At Sorbonne Paris Nord University, in Villetaneuse, law degree students follow a double course demanding. This course combines the classic license and the College of Law, a selective university diploma created in 2019. For these young people, this training opens doors to the most popular ministries and masters degrees.
A double course which leads to the Ministry of Justice
On February 23, Ady Mario, 20, walked through the doors of a ministry for the first time. With seven comrades from L3, he went to the general secretariat of the Ministry of Justice. The students presented a country profile on Togo, produced as part of their comparative law course.
This work covers the legal system, the application of sentences and the rights of minors. Lucile, who worked on the Constitution, underlines the requirement of this project. Claire Séjean, co-director of the College of Law and teacher, accompanied the group during this visit.
This partnership with the European and international affairs delegation was established the previous year. The country sheets are then used by professionals who support magistrates and institutions.
“We are not talking about a classroom presentation but a presentation in front of professionals! HAS”
28 hours of lessons in addition to the license
The College of Law takes the form of a university diploma (DU). It follows in parallel the L2 and the L3. Students thus accumulate between 30 and 35 hours of work and classes per week, according to Ady Mario.
Each semester, three specific lessons represent 28 additional hours. These courses cover the philosophy of law, legal linguistics and the art of the clause. The promotion has fewer than ten students, which encourages exchanges.
- Theoretical courses: philosophy and linguistics of law
- Practical courses: art of the clause, comparative law
- Individual and collective work
- Interactive teaching and flipped classes
- Reduced promotion: less than ten students
Anne Etienney de Sainte-Marie, former director of DU, is setting up flipped classes. This small number allows for real solidarity between students. Lucile evokes a “true spirit of promotion” and lasting links.
A selection based on first year results
The first law college was opened at Paris-II Panthéon-Assas in 2008. Since then, around ten similar courses have existed in France. At Sorbonne Paris Nord, the selection is made after L1, and not via Parcoursup.
Students who have obtained their L1 with honors can apply. An interview then allows us to assess their seriousness and motivation. This approach allows “talents to emerge which are revealed at university”, according to Claire Séjean.
English, student of double courseis not sure that she would have been held back on her final grades. She didn’t even know the existence of this course before the start of L1. In addition, this late selection makes it possible to recruit atypical profiles.
Varied journeys and notable successes
Lucille started in LAS before joining law. Salomé left high school before her baccalaureate. After Covid, she resumed her studies via a diploma of access to studies (DAE) at Sorbonne Paris Nord. She met Leen there, on a similar journey.
The two friends joined the College of Law after their L1. Now pursuing a master’s degree in prestigious Parisian universities, they underline “a great journey.” This double course allowed them to stand out on the Mon Master platform.
Leen noticed that the director of his M1 at Paris-1 Panthéon-Sorbonne remembered his file. Salomé, in M1 at Paris-Assas, joined the law school, “a course of excellence which aims to be a continuation of the law school”.
A springboard towards masters of excellence
The double course constitutes an asset for applications on My Master. The most popular training courses receive many excellent applications. You must therefore know how to distinguish yourself by your grades, but also by your career path.
The College of Law association organizes CV and cover letter workshops every year. Meetings with alumni allow you to discover the masters in detail. Angèle sees herself becoming a notary, while Lucille considers becoming a lawyer.
Ady Mario hesitates between notaries and business law. All are aiming for masters of excellence, particularly in Paris. Some students stay at Sorbonne Paris Nord for their master’s degree, because they feel good there.
Ce double course in law proves that courses of excellence also exist on the other side of the ring road. Former students often return to Villetaneuse, attached to their original university.
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