Cambridge Summer Program

For over 40 years, the University of Richmond School of Law has conducted a summer program in England for American students. The program is designed for current law students, and for undergraduate students contemplating law school. Courses are taught primarily by University of Cambridge law faculty, with some taught by University of Richmond law faculty. Most of the students, both law school and undergraduate, will come from the University of Richmond, but each year a number of students from other schools enroll and all are encouraged to apply.

There will be an informational session on Wednesday, February 15th at 4 pm in the Moot Courtroom, followed by a 5 pm catered reception in the Law School atrium. All interested law students are strongly encouraged to attend.

View the November 2022 Information Session (log into Blackboard to view).

Why enroll in the Cambridge Summer Program?

• Study the law with world-renowned professors
• Get exposure to a European perspective on law and legal education
• Soak in the atmosphere of one of the world’s most historic and beautiful campuses
• Earn academic credit to lighten future semesters
• Take classes in the mornings Monday through Thursday, and explore the UK and continental Europe      Thursday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.

Participants in the program will reside, dine, and attend classes in Emmanuel College facilities. Prof. Andy Spalding is the Cambridge Summer Program Director and will share on-site program director responsibilities with other University of Richmond Law faculty.

Academic Credit

Cambridge program students will earn four credits under the University of Richmond School of Law credit system. Students from other law schools, and undergraduate students, should confirm with their administration how their credits will transfer.

1L Summer Schedule

Richmond Law students attending Cambridge in their 1L summer will likely want to balance several priorities: the early-summer law journal competition, a summer internship, Cambridge itself, and late-summer job interviews. The Cambridge Program is specifically designed to allow students to do all of the above in the same summer. Their schedule would look something like the following:

• May 5: The spring semester exam period ends.
• May 8 through May 19: Journal competition occurs on a part-time basis during these two weeks; many students choose to begin their internships or jobs during this time as well.
• May 22 through July 7: Seven additional weeks for internships or employment, for a total of nine possible weeks. Most internships can be completed in this time frame. Some students may end up receiving internships with inflexible starting or ending dates that are incompatible with Cambridge, in which case students can withdraw their Cambridge registration and receive a full refund of the down payment.
• July 10 - August 5: Four weeks of classes in Cambridge. During the last week some prospective employers may conduct virtual interviews, which the Cambridge schedule can easily accommodate.
• August 7 - August 25: During these three weeks, students may have virtual and in-person interviews for 2L summer jobs. Students would also have significant down time during these three weeks to relax before beginning the fall term.
• August 28: First day of the fall term.

The total cost of the program is $6,900. A $150 deposit should accompany the application, however this deposit is not required for University of Richmond students. The balance of tuition and accommodation fees must be received by the university no later than May 15, 2023.

Airfare is the responsibility of the student.

The University of Richmond reserves the right to cancel this program in the event of compelling circumstances. In such an event, all monies would be returned.

Send payment to:
University of Richmond School of Law
203 Richmond Way
Summer Program in Law at Cambridge
Attn: Tracy Cauthorn
Richmond, Virginia, 23173

Applications should be submitted prior to April 1, 2023. Since enrollment will be limited by available accommodations, it is strongly recommended that students apply early. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications from non-UR students must be accompanied by a $150 deposit. Deposits are not refundable after March 1, 2023. All payments should be made payable to the University of Richmond.

Please complete the application below to be considered for the 2023 Cambridge Summer Program.

Selected Issues in Public International Law
(2 semester hours)
Prof. Matilda Gillis
Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge
Consideration of various discrete issues of public international law, including statehood, boundaries, the law of war, jurisdiction and state responsibility, and their relation to municipal law.

Comparative Public Law of U.S. and U.K.
(2 semester hours)
Dr. Shona Wilson Shark
Girton College, University of Cambridge
Examination and comparison of underlying principles of constitutional and administrative law in the U.S. and the U.K.

Law of the European Union
(2 semester hours)
Prof. Albertina Albors-Llorens
St. Johns College, University of Cambridge
Survey of institutions of the European Union, and examination of substantive principles of EU law and their integration into the legal systems of member countries.

International Tax Law
(1 semester hour)
Prof. Hayes Holderness
University of Richmond School of Law
Full description of the class to be provided in the spring of 2023.

Comparative Housing Law
(1 semester hour)
Prof. Carol Brown
University of Richmond School of Law
Full description of the class to be provided in the spring of 2023.

All rooms at Emmanuel College are single rooms. Linens and maid service are provided at no additional expense. Spouses or dependents will pay the same room and board charges as participants in the program. No dependents under the age of 16 can be accommodated in the college.

Meals will be served in the college dining hall. Prior experience has indicated that most students prefer to travel and eat off-campus on weekends, so the cost of weekend meals has been eliminated from the room and board charges. Thus, no meals will be provided from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.

Banks and shops are easily accessible. The city of Cambridge offers restaurants, public houses, cinemas and theatres, in addition to its many scenic and historic features.

London is just fifty miles away and is served by frequent fast train and bus connections. Despite its proximity to London, the East Anglican region retains an unspoiled character, and its villages and towns have a quiet charm that is typically English. The cathedral cities of Ely and Norwich are within easy reach.

Each participating student is responsible for travel to England from the United States.