Leiden University

LLM Advanced Studies in European and International Business Law

The European Union is one of the most influential international organisations in the world. But how does it impact on governance, enterprise and innovation within a global economy, in the area of business law? And how does EU law interact with that of other international organisations? As the EU passes a growing number of economic regulations, these mandates increasingly interact with global trade regulations and with those of its Member States. Businesses that operate internationally are faced with various layers of jurisdiction that sometimes have an unclear hierarchy. In the European and International Business Law programme, you will learn how to decipher the complex hierarchy of European and international business law. You will become familiar with the case method approach and the combined research/transfer of knowledge approach. You will also develop a thorough understanding of how EU Law interacts with global economic law.

What you will learn

As a graduate, you will be well prepared for challenging positions in a wide variety of national and international organisations.

How you will learn

You will learn not only the specifics of EU law in the narrow sense, but also about its multifold relationships with the WTO, as well as international investment law, intellectual property law, corporate law and many other areas of law. These interrelationships are highly complex and require proficiency in many areas so as to fully understand the depths of global commercial relations.You will complete the programme by writing a thesis.

Career prospects

The majority of our graduates enter careers in international departments of law firms, international businesses and international bureaus of government service or international agencies. Alumni have proven to be well prepared for the fierce competition for interesting positions, both academically and professionally. For example, graduates are working in judges' cabinets at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and for governments of new EU Member States.

Our alumni have found jobs working with:

• judges’ cabinets at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg
• Directorates of the European Commission
• Ministries of Foreign Affairs
• the World Trade Organization

They have also been selected for PhD and research positions at the most prestigious academic institutions, including the European University Institute in Florence.