LLM in International and European Law
Brussels School of Governance (BSoG)
Key Information
Campus location
Brussels, Belgium
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Part time
Tuition fees
EUR 6,000 / per year *
Application deadline
31 Aug 2024
Earliest start date
23 Sep 2024
* it excludes the cost for study materials, which is approximately €500
Introduction
This innovative LLM’s curriculum offers the best of both worlds: on the one hand, it provides solid foundations in the core areas of international and European law, building on the strengths of the programme’s 50-year history. On the other, the new curriculum offers its students a holistic approach of today’s emerging global legal challenges, focusing on the following three challenges: sustainability – social inclusiveness & human rights – digitalisation.
This LLM in International and European Law is a programme that is organised by the Institute for European Studies, a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, and of which the degree will be awarded by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). The Institute for European Studies is part of the Brussels School of Governance, an alliance with Vesalius College, established in February 2021.
Key features
- Innovative LLM with holistic approach of contemporary global legal challenges, focusing on sustainability – social inclusiveness & human rights – digitalisation
- Versatile training. Students will be able to assume key responsibilities in interconnected areas that require highly specialised legal knowledge, leadership skills and intercultural approaches
- Taught at the Brussels School of Governance, a leading institute in policy and fundamental research of the highest quality in an international context. Its President, former EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, is one of the professors in the LLM.
- The Brussels School of Governance’s central location in Brussels, which allows the programme to benefit from the knowledge and networks of professors working at the EU and other institutions and law firms in Brussels. Teaching staff includes a former European Trade Commissioner, the President of the Litigation Chamber at the Belgian Data Protection Authority, a Deputy Director-General (DG Competition) and a Head of Unit (DG Trade) in the European Commission, a partner in an international law firm, and renowned researchers
- Cutting-edge education. It is an exclusively advanced master: basics of international and European law are a prerequisite
- Experience: programme of excellence established in 1971.
- Limited class size ensures high interaction and close contacts among students and with the professors, helping create true bonds that last
- Alumni network of over 1300 lawyers from 110 countries
- Supported by the expertise of our Office for Teaching, Learning and Innovation to accommodate sophisticated blended teaching methods
The Brussels School of Governance hosts important research projects funded by the EU in topics such as sustainability, climate policies, the role of the EU in the world politics, digitalisation, and migration and diversity,among other topics. This environment allows LLM students to learn about developments in these topics directly from those who are leading the field.
Studying in Brussels offers students some unique advantages that could just give them the edge in achieving their career goals. The students will benefit from the immediate vicinity of EU institutions and numerous international organisations, law firms, NGOs and companies, where several professors are working.
Limited class size ensures high interaction amongst professors and students, who are of truly versatile international backgrounds.
Curriculum
The LLM has three components: the first block deals with core contemporary areas of international and European Law, with a total of 18 ECTS. The second block trains students on the major challenges of the interconnected global and cross-cutting areas: sustainability, social inclusiveness and human rights, and digitalisation. Each of these areas is weighted equally, i.e. 9 credits for a total of 27 ECTS. The third (research) block of 15 credits consists of writing a Master’s thesis on a topic chosen by the student, with personalised guidance during the process.
For more information, please visit our website here.
Teaching staff
The teaching staff is a unique mixture of renowned EU scholars, top-level EU practitioners and practising lawyers that combine academic rigour with the latest practical insights and cultural diversity.
Curriculum
This LLM has three components:
- Core areas of international and European law (12 ECTS): Deepen your understanding of EU History and Law and policymaking and Interest Representation.
- Emerging global challenges (30 ECTS each): Engage with courses in EU External Relations Law, EU Migration and Human Rights Law, EU and Global Sustainability Law, The Law of the Transforming EU Economy, and EU Data Law, focusing on Data Protection, AI, and beyond.
- Research block (18 ECTS): Culminate your studies with an MA thesis, demonstrating your expertise in a chosen topic under personalized guidance.