Bachelor's Law in Society - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Become a different kind of lawyer

Discover which areas of law play a role in local and global issues and how to apply them. By combining empirical research with insights from social sciences, find out how you can develop fair and effective measures. So that you can make a societal impact.

The approach taken in the Law in Society Bachelor’s is unique and groundbreaking. Rather than separate legal areas like public, private and criminal law, you’ll study how multiple areas of law intersect and interact when addressing societal issues. The programme is structured around four highly relevant themes: security, migration, sustainability and the globalisation of markets. You’ll explore how laws and regulations impact these themes, and what to do when good legislation is lacking. Because genuine impact and change are a product of effective laws and regulations.

Interdisciplinary approach

In addition to law-related subjects, you’ll also study criminology, sociology, psychology and artificial intelligence (AI). Plus, you’ll learn the finer points of both quantitative and qualitative research. Thanks to this approach, you’ll be able to look at complex issues from both data and social sciences perspectives. All of which will help you better understand problems and figure out which measures are most and least effective when it comes to applying laws and regulations in practice.

Mixed classroom

Your lectures will be in a mixed classroom, and you’ll carry out research in small groups. You’ll work with students from all over the world, with different socio-economic backgrounds, disciplines, beliefs and ideas. This is great preparation for working in an international environment with people who have diverse worldviews and approach issues from different perspectives.

Who’s it for?

Do you want to develop a broad legal perspective and are you socially engaged? Do you want to tackle major issues and fight injustice? Are you open-minded when it comes to people with other opinions and ideas? Then this international law Bachelor’s programme, Law in Society, could be for you!

Take a look at the admissions information

The start date of this programme is 1 September.

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VU Bachelor's Day

8 February 2025

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International Bachelor’s webinar

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1st year
2nd year
3rd year

First year

You’ll dive into the theme of security. How can you combat terrorism? Through criminal law, for instance, you can prosecute individuals for committing or plotting acts of terrorism. And through international sanctions law, you can impose travel restrictions on suspected terrorists. What’s more, you’ll explore defamation and assault. At the same time, you’ll be introduced to empirical research and subjects like criminology, legal philosophy and diversity.

In the second semester, you’ll focus on the globalisation of markets. More and more commercial platforms, such as UberEATS and Airbnb, are headquartered abroad. What can local authorities do to protect the rights of workers, consumers and citizens? You’ll also use psychology and statistics to better understand how these markets work.

Subjects

PPI LIS year 1
Defamation and Assault
Methodology and Empirical Research
Diversity
Criminology
Terrorism
Philosophy of Law and Security
Amsterdam and the Platform Economy
Statistics & SPSS
Multinationals and the Platform Economy
Psychology

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Second year

You’ll study migration from multiple legal perspectives – including migration law, family law and criminal law – while also meeting and interviewing the various stakeholders involved. In small groups, you’ll learn qualitative research methods, like interview techniques and negotiation skills, which will prepare you for a legal career.

In the second semester, you’ll focus on sustainability. What legal actions can you take to hold companies accountable for environmental damage caused in Africa? And how sustainable is Amsterdam? You’ll also delve deeper into climate change and AI, alongside the ethical dilemmas that lawyers face as a result.

Subjects

PPI LIS year 2
Global Migration Governance
Qualitative Research Methods
Migration Law and the Nation State
Sociology
Negotiations, Mediation and Dispute Solution
Climate Change
Evaluation Research
(Un)sustainable Amsterdam
Artificial Intelligence
Law Ethics and Sustainability

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Third year

For your minor in the first semester, you have the opportunity to go abroad. Those who stay in Amsterdam can choose from a range of interesting English- and Dutch-language minors at VU Amsterdam, from migration studies to food safety. If you want to learn more about the judiciary in the Netherlands, you can choose a minor that prepares you for the Civiel Effect qualification. For more information, see below. You’ll also write your thesis and recap several subjects to further deepen your legal knowledge.

Subjects

Recap: Criminal Law
Recap: Public Law
Bachelor's Thesis
PPI LIS year 3
Recap: Private Law

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

1st year
First year

You’ll dive into the theme of security. How can you combat terrorism? Through criminal law, for instance, you can prosecute individuals for committing or plotting acts of terrorism. And through international sanctions law, you can impose travel restrictions on suspected terrorists. What’s more, you’ll explore defamation and assault. At the same time, you’ll be introduced to empirical research and subjects like criminology, legal philosophy and diversity.
In the second semester, you’ll focus on the globalisation of markets. More and more commercial platforms, such as UberEATS and Airbnb, are headquartered abroad. What can local authorities do to protect the rights of workers, consumers and citizens? You’ll also use psychology and statistics to better understand how these markets work.

Subjects
PPI LIS year 1

Defamation and Assault

Methodology and Empirical Research

Diversity

Criminology

Terrorism

Philosophy of Law and Security

Amsterdam and the Platform Economy

Statistics & SPSS

Multinationals and the Platform Economy

Psychology

Please consult the Study Guide for more information
2nd year
Second year

You’ll study migration from multiple legal perspectives – including migration law, family law and criminal law – while also meeting and interviewing the various stakeholders involved. In small groups, you’ll learn qualitative research methods, like interview techniques and negotiation skills, which will prepare you for a legal career.
In the second semester, you’ll focus on sustainability. What legal actions can you take to hold companies accountable for environmental damage caused in Africa? And how sustainable is Amsterdam? You’ll also delve deeper into climate change and AI, alongside the ethical dilemmas that lawyers face as a result.

Subjects
PPI LIS year 2

Global Migration Governance

Qualitative Research Methods

Migration Law and the Nation State

Sociology

Negotiations, Mediation and Dispute Solution

Climate Change

Evaluation Research

(Un)sustainable Amsterdam

Artificial Intelligence

Law Ethics and Sustainability

Please consult the Study Guide for more information
3rd year
Third year

For your minor in the first semester, you have the opportunity to go abroad. Those who stay in Amsterdam can choose from a range of interesting English- and Dutch-language minors at VU Amsterdam, from migration studies to food safety. If you want to learn more about the judiciary in the Netherlands, you can choose a minor that prepares you for the Civiel Effect qualification. For more information, see below. You’ll also write your thesis and recap several subjects to further deepen your legal knowledge.

Subjects
Recap: Criminal Law

Recap: Public Law

Bachelor's Thesis

PPI LIS year 3

Recap: Private Law

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Whether you're working on international issues in a local context, or on specific issues at international level, this interdisciplinary programme will give you the tools. So think big: some of our students want to improve human rights in their home countries, or reform the refugee system at the Dutch immigration department. Others wish to work for the UN, or become corporate lawyers.

Discover your future prospects

VU Bachelor's Day

8 February 2025

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Taster Day

Be a student for a day

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Law in Society

1st year

Subjects

2nd year

Subjects

3rd year

Subjects

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