Business Law for a better world

International Business Law: Trade & Investment

Become an expert in international business law

"The Trade and Investment specialisation of International Business Law (LLM) focuses on international and European legal and regulatory frameworks. The programme trains you as an expert in these areas, while clearly distinguishing itself through its explicit focus on educating lawyers with a conscience. You learn to take a leading role in international business, trade and investment law, and to shape that law in ways that contribute to a better world. In the interest of society as well as the firms and organisations you advise.

From legal fundamentals to cutting-edge practice

The programme covers all core elements needed to become an expert in international trade and investment law. You will work on practical skills such as drafting legal advice on real-world cases and using generative AI tools in a professional and ethical context. At the same time, you the programme explores contemporary issues, including sustainability in competition law, blockchain in trade and the regulation of quasi-monopolistic mega-firms.

Courses also place strong emphasis on societal and ecological interests. You will be are encouraged to think beyond existing legal frameworks, with compulsory courses addressing how trade and investment affect democracy, inequality, identity, population well-being and sustainability.

The programme starts on 1 September.

VU Master's Event

Saturday 7 March 2026

More information about the event

International Master's webinar

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1st year

Curriculum

You take four core courses, such as EU International Market Law and Private International Commercial Law. In addition, you can choose from specialised electives, a Moot Court and/or a Law Clinic to tailor your master’s curriculum fully to your goals and career ambitions.

Verplichte Vakken

International Climate Change Law (with elements of international trade and investment law)
EU Internal Market Law
Fundamental Issues of International Economic Law
Problems of Market Regulation
Private International Commercial Law
Master's Thesis - International Business Law

Consult the Study Guide for more information.

In addition to core and elective courses, you complete the programme by writing a master’s thesis. You select your topic in close collaboration with a supervisor from the Faculty of Law. Your research is directly linked to the themes covered in the programme and is supported by training in legal research through the Thesis Track. The thesis involves eight to ten weeks of intensive research and writing.

Looking for an extra challenge? You can take part in a range of extracurricular activities that provide deeper insight, practical experience, and extra credits listed on your diploma supplement. Develop your skills in the International Moot Court, experience what it is like to present a case before a judge, or work on real cases in the Law Clinics, challenging organisations to operate more sustainably.

You can also choose a faculty research track, editorial work for the student law journal, or an internship at an international company or law firm in the Netherlands. Sometimes organisations post vacancies via the programme board on the digital learning platform. For these activities, you can earn 6 or 12 extra credits, allowing you to tailor your master’s programme fully to your goals and career ambitions.

You study in an international, small-scale and community-driven learning environment. Together with students, lecturers and experts from different countries and legal traditions, you work intensively on current issues in international business, trade and investment law. This challenges you to approach legal questions from multiple perspectives.

The community-focused atmosphere fosters close collaboration, personal guidance and active exchange—an environment where you truly learn and grow together. Dutch students also benefit from civiel effect when combining the master with a Dutch bachelor’s in law. At the same time, you develop the skills to work professionally in English and navigate different legal systems, essential competencies for an international legal career. From day one, you start building a professional network that supports your future career.

With the Trade and Investment specialisation in International Business Law, you learn how international business, trade and investment law responds to a changing world. Economic globalisation is no longer a given: companies must consider legal, commercial and reputational risks. Environmental damage, human rights violations or labour exploitation can create liability, erode trust and harm a company’s reputation.

Governments, regulators and international organisations face similar pressures. Prosperity can no longer be separated from social and environmental progress, and ignoring current crises is no longer an option.

In this programme, you develop the knowledge and skills to advise organisations, look beyond existing legal frameworks, and connect economic activity with broader societal and environmental goals. You become a legal professional who can make a real impact in international trade and investment.

Discover your career prospects

Contact our Programme Coordinator

David Rosatti: d.rosatti@vu.nl

International Business Law: Trade & Investment

From legal fundamentals to cutting-edge practice

Your goals, your career, your curriculum

International & community-driven learning environment

Law in a changing global landscape

Law in a changing global landscape

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