LLB in European Law School

What are the differences in the national legal systems of European member states? What influence does European law have on the laws of individual member states for instance to ensure the protection of human rights, to promote the rule of law or to facilitate trade in a sustainable way? How do the legal systems of different EU member states interact and influence each other? If these kinds of issues interest you, this is the right program for you. In this program, you will look at legal problems from a comparative and European perspective, rather than focusing on the solution given in a single legal system. You will study both EU and international law. Working in small groups on relevant real-life topics will train you in essential legal skills such as problem-solving, legal reasoning, pleading and writing. In addition, there is plenty of attention to vital skills such as active listening, collaboration, and analytical and critical thinking. This will prepare you to work as a legal professional at a regional, national and international level, both in the private and public sectors. With further study, you can also gain access to regulated professions such as lawyers or public prosecutors.

During the Experience Day, you will receive more information about the European Law School programme and Problem-Based Learning (PBL). You will experience what it is like to be a law student and participate in a tutorial group. Guided by a tutor, you will work on a case. This will allow you to get familiar with the educational system and the study material.

Why this programme

The European Law School (ELS) bachelor's programme combines courses in European law with courses on comparative law and deals with the legal systems of some of the major EU Member States. The ELS programme is taught completely in English by expert staff members. The programme will give you a thorough understanding of EU law and national legal systems as well as contemporary skills and excellent legal English skills.

You will study using the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) educational method. By focusing on a central question or problem in each meeting, PBL sharpens your ability to solve problems and think critically. You and your fellow students look for solutions independently and systematically under the expert guidance of a staff member. This helps you develop self-discipline, argumentation techniques and communication skills. PBL has been used since the university was founded and it is regularly evaluated and refined.

This program consists of 25 ECTS.

First-year courses

• An Introduction to Law
• Skills: Legal Research and Reasoning
• Comparative Contract Law
• Comparative Government
• Introduction to European Legal History
• Skills: Legal Argumentation
• States, Markets, and European Integration
• Substantive Criminal Law
• Introduction to International and European Law

Second-year courses

• Comparative Property Law
• Concepts of Criminal Procedure
• Skills: Academic Writing
• European Tort Law
• European Union Law: Foundations
• Private International Law
• Comparative Administrative Law
• European Union Law: Substantive Law
• Moot Court Training

Compulsory courses

• Bachelor's Essay ELS (8)
• Bachelor's Essay ELS (12)

Elective courses

• Vennootschapsbelasting
• Comparative Legal History of the Meuse-Rhine Euregion
• European Administrative Law
• Intellectual Property in the Digital Single Market
• Introduction to International Human Rights
• Crime and Criminal Policy
• European Human Rights
• Kostprijsverhogende Belastingen
• Law and Art: The Free Movement of Cultural Property
• Law and Neurosciences
• Law in Europe: from Gaius until the EU
• Winst uit Onderneming
• Bedrijfseconomie
• Concepts of Income and Business Taxation
• Forensische Geneeskunde
• Inleiding Islamitisch Familierecht
• International Business Law
• Internet Law & Governance
• Legal Analytics
• Rechtspsychologie
• International and European Tax and Customs Law
• Legal Philosophy
• Materieel Strafrecht en Criminele Politiek
• Personen- en Familierecht
• Privacy
• Recht in een Multiculturele Samenleving

Minor

• Inleiding Islamitisch Familierecht
• Internationaal Privaatrecht
• Personen- en Familierecht
• Recht in een Multiculturele Samenleving

UM faculty of Law maintains a high position in 2023 THE subject ranking

The faculty consolidates its already strong position in the 2023 ranking by maintaining its 23rd position. Looking at all law faculties within the European Union, we are very proud to see that we also kept third place in this prestigious ranking.

Covering 11 subject areas, Times Higher Education’s (THE) annual World Subject Rankings provides an overview of the best places in the world to study a chosen discipline. The rankings table for LAW uses the same range of 13 performance indicators as the overall World University Rankings combined with scores provided under the following five categories: Teaching, Research, Citations, International outlook, and Industry income.

THE is a leading provider of higher education data for the world's research-led institutions and helps students around the world make the right study choice.

When you graduate, you can start working in a legal environment in positions such as company lawyer, adviser, or police officer. However, most of our students go on to earn a master’s degree.

With a bachelor’s degree from the European Law School (usually followed by a corresponding Master of Law), you have a qualification that is unique in Europe. You show that you have a thorough knowledge of the concepts underlying legal systems and the way these concepts have been implemented in the major legal traditions in Europe (major civil law and common law systems). Moreover, you have deep knowledge of the law and functioning of the European Union. You are at home in a multi-linguistic and multi-cultural environment, and you have the ability to think and act flexibly across national borders.

Globalization and the further development of the European integration process create a demand for graduates with a European Law School profile. After graduation, you can work in a legal environment, for example as a policy advisor or working for the government. When you gain access to the professional qualification process, you may also become a lawyer, public prosecutor, or judge, but additional training will be needed for that. Please be aware that certain activities, such as giving legal advice and in-house counseling, are reserved for fully qualified lawyers in many jurisdictions.

Most of our students continue their legal education and specialize in a specific area, such as European law, business law, criminal law, or tax law. Other graduates move outside the legal field and pursue a master’s degree in an area like political science, economics, or international relations. We strongly recommend you think about your career prospects before entering any law school.