Degree Programmes

ACCJ members contribute to a multiple degree programmes, from Bachelor’s courses to specialised Master’s tracks. Across all levels, teaching is informed by current research and encourages students to engage critically with complex legal questions. 

Bachelor's Programmes

ACCJ researchers play an active role in designing and teaching criminal law courses within the Bachelor’s programmes of Dutch Law (Rechtsgeleerdheid) and Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE).

Through this involvement, foundational courses in criminal law are continuously informed by current academic debates and developments. Students are introduced early on to a research-driven approach to legal questions.

Master’s programmes

At Master’s level, the connection between research and teaching becomes even more explicit. Students benefit from close interaction with leading researchers and practitioners in criminal law, and are introduced to ongoing academic debates and research projects

• LLM Dutch Public Law, Criminal Law specialisation

• LLM International Criminal Law

  • Track International and Transnational Criminal Law 

  • Track Joint Programme (with the Columbia Law School)

These programmes combine academic depth with practical experience. Students are encouraged to engage critically with complex legal issues and are offered opportunities such as internships and participation in ongoing research. In this way, ACCJ ensures that education is not only academically rigorous, but also directly connected to contemporary legal practice.

Experiential learning and Honours

In addition to degree programs, ACCJ contributes to opportunities at the Amsterdam Law School for experiential learning and academic excellence. Through initiatives such as law clinics and research internships, students gain hands-on experience and deepen their engagement with criminal law in practice. 

Amsterdam Law Clinics

Through the Amsterdam Law Clinics, students work on real cases for external clients, gaining hands-on experience in legal research, advisory work, and drafting. 

ACCJ members supervise and/or coordinate several projects, including in the Criminal Justice Clinic, Fair Trials Clinic, and Business and Human Rights Clinic.

Working in small teams and under close academic supervision, students conduct legal research, draft documents and provide advice to external partners. In doing so, they learn to translate academic knowledge into practice, while engaging with contemporary legal challenges.

Current Criminal Justice Clinic Projects

In the first semester 24-25, together with Prakken d'Oliveira Human Rights, the Criminal Justice Clinic is conducting research on the international crime of "the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all judicial guarantees which are generally recognized as indispensable."(article 8.2 under c ICC Statute).

The research focuses on jurisprudence from international tribunals, as well as (European or other) national courts in regard to this crime and will address the question what 'judicial guarantees which are generally recognized as indispensable' constitutes, and how this relates to non-Western forms of dispute resolution. 

In addition, this Clinic is carrying out research to assist a local NGO with submitting requests for Dutch citizens detained in Panama in relation to post-conviction procedures. 

AcET Internships

Highly motivated students can further deepen their academic development through the Academic Excellence Track (AcET). This selective track is closely connected to ACCJ research and teaching activities.

These internships provide:

• Direct involvement in academic research

• Close supervision by ACCJ researchers

• Preparation for academic or professional careers