International Legal Study & Exchange Program

The Law School’s global curriculum is designed to provide St. John’s Law students with a broad exposure to the practice of law in a transnational setting, and the opportunity to explore diverse legal systems across the globe.

In an increasingly interconnected world, experience and familiarity with international law and other nations' legal systems and cultures is increasingly indispensable for lawyers, legal scholars and law students alike. Recognizing this powerful trend, and as part of the University and Law School strategic initiatives in globalization, St. John’s Law School offers an opportunity for our students to gain in-depth exposure to international law and the legal systems and cultures of other nations through semester length academic exchanges.

St. John’s has partnered with other leading foreign academic institutions to establish a International Legal Study Exchange Program. Under exchange agreements with partner schools, St. John’s Law will host the most highly qualified students from partner schools, while similarly talented and committed St. John’s Law students may sample the intellectual and cultural riches that partner schools offer.

This program is highly selective—each semester, each partner school may normally nominate only up to two students to attend St. John’s School of Law for a semester, and St. John’s may normally nominate two students to attend each partner school for a similar academic term. Well-qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications are currently being accepted for exchange experiences in both Paris, France and Scotland, UK.

Glasgow Academic Exchange Program in Scotland, United Kingdom

The Glasgow Academic Exchange provides qualified St. John’s J.D. students with the opportunity to study international and comparative law in another jurisdiction.

The objectives of the Glasgow Academic Exchange include providing opportunities for St. John’s students interested in international practice to study law in another jurisdiction; providing opportunities for St. John’s students to specialize in areas of law in which the University of Glasgow is world renowned; and providing opportunities for St. John’s students to make connections with young lawyers from around the world as they prepare for globalized legal practice.

Through the program, St. John’s students spend a semester abroad studying at the school’s beautiful campus in historic Glasgow, Scotland. In return, students earning their LL.B. degree from University of Glasgow come to St. John’s Law for a year of study and immersion in New York City culture and community.

Residential Accommodations: To participate in the Glasgow program, students must secure independent residential accommodations; providing proof of accommodations to the University of Glasgow. Students are welcome to source accommodations in the private sector. The University of Glasgow will provide additional resources and guidance to assist students in their residential accommodations search. 

The Glasgow Academic Exchange Details

St. John’s students receive approximately 14 academic credits to take four classes at the University of Glasgow, located in Scotland, United Kingdom.  Students select third and fourth level courses in the University of Glasgow’s School of Law, in consultation with the Deans (St. John’s) and the University of Glasgow.  

Courses

In the past, St. John’s students have selected courses such as Commercial Banking; Company Law; Institutions & Judicial Control of the EU; Mixed Jurisdictions; European Rules on Competition; Criminal Justice; Intellectual Property Law and Criminal Law: History & Theory.

Sorbonne University Exchange Program in Paris, France*

*Students must be fluent in the French language (read/speak/write) to participate in the Sorbonne University Exchange Program.

Once preselected by the Deans (St. John's), you will receive from the International Relations Department of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne a link allowing you to access the application form, which you submit before October 15 (if you wish to arrive in January for the second semester).

Before your departure, you must conclude a learning contract which lists the courses you will follow at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne as well as the equivalent courses from which you will be exempted at your home university.

Then complete the online form with the following documents:

  • Draft study contract  (in French or English) completed and signed by you and the educational exchange manager at your home establishment. It is only once you arrive in France that you will obtain the signature of your teacher-researcher responsible for international relations at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.
  • Linguistic certificate of minimum B2 level  to follow bachelor's and/or master's courses ( DELF / DALF ,  TCF  or letter written by a French teacher from your home university). If you choose courses in English, you must provide a letter written by an English teacher from your home institution or an equivalent certificate ( IELTS , TOEFL , etc.).
  • Copy of transcripts  obtained in higher education, accompanied by their translation into French (see the grade conversion table in the useful documents below).
  • Copy of passport or identity card .
  • If you are a student in an exchange program outside Erasmus+, you will also need to provide a CV , a cover letter and a letter of recommendation .

Registration

Once your application has been validated by Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, you will receive your admission certificate no later than the end of June. Once admitted to an exchange program, you remain enrolled at your home university where you continue to pay your usual tuition fees. You will be totally exempt from registration fees at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Instructions regarding registration can be found HERE.

If you are not European, your admission letter allows you to apply for your student visa if you live abroad, or to apply for the renewal of your student visa if you live in France.

*Note: Information above referenced from Sorbonne University

International Legal Study Exchange Program Eligibility

Currently enrolled and matriculated St. John’s University School of Law 1L students who are in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.2 may apply for the ILSEP. Should a student be selected for the program and, prior to commencement of the program lose their good academic standing or minimum GPA, they will not be allowed to participate in the program and an alternate will take their place.

Additional Information

Click on the  Program Brochure for more information.

Click on the recordingto view a brief overview of the program.

Apply

Online Application

Deadline to apply is April 18, 2024