Study Abroad Opportunities

The Law School offers students unique opportunities for specialization in foreign law through study abroad. The study abroad selection process is competitive and the number of students sent to each foreign campus varies from year to year, depending on a variety of factors, including the number of students the Law School receives from abroad. Since the program's inception, over two hundred fifty law students have participated in a growing number of exchanges with universities throughout the world. Exchange programs are open only to matriculating University of Connecticut Law School J.D. students.

Typically, first year day division students apply to study abroad during their second year after successful completion of the first semester of study. Day division students may also apply in their second year to study abroad during their third year. Evening division students apply to study abroad after successfully completing their second year of study. It is possible to spend a full academic year abroad, however, must students opt to study for one semester.

In addition to the programs with the foreign universities listed below, law students have independently arranged to study at universities located in Argentina, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Japan, the Philippines, Poland, and Spain with prior Law School approval. The Office of International Legal Exchange Programs can advise students about alternative opportunities to study abroad.  However, financial aid is not available for independent study abroad programs.

To give a sense of the scope of our exchange programs, each of the various foreign universities is listed below.

Aix-en-Provence, France. Students may enroll at the Faculté de Droit et Science Politique, Université Paul Cézanne d'Aix-Marseille. Language fluency is required since all written work and instruction is in French.

Barcelona, Spain.  Students may study at Pompeu Fabra University and take courses in Spanish, Catalan and English.  Spanish language fluency is required.

Berlin, Germany. Students may study at the Free University of Berlin and German students may attend the School of Law. The Free University offers courses in German and English. 

Dublin, Ireland.  Students may study at the University College Dublin and Irish students may attend the School of Law.

Exeter, UK. Students may enroll in the fall semester at the University of Exeter.

Haifa, Israel. Students may enroll in the spring semester at the University of Haifa with other international students from around the world. A number of short two week courses are taught in English by visiting professors in their areas of expertise.

Leiden, The Netherlands   . Students may attend the University of Leiden in Holland, and exchange students from Leiden may attend our Law School.  All courses are taught in English.

London, UK. Students may enroll at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in the fall. It is also possible to study  for a full academic year and receive an LL.M. degree from SOAS.

Mannheim, Germany. Students may enroll at the University of Mannheim during the fall semester as a number of courses in comparative international law are taught in English.  It is also possible to study at the University of Adelaide, in Australia, during spring semester and receive an LL.M. degree from the University of Mannheim.

Nottingham, UK.  Students may enroll at Nottingham University and English students may attend the School of Law.

Siena, Italy. Students may enroll at the University of Siena. Language fluency is required since almost all instruction and written work is in Italian.

Tilburg, The Netherlands. Students may enroll at Tilburg University and Dutch students may attend the School of Law.  All courses are taught in English.

Independent Study Abroad to a Non-Connecticut Affiliated Program.

Summer Study Abroad Programs

Although the Law School does not sponsor any summer study abroad programs, students can find applications and brochures describing the ABA approved summer programs in binders labeled "Summer Study Abroad" on Reserve in the Law Library. There is also a complete listing of the ABA approved programs at www.abanet.org/legaled. You must be in the first three quintiles to be granted permission to take a summer abroad course, and no more than six credits are transferable to the Law School.

Prior to applying to a study abroad program at another university, you must first complete the online Request for Course Outside the School of Law form and get the approval of the Associate Dean.

More detailed information

1. The Law School Study Abroad website, with hyperlinks to each foreign institution.
2. There are notebooks containing catalogues, course schedules from previous years, and other information about the school and location of each program on Reserve in the Law Library.
3. Contact Burak Can, Deputy Director of International Programs. You may schedule an appointment, or drop by for short questions (Hosmer 144), or email questions.