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:... [-]

War crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide disrupt societies and pose a threat to international peace and security. Developing theories to understand this human behavior and designing effective strategies to react to these atrocities is extremely challenging. International Crimes and Criminology is an interdisciplinary Master’s programme in which you will learn how to measure and investigate these crimes. You are challenged to critically reflect on international criminal law and alternative modes of transitional justice, such as truth commissions and amnesties. The Master’s programme is unique: it is not offered by any other university worldwide. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is close to The Hague, the legal capital of the world.... [-]

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:... [-]