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European and International Business Law (Advanced Master Programme)

Master

Programme overview

Courses are taught by expert staff with an international reputation and by guest lecturers who hold senior positions with legal firms, international courts or business organisations. Teaching is grounded in the Law School’s distinguished research programme, ‘The progression of EU law: accommodating change and upholding values.'

You will become familiar with the case method approach and the combined research/transfer of knowledge approach. You will also develop a thorough understanding of how EU Law interacts with global economic law.

You will learn to:

apply your knowledge of the law, your experience and your skills in a professional environment

formulate research questions and appropriate strategies for answering these questions and testing hypotheses

apply adequate legal scientific research methods and tools and to present and communicate results and findings, both in an academic as well as in professional context

More information about the programme structure

Educational methods

In the programme, you will be required to complete eight courses, work on the European Law Moot Court and write a thesis. Classes take place in the form of seminars, normally held in two to three-hour sessions, two to three times a week per course. You will also be actively encouraged to take part in academic activities outside the curriculum, such as Moot Court competitions, participation in conferences and workshops, field trips and internships.

The teaching takes place in small, seminar style classes, which require your active participation. You will be taught by expert faculty from the European and International Business Law programme, visiting international professors and distinguished legal practitioners specialised in specific aspects of European and international business law.

While maintaining the highest academic standards, this programme will help you further develop your professional skills through giving presentations and participating in an optional moot court competition. For the moot court, you will receive skills trainings in research, analysis, legal writing and pleading. You will gain further experience in preparing oral pleadings and written submissions for a legal case, as well as arguing before a panel of judges.

You will complete the programme by writing a thesis.

Student support services

The programme coordinator will be your first point of contact before, during and after the programme. The coordinator can help you with all kinds of practical questions related to your programme and can refer you to someone else if necessary.

Jaar 1

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Regulating EU External Trade 4
The Legal Foundations of the European Union 6
The Internal Market and Regulation 8
European and International Corporate and Financial Law 8
European and International Intellectual Property Law 4
European and International Competition Law 8
WTO and Investment Law 8
International Arbitration 4

Arbeidsmarkt

Career orientation

Career preparation in Adv. LLM in European and International Business Law

In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.

'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:

  1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills

Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.

  1. Transferable skills

These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.

But also think of job application skills: preparing a CV, formulating a cover letter, compiling a LinkedIn profile, networking, practising job interviews, preparing and holding a pitch.

  1. Self-reflection

This involves reflecting on your own (study) career (choices), reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Gaining insight into, among other things, your competences and personality, your (work) values and motives. what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?

  1. Practical experience
    It is possible to gain practical experience by applying your knowledge of the law, your experience and your skills in a professional environment, via external research, internships and projects with practical assignments.

  2. Labour market orientation

Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers from the work field, alumni presentations and experiences, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, discussions with people from the work field, and visiting companies in the context of the field of European and International Business Law.

Employability in Adv. LLM in European and International Business Law / labour market programme

Discipline-specific knowledge and skills

The programme's strengths primarily stem from its focused curriculum, which blends in-depth theoretical exploration of a dynamic legal field with practical learning through problem-solving methodologies. The first semester of the programme covers general principles and theories, with core courses introducing Legal Foundations of the European Union, The EU Internal Market – the four freedoms, and International and European Competition Law. The end of the first semester and the second semester delve into specialized topics, such as Regulating the Digital Economy, WTO & Investment Law and Sustainability Law. The curriculum offers students courses and choices that adapt to the challenges of the work of an international lawyer. The programme emphasizes critical analysis and practical skills by linking theory to real-world cases and fostering a deep understanding of business law from both the European and International perspectives.

This approach, in conjunction with the depth and structure of instruction, and the programme's experiential dimension, equips students with the knowledge and essential skills required for a variety of professional roles in the field of European and International Business Law, spanning from legal counsel law firms, in-house counsels for both public and private companies to cutting-edge research.

Shared transferable skills

The Advanced European and International Business Law programme looks to develop further students' transferable skills in handling legal materials, both orally and in writing, fostering the ability to apply relevant case law and rules in professional contexts and laying the foundation for future academic research in this field. The research, drafting and oral & written presentation skills that are developed throughout the programme will be of benefit to students, whatever line of work they decide to go into.

Self-reflection

The Advanced European and International Business Law programme encourages students to look at their initial goals with a view to growth and development in future fields that students previously may have not thought of. Gaining competences and abilities that question and examine thoughts, emotions, actions, and experiences, often with the goal of gaining clarity, insight, or personal growth. This act of introspection allows you to pause and ask yourself critical questions like: What motivates me? What do I want to aspire to achieve?

Practical experience

The Advanced European and International Business Law programme aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and education, on the one hand, and practical work, on the other. The teaching methods are geared toward long-term and problem-based learning, creating an interactive classroom culture that fosters peer learning and individual progress that goes beyond theoretical knowledge on the subjects taught. Links to legal practice are created through the intense study of case law and practical problems in class, the writing of papers and the making of presentations, and guest lecturers brought in from legal practice.

The students themselves can add to their practical experience by applying their knowledge of the law, their experience and skills in a professional environment, via external research, internships and projects with practical assignments.

Labour market orientation

Regular and guest lecturers from legal practice in different contexts, visits to EU institutions and law firms as well meetings with graduates of the Advanced European and International Business Law programme allow the students to get in touch with practitioners in the field, which means that they have the opportunity to build a legal and professional network.

Activities to prepare for the labour market outside the curriculum

The Advanced European and International Business Law programme provides students with exceptional networking opportunities, invaluable peer-to-peer career guidance, and potential career advancement possibilities. Initiatives in this regard include:

  • An established alumni community to facilitate connections and mentorship for current students.

  • A study trip to Luxemburg and Brussels, where The Advanced European and International Business Law programme students visit law firms and institutions engaged in European and International Business Law practices.

  • Career events, such as a ‘Careers Evening’, at which speakers, our former students and now graduated alumni, discuss their experiences of finding work within international organisations and academia.

  • Advanced Master Career Events to help enhance profiles and techniques for approaching the job market.

Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar
Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.

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