FAQs

FAQ

If you cannot find the answer to your question below, please email us at secrpilc@vub.ac.be.

1. How do I apply?

For a detailed explanation of the programme requirements as well as information on the courses and teaching staff, please visit the following website: www.ies.be/llm

Please make sure that you provide us with the completed standard application form (that can also be found at http://www.ies.be/llm/application) and all the required documents before the end of February. Applicants are strongly encouraged to send their documents as early as possible.

2. When is the deadline for applying?

Please send us the application form and all the required documents before the end of February to apply for the next academic year, starting in September.

3. Can I still apply if the deadline is very close?

If you think your documents may not arrive in time by postal mail, please send your application and the documents you already have, by e-mail to reach us by the end of February. You can then send the original, signed and stamped documents by mail.

4. Can I still apply when the result of the English test is not yet known or if I will obtain my degree after the deadline?

Yes. In this case you will be accepted on the condition that you provide us with your English test certificate and/or your diploma as soon as possible. As soon as you have obtained your diploma or certificate, please can send it to the LLM office. In addition, send us details of your grades from the previous academic years and mention on the application form the date by which you will obtain the degree and/or when you will sit the English test.

5. What are the requirements for the English test?

We will accept:

* IELST-score : The minimum for applying for our program is 6,5.

* TOEFL : IBT : the minimum for applying for our program is 96/120

* Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE), grade B

* Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), grade C

If candidates have already studied a degree course which was taught in English they will be exempt from the English test. In this case, we require proof from the university that the courses were taught in English.
 

6. Where can I find the requirements and download the application form?

All information can be found at http://www.ies.be/llm/application

7. How much does the LLM cost?

The tuition fee for the academic year 2012-2013 has been set at 4500 EUR. The fee includes the registration fee, examination fee, the costs for photocopies, casebooks and a study trip for EU- and non-EU-students. This represents an extremely democratic price.

8. Which scholarships are available?

The administration of the LLM in International and European Law will not be able to extend any financial support to a student, arriving at the Programme without having secured the minimum amount for living expenses necessary for the full period of the academic year.


We suggest that you look at the following websites of other organisations:
http://www.unesco.org/general/eng/about/fellowship.html
http://www.dgdc.be/en/index.html
http://www.vlir.be


We also suggest that you request more information about other fellowships from the Belgian Government, or other Belgian institutions at the Belgian Embassy in your own country. More information can be found at: www.dgos.be


Small scholarships in the form of a partial tuition fee waiver can be awarded at the discretion of the Board, on the basis of merit and need. Please provide us with a motivation letter when applying for this tuition fee waiver.

9. When will I get a decision?

A selection will take place at the end of March and the decision will be communicated to you by e-mail by the end of April.

10. What does the academic year look like?

The LLM programme is a demanding one-year full-time programme, always starting in September and ending in June the year after.

You will have lectures during the first semester from the end of September until the end of December, followed by 2 weeks of Christmas holidays, one week of study, and 3 weeks of examinations (= January session).

Between the first and the second semester you will have a free week.

The second semester starts mid February and ends around the end of May, followed by 2 weeks of study, and 3 weeks of examinations (= June session).

11. Can I combine work and studies?

The LLM is a full-time programme and that attendance at classes is required. Therefore, studying the programme at the same time as working is strongly discouraged and allowed only in exceptional circumstances, with the permission of the Programme Director. In this case, we would require a letter stating that your employer gives you permission to attend all courses.

12. Do you have any career advice available?

The VUB offers IES students a unique Career's Advice service. The Career Centre's Clients include major law firms and the European Commission. Their services include CV editing, interview preparation and general career advice.

For more information:

http://www.vubcareercenter.be

 

12. Do I have to take all the courses?

The programme is composed of compulsory courses and elective courses. Students have to choose between two specialisation options: Public Law or Business Law. Students also have to carry out legal research as part of their thesis (worth 18 ECTS credits).

More information can be found on http://www.ies.be/llm/programme-content

 

13. Is accommodation provided by the University or should it be arranged individually?

Due to a limited number of rooms on campus, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel cannot provide housing for all international students and scholars. Hence they are advised to find other means of accommodation in Belgium, preferably prior to departure.

The Br(ik organisation aims to create a network of safe, reliable housing. The landlords and the accommodations linked to Br(ik, must meet criteria set by Br(ik and in case of problems between the landlord and the tenant, the Br(ik organisation can intervene.

Prearranged housing is only available for VLIR-UOS scholars who are registered for one or two year master programmes. All other students and scholars are advised to seek either transit, short term or long term housing prior to departure. It is recommended that the search for accommodation is started as soon as the letter of acceptance or invitation has been received.

For more information, please see:

http://www.vub.ac.be/english/infofor/prospectivestudents/housing.html

Contact: international.relations@vub.ac.be

14. What happens after I’m accepted?

If we offer you a place on the programme, you will receive a confirmation letter requesting the full tuition fee of 4500 EURO before the date specified on the letter. After we have received your payment,  you will receive an admission letter.

15. What happens if I’m accepted and decide not to attend after all?

If a student is admitted to the programme and after payment of the tuition fee he or she informs the Director with a reasonable and acceptable reason, at the latest before the end of August, that he/she will not be able to participate in the programme there are two possibilities: 1) Either he/she agrees to transfer the admission to the next academic year in which case the paid fee will be reserved for that purpose 2) Or he/she will withdraw their application, in which case there will be a refund of the fee minus administrative expenses (10%).

16. Is there a possibility to follow language courses at the VUB ?

Yes. There are two possibilities:

* Day and evening language courses : Campus - Building D – Pleinlaan 2

Phone : +32 (0)2/629.39.08

e-mail : khnb@vub.ac.be

website : www.vub.ac.be/khnb

OR

ITO : University Language Institute – Pleinlaan 5 – 3° floor

Phone : +32 (0)2/629.26.07

e-mail : secritow@vub.ac.be

 

17. Do we need to use a special form for the reference letter?

You can find an example on the website on http://www.ies.be/llm/application but the referees may also choose to write a letter using their own letterhead. We prefer to receive the letters by post, because we need the original signature of the referee.

18. What happens after I have been accepted?

If you are accepted onto the course, you will be informed by the secretariat by e-mail. This will also detail how and when to pay the tuition fee. During the summer months, you will be sent information concerning enrolment, registration and the steps to follow when you arrive in Belgium. You will receive the timetable on the first day of the academic year.

19. When do students have lectures?

The LLM is a full-time programme, the lectures are scheduled in the morning, afternoon and sometimes in the evenings.