Double degree option with George Washington University Law School

The Faculty of Law offers a double degree option with the The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. (USA) for applicants to our  LLM Energy and Climate Law. In this option, you will study part of the curriculum at the University of Groningen (UG) and part at George Washington University (GW).

Double degree option outline

The double degree option takes a full year to complete. Students start their studies in Groningen, where they participate in the full first semester of the LLM in Energy and Climate Law. They leave for Washington D.C. by early January, where they continue their studies by joining a second semester of courses at GW. They will begin writing their Master's thesis during their semester at GW Law School and finish a joint Master's thesis no later than July.

It is not possible to start this double degree at The George Washington University Law School nor in semester 2.

Please note the course list above may be subject to change.

Degrees awarded

On successful completion of the double degree option, students will receive two Master of Laws (LLM) degrees; an LLM in Energy and Climate Law from the University of Groningen and an LLM in Energy & Environmental Law from The George Washington University Law School.

Tuition fee

Tuition fees are paid at both partners separately. The fees for the degrees amount to the following:

The cost of tuition at GW Law for the LLM programme is calculated based on the credit hour cost. The GW Law website will be updated when the new credit hour tuition cost is released for the 2025/26 academic year. Dual degree students must take a minimum of 12 credit hours at GW Law. For more information on the cost of attendance at GW Law, please consult this page.

More information about UG fees can be found here.

Admission and application

Applicants must meet the admission requirements for both the University of Groningen and The George Washington University Law School. Each school applies the same entry requirements to double degree students as applicants seeking only one degree. Please see the Energy and Climate Law LLM at the University of Groningen or Energy & Environmental Law at The George Washington University Law School, respectively, to review those requirements. 

Applicants will submit only one application. The application and admission process is handled by the University of Groningen. Applicants will pay only one application fee, which will be the fee established by the University of Groningen. Note in particular, that to assure that all the admission requirements for both universities are met, two letters of recommendation are required, English proficiency must be demonstrated through either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and official transcripts from all schools attended must be included with the application. For more information on how to apply, please check this page.

Please note that visas to study in the Netherlands and/or the USA may be required depending on a student's nationality. All costs and arrangements for travel, visas, insurance, and living expenses are the responsibility of the student. Students are eligible to apply for financial assistance.

Contact

Questions on how to apply to the double degree option can be sent to the UG study advisers at LLM rug.nl.

*Please note that students are responsible for all travel and visa related costs that may occur when pursuing the double degree option.