LLM Advanced Studies in Law and Digital Technologies
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
EUR 20,900 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for all students: Full time: €20,900 Part time: €10,450
Key Summary
Introduction
Leiden University’s Master of Laws in Advanced Studies in Law and Digital Technologies (L.L.M.) explores the law and governance relating to the internet, computers, mobile devices, persuasive technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, etc.
These digital technologies present unprecedented challenges to the law. They raise questions about their governance (e.g., in relation to the global reach and jurisdiction) and can both promote and threaten long-held fundamental values and rights, such as the right to privacy. Moreover, they can be effective tools for (cyber)crime, or impede government accountability if not used according to legitimate procedures. While the legal system is challenged by digital technologies, it is also the most powerful tool for regulating them. In this advanced master (L.L.M.) you will explore the multi-dimensional relationship between law and digital technologies with academic and professional experts in the field.
What does this master's programme entail?
The tension between law and digital technologies poses a particularly interesting challenge to lawyers and legal scholars. It is often claimed that technology develops faster than law. Nevertheless, accelerated changes in digital technologies are almost always followed by the rapid adaptation of existing laws, or the adoption of new ones. This creates a dynamic field of law that requires legal scholars and professionals not only to keep an up-to-date view, but also to develop a deep theoretical legal understanding of the legal issues surrounding emerging technologies, as well as practical skills to thrive in this growing interdisciplinary, global field. Our programme involves equipping students with such an overview, theoretical understanding, and practical skills.
Reasons for choosing Law and Digital Technologies at Leiden University?
As a student of the Law and Digital Technologies programme, you will benefit from:
- Multidisciplinary learning: You will develop expertise on the law and governance of digital technologies, by analysing the national, European and international legislation (hard law, soft law, case law) as well as by exploring broader ethical, societal challenges of digital technologies. In your studies, you will combine general regulatory theory (internet governance and techno-regulation) as well as national, European and international law (hard law, soft law and case law), and combine these with elements from philosophy and ethics of technology.
- Excellent reputation: Leiden Law School has developed its reputation for excellence by combining a high level of academic teaching with acclaimed and innovative research. This tradition of quality attracts prestigious professors and professionals from all over the world, who teach in a challenging and supportive atmosphere.
- International environment: In addition to the international focus of the curriculum, the unique mix of students and faculty that represent all continents makes our programme a truly international experience.
Is Law and Digital Technologies the right programme for you?
Are you interested in learning more about complex legal and regulatory issues related to the development and convergence of digital technologies? Law and Digital Technologies is a focused and demanding postgraduate programme that will advance your knowledge of this growing field of law. It is aimed at both legal professionals and top graduates who wish to acquire in-depth knowledge of law and digital technologies from a European, international and multidisciplinary perspective.
Curriculum
In this programme, you will learn about a range of legal, regulatory and ethical challenges related to digital technologies in the areas of amongst others privacy, data protection, cybercrime, internet governance, fundamental rights in the digital environment, law and artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, platform regulation etc. Your coursework will help you develop a deeper understanding of technology regulation and governance of digital infrastructures and applications. Your courses will address both the transnational sources of hard law, relevant case law and techno-regulation. Special attention will be paid to differences in addressing new legal questions arising from technological developments. In addition, the program offers a practicum in different modules, to practice relevant professional activities for the field of Law and Digital Technologies.
We offer courses with different orientations: courses to develop a holistic perspective on regulation of digital technologies (e.g. the core course Regulating Digital Technologies, or Ethics and Digital Technologies), courses around specific types of digital technologies (e.g. the core course Internet Governance, or Electronic Communications Law and Law and Human-Machine Interaction), courses centred around a specific body of law (e.g. Internet Privacy and EU Data Protection), and courses around specific themes in Law and Digital Technologies (such as Fundamental Rights and Digital Technologies, Cybercrime and Cybersecurity, Digital Children’s Rights, Platforms and Law). Throughout these courses, you will develop a variety of academic and practical skills through the use of different teaching and assessment methods. You will be introduced to a wide variety of perspectives through the diversity of teachers and guest lecturers and through working together in a highly international group of students who bring different experiences and perspectives to the classroom.
Courses
For detailed information on the courses and curricula, see the Prospectus. Please note that this guide refers to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may differ slightly. We re-evaluate the curriculum on a regular basis to follow the trends in our rapidly developing field and the most current active expertise of our staff.
TechTrends Workshops and other extra-curricular activities
We organise a series of workshops – TechTrends Workshops – for you to get acquainted with the latest trends in the industry. We also sometimes conduct extracurricular workshops. Moreover, we organise other extracurricular activities. Such activities include a trip to Brussels for Computer Privacy & Data Protection Conference (CPDP) and other study trips.
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Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Ideal Students
Is Law and Digital Technologies the right programme for you?
Are you interested in learning more about complex legal and regulatory issues related to the development and convergence of digital technologies? Law and Digital Technologies is a focused and demanding postgraduate programme that will foster your knowledge of this ever-growing field. It is aimed at both legal professionals and top graduates who wish to acquire in-depth knowledge of law and digital technologies from an international and multidisciplinary perspective.
Career Opportunities
This programme will provide you with cutting-edge knowledge and professional skills to navigate the complex and changeable world of digital technologies. Becoming a graduate of Leiden’s Law and Digital Technologies Advanced Studies programme will provide you with many opportunities for positions in a wide range of national and international organisations.
Our alumni have gone on to careers at:
- international law firms
- tech companies
- the judiciary
- governmental institutions
- NGOs
- academic and research institutions