The following diploma requirements apply for this programme:

• A full degree in law offering access to legal practice in the country where it was obtained, or an equivalent degree from a recognised research university/law school;
• or a degree at an equivalent level in a relevant discipline with a sufficient background in law; and
• evidence of excellent academic performance.

The following requirements apply:

• IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall, with at least 6.0 for the listening and reading components, and at least 6.5 for the speaking and writing components.
  • We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
  • We do not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator or IELTS One Skill Retake.
     
• TOEFL internet based: 100 overall, with at least 20 for the listening and reading components, and at least 22 for the speaking and writing components. 
  • We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only: you are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in the relevant country.
  • We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™  or institutional tests such as ITP.

• Cambridge English Exam: C2 Proficiency or C1 Advanced with an overall score of 185, with at least 169 for the listening and reading components, and at least 176 for the speaking and writing components.

Note: English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.

Exemptions

You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta, or if you obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™, or if you completed an English-taught bachelor's degree at a Dutch research university.

Exemptions are not issued for Dutch pre-university (VWO) diplomas, or for English-taught degrees obtained at a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO).

Still awaiting your test result?

You can apply for admission before receiving your English test result. However, if you are admitted, it will be on condition of submitting a sufficient result before the visa/residence permit deadline, or before the start of the programme if you don't need a visa or residence permit. 

Further information

For detailed information, including detailed exemption criteria and submission methods, refer to the English language proficiency information sheet. 

• Solid academic background, notably in the area of human rights law.
• A keen interest in the field of European and international human rights law, illustrated by way of a letter of motivation.
  Note that the motivation letter matters a great deal to us. It should be approx. two pages A4, and make clear why you have a specific interest in human rights and what you expect from our programme.
• Documented evidence of relevant (work) experience, i.e. employment or internship at a law firm, or voluntary work, illustrated by way of a detailed curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation attesting to good academic and/or professional ability. At least one letter must be written by an academic staff member, for example a lecturer or academic supervisor.
  Your recommendation letters should enable us to understand why you, as a candidate, are qualified for our programme.