University of Osnabrück - European Legal Studies Institute
LL.M. Master of European Technology Law (METL)
Osnabrück, Germany
LLM
DURATION
3 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jun 2027*
EARLIEST START DATE
12 Oct 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 4,860 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* The next application window for all applicants will be mid-April to mid-June. For applicants who have previously studied in Germany, the deadline is July 15th.
** payable in 2 instalments across first 2 semesters
Key Summary
About: The Master of European Technology Law (METL) at Osnabrück University's School of Law, run by the European Legal Studies Institute, blends EU law and digitalization with technical fundamentals. It gives lawyers technical knowledge and helps engineers design for legal compliance via interdisciplinary modules, research-oriented theory and practical projects. The part-time, condensed programme uses small learning groups and works with the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science & Physics and DFKI. Keywords: technology law, AI governance, data protection, IP, compliance.
Career Outcomes: Graduates qualify for roles in international law firms, as in-house counsel, IP and IT departments, legal-tech consultancy, compliance positions.
As lawyers working on many law & tech projects, we often wondered why has nobody explained to us how these things work; and when we finally grasped how they do, and shared with our project partners in the tech field that their technical solutions faced some legal hurdles, they asked in return why we hadn’t told them earlier. This led us to the conclusion that something was missing, leading us to develop a programme that we wished we would have studied ourselves to avoid such hurdles. A programme that provides enough technical knowledge for lawyers to enable technical innovation and helps engineers design with eye on legal compliance.
Welcome to the Master of European Technology Law!
AI, Autonomous Robots, AR, Big Data, Digital Twins, and the Internet of Things challenge the legal system just as much as the legal system influences how innovative ideas must be designed, tested, and launched to succeed in the market. Understanding both legal and technological terminology and concepts is key to turning technical innovation into reality. That’s why we have created an interdisciplinary master's programme combining methods and content from law and technology. The programme includes research-oriented theory and practical projects to develop future skills.
- Key areas: Our fields of technology cover Smart Factories, Platform Business Models, Logistics, Smart Farming and Smart Cities.
- Open-minded: We don't teach national law. All courses are focused on the European Digital Single Market.
- Interdisciplinary: Staff and students are mixed groups of lawyers and data professionals. Industry-based workshops enhance the practical application and value.
- Small learning group: The program admits a maximum of 25 students.
- Adapted to your needs: The program includes a thorough alignment phase dependent on the respective background.
- Condensed: Based on a condensed schedule (Thursdays and Fridays), the program can be combined with your current career.
- Flexibility: We want to see you on Campus! But we offer hybrid formats for those days (up to 4) that a class does not fit your schedule.
- Multifaceted - combine the Master of European Technology Law with a PhD. This might be possible for applicants who have completed at least a bachelor in law that lasted a minum of 8 semesters and focused on at least two of the following areas: private law, public law and crminal law.
- Career prospects: The Master of European Technology Law prepares graduates for careers in international law firms, as in-house lawyers, in IP and IT departments as well as in technology industries.
If your educational background is technical (as opposed to legal) and you still wish to apply, please contact Matt LeMieux at mlemieux@uos.de
The Master's degree course is aimed at international and domestic graduates who seek to explore the interaction of law and technology and have obtained their first degree either in law or a suitable tech related degree such as (Business) Informatics, Cognitive Science, (Computer) Linguistics, Mathematics or Engineering. The part-time programme caters to professionals who need to balance studies with their current career. It is equally attractive for non-German students who want to spend a year on campus and engage in further academic activities, such as research or language training.
Because the instructional language is English, applicants need a good knowledge (B2 level) of English. Please consult our webpage for more specific information on the langauge requirements.
The Masters Program consists of 6 Modules
Modules 1-3 will be offered each winter term, modules 4-6 each summer term. The masters thesis is planned for the third term, but may be started immediately after the second term classes end (summer break).
Introduction and Approximation Phase (Module 1)
For Lawyers:
- Introduction to Data Science
- Introduction to Logical Thinking
- Coding in Practice: Introduction to Programming
For Data Scientists and Engineers:
- Introduction to German Law
- Introduction to Law & Regulation
- Law in Practice: Interpretation & Application
Introduction Law and Technology (Module 2)
- Law & Technology
- Union Law in the Multilevel System
Compliance by Design and Contract Drafting (Module 3)
- Contract Law: Basic Rules and Drafting Techniques
- Compliance by Design/Digital Twins
Technology Law (Module 4)
- Artificial Intelligence & Liability
- IP in the Innovation Cycle
Data Economy Law (Module 5)
- Introduction to Data Law
- Data Protection
- Cyber Security
- Data Governance & AI
Fields of Technology (Module 6) (Please Choose One)
Elective 1: Platforms – Digital Infrastructures for the Exchange of Products and Services
- E-Commerce
- Platform Regulation
- Industry Workshop Platforms as Business Model
Elective 2: Smart Factory – Production Based on Intelligent Assistant Systems and Robotics
- Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) & Predictive Maintenance
- European Patent Law or European Copyright Law
- Industry Workshop Robotics & Automatisation
Elective 3: Logistics – AR & VR in Planing, Consignment and Transport
- Augmented & Virtual Reality
- Supply Chain & Climate
- Industry Workshop Supply Chain Management
Elective 4: Smart Cities – Digital Transformation and Optimization of Use of Resources
- Ethics of AI or Fundamental Rights
- Smart Cities
- Workshop in Cooperation with the "Smart City" Osnabrück
Elective 5: Smart Farming – Data Driven Optimization of Input and Output in Agricultural Production
- Autonomous Systems
- European Patent Law or European Copyright Law
- Industry Workshop Smart Farming
+ Lecture Series European Law & Technology
Learn from Law & Tech Professors and Professionals from EU Member States.
As a special feature, we offer a lecture series on “Law & Technology” in cooperation with the Osnabrueck branch of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (Research Department Cooperative and Autonomous Systems).
Each lecture will focus on either a new application of technology (such as AI, AR & VR, IIoT etc.) and cover current issues from various legal perspectives, or on one area of law (e.g. anti-trust, contract, cyber security, criminal law, product safety, IP) and cover different types of technology.
Confirmed speakers for 2026 are:
- Prof. Dr. Martin Atzmüller, German Reseach Center for Artificial Intelligence, Osnabrueck/Germany
- Prof. Nadja Purtova, University of Utrecht, Utrecht/The Netherlands
- Joanna Rindell, Trilitec, London/Great Britain
- Triin Siil, Cybernetica, Tallinn/Estonia
- Dr. Berdien van der Donck, EU Commission, Copenhagen/Denmark
Winter semester 2026/2027
Start of master courses: October 19, 2026
Christmas vacation: December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2026
End of master courses: February 12, 2027
End of semester: March 31, 2027
Summer semester 2027
Start of semester: April 1, 2027
Start of master courses: April 5, 2027
End of courses: July 10, 2027
End of master semester: September 30, 2027
AI, Autonomous Robots, AR, Big Data, Digital Twins, and the Internet of Things challenge the legal system just as much as the legal system influences how innovative ideas must be designed, tested, and launched to succeed in the market. Understanding both legal and technological terminology and concepts is key to turning technical innovation into reality. As innovation and products freely circulate within the European Digital Market, our courses have a strong focus on European law.
Our Master of European Technology Law provides a unique opportunity for achieving interdisciplinary competence. It lays the foundations for law and technology in two separate tracks:
- Lawyers will become acquainted with algorithms, data science, and coding.
- Data professionals will be introduced to the basics of legal methodology, contract, and tort law.
Classes combining both student groups (legal and tech) provide a unique opportunity to discuss current issues with leading scholars and your peers.
Graduates of the part-time Master's degree course in EU Technology Law gain a broad-based qualification for future high-tech activities. Especially for people who want to actively shape the digital transformation in their company, this program represents a tailor-made qualification in terms of lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
In-depth knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving open new opportunities in the job market. The Master of European Technology Law prepares graduates for careers in international law firms, as in-house lawyers, in IP and IT departments, as well as in technology industries.
At the European Legal Studies Institute (ELSI), the interplay between law and technology is a high priority, as can be seen by the close cooperation with our colleagues from the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science & Physics as well as the Osnabrück branch of the German Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). Additionally, partner companies & law firms will open their doors to our students for exclusive workshops, merging the theoretical with the practical.
Scholarships
The University of Osnabrück and cooperating partners may award several scholarships, amounting to partial or full tuition waivers, to the best applicants.
In addition, prospective students may apply for scholarships offered by various foundations, companies, and organizations. For example, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships for foreign students wishing to study in Germany.