Prospectus

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EU Internal Market Law (Ba)

Course
2026-2027

Admission requirements

This course is a compulsory course of the International Business Law bachelor track.

Description

This course focuses on the main body of rules governing the EU internal market, an area without internal frontiers within which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured (the so-called ‘four freedoms’). The internal market has evolved over time but remains the backbone of the European Union. Today, it faces considerable challenges, including environmental, technological and geopolitical ones.

The course covers the law of the internal market stricto sensu, namely the TFEU provisions protecting the four freedoms (goods, persons, services and capital) and those governing EU citizenship. These rules constitute the foundations of the EU internal market, both conceptually and historically. In addition, since harmonisation is now the main form of regulation in the internal market, the course includes a study of the most relevant instruments of secondary law, such as the Services Directive and the Citizens’ Rights Directive. The course also provides a platform for critical reflection on the manner in which the Court of Justice and the EU legislature have exercised their mandate to eliminate barriers to free movement within the EU, as well as on the resulting tensions concerning the protection of non market values, such as health, the environment and fundamental rights, and the preservation of a degree of autonomy for the Member States.

Course objectives

Objectives of the course
At the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Find, read and interpret different sources of EU law on free movement, including primary and secondary law and case law;

  • Apply these different sources in concrete cases;

  • Know and explain the basic principles underpinning the EU internal market;

  • Express a reasoned opinion on key concepts of the EU internal market, orally and in writing

Achievement levels
At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Solve practical cases

  • Construct a legal argument in writing

Timetable

Check MyTimetable.

Mode of instruction

Lectures

  • Number of (2 hour) lectures: 5

  • Names of lecturers: Vincent Delhomme

  • Required preparation by students: reading of materials prescribed on Brightspace.

Seminars

  • Number of (2 hour) seminars: 5

  • Names of instructors: Vincent Delhomme

  • Required preparation by students: reading of materials prescribed on Brightspace and preparation of the case studies provided for on Brightspace.

Assessment method

Examination form(s)

  • Written exam (100%)

Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination covers the required reading (literature) for the course and the subjects taught in the lectures and the seminars.

Resit
Students who fail the exam are entitled to sit a re-examination.

The review of the exam takes place via Ans after the publication of the results. Students have access to their feedback via Ans and can ask for further explanation.

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

Mandatory course materials
Literature:

  • C. Barnard and S. Peers (eds), European Union Law, Oxford University Press, latest edition

Reader:

  • Information and 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

Institution/division

  • Institute: Public Law

  • Department: European Law

  • Room number secretary: B. 1.11

  • Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.00 -17.00

  • Telephone number secretary: 071 – 527 3596

  • Email: europeesrecht@law.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks