LLM in Law and Economics
Utrecht University
Key Information
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,209 / per year **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Request info
* Non-EU/EEA students: 1 April
** EU/EEA, Surinam or Swiss students; €17,500: International students
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Introduction
Navigating Tomorrow's Competition and Regulation Challenges
In the past two decades, many aspects of business and social life have been disrupted by high-growth corporates like Google, Apple, and Airbnb, and by developments in financial markets. Think about the emergence of new cryptocurrencies and the (so far, unchallenged) hierarchy of Facebook as a leading social media platform. Should firms that agree to raise prices because of sustainability concerns be applauded, or fined as a cartel?
The market power of corporate organizations is based on brilliant but sometimes debatable strategies, which brings challenges to policymakers, regulators, and supervisors like the national enforcement authorities and the European Commission. How can markets and organizations function effectively, while taking into account legal and societal challenges? Why do companies behave the way they do, and to what extent is this behavior acceptable? In this highly international environment of powerful corporates and policymakers, competition, regulation, and supervision challenges require profound expertise in both economics and law to be effective. This Master's program prepares you for addressing these challenges in the present or future markets.
Bridge the Common Gap between Law and Economics
In this LLM program in Law and Economics we focus on the practical and academic toolkit to operate in the world of leading corporates, law firms, policy-making organizations, regulatory and supervisory bodies, and economic or legal consulting. You will focus on such issues as the economic and legal aspects of market regulation and supervision, competitive strategy, competition policy, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and finance and banking. You will learn from an interdisciplinary team of legal experts and economists who enhance the challenging course content with both theory and real-world knowledge. The interdependence of and useful interplay between economics and legal perspectives is the prime focus of the program and is discussed from both the perspectives of the regulator and of the regulated. As a graduate of this program, you will be uniquely prepared to bridge the gap between law and economics and contribute to addressing the relevant challenges of public and private organizations.
Real Interaction Between Two Disciplines
The unique aspect of this program is the increased interaction between students, course instructors, and professionals from both legal and economics disciplines, which is facilitated by a number of joint courses and educational activities such as guest lectures, study visits, and internships. Utrecht University’s Law and Economics professors – recognized as leading academics in their fields – investigate European as well as international regulation and governance, and offer academic and real-life insights on the most relevant regulatory challenges. We are proud to have the Utrecht University School of Economics involvement in our curriculum, which makes the program truly multidisciplinary and unique in strategy, competition, and regulation.
Program Outcome
Upon graduation, you will be:
- Capable of conducting independent research in the areas of law and economics.
- Able to solve problems in the areas of law and economics, both independently and with others, while taking societal considerations into account.
- Apply legal and economic knowledge, theories, and models for the testing or the development of policies of firms, organizations, or governmental bodies.
- Able to professionally collaborate with others in interdisciplinary teams while evaluating your own performances, and contribute to combining and generating new knowledge within the team.
Curriculum
Focused On Both The Legal And Economic Perspectives
Through its interdisciplinary approach focused on market regulation from both the legal and economic perspectives, this Master’s program will equip you with a completely new perspective and toolset.
The curriculum will provide you with the academic knowledge, interdisciplinary understanding, and research and analytical skills required for either a professional or academic career at the intersection of economics and law (you can explore your career prospects here). You will also learn to communicate effectively with professionals from either discipline.
Career Opportunities
Towards a Professional Career
Graduates of this program typically apply for positions in regulatory and competition law or corporate environments (such as consultancies or regulatory departments of multinationals). They also obtain positions at regulatory bodies (such as the European Commission, ECB, or national banks), competition authorities (like the ACM in the Netherlands), and various other regulatory agencies. These positions may be at the national level or in European-level institutions, such as ACER or ESMA. Positions in government departments, such as the Ministries of Economic Affairs or Healthcare, are also possible. Some graduates develop as entrepreneurs in start-up companies. Those obtaining the LLM degree may also continue on either to large law firms with a strong corporate and competition law focus or to smaller firms specializing in competition law and regulatory law. LLM students will obtain the Dutch civil effect qualification (when Bachelor's requirements are met), meaning that they qualify for the professions of both judge and lawyer. Graduates also have continued in academia, either as lecturers or as Ph.D. candidates.
Possible Professional Careers
Law & Economics graduates typically find positions in industry, legal and economic consulting, and government agencies. In the public domain, typical jobs would be found within competition authorities and merger control departments.
After completing this degree program, you will have the skills and education necessary to work as:
- Compliance Officer in industry, which implies a responsibility for running the legal and compliance department of a firm.
- Mergers & Acquisitions consultant, with responsibility for dealing with competition authorities.
- Deal broker, with responsibility for matching acquiring firms with targets, both in a legal and an economic sense, while taking special responsibility for the quality of covenants.
- Researcher: You’ll acquire the skills and training to conduct further research either at a university or at a research institute (NGO, commercial research office).