European Law

Specialisation of: Law
Degree: Master of Laws in Law
Mode of Study: Full-time, part-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60084
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The Master’s specialisation in European Law is an English-taught programme designed primarily for foreign and Dutch law students who wish to specialise during the last phase of their studies in the field of European Law. The specialisation focuses on various areas of European Law – such as Human Rights, the internal market and the Union’s external relations – both from a substantive and institutional law perspective. Thus, it aims to equip the students with the necessary skills and knowledge for a future career as a European Law expert.

Programme

The programme offers courses in all the main topics of European Union Law, as well as the European protection of Human Rights. It covers a wide variety of areas, ranging from EU competition law to EU external relations law, from European social policy to internal market regulation and EU institutional law.
The research programme has three components (‘trias europea’): the institutional structure of the Union, the protection of fundamental rights in an integrated Europe, and the regulation of economic relations. These three topics reappear in every component of the Master’s Programme in European Law. In particular, attention is paid on the one hand to the institutional structure of the Union (looking at the present Treaty structure as well as the proposed reforms in the Treaty of Lisbon) and the manner in which compliance with the fundamental rights within the legal order of the Union is ensured. On the other hand, lectures also focus on the position of the European Union in the world, the relation between EU law and national law, and the way in which trade and commerce is regulated by the EU.

The programme offers the following courses:

Semester 1

Semester 2

For Dutch Students the programme is a bit different more information

Schedule
Lecture schedule semester 1
Lecture schedule semester 2
Seminar schedule

Talent Programme

The Talent programme is an additional incentive of Leiden University, something that good students with scientific interests can do on top of this Master.
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Difference between Regular and Advanced Programmes

Regular LL.M. programmes are the final part of the standard Dutch law curriculum.

The 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.

There are two major differences between the Advanced Studies programme the regular master’s specialisation:

Focus

  • The Advanced Studies programme focuses on European Law from a business perspective, as seen against the background of international law.
  • The regular master’s programme focuses on European Law only and within this field provides a more general perspective (e.g. by including courses on Constitutional Law and Human Rights).

Level of teaching and learning

  • The regular programme is part of the standard Dutch law curriculum, and is a required programme for Dutch students wishing to gain the right to legal practice in the Netherlands. The regular programme is also accessible for international students, aimed at those coming in directly after completing their bachelor ‘s programme.
  • The Advanced Studies programme is specifically designed for excellent students at an advanced level and for qualified lawyers who wish to enhance their career prospects.

Programmes
Regular LL.M. programmes:

Advanced Studies programmes: