Euroin Law and Economics (EMLE)

In the first trimester, all first-trimester partner universities offer the same courses to about 25-35 students each: Introduction to Microeconomics, Introduction to Law, Concepts and Methods of Law and Economics, Competition Law and Economics, Public Law and Economics, Tort Law and Economics.

In the second trimester (same group size), all second-trimester partner universities offer four additional foundational courses: Contract Law and Economics, Property Law and Economics, Corporate Law and Economics and Empirical Legal Studies. Moreover, each university offers one specialised course: Environmental Law and Economics (Ghent), Economics of Constitutional and Administrative Law (Hamburg), and Law and Economics in the Courts (Rotterdam).

Each of the six third-trimester partners hosts five to 15 students, offering two complementary courses in its area of specialisation. Aix-en-Provence (France): Dynamic Approaches to Law and Economics; Haifa (Israel): Behavioural Law and Economics; Hamburg (Germany): European and International Law and Economics; Mumbai (India): Law and Economics of Development; Vienna (Austria): Advanced Public Law and Economics; Warsaw (Poland): Law and Economics of Finance.

The main focus of the third trimester is the writing of the Master's thesis, in the form of an academic paper of about 11,500 words, on a specific subject in Economic Analysis of Law. The limited number of students per partner university allows thesis supervision to be offered individually by a specialist in the subject. Each university offers thesis supervision in the subject areas of specialisation, but given that in most partner universities the staff also focuses on other areas of Economic Analysis of Law, the Master's thesis can be written on virtually any topic in Economic Analysis of Law.

Successful students will receive an official degree from every partner university at which they spend a term (LLM titles or Master's titles equivalent to an LLM/system of multiple degrees).

Educational organisation

Obligatory lectures combined with case studies, group work, essays, and independent study

Study abroad unit(s)

Students are required to study at at least two and have the opportunity to study at three of the partner universities during the programme.

Internships

Students assigned to Warsaw as third-trimester university will be provided with an internship at an international law firm, consultancy or company for the duration of at least one month.

Forms of assessment

Each mandatory course is followed by a written exam. Together with the Master's thesis in the form of a scientific paper of about 11,500 words, students will obtain 60 ECTS over the course of their studies.

Course objectives

Master's graduates of the EMLE will have knowledge and skills that exceed Bachelor's level. They will be able to apply Economic Analysis of Law in new sets of circumstances, to formulate opinions based on limited information taking into account social responsibilities, and to convey insights from the Economic Analysis of Law in a clear way to both a specialised and a non-specialised audience. EMLE graduates will also have the capabilities for pursuing additional studies autonomously. This includes, most notably, interdisciplinary research in legal and/or economic fields. These learning outcomes are detailed in the following overview.

Students will learn:
1. the precise meaning of economic concepts used in different fields of law
2. the economic interpretation of legal concepts in various fields of law
3. the economic methods to explain and assess the effects of law, including an introduction to cost-benefit analysis and Regulatory Impact Assessment

Students will learn to analyse legal problems using economic methods. This will enable them
1. to use economic insights in solving real-life cases in various fields of the law
2. to assess proposals to change the law on their economic merits
3. to recognise trade-offs of the law (in particular between different efficiency goals and between economic efficiency and possibly conflicting goals of justice)
4. to assess the need and possibilities for harmonisation of laws, relying on the common economic basis of the laws of the EC Member States and the economic benefits of centralised decision-making

Students will also learn how to write a scientific paper on a topic within the purview of the Economic Analysis of Law.

Language requirements

TOEFL: minimum score of 587 paper-based, 240 computer-based or 95 internet based
IELTS (academic module): minimum score of 6.5
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Grades A, B, C
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: Grades A, B, C
(Please check http://www.emle.org for updates.)

Academic requirements

First degree (BA, LLB, BSc, German "Diplom", First State Exam) in Law, Economics or Business Administration
Graduates with a degree in a social sciences field that includes courses in Law or Economics can also apply.
The degree must qualify the applicant for admission to an LLM programme or an equivalent Master's programme at universities in their home country.

Enrolment fees

The enrolment fees are included in the general tuition fee.

Costs of living

We recommend that single students budget at least 800 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, living, health insurance, books).

Job opportunities

Students who enrol in a full-time programme will generally have only limited time for part-time jobs.
As a rule, students who hold an international student visa may work within certain limits. Please enquire with the local coordinators about national regulations concerning these limits.

Funding opportunities within the university

The European Union provides attractive scholarship opportunities for EMLE students through two separate programmes.
Firstly, the Erasmus Mundus Programme offers generous grants to Non-European students.
Secondly, European students may also benefit from the Erasmus Mobility Grants.
Furthermore, up to 15 highest ranked, admitted Non-European applicants who are not nominated for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship will be offered a partial waiver of the tuition fee of 4,000 EUR. The same applies to the best four admitted European applicants who will be offered a partial waiver of the tuition fee of 2,000 EUR.
Scholarships and grants: http://emle.org/index.php/applicants/scholarships
http://www.uni-hamburg.de/internationales/studieren-an-der-uhh/finanzierung-des-studiums_e.html

Arrival support

Students and researchers can find information on how to get started in Hamburg on the website of the PIASTA programme at the Universität Hamburg Department of International Affairs (http://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta_e.html) and on the website of the Hamburg Welcome Center (http://english.welcome.hamburg.de).
During the International Welcome Week organised by PIASTA, you will be able to get in touch with all the important institutions and contacts which are particularly useful for international students: http://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/veranstaltungen/international-welcome-week_e.html

Services and support for international students

Students will receive student services and support via the EMLE offices at the respective partner universities.
Contact data and preliminary information about the available facilities can be found at http://emle.org/index.php/why-emle/universities

Accommodation

Accommodation is available through the "Studierendenwerk" (students' services) or on the private market. The "Studierendenwerk" provides rooms in halls of residence, most of which are single rooms with shared kitchens and showers/WCs. We strongly advise students and researchers to arrange accommodation prior to arriving in Hamburg, as demand for affordable accommodation is sometimes larger than supply.
For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please refer to: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf