Law and Criminology

Quality education

Our 2 programmes, Law and Criminology, are widely known for their student-centred, quality education, which shapes our students into critical, unique global citizens. Our alumni can often be found in key positions in international and regional organisations, but also in Belgian politics, the judiciary, the legal profession, the civil service, the police, the business community, and civil society.

Education at our faculty is rooted in the tradition of scientific research. Our research in certain fields is recognised far beyond our physical borders. We attach great importance to the values of our university, are socially committed, and impart this attitude to our students so that they can face the challenges of this world with empathy and preparedness.

Law programme

• The Law programme at VUB has an outspoken, ‘reasonably idiosyncratic' profile. During this training, you will enjoy a broad education. We strive to educate students in a broad field, not just with expertise in one or more branches of law. This will give you a broader picture of the law in society.
• We are committed to the ideals of Free Research in order to stimulate active learning. We encourage and support our students to learn to look at and deal with law differently in different course units. In addition, we provide an environment in which you will have an authentic learning experience. We do this by encouraging an engaged research attitude, with integrity as its foundation.
• The Law programme is an engaged programme that relates directly to society and the world. We encourage your involvement with ‘community-engaged research and learning’. We support diversity within our student population by differentiating as much as possible in the education we offer and providing guidance for students who need it. Moreover, we encourage students who seek special challenges to excel. 

Criminology programme

• The Criminology programme provides an intellectual and collegial academic environment that immerses you in the world of crime control.
• The research group Crime & Society (CRiS) is part of the Faculty of Law and Criminology of VUB. Here, critical and multidisciplinary research takes place in Juvenile Criminology, Penology, Urban Criminology, and Police and Surveillance. CRiS research focuses on the experiences and perceptions of crime control actors and those subjugate to crime control. 
• Our researchers are committed to exchanging knowledge with criminal justice practitioners, policy makers, and research staff. Thus, they create joint, up-to-the-minute, and impactful research. We offer an intellectual and collegial academic environment in which to study crime control. Our research is often collaborative. We initiate comparative research projects with international guest researchers.

The world needs you

Thanks to partnerships with numerous institutions, our students come into frequent and intensive contact with the practice. In addition, there are many initiatives by students (associations) who engage for the health and well-being of all Brussels residents, including the most vulnerable. In this way, the Faculty and students give shape to the concept of urban engaged university in a sustainable way. 

Read our policy plan (PDF)

• The Erasmus+ programme allows you to study at a European university and gain international experience during your studies. But that is not your only option when it comes to broadening your view of the world. With Erasmus Belgica, you can also arrange a study stay at a French-speaking university in Belgium, with a scholarship.
• Additionally, our programme is exploring the possibility of offering elective courses from the programmes of universities in the EUTOPIA consortium or other partner universities. We are fully committed to ‘blended learning and blended mobility’ and also encourage working students to participate.
• Our long-term cooperation with ULB is now also institutionally anchored in a formal cooperation agreement. And that is not all! Our study programme will develop a programme-wide learning line on internationalisation. The goal? Helping graduates to face the international context of today's labour market with confidence.
• VUB brings together all internationally-oriented training programmes under the overarching initiative 'Brussels School of Governance'.

Within our faculty, there are a number of bodies and departments charged with taking care of different tasks and responsibilities. Below you’ll find an overview of our organisational structure.

Faculty Board

The Faculty Board is the management body within the faculty responsible for the general direction taken by the faculty. Led by the dean, who is supported by a management team, the Faculty Board is also responsible for implementing overall university policy in individual educational programmes and for managing the quality control thereof. Students and academic personnel are also represented on the Faculty Board.

Faculty Council

The Faculty Council is the highest governing body within the faculty, and is responsible for determining faculty policy on matters relating to education, research and services. The Faculty Council convenes at least four times per year, and consists of professors, assistants, administrative and technical personnel and students. The council provides advice to the university’s governing body on matters such as educational regulations and training programmes, and is charged with taking decisions with regard to the employment of lecturers, the composition of the examination board, etc.  

Faculty Office

The Faculty Office is responsible for the day-to-day management of the faculty and consists of at least the dean, vice-dean and the academic secretary.

Training Councils

The Faculty of Law and Criminology also has a number of Training Councils. This is where the educational recommendations for the Faculty take shape. Students and work-field representatives also have an important voice here.

Dean's office

You can consult with the dean’s office regarding administrative matters, exemptions, examination regulations, problems related to your choice of study subjects, etc. 

Departments and research groups

The Faculty consists of 4 departments, each responsible for the educational and research activities within their specialisation. The departments consist of academic staff (professors, assistants, and researchers), a departmental council that determines their performance and departmental chairmen who assume coordination. A department has several research groups, which are sometimes interdisciplinary and cross-departmental or cross-faculty.

An overview of our departments and research groups

Our Faculty has 3 student associations and 1 alumni association.

Our student associations

• Vlaams Rechtsgenootschap (VRG)
• European Law Students' Association (ELSA)
• Brussels Law School Consultancy

Our alumni associations

• University of Brussels Law Alumni
• Alumni Social Law
  
   

A question for one of our faculty representatives? Contact us.

In addition, anyone who has graduated from VUB can always join the Former Students' Union.