For best experience please turn on javascript and use a modern browser!
You are using a browser that is no longer supported by Microsoft. Please upgrade your browser. The site may not present itself correctly if you continue browsing.
The study programme European Private Law combines a coherent set of core courses on topics at the heart of Europeanization and internationalization, with a broad range of elective courses on subjects of high economic and societal relevance.

Programme structure

The central aim of the track European Private Law is to educate a new generation of internationally oriented private lawyers with a broad, deep and critical understanding of the on-going Europeanisation and globalisation of private law and its dynamics. The programme consists of four compulsory courses: Private Law in a European and International Context (6 EC), European Contract Law (6 EC), European Private Law in Practice (3 EC) and the Research Training Seminar in European Private Law (3 EC).

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Advanced Private Law in Context
    Period 1
    6
  • Research Training Seminar: Transnational and European Private Law
    Period 1
    Period 2
    3
  • European Contract Law
    Period 2
    6
  • Transnational and European Private Law in Practice
    Period 3
    3
  • Restricted-choice electives
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 4
    Period 5
    30
  • Restricted-choice electives: other elective courses
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    Period 5
    Period 6
  • Free-choice electives: Extracurricular
    Period 1
    Period 2
  • Master's thesis
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    Period 5
    Period 6
    12
UvA Course Catalogue: European Private Law

The information on this website is valid for the current academic year and may change for next year. In May the Course Catalogue is updated for the next academic year.

Discover the Master’s Honours programme

Are you looking for more challenge and academic depth? In that case the new Honours programme Academic Excellence track could be interesting for you!

  • Compulsory courses (18 EC)
  • Restricted-choice electives (30 EC)

    You must choose courses from the list below with a total value of 24 EC. You can replace a mandatory elective course with a course chosen from the list Mandatory electives: other elective courses. You may, for a maximum of 6 EC and after approval of the Examinations Board, also choose other university law courses, provided that these courses are related to the Master’s programme and do not overlap with the compulsory courses of the programme.

    • Comparative Law (6 EC)
    • Consumer Rights in the Digital Single Market (6 EC)
    • Human Rights in Private Law (6 EC)
    • EU Private International Law (6 EC)
    • European Company Law (6 EC)
    • Foundations of EU Competition Law (6 EC)
    • European Tort Law (6 EC)
    • Finance, Security and Insolvency (6 EC) (ALP course)
    • Making Markets Beyond the State (6 EC)

    You can find the specific course information in the Course Catalogue.

  • Restricted-choice electives: other elective courses (0 EC)

    You can replace a mandatory elective course with the course Amsterdam Law Clinics. You may, for a maximum of 6 EC and after approval of the Examinations Board, also choose other university law courses, provided that these courses are related to the Master’s programme and do not overlap with the compulsory courses of the programme.

    • Amsterdam Law Clinics (6 EC) (ALP course)
    • Internship (6 EC)
    • International Commercial Arbitration (6 EC)
    • Justice Entrepreneurship (6 EC)

    You can find the specific course information in the Course Catalogue.

  • Experiential education: the Amsterdam Law Practice

    You can choose from different skills courses that are part of the Amsterdam Law Practice, our unique, award winning experiential education. A contemporary way of learning, in which reflection on your own experiences and the development of a professional identity are central. The education programme received for this a Dutch Higher Education Award 2022 for innovative higher education.

    The following compulsory or restricted-choice elective courses are part of the Amsterdam Law Practice:

    • Amsterdam Law Clinics (6 EC)
    • European Private Law in Practice (3 EC)
    • Finance, Security and Insolvency (6 EC)

    You can find the specific course information in the Course Catalogue.

  • Free-choice electives: Extracurricular (0 EC)

    The 6 EC for Legal English do not count for the 60 mandatory EC's of this master, but are extracurricular.

    • Legal English (6 EC)

    You can find the specific course information in the Course Catalogue.

  • Master’s thesis (12 EC)

    The Master’s degree programme is concluded by writing a Master’s thesis.

Experience the programme

Frequently Asked Questions
  • What is the Amsterdam Law Practice?

    The Amsterdam Law Practice (ALP) is a unique experiential education program for all law Master's students. In the Amsterdam Law Practice, you learn by reflecting on who you are as a lawyer and how you want to contribute to society in the future. You apply your academic knowledge of law and your learned skills by stepping into the shoes of a lawyer in real or simulated cases.

    As part of your LLM programme, you must take at least one ALP course of 6 ECTS and a maximum of 12 ECTS. You can take these ALP courses in the form of clinics, where you participate in real cases, or in a moot court or law Lab, where practice is simulated.

    The Amsterdam Law Practice won a Dutch Higher Education Prize for innovative education in 2022.

  • What Master's degree will I get after graduation?

    The quality of this Master's programme has been positively assessed by the Accreditation Organisation of The Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme students will receive a legally accredited Master's degree in European Private Law and the title Master of Laws (LLM).

  • Can I follow this Master’s part-time?

    It is also possible to follow this Master's programme on a part-time basis; the programme then lasts two years. Most courses, however, are not offered in the evening. For more information, please contact the Education Desk.

  • What does an academic year at the UvA look like?

    The education days and holidays can be found in the academic calendar. The academic year at the UvA is divided into 2 semesters, each with 3 blocks of classes and exams. Most courses are offered once a year. Check the academic calender.