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Lay the foundation for your legal career

Immerse yourself in law

After getting your Bachelor’s degree in Law, you can go in many different directions. For example, you can opt for the specialisation in European and International Law and develop an understanding of the role of law in a globalising world. Or do you want to focus on issues like big data, human rights and information security by choosing the specialisation in International Technology Law?

The possibilities are almost endless. Thanks to the wide range of specialisations, you can immerse yourself in the issues that appeal to you the most.

The start dates of this programme are September 1st and February 1st.

Which specialisation do you choose?

Find out what the different possibilities are within the master's programme

Summary

You will study the core principles of European and international law in depth, and go beyond this to understand the role of law in a globalizing world, and the challenges that it raises to our traditional ideas of sovereignty and democracy. Optional courses allow for specialization, and whether your interests are in human rights, economic law, constitutional principles, security and terrorism, equality and justice, or cross-border phenomena such as global warming and the internet, the friendly and diverse department of Transnational Legal Studies will help you achieve a Master of Law degree (LLM) which takes you further in your career.

Issues the programme deals with

Some examples of issues the Master's programme deals with are: 

  • Can international and European law help address the challenges of our time, such as climate change, migration, new technologies,  and conflicts between cultures?
  • How are ideas of risk and security used in international law? Do states use these ideas to promote peace, or justify aggression?
  • Is the EU effective and democratic? Can it provide security and freedom to its citizens? Does it undermine the sovereignty of its Member States?
  • How are economic interests and human rights balanced in European and international law? Does free trade help states develop, or encourage exploitation? 

How are economic interests and human rights balanced in European and international law? Does free trade help states develop, or encourage exploitation? 

Skills on graduation 

You will have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the core elements of EU and international law; you will have specialist knowledge of a number of fields of EU and international law, such as international and EU trade law, EU integration, climate change law, human rights, the law of war, or EU discrimination law. You will be able to conduct research, and present your results orally and in writing. You will be able to construct and criticise legal arguments based on cases and situations. You will therefore be able to advise clients, help make new regulation, or do academic research within your fields.

Curriculum details

Subjects

  • Master's Thesis Law
  • European and International Law
  • Legal Methodology
  • Transnational Human Rights and Globalisation

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

  • European and International Law

    Summary

    You will study the core principles of European and international law in depth, and go beyond this to understand the role of law in a globalizing world, and the challenges that it raises to our traditional ideas of sovereignty and democracy. Optional courses allow for specialization, and whether your interests are in human rights, economic law, constitutional principles, security and terrorism, equality and justice, or cross-border phenomena such as global warming and the internet, the friendly and diverse department of Transnational Legal Studies will help you achieve a Master of Law degree (LLM) which takes you further in your career.

    Issues the programme deals with

    Some examples of issues the Master's programme deals with are: 

    • Can international and European law help address the challenges of our time, such as climate change, migration, new technologies,  and conflicts between cultures?
    • How are ideas of risk and security used in international law? Do states use these ideas to promote peace, or justify aggression?
    • Is the EU effective and democratic? Can it provide security and freedom to its citizens? Does it undermine the sovereignty of its Member States?
    • How are economic interests and human rights balanced in European and international law? Does free trade help states develop, or encourage exploitation? 

    How are economic interests and human rights balanced in European and international law? Does free trade help states develop, or encourage exploitation? 

    Skills on graduation 

    You will have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the core elements of EU and international law; you will have specialist knowledge of a number of fields of EU and international law, such as international and EU trade law, EU integration, climate change law, human rights, the law of war, or EU discrimination law. You will be able to conduct research, and present your results orally and in writing. You will be able to construct and criticise legal arguments based on cases and situations. You will therefore be able to advise clients, help make new regulation, or do academic research within your fields.

    Curriculum details

    Subjects

    • Master's Thesis Law
    • European and International Law
    • Legal Methodology
    • Transnational Human Rights and Globalisation

    Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Electives of the Specialisation

A choice of at least one of these courses:

EU Internal Market Law

International Humanitarian Law

Fundamental Issues of International Economic Law

Irregular Migration

EU Anti-Discrimination Law

Please consult the Study Guide or more information

Integration Courses

A choice of at least one of these courses:

International Climate Change Law

Litigating before International Courts

Competition Law

Human Rights Protection in Europe

International Weapons Law

Philosophy of International Law and Migration

Please consult the Study Guide or more information

Internships

Doing an internship is a good way to figure out what career path you want to take. During your internship, you will gain relevant work experience which will increase your chances of finding the right job.

The Law programme does not require you to do an internship. However, you are encouraged to do an internship, for example, at one of the following organisations:

  • law firm
  • public prosecutor’s office
  • court clerk’s office
  • notary’s office
  • police department
  • private company
  • government agency

You can also gain international experience by doing an internship abroad. In general, you will take the initiative for your own internship. You will receive guidance from a faculty supervisor, but the daily supervision will be provided by a supervisor from the organisation where you are conducting your internship.

Sofia Leal Truque

Sofia Leal Truque from Colombia shares her experiences within Master European and International Law

Want to know more about this specialisation?

Don't hesitate to contact us!

Cordinator Dion Kramer: dion.kramer@vu.nl

Research Talent Track

Are you looking for an extra academic challenge, next to this one-year Master's programme? Are you interested in research? The Research Talent Track might be a good fit for you as well. It’s a selective programme aimed at motivated and talented masterstudents who want to further develop their analytical research skills. You will learn and experience how to do scientific research. This will help you in deciding whether you want to pursue a career in the academic world, and/or will improve your opportunities on the labour market outside academia. 

More information 

Change your future with the Law programme

Change your future with the Law programme

The Master's programme is an important step in preparing for your career. A Master's degree is not only required for admission to the programmes for becoming a judge, lawyer or public prosecutor, but it is often required outside of these so-called robed professions as well. During the Master's programme in Law, you will further sharpen your legal skills. And you will have plenty of room to put your own stamp on the programme. 

Explore your future prospects
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