Admission requirements
Admission to the Master (specialisation European law).
Description
The EU competition rules are fundamental to ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market - one of the most significant achievements of European integration. These rules aim to ensure a level playing field for all market participants. They control both the acquisition and exercise of market power, whether by private undertakings or public authorities, and intervene where such power threatens to undermine the competitive process and, ultimately, consumers. Achieving this objective requires the broad and consistent application of competition law across all areas of economic activities. Past and present enforcement practice reflects this wide scope, ranging from the production and sale of goods (such as bananas, soft drinks, and cars) to digital services like music streaming and gaming apps, access to telecom and energy infrastructure, airport and seaport charges, pharmaceutical and technology patents, and the use of data by dominant online platforms.
This course introduces students to the rationale, fundamental principles, rules, and procedures of EU competition law, as well as the broader policy debates that shape its enforcement and development. It covers the main pillars of EU competition law: the prohibition of cartels and other collusive behaviour, the prohibition of abuse of a dominant position, EU merger control and/or the rules relating to State intervention (State aid and public undertakings).
In line with Leiden University’s commitment to innovative teaching, this course adopts a blended learning approach that integrates self-directed study (supported by a variety of formats such as enhanced knowledge clips) with interactive, practice-oriented seminars. The course begins with tutorials focusing on the substantive rules and principles and their application to concrete case scenarios. In the second part, attention shifts to EU competition law enforcement, with seminars taking the form Policy Labs, designed to engage students in solving topical enforcement and policy challenges.
Course objectives
The objective of this course is to familiarise students with the rationale, basic principles, rules, and procedures of EU competition law, as well as the broader policy debates that shape its enforcement and development. It aims to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to assess the compatibility of specific market conduct with the EU competition rules.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the role and function of EU competition law, including its key concepts, principles, and enforcement mechanisms;
to reflect on the complex interplay between law, economics, and policy in this field;
to identify and apply the relevant substantive and procedural rules to hypothetical or real-life case scenarios that practitioners and policymakers (may) face;
to develop a well-structured and practical analysis of a given competition law problem, supported by relevant case law, legislation, and decisional practice;
to critically evaluate and discuss current EU competition law cases and developments.
Timetable
Check MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
This course blends self-directed study with interactive, practice-oriented seminars where active discussion and application are emphasized.
Lectures
The course begins with a 2-hour introductory lecture. All subsequent lectures are replaced by alternative instructional formats, such as enhanced knowledge clips, complemented by assigned readings, which students are expected to engage with independently outside the classroom.
Seminars
Seminars take the form of Tutorials (focusing on the substantive EU competition rules and principles) and Policy Labs (focusing on enforcement and policy challenges).
Required preparation for each seminar includes watching the enhanced knowledge clips, completing the assigned readings, and preparing the tutorial exercises.
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
The examination consists of two parts: a practical assignment (counting for 25% of the course grade) and a written exam (counting for 75% of the course grade).
Students who fail the course (i.e. obtain an overall course grade below 5,5) are entitled to resit the written exam. Depending on the number of students failing the exam, the resit may take the form of an oral exam. The grade obtained for the practical assignment will remain valid for the resit. If a student has not passed the course by the end of the academic year, partial grades for the exam or practical assignment are no longer valid.
Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination consists of the mandatory reading for the course, all study materials made available, and the content covered in the enhanced knowledge clips, seminars, and other instructional components of the course.
Regulation retake passed exams
In this course it is possible to retake an exam that has been passed (cf. art. 4.1.8 and further of the Course and Examination Regulations). Students who have passed the exam may retake the final written assessment (test) of the course if they meet certain requirements. For more information, go to the website > ‘Law’ tab > ‘Retake a passed exam’.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Literature:
- Course textbook: R. Whish & D. Bailey, Competition Law, 11th edition (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024).
The list with mandatory and recommended reading from this textbook, case law, and other materials will be made available on Brightspace.
Recommended course materials
Will be made available on Brightspace.
Registration
Registration for courses and exams takes place via MyStudymap. If you do not have access to MyStudymap (guest students), look here (under the Law-tab) for more information on the registration procedure in your situation.
Contact
Coordinator: Dr. B. Van Rompuy
Work address: Room C1.23 KOG
Contact information: via secretariat, see below
Email: b.van.rompuy@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institution/division
Institute: Public Law
Department: European law
Room number secretary: B1.11 KOG
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9-17h
Telephone number secretary: +31 (0)71 527 7416