TEACHING AND EXAMINATION REGULATIONS MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMMES FACULTY OF LAW

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1 TEACHING AND EXAMINATION REGULATIONS MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMMES FACULTY OF LAW Adopted 10 July

2 Contents SECTION A GENERAL... 5 CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS... 5 Article 1.1 Applicability... 5 Article 1.2 Definitions... 5 CHAPTER 2 ADMISSIONS... 7 Article 2.1a Prerequisites for non-selective LLM programmes... 7 Article 2.1b Prerequisites for LLM Notarial Law... 7 Article 2.1c Prerequisites for selective Master's degree programmes... 8 Article 2.2 Transitional programmes... 8 Article 2.3 Language requirements... 9 Article 2.4 Admissions procedure Article 2.5 Intake dates CHAPTER 3 ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATIONS Article 3.1 General Article 3.2 Registration Article 3.3 Retakes Article 3.4 Oral assessments Article 3.5 Results Article 3.6 Marks Article 3.7 Period of validity Article 3.8 Right of inspection and review Article 3.9 Exemptions Article 3.10 Thesis Article 3.11 Fraud and plagiarism Article 3.12 Graduation Article 3.13 Degree Article 3.14 Certificates and other documents CHAPTER 4 ACADEMIC SUPERVISION AND PROGRESS Article 4.1 Administration Article 4.2 Academic counselling Article 4.3 Students with disabilities Article 4.4 Unsuitability (iudicium abeundi) CHAPTER 5 TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

3 Article 5.1 Hardship clause Article 5.2 Transitional provisions Article 5.3 Amendments to Section A Article 5.4 Publication Article 5.5 Effective date of Section A SECTION B PROGRAMME SPECIFIC REGULATIONS CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1.1 Applicability CHAPTER 2 PROGRAMME CURRICULUM AND STRUCTURE ARTICLES ALL PROGRAMMES Article 2.1 Form Article 2.2 Study load Article 2.3 Components taken elsewhere Article 2.4 Free programmes ARTIKEL 2.5A 2.7A MASTER LABOUR LAW Article 2.5a Objectives and final attainment standards Article 2.6a Programme language Article 2.7a Curriculum ARTIKEL 2.5B 2.7B MASTER INFORMATIERECHT Artikel 2.5b Doel van de opleiding en eindtermen Artikel 2.6b Taal van de opleiding Artikel 2.7b Onderwijsprogramma ARTICLES 2.5C-2.7C MASTER INTERNATIONAL AND EUROPEAN LAW Article 2.5c Objectives and final attainment standards Article 2.6c Programme language Article 2.7c Curriculum ARTICLES 2.5D-2.7D MASTER INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL LAW Article 2.5d Objectives and final attainment standards Article 2.6d Programme language Article 2.7d Curriculum ARTIKEL 2.5E 2.7E MASTER PRIVAATRECHT Artikel 2.5e Doel van de opleiding en eindtermen Artikel 2.6e Taal van de opleiding Artikel 2.7e Onderwijsprogramma ARTICLES 2.5F-2.7F MASTER EUROPEAN PRIVATE LAW Article 2.5f Objectives and final attainment standards Article 2.6f Programme language Article 2.7f Curriculum ARTIKEL 2.5G 2.7G MASTER PUBLIEKRECHT Artikel 2.5g Doel van de opleiding en eindtermen

4 Artikel 2.6g Taal van de opleiding Artikel 2.7g Onderwijsprogramma ARTIKEL 2.5H 2.7H MASTER FISCAAL RECHT Artikel 2.5h Doel van de opleiding en eindtermen Artikel 2.6h Taal van de opleiding Artikel 2.7h Onderwijsprogramma ARTIKEL 2.5I 2.7I MASTER NOTARIEEL RECHT Artikel 2.5i Doel van de opleiding en eindtermen Artikel 2.6i Taal van de opleiding Artikel 2.7i Onderwijsprogramma ARTICLES 2.5J 2.7J RESEARCH MASTER IN INFORMATION LAW Article 2.5j Objectives and final attainment standards Article 2.6j Programme language Article 2.7j Curriculum ARTICLES 2.5K-2.7K RESEARCH MASTER IN PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW Article 2.5k Objectives and final attainment standards Article 2.6k Programme language Article 2.7k Curriculum ARTICLE 2.5l 2.7l MASTER IN INTERNATIONAL TAX LAW: Policy, Principles and Practice Article 2.5l Objectives and final attainment standards Article 2.6l Programme language Article 2.7k Curriculum CHAPTER 3 EDUCATION Article 3.1 Participation and priority rules Article 3.2 Sequence of studies and admission criteria Article 3.3 Compulsory attendance CHAPTER 4 AMENDMENTS AND EFFECTIVE DATE Article 4.1 Amendments to Section B Article 4.2 Effective date of Section B

5 SECTION A GENERAL CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1.1 Applicability These Regulations are divided into two sections, A and B. Section A contains general provisions and applies to the teaching and examination of all the Master s degree programmes offered by the Amsterdam Graduate School of Law, part of the Faculty of Law (hereafter: the Faculty). Section B contains provisions specific to each individual programme of study. Together, Section A and the relevant parts of Section B make up the Teaching and Examination Regulations (Onderwijs- en examenregeling, OER) for a programme or group of programmes specified in Section B. Article 1.2 Definitions The following definitions are used in these Regulations: a) Academic year The period beginning on 1 September and ending on 31 August of the following year. b) The Act The Dutch Higher Education and Research Act (Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek, WHW). c) Assessment A formal evaluation of the student s knowledge, understanding and skills in respect of a programme component. This may take the form of one or more examinations or tests, as well as other forms of assessment. The overall outcome is expressed as a final mark, on a scale of 1 to 10. A retake always covers the same material as the original assessment. d) Component A unit of academic study making up part of a programme, as defined in the Act. Includes, but is not limited to, taught modules and other individual courses. e) Course Catalogue The Faculty s published guide for its students, including the provisions, instructions and other information specific to individual programmes. The Course Catalogue is available online at f) EC (European Credit) A study credit, in accordance with the European Credit and Transfer Accumulation System (EC), with 1 EC representing approximately 28 hours of work. g) Fraud Any act, deed, failure or omission by a student, be it deliberate, reckless or negligent, which makes it impossible to accurately judge his/her knowledge, understanding and skills. This definition specifically includes plagiarism. h) Graduation The award of the Master s degree. i) List of electives List of elective modules contained in the Course Catalogue. j) Master s degree programme A programme of academic postgraduate study, the successful completion of which results in the award of a Master s degree (LLM). 5

6 k) Period A subdivision of a semester. One semester is usually divided into two periods of equal length, but in the case of MASTER Notarial Law it consists of three periods of eight, eight, and four weeks respectively. l) Programme The totality of components, learning activities, contact hours, tests, assessments, examinations and recommended reading making up a coherent course of study for a Master s degree. m) Programme Charter That part of the Student Charter specific to the programme, in accordance with Section 7.59 of the Act. The Student Charter is contained in the Course Catalogue. n) Semester A subdivision of an academic year. Each academic year is divided into two semesters. o) SIS The Student Information System. p) Student A person enrolled on a programme at the University, and thus entitled to participate in the relevant studies and to take the associated assessments and examinations. q) Study load The nominal period of study required to complete a programme or a component. Study load is expressed in EC (European Credits under the European Credit and Transfer Accumulation System, EC), with 1 EC representing approximately 28 hours of work. The study load for one year (1680 hours) is 60 EC. r) Thesis An extended, research-based written paper prepared by the student during final phase of the programme. s) University The University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam, UvA). t) Website The Faculty s student website, at The other terms have the meanings ascribed to them in law. This document is a translation of the Onderwijs- en Examenregeling Master published by the Faculty of Law on 10 July It is provided for the purposes of information only. In the event of any difference of interpretation, the original Dutch text is binding. 6

7 CHAPTER 2 ADMISSIONS Article 2.1a Prerequisites for non-selective LLM programmes 1. The Faculty s non-selective Master s degree programmes are: a. Labour Law (Arbeidsrecht) b. European Private Law c. Fiscal Law (Fiscaal recht) d. International and European Law e. Private Law (Privaatrecht) f. Public Law (Publiekrecht) 2. A person holding a Bachelor s degree from either a Dutch or a foreign institution of higher education, who can demonstrate that they possess knowledge, understanding and skills at the level provided by the University of Amsterdam s Bachelor s degree programme in Law (Rechtsgeleerdheid), Fiscal Law (Fiscaal recht) or Notarial Law (Notarieel recht) including the necessary language skills may be admitted to one of the above non-selective Master s degree programmes subject to the provisions of paragraphs 3 and 4 below and on the understanding that, (i) should the Examinations Board identify any insufficiencies in their existing knowledge, it may impose additional conditions upon their admission, and that, (ii) should they already have passed components of the Master s degree programme they intend to enter, they may be required by the Examinations Board to take alternative components. 3. The Dutch Tax Law variant (variant Nederlands belastingrecht) of LLM Fiscal Law is not open to holders of a University of Amsterdam LLB in Fiscal Law or LLB in Law including the Fiscal Law minor. 4. A holder of a University of Amsterdam LLB in Law, Fiscal Law or Notarial Law will be admitted unconditionally to any of the Faculty s nonselective Master s degree programmes, subject to the provisions of paragraph 5 below. 5. If the intended Master s degree programme offers multiple specialisations, a particular variant or minor in the Bachelor s degree may be specified as a prerequisite for admission to a particular variant. 6. Exceptionally, should strict application of the requirement to hold a Bachelor s degree be demonstrably and excessively unreasonable or unfair to an applicant, the Examinations Board may suspend that prerequisite for a period of time at its discretion. Article 2.1b Prerequisites for LLM Notarial Law 1. A person holding a Bachelor s degree from either a Dutch or a foreign university, who can demonstrate that they possess knowledge, understanding and skills at the level provided by the University of Amsterdam s Bachelor s degree programme in Notarial Law (Notarieel recht) including the necessary language skills may be admitted to the LLM Notarial Law. Should the Examinations Board identify any insufficiencies in their existing knowledge, it may impose additional conditions upon their admission. Should they already have passed 7

8 components of the Master s degree programme, they may be required by the Examinations Board to take alternative components. 2. A holder of a University of Amsterdam LLB in Notarial Law will be admitted unconditionally to the LLM Notarial Law. 3. Exceptionally, should strict application of the requirement to hold a Bachelor s degree be demonstrably and excessively unreasonable or unfair to an applicant, the Examinations Board may suspend that prerequisite for a period of time at its discretion. Article 2.1c Prerequisites for selective Master's degree programmes 1. The Faculty s selective Master s degree programmes are: a. Information Law b. Research Master in Information Law c. International Criminal Law d. Research Master in Public International Law e. International Tax Law: Policy, Principles and Practice 2. A person holding a Bachelor s degree from either a Dutch or a foreign institution of higher education, who can demonstrate that they possess knowledge, understanding and skills at the level provided by the University of Amsterdam s Bachelor s degree programme in Law, Fiscal Law or Notarial Law including the necessary language skills may be admitted to one of the above selective Master s degree programmes subject to the provisions of paragraph 4 below and on the understanding that they also meet the additional prerequisites for admission as set out in the description of the relevant programme in the Course Catalogue. Additional requirements also apply to the Master s in International Tax Law, see Should the Examinations Board identify any insufficiencies in their existing knowledge, it may impose additional conditions upon their admission. Should they already have passed components of the Master s degree programme, they may be required by the Examinations Board to take alternative components. 3. A holder of a University of Amsterdam LLB in Law, Fiscal Law or Notarial Law may be admitted to one of the Faculty s selective Master s degree programmes after undergoing the selection procedure described in paragraph 1, subject to the provisions of paragraph 4 below. 4. If the intended Master s degree programme offers multiple variants, a particular specialisation or minor in the Bachelor s degree may be specified as a prerequisite for admission to a particular variant. 5. Exceptionally, should strict application of the requirement to hold a Bachelor s degree be demonstrably and excessively unreasonable or unfair to an applicant, the Examinations Board may suspend that prerequisite for a period of time at its discretion. Article 2.2 Transitional programmes 1. If, in the opinion of the Examinations Board, an applicant for admission does not currently satisfy the applicable prerequisites but can be expected do so within a reasonable period of time, they will be given the opportunity to take a transitional programme in order to reach the required standard. The maximum study load for such a programme is 60 EC. 2. The Faculty offers transitional programmes providing entry to a number of its Master s degree programmes for students who hold a university degree at at least Bachelor level. 8

9 These transitional programmes are described (in Dutch only) under the relevant Master's degree programmes at 3. In partnership with the Open University of the Netherlands (Open Universiteit, OU), the Faculty has developed transitional programmes providing admission to LLM Labour Law, LLM Fiscal Law, LLM Private Law and LLM Constitutional and Administrative Law for holders of one of the HBO vocational degrees listed below. These programmes are taken at the OU and must be completed within two years of the first component being passed in order to provide (together with the HBO degree) admission to the relevant Master s degree programme at the UvA. Details of these transitional programmes can be found online at: The qualifying HBO degrees are: a. Law (HBO-Rechten, CROHO 39205) b. Higher Legal Training (Hogere Juridische Opleiding, CROHO 34121) c. Human Resource Management/ Personnel & Labour (HRM/Personeel & Arbeid, CROHO 34609) d. Social Legal Services (Sociaal Juridische Dienstverlening, CROHO 34641) e. Management, Economics and Law (Management, Economie en Recht, CROHO 34435) f. Fiscal Economics (Fiscale Economie, CROHO 34409) g. Fiscal Law and Economics (Fiscaal Recht en Economie, CROHO 34140) 4. In partnership with the Open University of the Netherlands, the Faculty has developed a generic transitional programme for holders of an HBO degree in Law (HBO-Rechten, CROHO 39205) which, upon completion of the subsequent Master s degree, provides so-called civil effect, allowing the holder to train for legal or judicial practice. The first part of this transitional programme is taken at the OU, the second and final part (the LLB Essay and Theory and Philosophy of Law modules) at the UvA. The entire transitional programme must be completed within three years of the first component being passed in order to provide (together with the HBO degree) admission to the relevant Master s degree programme. Any additional prerequisites for admission to a particular Master s degree programme or variant (as per Article 2.1) must also be satisfied. Details of this transitional programme with civil effect can be found under the admission requirements of the relevant programmes at: Article 2.3 Language requirements 1. For Dutch-language Master s degree programmes: Admission to a programme taught in Dutch requires a sufficient command of the Dutch language. A holder of a non-dutch first degree must demonstrate this by passing the State Examination in Dutch as a Second Language (NT2), Programme II, or obtaining an exemption therefrom on the grounds of existing proficiency. 2. For English-language Master s degree programmes: Admission to a programme taught in English requires a sufficient command of the English language. This may be demonstrated by passing one of the following tests: a. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum required TOEFL score is: 100 ibt, with a minimum score of 25 for reading and listening skills and 24 for speaking and writing skills; b. IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The minimum required overall 9

10 IELTS score is 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.0 in any single component; c. Cambridge English Language Assessment. A Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) certificate (minimum grade C) or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) certificate (minimum grade C). 3. The Faculty s Master s degree programmes taught in English are: a. Labour Law (European and International Labour Law variant) b. European Private Law c. International and European Law d. International Criminal Law e. Research Master s in Information Law f. Research Master s in Public International Law g. International Tax Law: Policy, Principles and Practice Article 2.4 Admissions procedure 1. The Examinations Board is responsible for admissions to all programmes. In the case of selective Master s degree programmes, the initial selection procedures are delegated to a Selection Committee for the programme in question. The final selection is made by the Director of Education. 2. To evaluate their suitability for admission, the Examinations Board assesses each candidate s knowledge, understanding and skills, including their proficiency in the language in which the programme is taught. As well as requesting written evidence of a candidate s educational history and qualifications, the Board may ask experts within or outside the University to test certain aspects of their knowledge, understanding and skills. 3. The admissions procedure is conducted once a year in the case of programmes with a September intake only and twice a year in the case of programmes with both a September and a February intake (see Article 2.5). 4. An application for admission to a programme must be submitted to the Examinations Board by the relevant deadline below. Only under exceptional circumstances the Board may consider an application submitted after the deadline. Deadlines for applications a. Non-selective Master's degree programmes: 1 August for the September intake and, if permitted, 1 January for the February intake b. Selective Master's degree programmes: 1 May for the September intake 5. Admission is granted on the condition that the candidate fulfil the provisions of Article 2.1 in respect of knowledge and skills by the date of their enrolment on the programme. Compliance with this criterion is demonstrated by presentation of relevant educational diplomas or certificates. 6. All candidates are notified in writing of the Examinations Board s decision on their application, in the form of either a confirmation of admission or a letter of rejection. An appeal against a rejection can be lodged with the Examination Appeals Board. Article 2.5 Intake dates 1. Students may enrol on all programmes at the beginning of the first semester of the academic year, in September. In some cases, they may also enrol at the beginning of the second semester in February. This limitation on the number of intake dates ensures that a coherent curriculum can be completed within the nominal duration of the programme. 10

11 The following Master s degree programmes allow enrolment in February: a. Labour Law b. European Private Law c. Fiscal Law (Fiscaal recht) d. International and European Law e. Notarial Law f. Private Law (Privaatrecht) g. Public Law (Publiekrecht) 2. Upon enrolment in a Master s degree programme, the student must have completed the prerequisite Bachelor s degree and/or transitional programme. 11

12 CHAPTER 3 ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATIONS Article 3.1 General 1. During each programme component, the student is formally assessed to establish whether or not they have achieved its defined learning objectives. 2. The Course Catalogue describes the standards of performance and achievement required to complete each component successfully, and also how the student is assessed on those matters. 3. Any change to the form of examination as described in the Course Catalogue is announced at least six weeks prior to the examination in question. 4. The required study material must be announced as soon as possible, and in any case at least two weeks before the start of the programme component. Article 3.2 Registration 1. The student is required to register for each assessment exercise (examination, test etc.) they wish to take part in. The registration procedure is described online at 2. If the student fails to register for an assessment exercise, or fails to do so on time, they may be excluded from it if there is insufficient space available in the room in which it is to take place. If they are admitted to the assessment under these circumstances, they will be charged an administrative fee for late registration. Article 3.3 Retakes 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of the following paragraph, the student is allowed one opportunity only per academic year to retake the assessment of each component. The first assessment of a component is always held during the period in which it is taught, with the opportunity to retake it being provided before the beginning of the next academic year. 2. Components with a substantial practical or skills element, other than those forming part of the so-called skills ribbon, are only assessed once a year. 3. A student who has successfully completed all but one of the components required for the award of their Master s degree, not including the Master s thesis, may upon request be allowed one additional opportunity to retake the assessment of that final outstanding component provided that the completion of that component means the degree will be completed within the official time period and with no delays (i.e. within two years for a oneyear Master s degree and within three y0ears for a two-year Master s degree) and that making use of the regular assessment opportunity would mean that this was no longer possible. 4. If the requirements stated in paragraph 3 are not met, the following applies: a student who has successfully completed all but one of the components required for the award of their Master s degree, not including the Master s thesis, may on request be allowed one additional opportunity to retake the assessment of that final outstanding component, subject to the following conditions: 12

13 a. The student made use of the most recent opportunity to take the assessment and was awarded at least a 4 for the component in question. b. The date of the additional retake is at least two months prior to that of the next regular assessment of the component in question. 5. Requests for additional opportunities to retake an assignment are considered by the Examinations Board Under exceptional circumstances it may deviate from the provisions in paragraph 4. Article 3.4 Oral assessments 1. All oral assessments are held in public, unless the student lodges an objection or either the Examinations Board or the examiner determines otherwise due to special circumstances. 2. All oral assessments are conducted in the presence of a second tutor, unless otherwise determined by the Examinations Board 3. No more than one person at a time may be assessed orally, unless otherwise agreed by the examiner and the students concerned. Article 3.5 Results 1. The examiner determines the result of an oral examination (the mark awarded) immediately after its completion and notifies the student accordingly. 2. The examiner announces the result of a written or other form of assessment as soon as possible via SIS, but in any event within 18 working days after it is held. If a retake opportunity is to be provided, the result must be announced at least ten working days prior to the retake. Under exceptional circumstances, the Director of Education may permit deviations from the periods described in this paragraph. 3. If at any time this deadline is exceeded, the student is to be informed of this before the actual deadline has passed, via Blackboard, stating the reason for the delay and the date on which the result will be announced. 4. The student may lodge an appeal against a result with the Examination Appeals Board within six weeks after it is announced. Alternatively, they may submit a request for reassessment of the result, with reasons, directly to the examiner. Such a reassessment must always be conducted by a second examiner. A request for reassessment does not extend the deadline by which an appeal must be lodged. Article 3.6 Marks 1. Marks are expressed on a ten-point scale (1-10) and are rounded to the nearest whole or half number. Marks below 6 out of 10 are rounded to the nearest whole number only. 2. The pass mark for any component is 6 out of 10 or higher. 3. Only the mark most recently awarded for a component is valid. Article 3.7 Period of validity 1. A successfully completed assessment that contributes towards the Master s degree is valid for a period of five years from the date on which the relevant component is passed. 2. In individual cases, the Examinations Board is authorised to extend the period of validity of a successfully completed assessment. The duration of such an extension is at the Board s discretion, and it may require that the student be reassessed on recent developments in the subject area concerned before its decision takes effect. In that case, the extension of a 13

14 component contributing towards the Master s degree is valid for a period of five years if the student passes the reassessment. 3. Unless otherwise determined by the Examinations Board, interim or partial marks lapse once the first final assessment of a component has been offered. 4. The Examinations Board issues its ruling on a request for an extension within two months of receipt. Should it fail to do so, the period of validity for this component is automatically extended by one year. 5. When the student has been granted an exemption from a particular component, the periods as described in paragraphs 1 and 2 above begin on the date of the exemption decision. When a partial exemption has been granted, its period begins on the date upon which the remainder of the relevant component is passed by the student. Article 3.8 Right of inspection and review 1. Following the announcement of the result of a written examination (including a partial or interim examination), the examiner will, for a period of six weeks and at the student s request, allow the student to inspect the evaluated work (and to photograph it if he/she so desires), including the questions and assignments. This facility is free of charge. The postexamination discussion of the evaluated work will also take place during this period. The student is entitled to be informed of the evaluation criteria used. In addition, the student may, at cost price, make copies of the evaluated work. 2. Within the period mentioned in the previous paragraph, any interested party may inspect the questions and assignments making up the assessment in question, and also the assessment criteria used as far as that is possible. 3. The method and criteria used to evaluate the assessment must be transparent enough that the student is able to verify how the result was determined. 4. For compulsory courses in the curriculum, the post-exam discussion of the evaluated work mentioned in paragraph 1 will take place in the form of a lecture that is be made available in digital form before any retake is conducted. For electives the manner of discussion will be announced on Blackboard after the assessment has taken place. 5. The time and place of a collective review as described in the previous paragraph must be announced at least one week in advance. 6. Students may submit questions in writing concerning any assessment they have taken during a period of six weeks starting from the date on which the result was announced Article 3.9 Exemptions 1. At the written request of the student, the Examinations Board may grant them an exemption from one or more assessed components on the grounds that they have already passed an academic course equivalent in terms of syllabus and standard. 2. The Examinations Board issues its ruling on a request for an exemption within eight weeks of receipt. 3. For a second Master s degree or a variant of a Master s degree at the Faculty of Law, components which were part of the previously awarded degree may be counted towards the second degree, to a maximum of 12 EC. If the compulsory courses included in the programmes of both degrees amount to more than 12 EC, alternative equivalent components deemed suitably related to the degree in question by the Examinations Board 14

15 will have to be successfully passed. 4. No exemptions from the thesis will be granted. 5. In the case of a compulsory component, an exemption will only be granted if the course constituting grounds for that exemption was passed before the student first enrolled at the Faculty of Law at the University of Amsterdam. Professional or work experience does not constitute grounds for an exemption as described above. Article 3.10 Thesis 1. The thesis is assessed by both the thesis supervisor and a second reader. The final mark is determined by the supervisor after consultation with the second reader. 2. The thesis is marked using an assessment form that is drawn up in in advance. 3. Further provisions governing the thesis can be found in the Course Catalogue and online at: Article 3.11 Fraud and plagiarism 1. The provisions of the Fraud and Plagiarism Regulations for UvA Students (Fraude en plagiaat regeling studenten UvA: form an integral part of these Teaching and Examination Regulations and apply in full and without exception to all matters covered by them. 2. Electronic detection software may be used to identify plagiarism in written texts. By submitting any such text, the student implicitly assents to its inclusion in the database used by that software. Article 3.12 Graduation 1. The Examinations Board determines the classification of the student s degree and the date of their graduation once it has established in the final review that they have passed all the components necessary for award of the Master s degree. 2. If the criteria described in the Examinations Regulations have been fulfilled, the Examinations Board awards the classification cum laude (with distinction). Other special classifications are mentioned on the degree transcript. 3. A degree certificate will only be issued once it has been confirmed that the student has met all their obligations towards the University, including full payment of their tuition fees. 4. The Executive Board schedules twelve graduation dates per academic year for the award of Master s degree. 5. At the student s request, submitted with justified reasons, the Examinations Board may postpone the date of their graduation. Article 3.13 Degree A student successfully completing a programme of study governed by these regulations is awarded the degree Master of Laws (abbreviated LLM). This is stated on the degree certificate. Article 3.14 Certificates and other documents 1. As proof that the student has completed the programme successfully, the Examinations Board issues them with a degree certificate. This is accompanied by an official transcript, in English and signed by or on behalf of the Chairman of the Examinations Board, listing each 15

16 component passed, its study load, the date on which it was passed and the mark awarded. 2. Students who have passed more than one component but do not qualify for the award of a degree will, on request, be issued by the Examinations Board with a testimonial at least listing those components they have passed. 3. Further information about formal requirements for admission to training programmes for the legal, judicial and notarial professions are to be included in the Faculty of Law s Professional Requirements Regulations, to be drawn up by the Dean. 16

17 CHAPTER 4 ACADEMIC SUPERVISION AND PROGRESS Article 4.1 Administration The Dean of the Faculty is responsible for the correct registration of the students study results in SIS. Once this registration has been completed in respect of a component, the student may inspect their own result in SIS and obtain an overview of their performance so far. Article 4.2 Academic counselling All enrolled students, with the exception of external students, are entitled to make use of the available academic counselling services. An overview of these services is available online at Article 4.3 Students with disabilities 1. A student with a disability may submit a written request to the Academic Study Adviser for relevant adaptations in the provision of teaching, practical work and assessments. As far as possible, such adaptations will be made to accommodate the student s particular disability as long as they do not affect the quality or difficulty of a component or assessment. 2. The request described in the previous paragraph should be accompanied by a recent written recommendation from a student counsellor and a recent declaration by a doctor, a psychologist or, in the case of dyslexia, a testing body registered with the Register of Dutch Healthcare Professionals (BIG), the Dutch Association of Psychologists (NIP) or the Association of Educationists in the Netherlands (NVO). If possible, these declarations should provide an indication of the extent to which the student s disability is expected to affect their academic progress. 3. Requests for adaptations to educational facilities are considered by the Dean or, on his or her behalf, the Director of Education. Requests for adaptations to formal assessments are considered by the Examinations Board. 4. If a request for an adaptation as referred to in paragraph 1 is approved, the student must contact the relevant programme secretariat to arrange its provision. If the adaptation is to an assessment, it must be requested from the secretariat at least two weeks in advance. Article 4.4 Unsuitability (iudicium abeundi) 1. Under Section 7.42a of the Act, in exceptional cases the Dean or the Examinations Board may ask the Executive Board of the University to refuse or to terminate the enrolment of a student whose conduct or statements demonstrate their unsuitability to practise any of the professions for which they are being trained or for which their studies are otherwise preparing them. 2. If a student is suspected of being unsuitable, as described in the previous paragraph, the Examinations Board or the Dean institutes an inquiry into the situation. The student is informed of this without delay. The Examinations Board or the Dean will only issue a recommendation on the matter after carefully considering the interests of all concerned and after giving the student the opportunity to put their case. 17

18 CHAPTER 5 TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS Article 5.1 Hardship clause Should strict application of either Section A or Section B of these Regulations be demonstrably and excessively unreasonable or unfair to a student, the Examinations Board may authorise deviations in the student's favour. Article 5.2 Transitional provisions 1. The Faculty of Law s transitional regulation concerning the three-period semester ( overgangsregeling FdR), as established by the Dean, is applicable to students who first enrolled in LLM Notarial Law or LLM Fiscal Law prior to 1 September 2012 and who remain enrolled after that date, as well as to those who first enrolled on either programme after 1 September 2012 having been awarded a Bachelor s degree before that date. 2. For students who (i) have successfully completed one or more assessed components, but not the entire programme, on the date upon which either Section A or Section B of these Regulations takes effect and who (ii) would be adversely affected by any of their new or revised provisions, the Examination Board will draw up transitional provisions to minimise that effect. In so doing, it will take into account the provisions of the Act in respect of examinations and assessed components. Article 5.3 Amendments to Section A 1. Having consulted the Board of Studies and the Examinations Board, and with due regard to the powers of the relevant advisory bodies, the Dean is empowered to make amendments to Section A of these Regulations. 2. No amendment to Section A of these Regulations may take effect before the end of the academic year in which it is established, unless it can be reasonably assumed that it will have no detrimental effect upon the interests of students. Article 5.4 Publication The Dean will ensure that both Section A and Section B of these Regulations are published in an appropriate manner. In any event, they are available online at Article 5.5 Effective date of Section A Section A of these Regulations enters into force on 1 September Thus adopted by the Dean of the Faculty of Law on 10 July

19 SECTION B PROGRAMME SPECIFIC REGULATIONS CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1.1 Applicability These Regulations are divided into two sections, A and B. This section, B, contains specific regulations governing the various individual Master s degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Law (hereafter: the Faculty) and forms an integral whole with Section A, which consists of general provisions for the teaching and assessment. The programmes covered by these Regulations are: LLM Labour Law (Arbeidsrecht), LLM Fiscal Law (Fiscaal recht), LLM European Private Law, LLM Information Law (Informatierecht), the Research Master s in Information Law, LLM International Criminal Law, LLM International and European Law, LLM Notarial Law (Notarieel recht), LLM Private Law (Privaatrecht), the Research Master s in Public International Law and LLM Public Law (Publiekrecht). 19

20 CHAPTER 2 PROGRAMME CURRICULUM AND STRUCTURE ARTICLES ALL PROGRAMMES Article 2.1 Form With the exception of the following Master s degree programmes: International Criminal Law, Information Law (research), Public International Law (research) and International Tax Law, all the Master s degree programmes can be taken on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Article 2.2 Study load 1. The standard Master s degree programmes offered by the Faculty have a study load of 60 EC and the Research Master s programmes a study load of 120 EC. All Master's degree programmes end with the graduation procedure described in Article 3.12a of Section A of these Regulations. One European Credit (EC) represents approximately 28 hours of academic work. 2. The study load for each individual component is determined by the Dean, after consultation with the relevant Board of Studies and the Faculty Student Council. 3. In calculating the study load for a component, it is assumed that the student must read approximately 120 pages of literature excluding jurisprudence per EC. 4. Having consulted the Examinations Board and the Board of Studies, the Dean may deviate from the method of calculation described in the previous paragraph. Article 2.3 Components taken elsewhere 1. With the prior permission of the Examinations Board, components taken at another Faculty or institution whilst studying for the Master s degree may be treated as elective components of the programme. 2. If the student wishes to include an internship in their programme of studies for the Master s degree, prior permission must be obtained from the Examinations Board in all cases. The relevant procedure can be found online at 3. Exemptions granted under Article 3.9 in respect of courses taken at an academic institution other than the Faculty of Law at the University of Amsterdam prior to enrolment in the Master s degree programme may represent no more than 9 EC over the entire programme of study. Article 2.4 Free programmes 1. Under certain circumstances, a student may be permitted to compile their own programme of study, different from those listed in Article 2.5. Any such programme requires the prior approval of the Examinations Board. 2. The Examinations Board establishes whether a proposed free programme as described in the previous paragraph is of a sufficient quality, is sufficiently coherent and differs sufficiently from the standard programmes to merit approval. 3. After consulting the relevant Board of Studies, the Examinations Board may establish policy rules for the exercise of its powers under this article. 20

21 ARTIKEL 2.5A 2.7A MASTER LABOUR LAW Article 2.5a Objectives and final attainment standards 1. The objectives of this programme are as follows. a. To provide the student with knowledge, understanding and skills in the domain of labour law, such that they achieve the final attainment standards described below. b. To provide the student with a general academic training, including such skills as reasoning, writing, speaking and research ability and correctly citing and recording sources, as well as independent learning, the ability to solve complex problems creatively and critical reflection. 2. A graduate of the programme will possess the following. a. A thorough, in-depth knowledge and understanding of Dutch, European and international labour and social security law, including current developments in this domain. b. The ability to analyse and to interpret literature, legal sources and cases related to Dutch, European and international labour law in depth, to pose critical questions about this domain and to propose innovative legal solutions. c. A knowledge of the relationships between Dutch, European and international labour law. d. An understanding of the relationships between international labour law and other specialisations. e. The ability to understand, to interpret, to apply and to critically assess professional literature and new developments in the domain of Dutch, European and international labour law. f. The ability to prepare and conduct independent literature-based research in respect of new developments in international labour law. This includes the ability to formulate research questions, gather information, interpret data, draw conclusions, conduct evaluations, make recommendations and propose suggestions for further research. g. The ability to write a coherent academic treatise on a subject within the domain of labour law, and to deliver a powerfully argued verbal presentation on the topic to both professional and non-professional audiences. h. The ability to take an active part in the academic debate concerning Dutch, European and international labour law. 3. This programme offers the following specialisations. a. Dutch Labour Law. b. European and International Labour Law. c. Labour and Business Law. 4. In addition to the abilities described in paragraph 2, a graduate of the specialisation in Dutch Labour Law will possess a thorough knowledge of Dutch labour and social security law, and of the interests involved when establishing new rules and legislation in this domain. 5. In deviation from the provisions in paragraph 2 under a with regard to the specialisation Labour and Business Law, for 'social security law' should be read: business law. 21

22 In addition to the abilities described in paragraph 2, a graduate of the specialisation in Labour and Business Law will possess: a. thorough knowledge of business law and developments within this field. b. thorough analytical knowledge of the interaction between labour law and business law. c. the skills to analyse and solve problems on the cutting edge of labour law and business law. 6. In addition to the abilities described in paragraph 2, a graduate of the specialisation in European and International Labour Law will possess the following. a. A thorough knowledge of the processes involved in establishing new rules and legislation in the domain of European and international labour law. b. A thorough, analytical knowledge of the structure and organisation of the European and international labour law systems, and of recent developments in that domain. c. The ability to analyse and to solve problems of labour law in cross-border situations. Article 2.6a Programme language Unless otherwise stated in the Course Catalogue, all components of the specialisation in Dutch Labour Law are taught in Dutch. The specialisation in European and International Labour Law is taught entirely in English. As such, the UvA Code of Conduct Governing Foreign Languages (Gedragscode vreemde talen UvA) and Article 7.2 of the Act apply. Article 2.7a Curriculum The curriculum for the specialisation in Dutch Labour Law is as follows. Dutch Labour Law Component title EC Semester Compulsory components 24 Labour law - Individual (Arbeidsrecht Individueel) 6 1 Labour Law Collective (Arbeidsrecht Collectief) 6 1 European Labour Law* 6 1 Social Security Law (Socialezekerheidsrecht) 6 2 European Labour Law (Europees arbeidsrecht)* 6 2 Electives 24 The student chooses one or more elective courses, with a minimum study load of 24 EC. More information about electives can be found in the Course Catalogue. Thesis 12 * The student chooses either the Dutch or the English-language version of this course. 22

23 The curriculum for the specialisation in European and International Labour Law is as follows. European and International Labour Law Component title EC Semester Compulsory components 36 European Labour Law 6 1 Comparative Labour Law, Capita Selecta 6 1 European Social Security Law 6 1 Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining 6 2 International Labour Law 6 2 Private International Law and Labour Relations in Europe 6 2 Electives 12 The student chooses one or more elective courses, with a minimum study load of 12 EC. More information about electives can be found in the Course Catalogue. Thesis 12 The curriculum for the specialisation in Labour and Business Law is follows. Labour and Business Law Component title EC Semester Compulsory components 30 Company law and law of Legal Entities 12 1 Labour law in Acquisitions and Reorganisation* 6 2 Labour and Control* 6 2 Labour Law collective* 6 1 Europees Arbeidsrecht or European Labour Law 6 2/1 Optional compulsory components 12 Labour law - Individual 6 1 Corporate Governance 6 1 Critical Analyses of Corporate Finance and Insolvency Laws 6 2 European Company Law I 6 2 European Company Law II 6 2 Financing and Security 6 2 Mergers & Acquisitions and Joint Ventures 6 2 Pension law** Electives 6 Students are free to choose other university law courses, provided they are related to the Master's programme. Such courses do not have to be taught at the UvA. Examples include courses in the field of insolvency law and competition law. Prior approval must be obtained from the Examinations Board. Thesis 12 *At least two of these three are compulsory. All three courses can be selected. ** VU, in collaboration with the UvA 23

24 ARTIKEL 2.5B 2.7B MASTER INFORMATIERECHT Artikel 2.5b Doel van de opleiding en eindtermen 1. Met de masteropleiding wordt beoogd: a. kennis, vaardigheid en inzicht op het gebied van informatierecht, en het bereiken van de eindkwalificaties genoemd in de navolgende leden. b. academische vorming, waaronder het verwerven van academische vaardigheden (zoals argumenteren, schrijf-, spreek- en onderzoeksvaardigheden, op juiste wijze citeren en vermelden van bronnen), het leren zelfstandig en creatief complexe problemen oplossen, kritisch reflecteren. 2. De afgestudeerde van de opleiding: a. heeft in ieder geval diepgaande en grondige kennis van en inzicht in het Europese en internationale informatie en intellectuele eigendomsrecht (hierna het domein ) en de actuele ontwikkelingen daarbinnen; b. is in staat literatuur, juridische bronnen en casus die betrekking hebben op het domein diepgaand te analyseren en te interpreteren, daarover kritische vragen te stellen en vernieuwende juridische oplossingen aan te dragen; c. heeft inzicht in de samenhang tussen publiek- en civielrechtelijke aspecten van het domein; d. is in staat deel te nemen aan een wetenschappelijk debat op het domein; e. is in staat vakliteratuur en nieuwe ontwikkelingen op het domein te begrijpen, te interpreteren, toe te passen en kritisch te beoordelen; f. bezit de leervaardigheden om een vervolgstudie aan te gaan door zelfstandig een literatuuronderzoek voor te bereiden en uit te voeren (onderzoeksvragen formuleren, verzamelen van informatie, interpreteren van gegevens, conclusies trekken, evalueren en aanbevelingen en suggesties doen voor verder onderzoek); g. is in staat om conclusies, en de daaraan ten grondslag liggende kennis, motieven en overwegingen, te presenteren in een samenhangend wetenschappelijk betoog (mondeling of schriftelijk) over een onderwerp binnen het domein en om dat duidelijk over te brengen aan zowel een publiek bestaande uit professionals als aan niet-professionals. Artikel 2.6b Taal van de opleiding De opleiding wordt in het Nederlands verzorgd, tenzij bij de vakomschrijving in de studiegids anders wordt aangegeven. Artikel 2.7b Onderwijsprogramma De opleiding is als volgt samengesteld: Informatierecht Naam onderwijsdeel Aantal EC Semester Verplichte onderdelen 30 Informatierecht