Beyond law and towards a 'global mindset'

“We need to move beyond teaching our students the complexities of the law. As educators, we have to enable our graduates to leave the university with a global mindset.” The words are uttered by Professor Rasmus Feldthusen amid cardboard boxes and piles of books at the Faculty of Law's new location at Southern Campus.

Photo: Lizette Kabré

International education has been a strategic priority for the Faculty of Law for the past 15 years. If you ask Professor Feldthusen, the importance of international education is clear: “At the Faculty of Law, we believe that acquiring a global mindset while being a student is a key component of the UCPH law degree today.” Professor Feldthusen is professor of commercial law, head of master's degree studies and chairman of the master's degree study board. He was recently part of a UCPH delegation that travelled to Australia to visit key partner universities with the aim of increasing student exchanges.

International learning linked to employability
International experience is not only a priority for the Faculty of Law. Prospective employers also indicate that they see international experience as an important asset for both current and future law graduates. They appreciate graduates with professional language skills who can interact across different cultures and academic disciplines and who are solution-oriented. Professor Feldthusen adds: “Whether a student aims for a career as a lawyer, in the judicial system or in an international organisation or company, having a global understanding, being mindful of different cultures, feeling comfortable in other languages - all create a greater understanding for the law and for society in general.”

Professor Rasmus Feldthusen

Walk the talk
What has the Faculty of Law done to facilitate international learning for their students?

Professor Feldthusen explains that in order to provide the structural opportunity for students to study abroad, the study boards have embedded clear mobility windows both at the bachelor's and master's degree programmes. Furthermore, the faculty has collaborated with international partner universities to provide excellent study abroad opportunities for more than 250 law students annually.

Internationalising the curriculum
Making education more international does not just imply sending students abroad, however. It also means opening faculty doors and classrooms to students and academic staff from abroad. Offering international courses also provides an opportunity for local students to acquire international experience even if they are not interested in going abroad themselves.

The Faculty of Law offers a complete LL.M. degree taught in English. Furthermore, each academic year there are more than 70 courses taught in English in various fields such as private equity, international public law, migration law and EU law.

There is always room for improvement
“We have come a long way in our efforts of to create meaningful international experiences for our students both here at the Faculty in close cooperation with international partners.” However, according to Professor Feldthusen, there is always room for improvement. He suggests that looking inside the international classrooms and reflecting on how learning is best facilitated for local and international students would be a potential next step on the Faculty’s path to facilitate international learning outcomes.