Keywords:
Law
Edu type:
Formal education
Location:
Utrecht
Education:
Master (EQF 7)
Start date:
01/09/2025
Study Load:
1680 hrs
Duration:
1 year
More information

Description:

Today’s Europe demands experts who possess a thorough mastery of European law. The European Union increasingly affects all areas of law and the national legal systems of its member states have reached a high level of integration. EU law teaches a great deal about the relationship between law and economics, history, politics and international relations. This makes EU law of interest not only to lawyers but also to anyone trying to understand one of the most ambitious attempts to get different States work together. Our LLM programme will immerse you in this challenging and dynamic field while opening up to many new opportunities both during and after the programme. It provides a thorough grounding in European law, covering areas such as internal market law, competition law, social law, judicial protection, refugee law, criminal law and public law.


What is the EU banking union, for example? Why do they say that the EU features democratic deficit and how can we enhance democracy and the rule of law in the EU? How is legal protection afforded in cases where decisions are made by both EU and national enforcement authorities? This programme will help you build both substantive and institutional knowledge of European law. 

 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss an issue about the LLM in European Law, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team, who are very willing to help you. You can contact the programme coordinators Prof Ton van Den Brink or Dr Salvatore Nicolosi and chat to our students who are currently enrolled in the programme via Unibuddy. Please have a look at our contact page. 

 

About the Programme

Learning by doing is key to this programme and, as such, knowledge and understanding gained through theoretical modules is complemented by training in legal analysis, argumentation and research. Your professors take a supportive role in this self-created, individualised approach to your studies. In the Capita Selecta modules you will be trained in essential skills, such as quickly deepening your knowledge in a current, specialised legal topic. From the very beginning, you will also take part in the Research and Thesis Training that prepares you to write your master’s thesis, the culmination of your LLM programme. Have a look at the Study programme.

 

Preparation for a wide range of work environments

The Master’s in European Law is a rigorous, customisable programme of study that will enable you to develop your academic, practical, writing, and oral skills through a combination of case studies, moot courts, research and visits to European legal and professional organisations. By the end of the programme, you will be able to reflect critically on legal issues and to recognise, understand and analyse the relationship between the laws of member states and the wider European Union. You will gain an excellent foundation for your career of choice, whether you aim to build a career in a law firm or major multinational company or work for a European institution, an international organization or a local or national government. Read more about the career prospects.

 

Why choose European Law at the University of Utrecht?

  • Our programme is based upon two pillars, the institutional and substantive law of the European Union and its relationship with national law.
  • The teaching method is based on the principle of "learning by doing", involving a broad, diverse range of classes, assignments and skills training.
  • Your training focuses on research and thesis writing skills from the beginning of the programme.
  • The programme offers excellent preparation for the job market through job market orientation days, guest lectures, alumni events, company visits, moot courts, meetings with judges at the European Court of Justice and promotion of internship opportunities.
  • You will go on a study trip to visit to European institutions in Brussels and Luxemburg, including the European Commission and European Court of Justice. In this way you discover where you could work in the future and you also get to know your fellow students better.

The perfect location

Utrecht is more than just a well-established classical university. It is a vibrant town where Dutch history, a cosmopolitan population and an active student network meet. Every year, students from all over the world come to Utrecht and have the experience of a lifetime. Why not join them?