LLM in Legal Research Utrecht University

Are you curious, analytical, and ready to take on new challenges in a dynamic academic environment? Are you interested in writing academic texts, engaging in debate, and tackling complicated legal issues? Would you like to be given the opportunity to complete an in-depth Master’s-level program in law that extends beyond the standard one-year period? If so, the two-year Legal Research Master’s at Utrecht University may be the perfect choice for you!

Take Advantage of a Growing Need for Legal Researchers

For legal practitioners and academics alike, legal research skills are increasingly important. Universities and research centers, but also law firms, companies, courts, non-governmental organizations, and public authorities all have a need for thorough, well-trained lawyers with excellent writing skills and a research-oriented mindset. The Legal Research program will help you to become the type of well-rounded lawyer that our changing social needs.

Become a Perceptive and Analytic Thinker

Our complex, pluralist, and constantly developing society is in clear need of sharp analytical thinkers. Traditional law courses do not always provide graduates with the required knowledge and skills to meet this demand. Utrecht University developed the two-year Legal Research Master’s program to fill this need. The Legal Research Master’s program offers you an excellent foundation for further Ph.D. studies as well as prepares you for a legal career as a practitioner in the commercial, public service, or academic sectors. As part of this program, you will complete courses in legal research skills as well as substantive courses in your chosen field. You will spend approximately one year engaged in legal research projects and writing a Master’s thesis.

• Acquire legal and academic skills by actively conducting research;
• Learn to produce texts that are relevant to legal academics and scholars;
• Participate in and carry out research projects.

You may, for example:

• Perform part or all of a contract study;
• Write an extensive academic case note;
• (Co)-organize an academic seminar in your area of expertise;
• Cooperate in the preparation of international academic conferences;
• Publish an article in an (international) scholarly journal;
• Prepare a comparative legal study.

In addition, you will take courses in advanced comparative law and philosophy of science. You will also learn different methods and techniques for researching legal matters.

Utrecht University’s Legal Research program is widely renowned, particularly in the fields of European, international and comparative law. As a Legal Research student, you will receive high-quality contemporary teaching in a stimulating academic environment. Our inspiring and committed researchers, such as Professor Janneke Gerards, Professor Elaine Mak, and Professor John Vervaele will share their knowledge with you and encourage you to take part in or help organize activities like conferences and seminars. They may also invite you to assist in their own research.

Towards a Professional Career

After finishing this Master’s program in Legal Research, you can pursue a career in legal research, finding a research position at a university or in one of the major law firms, the research departments of Supreme Courts in various parts of the world, or, in the Netherlands, at the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, Council of State or the Research and Documentation Centre (Wetenschappelijk Onderzoeks- en Documentatiecentrum) of the Ministry of Justice. You also will be well prepared for legal practice at a national or international law firm, at a company or in a non-governmental organization, in the judiciary, or in a government or non-governmental position.

Towards an Academic Career

In research aspects, this program can be excellent preparation for a subsequent Ph.D. program. You may become a Ph.D. fellow at a university in the Netherlands or abroad.