions of France, Bordeaux stands on the banks of the Garonne just an hour away from the white sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. The city is host to a variety of cultural events and sports.

The University originated in the old Law and Economics Faculty which was founded in the 15th century. It has an established reputation in the Social Sciences, in particular Law, Politics, Economics and Management. The University has over 13,000 students of which 1,900 are international or Erasmus exchange students. CROUS accommodation can be arranged through the University.

www.u-bordeaux4.fr

UNIVERSITE PIERRE MENDES FRANCE, GRENOBLE Grenoble, the self-styled “capital of the Alps”, is a vibrant modern city in a spectacular mountain setting. It has about 160,000 inhabitants, of which over 50,000 are students at its four universities. It is a hub for cutting-edge scientific research as well as being a cultural centre with a thriving arts scene. There are many opportunities for winter sports and other activities.

The Université Pierre Mendès-France is the state university for the social sciences in Grenoble and covers a wide range of subjects. It is strongly committed to making a success of its exchange programmes; its teaching is of a high quality and we have excellent contacts there. The programme at Grenoble consists of a choice between a Diploma in French Law and a Diploma in International Politics. CROUS accommodation can be arranged through the University.

http://droit.upmf-grenoble.fr

UNIVERSITE PARIS I – PANTHEON SORBONNE The initial plans for a university in Paris were prepared in the 13th century. Following the student revolt in 1968, the University was divided into seven new universities, one of which was the Université Paris I, created in 1971. Paris I claims the title of the first French university to cover all the disciplines: Economics, Management, Arts and Humanities, Law and Political Sciences. In comparison with Bordeaux or Grenoble, you may find the university administration less approachable.

8

The University has no residences of it own so students should look for accommodation privately or through the Cité Universitaire. Private accommodation rents can be between 700-800 Euros per month.

www.univ-paris1.fr

UNIVERSITE PARIS X - OUEST NANTERRE LA DEFENSE The University of Nanterre is in the unique position for a Parisian university of having its own campus, situated in the west of Paris close to La Défense. The campus itself covers 30 hectares and groups itself around a central ‘espace vert’. Although a relatively young university, it has a fascinating history through its central role in the student revolts of 1968. It is a lively, cultural campus with its own theatre, exhibition area, sports centre and Olympic–size swimming pool.

Students may follow either the licence or the diploma: the Diplôme d'Etudes Juridiques Françaises consists of seven semester-long courses, while the licence consists of ten. Rooms may be available in university residences.

www.u-paris10.fr

English and German Law

PHILIPPS-UNIVERSITÄT MARBURG The Philipps-Universität, founded in 1527, is the heart of the picturesque mediaeval town of Marburg. Many of its buildings are situated in the core of the town, built on a hill rising steeply form the Lahn Valley in Central Germany. More recent buildings are situated on the banks of the river and a new complex mainly devoted to the sciences is being developed on the Lahnberge on the other side of the valley. The area surrounding Marburg is essentially rural and agricultural, with a profusion of wooded hills. Travel to the nearest city and airport, Frankfurt, is easy, quick and cheap.

This is a well-established exchange. Personal contacts with Kent provide invaluable assistance with all student matters. Students are offered a lot of tutorial and administrative support before and during the year. Marburg University offers a German language course in September before the start of the Winter Semester which is strongly recommended. The University offers accommodation in student residences.

www.uni-marburg.de

English and Italian Law

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI BOLOGNA Bologna, a stunning Renaissance city, is home to the oldest university in Europe, dating back to the 11th century. It is the capital of the Emilia Romagna region with easy access to the major cities and both coasts.

The university is a major centre of study and research. It now has four campuses in Romagna but Kent students are based in Bologna itself. More than 100,000 students are registered at the university (about one sixth of the city's population). As well as the university facilities, Kent students have access to the library of the Johns Hopkins Bologna Centre. Help is given to find accommodation through their student accommodation service.

www.unibo.it

9

English and Spanish Law

UNIVERSIDAD CASTILLA LA MANCHA, TOLEDO Toledo, the historic capital of the province of Castilla-La Mancha, is located on the Castillian plateau in the heart of Spain, only 25 minutes by train from Madrid. The city is a world heritage site with a unique mix of Jewish, Islamic and Christian influences.

The University is relatively small, providing excellent student support and a very good international atmosphere. Administrative and academic staff are very approachable. The campus, which is a Wi-fi area, offers a digital library with PCs and laptops available. Cafeterias are available on campus and there is also a sport centre and counselling service. Despite its proximity to Madrid, the cost of living is much cheaper.

The Law Department is on the Social Sciences and Humanities campus in the historic quarter of Toledo. Students are normally expected to take modules in stage 1, 2 or 3 from the Licenciado en Derecho. The programme is very well structured. Pre-sessional and term-time Spanish courses (intermediate/advance level) are provided by the university and cost about 15 Euros. Accommodation is offered by the University both on and off campus.

www.uclm.es

UNIVERSIDAD DE DEUSTO Bilbao is the capital of Vizcaya, a province which is located in the Basque Country, north of Spain.

Founded in 1886, this beautiful university is an internationally recognized institution of academic excellence in teaching and research, which overlooks the Río Nervíon and the famous Guggenheim Museum. The Casco Viejo offers many bars and cafes where pintxos (Basque tapas) can be enjoyed. The countryside and coastline can be reached in only 20 minutes. Bilbao has an airport with regular flights to and from the UK.

The Faculty of Law prides itself on maintaining an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching over the 100 years since

its inception. Teaching focuses not only on theory but also on social responsibility, ethics, new technologies and the links between the law and business/the economy. The university offers Spanish language classes for foreign students. Students have various accommodation options, including halls of residence or private accommodation.

www.deusto.es/

European Legal Studies

Places will normally be allocated according to the following criteria:

i) Subject to criterion ii) specified below, students with the best first year law results will be given priority as regards to their preferred choice(s) of university for the year abroad;

ii) In exceptional circumstances, students may register a preference for a particular university for their year abroad at an early stage (e.g. already in Stage 1). The ELS Director may, at his or her discretion, decide to approve the student’s request where there are good reasons for this. Examples of good reasons include, notably, where a student indicates a commitment at Stage 1 to study, is already fluent in the language of the host university or has strong familial ties with the country of the host university.

Language All teaching for these exchanges will be given in English but you will have the opportunity to study the local language during the stay. This is recommended to help you get the most out of your stay and to become fully integrated in the community.

10

UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN, NORWAY Bergen is a fascinating and vibrant city on the west coast of Norway close to the spectacular fjord region. Its focus is towards the sea which provides many essential natural resources and has made Bergen such an important port. The harbour itself is flanked on one side by the Bryggen, a restored section of the medieval Hanseatic town. As with the other Scandinavian destinations, there’s a wide range of outdoor activities, including the Seven Hills challenge, and the chance of spotting the Northern Lights on your doorstep!

The University is a young, modern and urban university, with much of its campuses based close to the centre of Bergen. Like Bergen itself, the University has long had an international focus. The Faculty of Law is based in Nygårdshøyden in the heart of the city. Law courses offered by Bergen have included, amongst many others, those on aspects of human rights, business law, IP law, legal philosophy, comparative company law, competition law, energy law and anti-terrorism law.

Students can apply through the University for accommodation in the Fantoft student village. Fantoft is a short bus ride from the city centre and has its own supermarket and extremely well-equipped sports’ facilities. The residences and facilities are run by SiB, a not for profit organisation. SiB also runs a counselling service, job centre, student cafeterias, additional sports facilities in the city centre, bars, and performing arts/theatre/music events. (Rock music events are held in a cave just outside Bergen!)

www.uib.no and http://prospective.uib.no/

CHARLES UNIVERSITY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and its most important urban centre, is a very beautiful city. Straddling the winding river Vltava, with a steep wooded hill to one side, the city retains much of its medieval layout and its six hundred years of architectural heritage virtually untouched by

natural disaster or war. After the collapse of the Iron Curtain, Prague is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and is enjoying the sort of economic boom not seen since the 1920s. With a rich cultural programme and a vibrant nightlife, it is a great place to spend a year abroad.

Founded in 1348, Charles University is the oldest university in Central Europe and one of the great European cathedrals of knowledge. It is now a modern institution of higher education, educating over 40,000 students from all over the world.

Exchange students studying in the Faculty are enrolled for the Czech Legal System in European Context programme (a list of courses is published on the Faculty website). Czech language courses for beginners, as well as for

advanced students, are offered free of charge. The courses will take place subject to a sufficient number of participants. Students can apply for shared rooms in residences through the university. Some help is given in finding private accommodation.

www.cuni.cz (University site); www.prf.cuni.cz/ (Faculty site)

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN, DENMARK Copenhagen is the cultural, administrative and commercial centre of Denmark. Although a large, bustling capital city, it has retained much of its mediaeval charm and is a popular tourist destination. Copenhagen is host to the International Film Festival and many other cultural activities happen throughout the year. The city is relatively safe and has good public transport. Cycling is a popular option due to the extensive cycle paths.

The University of Copenhagen, inaugurated in 1479, is the largest Higher Education Institution in Denmark, offering close to 200 programmes across the six faculties. The Faculty of Law is the

11

oldest in Denmark and one of the largest in northern Europe. The exchange is of long-standing and there are close ties on an administrative and academic level. Students may have the opportunity to participate in Moot Court Competitions. The Faculty provides a fairly wide range of law courses covering: specialist and general subjects in public international law, EU law, corporate governance, environmental law, human rights, refugee law, IP and international sports law, conflict management, and international criminal law.

Students can apply for rooms in student flats in the city. Places are limited so applications have to be made as soon as Copenhagen send their information (in February/March of your 2nd year).

www.ku.dk (University site); http://studies.ku.dk/studies/ (Course information)

UNIVERSITE PIERRE MENDES FRANCE, GRENOBLE Grenoble, the self-styled “capital of the Alps”, is a vibrant modern city in a spectacular mountain setting. It has about 160,000 inhabitants, of which over 50,000 are students at its four universities. It is a hub for cutting-edge scientific research as well as being a cultural centre with a thriving arts scene. There are many opportunities for winter sports and other activities.

The Université Pierre Mendès-France is the state university for the social sciences in Grenoble and covers a wide range of subjects. It is strongly committed to making a success of its exchange programmes; its teaching is of a high quality and we have excellent contacts there. The programme for ELS is the Certificate in French Law which is taught in English. Some knowledge of French is beneficial. Students interested in this option are encouraged to sign up for Language Express classes in French during their Second year. CROUS accommodation can be arranged through the University.

http://droit.upmf-grenoble.fr

UNIVERSITY OF GRONINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS Groningen is a lively and youthful city with a great atmosphere and lots happening. Its historic old town is ringed by canals and can be crossed in just 15 minutes; so students can savour the ambience of a small town while also enjoying the vibrant nightlife and culture. The city is in the north of the country so the usual tourist traps and prices can be avoided. Getting around is easy by bike or bus. Groningen is just over two hours from Amsterdam by train and on a direct line from Schiphol airport (2.5-3 hours).

The university, which celebrates its 400th birthday in 2014, is in the top 100 of the THES World University Rankings. It offers a whole programme of Law modules in English, which have a focus on international and European Law in the second and third years. More academic information will be provided by the School later on.

Outside classes, students can sign up for sports clubs in everything from American Football to water sports or can try out the local sport of ‘wadlopen’ (mud-walking) on the coast! Social activities range from the student societies (historic dance, pop choir or GUTS Theatre�) to extracurricular classes in Arts and Culture at the Cultural Student Centre Usva (e.g. deejaying, photography and much more). Accommodation in student residences is arranged through the Housing Office. www.rug.nl/; www.rug.nl/bachelors/international-and-european-law/programme (course information)

UNIVERSITY OF MAASTRICHT, THE NETHERLANDS Historic Maastricht is a beautiful city with many social and cultural events and a wide variety of cafes, bars, nightclubs and cinemas. As the city is quite compact, bicycles are a popular mode of transport. The surrounding region provides many opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, kayaking

12

and other sports. The most surprising views in the surrounding area are the vineyards. The city itself is close to the historic cities of Liege in Belgium and Aachen in Germany.

The university has a reputation for being international and innovative in its teaching, research and international focus. Most university buildings are situated in the historic centre of Maastricht or in

Randwijck, across the Maas River.

A range of courses is offered including, amongst many others: aspects of EU Law, international law and organisations, human rights, legal philosophy, introduction to Dutch Law, comparative law, international

business law and taxation, corporate governance and law and economics. Students should apply for accommodation through the student housing agency, MaastrichtHousing.

www.unimaas.nl

UNIVERSITY OF TURKU, FINLAND

Turku, Finland’s gateway to Europe, is right on the edge of the south-western archipelago of 20,000 islands, a region of great natural beauty. The city is small enough to be easily accessible on foot or by bike/bus but has a very active social life. There are many cultural and historic attractions, including the ‘Ruisrock’ and ‘Down by the Laituri’ festivals, celebrating rock and many other music genres. Students can take advantage of the local ferries to visit Sweden or the many islands in the archipelago. Turku’s beaches and parks are great places to relax but there are also motor sports, lake swimming (winter and summer!) skiing and hiking. “The University of Turku is a highly international university, where education and research are closely intertwined. We offer more than 300 courses in English and exchange students are able to combine courses from different faculties. To make the stay comfortable, each exchange student will have a personal tutor helping with practical matters and there is reasonably priced student accommodation with internet connections. Active Student Union, ESN and university sports makes sure that there are plenty of free-time activities.”

The university has a strong multi-disciplinary tradition with six faculties and maintains a ‘hands-on’ approach to research and development. The Law School offers teaching in three languages and has wide research interests. Courses have included, amongst many others, those on legal theory, comparative law, human rights, carriage of goods, ECHR, trade and contract law, Introduction to Finnish law, EU Law, environmental law and law and social policy. The Language Centre offers students the opportunity to take a ‘Finnish for Foreigners’ course.

www.utu.fi (University site); www.law.utu.fi/en/international/tls/ (Law School site)

UNIVERSITY OF UPPSALA, SWEDEN

Historic Uppsala, the fourth largest town in Sweden, is known for its charm as well as its opportunities. Uppsala was an important site for the ancient Swedish kingdom and is still the religious centre of the modern nation. Located in cental Sweden, only 50 minutes by train from Stockholm, Uppsala is surrounded by beautiful countryside and many opportunities for seasonal activities: kayaking, skating on frozen lakes, cross-country skiing, golf, riding and fishing. The highlight of the students’ social calendar is the celebration of Walpurgis Eve, with river rafting, a “champagne gallop” and music.

Uppsala University is the oldest university in Scandinavia and hosts the oldest Faculty of Law, both having been founded in 1477. The Faculty is located in the

13

centre of Uppsala and has approximately 1,500 undergraduate students. Although part of the Faculty is located in a 17th century building, much of the Faculty, including the Library, is now in modern buildings close to the river. Courses have included, amongst many others, aspects of international law, children’s rights, EU Law, ECHR, legal history, jurisprudence, biomedicine and the law, comparative constitutional law, international commercial arbitration, law and psychology and corporate finance law.

Accommodation is offered through the university. Some practical information about living in Uppsala is available at: http://www.uppsalastudentkar.nu/node

www.uu.se (University site); www.jur.uu.se (Faculty site)

UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA The capital of Austria is situated on the banks of the Danube at the centre of Europe. Vienna has a well-deserved reputation for culture with thriving festivals and events happening throughout the year. It is a safe, clean city with a good public transport network. Student discounts are offered for public transport and some sports centres, cultural events and shops.

The prestigious University of Vienna is one of the oldest universities in Europe having been founded in 1365. It welcomes over 85,000 students from 130 countries and hosts many exchanges. Students will study an approved programme of courses in English at the Faculty of Law, which has over 10,000 students and is located in the historic centre of Vienna. The Faculty provides a fairly wide range of law courses, some of which may be offered in both semesters. Information about studying there can be found online.

Some knowledge of German is beneficial. Students interested in this option are encouraged to sign up for Language Express classes in German during their Second year. Accommodation is available through the university.

www.univie.ac.at/ (University); http://juridicum.univie.ac.at (Faculty)