Call for Applications – Makerere University School of Law-Leiden University Exchange Scholarship
Do you want to study European law in Leiden for a semester? The Leiden Centre for Comparative Regional Integration (CompaRe) is offering exchange scholarships to study EU law at Leiden University, The Netherlands. The scholarship is for Makerere University LLD students or LLM students researching regional integration related issues or planning to pursue an EAC related LLD/PhD. The one semester long exchange programme will take place during the Spring semester 2026/2027 at the renowned Leiden Law School. Students will study courses on EU law and regional integration and participate in research activities of CompaRe. The CompaRe exchange is connected to an Erasmus+ scholarship which covers travel, housing and living expenses. Please note this is not a PhD programme. The exchange programme largely aims to assist LLD/PhD and graduate research and train the candidate in regional integration law, but does not lead to a Leiden PhD or Masters.
CompaRE:
CompaRe is a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on comparative regional integration, and forms an integral part of the Europa institute of Leiden University. Our mission is to use our expertise for two primary aims:
1. To stimulate and support the process of regional integration around the globe.
2. To broaden and deepen academic understanding of regional integration through academic exchange and collaboration and comparative research between the EU and other forms of regional integration.
Whilst achieving these aims, CompaRe always respects its guiding principle that regional integration must be custom designed for each region and must reflect the unique cultures and identities of the peoples involved. Regional integration can never be a copy-paste exercise, though the successes and failures of the EU provide valuable lessons that can be translated to other contexts.
The CompaRe-exchange programme:
The CompaRe-exchange programme is taking place during the Spring semester in 2027 (February 2027 to June 2027). During this exchange, the participants are following a determined selection of legal courses at Master-level, covering inter alia EU Institutional Law and Internal Market Law. For the exchange period, participants are recognized as exchange students at Leiden University.
Participants will receive a transcript of the completed courses and proof of their exchange period at Leiden University. Note, however, the CompaRe-exchange programme covers only a one semester exchange period. It does not lead to the award of a Master degree or a PhD position at Leiden Law School.
Besides following the determined courses, participants will contribute to the (research) activities of CompaRe. This part of the programme also allows work on own research, including the preparation of a PhD proposal for your home university or, preferably, work on already ongoing PhD or Masters project, where you may benefit from feed-back and academic discussions from staff at Leiden Law School.
Eligibility for the exchange programme:
The exchange programme is open to 1) Students that are pursuing a LLD-track Makerere University, preferably on EAC related topics, 2) LLM students at Makerere University that are pursuing or preparing to engage on an EAC related topic for their dissertation. Applicants need to possess the necessary proficiency in the English language (TOEFL test (overall score of 100 Internet-based) or IELTS test (overall score of 7.0), or Cambridge English Proficiency certificate
(CPE)) to be eligible for the exchange programme. If an applicant does not yet possess an appropriate certification of the required English proficiency, it is necessary to complete such certification prior to admission to Leiden University.
Scholarship:
The exchange programme is covered by an ERASMUS+ scholarship, which consists of a monthly allowance and an allowance for travelling expenses. Furthermore, possible costs for completing the required language test as well as visa application costs are covered by the scholarship.
How to apply and Required Documents:
Applicants have to send a short motivation letter (500 words), a CV/resume, a short LLD/LLM research proposal/ draft chapter, previous writing samples (if possible), and the required language certificate (if already completed). LLM students should have completed their first year of study and should submit a testimonial.
Applicants should send their motivation letters and other relevant documents to
dean.law@mak.ac.ug before 5pm on Sunday 19th July 2026. Copy to aderos39@gmail.com
Females, persons with disabilities and students with fewer opportunities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Assessment Process
The School of Law will constitute a small committee that will review the applications and select the best applicants based on focus on EAC law and regional integration related issues, academic and professional experience, as well as overall motivation. Subsequently, CompaRe will also assess the applications. The selected candidates will be informed by 15th August 2026, and can
then start the formal registration process with Leiden University.
Further information
For further information, please visit our website https://law.mak.ac.ug or visit the website of CompaRe. You can also contact the Dean, Makerere University School of Law Ronald Naluwairo via dean.law@mak.ac.ug/naluwairo1@gmail.com or contact prof. A. Cuyvers via a.cuyvers@law.leidenuniv.nl.
Download – Call for Applications Mak SoL – Leiden University Mobility Scholarship
