European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE)

European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE)

This European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE) programme offers a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary studies of law and economics at two or even three European and non-European universities. Each partner university awards a Master's degree (LL.M. / M.A. / M.Sc.). The programme provides students with an advanced understanding of the economic effects of divergent laws and prepares students for a professional career, for example, in public organisations, multinational law firms or consultancy firms. Graduates are also well prepared for doctorate research in a PhD programme such as the European Doctorate in Law and Economics (EDLE).

The EMLE has been recognized by the European Commission as an Erasmus Mundus Master Programme of "outstanding academic quality". The Erasmus Mundus label allows the EMLE programme to annually grant a substantial number of scholarships (including several full scholarships to non-European students).

For law students, the knowledge of the specific regulations of their home country is too narrow a base for counselling firms that are active in international trade. Additionally, familiarity with the economic effects of legal rules has become indispensable for understanding their client's commercial needs.

Similarly, economics students will profit from an accurate understanding of the institutional legal framework of market economies. For both lawyers and economists, knowledge of other disciplines and international contacts are crucial for a successful future career.

The EMLE programme is the institutional response to these challenges.

EMLE Programme Features

The EMLE programme offers the following unique combination of features:

A truly interdisciplinary approach:

• Lectures in both law and economics
• A programme that is open to graduates of law or economic faculties
• A large faculty consisting of leading academics and practitioners in the field of law and economics

An international curriculum, faculty, and student body

• The possibility of studying at three different universities out of seven European partners and several non-European partner universities
• A network of highly qualified students from over 30 nations

A small student body at each partner university to ensure an intensive learning experience

Programme Structure

The programme covers one academic year, for which successful students will receive 60 ECTS points. The courses start at the beginning of October and end in June. The academic year is divided into three terms. The unique international and interdisciplinary character of the EMLE Programme is secured through extensive cooperation between lawyers and economists at no less than seven European Universities and three non-European partners. Students may study at up to three different universities but cannot spend all terms in the same location.

In the first two terms, students can choose among three teaching centres. This leads to an average class size of up to 35 students, given a maximum of 105 admitted students in the entire program.

• In the first term, courses will be offered at the Universities of Rotterdam, Hamburg and Bologna. Classes generally start in the first week of October; exams finish in late December.
• In the second term, students will study at the Universities of Ghent, Hamburg or Bologna. Classes generally start in the first week of January; exams finish in late March.
• In the third term, there are more teaching centres and a lower average class size. Courses are offered in Aix-en-Provence, Bologna, Haifa, Hamburg, Manchester, Rotterdam and Vienna. Classes generally start in the first week of April; exams finish in late June. Mumbai and Warsaw joined the network in 2010/2011 while Manchester will no longer participate; Bologna will cease to offer courses in the third term.

Admission Requirements

The EMLE is a postgraduate course. Preference will be given to applicants who already have a first master's degree.

The minimum requirement for admission is a bachelor's degree, provided that this degree leads to employability in the relevant labour market. In particular, concerning the legal profession, stricter job qualifying criteria (first master's degree) may be required by national regulations.

Applicants with a bachelor's degree only need to provide proof that this degree is an appropriate level of qualification in the labour market in their home country.

Besides graduates in Law or Economics, students with a first degree in Business Administration or in other social sciences may also apply if the curriculum includes a substantial number of courses in law and/or economics. The above requirement concerning employability in the labour market equally applies.

Application Procedure

The application procedure differs depending on whether an applicant is considered a ‘European student’ or ‘third country student’ by the criteria of the European Union. European students are those who either,

• have a passport of an EU Member State or the EEA-EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), or
• have carried out their main activities (studies, work, etc) for more than a total of 12 months over the last five years in any of the above countries.

All applicants who are characterized by neither of the above conditions are considered ahird country students.

Note that students with multiple nationalities who are citizens of one of the countries listed in the definition, as well as of a non-European country, and who have not spent 12 months in Europe may choose whether they want to apply as European or as third-country students.