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The LLM is an Advanced Masters degree of 60 ECTS organised by the Institute for European Studies, in cooperation with the VUB Faculty of Law. The selective student body (a maximum of 40 students each year) guarantees high quality interactive teaching.
The programme focuses on European and international legal issues through interactive seminars, and is taught by staff from universities in Belgium and abroad, and from the legal services of the European Union. The programme has now over 1200 graduates working for major international law firms, international and European institutions, and in academia.
The LLM offers a unique mixture of European and international public and business law in the following fields:
Institutional Law and Judicial Protection
Economic and Competition Law
External Relations
Sustainable development and the Environment
Human Rights
Criminal Law
Taxation
Comparative Law
The LLM in International and European law is a one-year 60 ECTS Advanced Master's degree. It is a demanding day course which is composed of compulsory courses and two specialisation options: Public Law or Business Law. Students also have to carry out legal research as part of their thesis (worth 18 ECTS credits). See individual course details for assessment modes and more information.
Compulsory
- EU Institutional Framework and Judicial Protection (first semester, 6 credits)
Profs. Y. DEVUYST and Prof. D. ARTS. - Globalization, International Law & Sustainable Development (first semester, 3 credits)
Prof. S. van THIEL. - International and Comparative Law (first semester, 6 credits)
Prof. S. SMIS and Prof. R. GOSALBO BONO. - EU Economic Law (first semester, 3 credits)
Prof. T. JORIS. - International and European Protection of Human Rights (first semester, 3 credits)
Prof. S. GUTWIRTH. - International Economic Law and Organizations (first semester, 3 credits)
Prof. F. HOFFMEISTER. - International and EU Competition Law (second semester, 3 credits)
Prof. B. SMULDERS. - EU External Relations (second semester, 3 credits)
Prof. B. MARTENCZUK. - Sub-total: 30 credits
Optional
- Public Law Option
- Case Study on Public International/EU Law (second semester, 6 credits)
Prof. S. OBERTHÜR and Prof. H. KALIMO. - EU Environmental Law in an International Context (second semester, 3 credits)
Prof. S. OBERTHÜR and Prof. H. KALIMO. - International and European Criminal Law (second semester, 3 credits)
Prof. S. SMIS
- Case Study on Public International/EU Law (second semester, 6 credits)
- Business Law Option
- Case Study on European Competition Law (second semester, 6 credits)
Prof. T. JORIS - International and European Private Law (second semester, 3 credits)
Prof. A. NUYTS - International and European Taxation (second semester, 3 credits)
Prof. S. VAN THIEL
- Case Study on European Competition Law (second semester, 6 credits)
- Sub-total: 12 credits
Master thesis
- Thesis: Compulsory legal research within one of the fields covered by the Programme (first and second semesters, 18 credits)
Total: 60 Credits
The administration of the LLM in International and European Law will not be able to extend any financial support, with the exception of the below noted tuition waiver, to a student, arriving at the Programme without having secured the minimum amount for living expenses necessary for the full period of the academic year. However, a number of internal and external scholarships might be available.
IES scholarship
The programme itself offers a number of scholarships that take the form of a reduced tuition fee. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and demonstrable need. Students have to apply for the tuition waiver when submitting their application for the programme.
University scholarship
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel yearly awards a number of scholarships for advanced studies at Master or Advanced Master level. However, candidates must above all explore the possibilities of obtaining financial assistance in their home countries.
Other scholarships
Other scholarships may be available from the following sources:
- Rotary Foundation Fellowships may be available. Candidates should contact the Rotary Foundation within their district.
- Within the framework of bilateral cultural agreements concluded by Belgium or the Flemish Community, fellowships are offered to students in a number of countries. Interested students should inquire directly with the relevant Ministry in their home country or the Belgian Embassy.
- The Belgian office for Development Co-operation also awards fellowships for students from countries which are included on their list of developing countries. For information, contact the Belgian Embassy or Consulate in your country.
- U.S. students can apply for
- Fulbright-Hays Fellowship
- Commission for Relief in Belgium Fellowships (Belgian American Education Foundation)
- Post-graduate fellowships of the Flemish Community
Accreditation
NVAO accredited programme