Within the programme lecturers and researchers from various foreign backgrounds work together. The Faculty of Law of VU Amsterdam is distinctive in having united EU Law, International Public Law, Internet Governance and Legal theory all in one joint research programme. This approach allows a broad, and at the same time in-depth, analysis of transnational legal issues. Students can design their own programme in line with their personal preferences: practical, academic, public law, civil law, economic, theoretical and social.

Transnational Legal Studies is a full-time, one-year graduate programme, organized as a specialization in the VU Master of Laws (LLM). Its curriculum is designed for students who want to pursue careers related to European and international issues and who are passionate about exploring the political, economic and social context of law. You will follow:... [-]

Master of Laws: Specialisation Transnational Legal Studies

The traditional distinctions between national, European and international law fail to capture the nature of law in a globalizing world. Cross-border phenomena such as terrorism, economic interdependence, migration, global warming and the internet invite us to use and think about law in ways challenging to traditional ideas of sovereignty and jurisdiction. Transnational legal studies focus on law beyond the state in its social, political, economic, symbolic and policy context. Students learn to address law as a phenomenon in its social, theoretical, symbolic and policy context.

Your programme in a nutshell

Transnational Legal Studies is one of the full time, one-year specializations within the VU master of laws, consisting of 60 EC in total. You will follow:... [-]

Master in International Business Law (LLM)

The master's programme International Business Law is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in the field of international business and trade. The programme focuses on the legal aspects of commercial transactions, such as drafting contracts, insurance, bank guarantees, insolvency issues, and investments. Students are taught that the practice of international business law must be set against the background of regulations created by national and international lawmakers. Regulating trade and investments is essential to help counter the potential detrimental effects of globalization.

The programme

International Business Law is a full-time, one-year programme. It is taught entirely in English and consists of several compulsory courses, elective courses that explore different fields of international business law (for instance tax law and company law) and a Master's thesis.The programme consists of:... [-]

International Business Law (IBL) is a complex and ever-changing area of today's legal society - and a fascinating area in which to pursue your legal career.

The Tilburg International Business Law LLM masters program combines quality theory with a distinctly practical and real-world approach - offering you outstanding preparation for a legal career in the international arena. Students acquire in-depth knowledge in the key areas of international business law. Knowledge is both relevant and up-to-the-minute, focusing on the full range of issues facing lawmakers and lawyers in relation to global business problems.

Teaching methods have a strong practical bent, ensuring you acquire the personal and professional skills to operate as a business lawyer in a high-level business environment. You will be asked to assume the role of a business lawyer involved in international transactions, thus learning law within the context of the real-world application, where economic, financial and social forces all interplay.... [-]

International Law is extending forcefully into our everyday politics, economics, and societies - having an impact on international organizations, regimes, tribunals, courts, corporations, NGOs and, even, terrorist threats. The curriculum provides expertise across the three core areas of international law: (1) International Law and International Relations; (2) Human Rights and Human Security; and (3) Global Sustainability and Environmental Law. You can tailor your specialization(s) to match your career aims.

Why the master International Law and Global Governance in Tilburg?

LLM - International and European Tax Law

Taught in English

Studying tax law is not about numbers: it is about bringing to bear the best in legal and financial consultants and managers. Tax professionals operate in a globalized environment where trade and investment take place on a multinational level. Thanks to their broad-based expert knowledge of financial and business matters, tax specialists/lawyers are highly successful in the job market. Generally speaking, their salary levels are higher than for jurists who graduate in other fields of law. A specialist in International and European tax law will be particularly suited to work with major international companies and other clients.... [-]

LLM - International Law

Taught in English

Globalisation and European integration have brought rapid change to the legal profession. There is a growing need for law graduates who are both well versed in international law and fluent in several languages. The International Laws master’s programme (formerly Law and Language Studies) was created to meet this demand. The programme gives law graduates a comprehensive education in different national and international legal systems while providing intensive language training.The International Law master’s programme is a two-year programme taught in English.

Programme information

The master’s programme in International Law examines the effects of globalization and European integration on the international, European and national law. Students also receive intensive language training in one language other than English. The default language is French but depending on the interests and level of the students, other languages are made available (eg. Spanish or Mandarin Chinese).... [-]

LLM - Globalisation and Law

Taught in English

The Master Globalisation and Law offers four specializations in the following subjects:

International Dispute Settlement deals with the institutions and procedures for the settlement of disputes not only between states but also between states and private entities, including investment and human rights disputes. Corporate Social Responsibility focuses on responsible entrepreneurship and the legal possibilities to enforce such behavior. The Leitmotiv of the specialization in Human Rights is how humanitarian standards and procedures may be used to mitigate the negative consequences of globalization. Humanitarian’ in this context refers to both international human rights law, international criminal law and international humanitarian law. This track is taught by staff members of the renowned Maastricht Centre for Human Rights with extensive experience in scholarship, government, and activism. Students may substitute up to two courses of their specialization (not being a common course) with courses of the other specialization or one of the Faculty’s other Master programmes, traineeships or participation in a Moot Court competition. This allows students to tailor their programme to their interests and ambitions.... [-]

The Master of Laws: Advanced Studies in International Children’s Rights is a one of a kind program, offering an advanced master (LL.M) dedicated to the rights and interests of children from a legal perspective. Today – more than 25 years after the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child – the role of international, regional and domestic systems in issues of child protection, participation and empowerment is ever-growing and requires in-depth specialization.

Multi-layered and interdisciplinary

International children’s rights is a unique area of law because it is multi-layered (covering international, regional and national legal systems) and interdisciplinary in its scope. The program provides an in-depth study of the field of children’s rights and pays particular attention to its intersection with diverse fields of law, including human rights, civil, criminal, humanitarian, family and migration law. The multi-layered and legal interdisciplinary nature of the program is an essential element in acquiring specialist knowledge on the meaning and implications of international children’s rights for the position of children at the international and domestic level, in both the developed and developing world.Our programme is characterized by small-scale teaching, which encourages intensive interaction between students and lecturers. Students in our Advanced Masters programmes come from various countries, and from diverse cultures, which contributes to a truly international study environment.... [-]

What effects have globalization had in the international trade? What are the essential elements of international business contracts? When there is a dispute concerning a cross-border business transaction, which country's or region's laws apply and which court has jurisdiction? Learn how to deal with questions like these from both an international comparative perspective.

What does this master's programme entail?

Globalisation and increasing international trade have led to the rapid internationalization of civil and commercial law, thus forming a complex and multi-layered discipline. Leiden University’s International Civil and Commercial Law programme deals with different levels of international, EU and national laws as they coexist and interact with one another. This programme will equip you with the skills necessary to fully understand and apply such intertwined layers to domain-specific legal issues.... [-]

Public International Law is a one-year Master’s specialization at the internationally acclaimed Leiden Law School at Leiden University. The programme focuses on the legal framework that governs international relations in an increasingly complex global society.

Different perspectives

In this programme you will gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental doctrines of public international law, studying different perspectives from theory and practice. We will also challenge you to develop your own views on the role and functioning of law in international society.

Current global challenges

As a result of globalization and international interdependence, international law is changing. Whereas in the past, this law was limited to relations between states, in recent years, organizations, peoples, business, and individuals have also become part of the realm of international law. Who is entitled to intervene in situations of mass violations of human rights? Which means are allowed to combat international terrorism? Can the international community develop governance mechanisms, including law, to deal with problems such as global climate change?... [-]

For the Public International Law, you will choose one of two major specializations: International Criminal Law or Peace, Justice, and Development.

What does this master’s programme entail?

In this advanced master’s programme, you will gain a thorough understanding of the legislation that governs international relations in an increasingly complex global society. You will learn in-depth about a wide range of aspects that affect our world, in addition to getting the opportunity to specialize your area of study. Through focused seminars and workshops, you will be challenged to develop your own views on the role and functioning of public international law.

For this programme, you will choose one of the following specializations:... [-]

Visit the LLM programme pages here.

The LLM programme in Public International Law at the University of Groningen provides students with a strong foundation in most fields of public international law, and is designed to provide an optimal mix of teaching and mentorship, to ensure the realization of our goals in the field of knowledge dissemination and the training of academic, legal, and practical skills.

Within these parameters, the programme offers some flexibility in the range of courses that can be chosen and students can opt for a peace & security, an economic/environmental or a dispute settlement profile. The programme offers the opportunity for starting or enhancing one's professional career in an international legal environment, be it at a national government level, in the United Nations, or at an international non-governmental agency.... [-]

Visit the LLM programme pages here.

What rights do shareholders have after a takeover? Are corporate directors liable when a company goes bankrupt? How do you solve business disputes without going to court? The programme International Business Law teaches you about all aspects of the field of international business law.

Globalization and regional integration make a good knowledge of international business law indispensable within the international corporate world. Our LLM programme in International Business Law offers students the chance to develop a strong understanding of all aspects of international business law, including competition law, corporate insolvency law, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Students can specialize in all legal aspects of international (economic) interaction, including:... [-]

Visit the LLM programme pages here.

Increasing globalization and regional integration creates the need for good knowledge of the international commercial law. This knowledge is especially important if you wish to enter a career in the field of international private law and when you are planning on becoming a lawyer working in internationally operating private firms or law firms.

The one year LLM programme in International Commercial Law covers specialization in (international) commercial law, especially with regard to contracts and subjects of contracts, as well as the solving of (commercial) disputes when needed.

This LLM programme covers: