European and International Business Law (Advanced)

Degree: Master of Laws in Advanced Studies in European and International Business Law
Mode of Study: Full-time, part-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 75025
Share |

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

All applicants should:

  • have a full degree in Law (offering access to legal practice in the country where it was obtained) from a recognised University / Law School
  • present two letters of recommendation from current or previous professors and/or employers
  • have a keen interest in matters of European and International Business Law and the (legal) implications thereof, illustrated by a letter of motivation
  • show documented evidence of relevant (work) experience
  • have proven English-language proficiency, validated through a TOEFL test (600 paper-based/250 computer-based or 100 Internet-based) or IELTS test (7.0), occasionally complemented by a telephone interview. This requirement does not apply if you have:
    • completed your education in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia, or
    • an International Baccalaureate

Students who want to start in September and do not meet this level of English but have a minimum score of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, may be offered a place on the programme on the condition that they attend a two-month pre-sessional English course at Leiden University.
For the February intake no pre-sessional English courses are offered.

Note

All of Leiden University’s LL.M. and LL.M. Advanced Studies programmes are NVAO accredited. However, as the LL.M. Advanced Studies programmes are not funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Dutch and EEA students will be required to pay the same tuition fee as that of (other) international students.

Advanced Programme

“What is an Advanced Studies programme?”

The LL.M. Advanced Studies programmes differ from regular LL.M. programmes both in their level of teaching and learning. The Advanced Studies programmes are specifically designed for excellent students with legal experience and for qualified lawyers who wish to enhance their career prospects. Regular LL.M. programmes are the final part of the standard Dutch law curriculum, and form a required programme for Dutch students wishing to gain the right to enter legal practice in the Netherlands. The regular programmes the Leiden Law School offers are also accessible for international students (and attract many!), and are aimed at those participating directly after completing a bachelor‘s programme in Law.

In terms of level of study, the Advanced Studies programmes are substantially more in-depth and demanding. In just one academic year they offer a thorough and focused education on a specific area of legal expertise. Advanced Studies students benefit from teaching based on the Socratic method, as well as both a practical and theoretical approach to the subject area. The Advanced Studies programmes are not in the first place research programmes. Whilst they are an excellent vehicle for the further development of research skills and as such also offer entry into PhD research, the programmes are first and foremost professional in their orientation. They cater exclusively for a group of students who benefit from close contact with their professors and with expert practitioners from the relevant legal field. There are very few universities that offer LL.M. programmes at this level.