European Union Law (International and European Law)

This LLM in European Union Law gives students the knowledge and skills to tackle any legal problem in any field of European law. It provides you with a solid foundation in substantive and institutional EU law. We integrate the most recent academic insights and legal developments into our curriculum, along with a path that allows you to master expertise in a specific area of law. 

Why European Union Law at the UvA? 

5 reasons to choose European Union Law at the UvA

• We invite you to look beyond the black letter of the law and approach EU law in its economic and political context.
• We integrate the most recent academic insights and legal developments into the curriculum, along with a path towards developing expertise in a specific area of specialisation. Several lectures are given by external practising lawyers.
• Would you like to gain hands-on experience in tackling legal problems and be part of a vibrant international student community? Students are involved participants in interactive courses and extracurricular activities.
• Classes are taught by renowned experts in their fields of specialisation and our professors are scholars who are closely connected to the Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance (ACELG).
• This EU Law Master’s programme draws on an international academic staff with different specialisations like trade law, environmental law or human rights.

About the study programme

The European Union Law Master’s programme provides its students with a solid foundation in substantive and institutional EU Law. The core curriculum is composed of three compulsory courses and a selection of usually three courses from a list of electives that focus on different areas of specialisation.

You also get the opportunity to learn how to practise your legal skills through experiential education, within the setting of the Amsterdam Law Practice courses. After studying the key aspects of EU law, students take part in two different negotiation exercises for example on the terms of Brexit. Here students assume the role of Member State diplomats, EU civil servants or civil society and must negotiate a final legal text for a new treaty or new EU legislation. The programme also includes a moot court. On top of that, students may also apply to represent the UvA in the European Law Moot Court or work on real cases at the Amsterdam European Law Clinic.

‘We were able to create our own unique simulation.’

Is this programme for you?

If you have a good command of written and spoken English, an international perspective and intellectual curiosity this is the right LLM programme for you.

Students with a Bachelor of Laws degree or a related degree with a strong legal component are eligible for admission. Students with a Dutch PPLE degree or a Dutch University College degree with a major in Law are eligible for admission.

English language proficiency

Both Dutch and international students must provide proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge certificate). Dutch students are exempted if they passed English for their VWO diploma (sufficient mark, 6 or higher) or possess a VWO certificate in English. 

Did you know …?

• that the Amsterdam Law School is located on Roeterseiland campus, in the historical centre of Amsterdam? On the campus there are cosy cafés, libraries, lecture halls and a large variety of study and workplaces. 
• together with our students and recent graduates we are in the process of creating an Amsterdam Law School EU Law Study Association. More information will be published in due course on the Amsterdam Law School Facebookpage.

Career prospects

The EU Law Master’s is wide in scope and hence we see that our graduates find work with a wide spectre of employers. These include law firms, (larger) businesses, the public sector and NGOs. For Dutch students with an LLB degree from a Dutch university, completion of the Master’s programme in European Union Law fulfils the requirements for ‘civiel effect’.

I was surprised of the huge impact of EU law

– Cornelia Linde, Master’s student European Union Law

Contact and location

Would you like to learn more about the programme? Get in touch with the programme coordinator: T.A.J.A.Vandamme@uva.nl. Do you have a general question, for example about your registration or our location, go to Programme contacts.