European Law

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.

Very few areas of national law and policy within Europe remain untouched by the influence of European law. Moreover, Europe is becoming an increasingly important actor on the international stage. The master’s specialisation in European law is designed for students who wish to specialise in this exciting and rapidly developing field. The programme is taught in English and attracts students form around the world.
The content of the master’s programme is connected with that of the Law Faculty’s research programme: Securing the Rule of Law in a World of Multi-level Jurisdiction. Briefly stated, the research programme addresses the question as to how the rule of law (i.e. democracy, protection of human rights, adequate legal remedies) can be maintained when the law is formed at several levels.

8 Reasons to Choose the Master’s Programme in European Law in Leiden

1. Combination of subjects The LL.M. specialisation in European law offers an attractive combination of subjects dealing with substantive and institutional EU law as well as economic law and human rights.
2. Practical A number of courses are given in the form of ‘privatissimum’ and ‘practicum’; which means that students write papers and give presentations in class, thereby exchanging ideas, and developing their research, writing and oral skills.
3. Small classes The number of students selected for the programme is limited, i.e. classes remain small, which allows teaching in a ‘seminar’ style with strong class participation.
4. International The students selected for this programme come from the Netherlands as well as from countries within and outside the EU. This international environment enables students from different backgrounds to learn from each other.
5. Working opportunities Students have the opportunity to experience the workings of the European institutions in practice during a study trip to Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Brussels.
6. Moot Courts Leiden students have successfully participated in a number of moot courts, the most important being the European Law Moot Court Competition. Participation in moot courts is actively supported.
7. Internships Participation in internships is encouraged and actively supported by the Europe Institute of the Leiden Law School
8. Study trip The annual study trip to the centres of European law – Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Brussels – forms an unforgettable highlight of their year in Leiden