Maastricht University, Faculty of Law
LLB in European Law School
Maastricht, Netherlands
LLB
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jan 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 13,200 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* institutional fees | €2,695 - statutory fees
Key Summary
Study legal issues with peers from around the world through a comparative and European perspective. Instead of a national lens, analyse lawmakers' choices across legal systems and explore how national, European, and international laws interact to shape the current and future legal landscape.
At the European Law School, we educate European jurists in a globalising world.
Our students develop the analytical and critical thinking skills that are essential to the legal discipline. You will learn how to analyse, compare, and reflect critically on the choices made across different legal systems. The programme also focuses on the role of European law in the world and explores the interaction between national, European, and international legal frameworks. Throughout your studies, you will be challenged to think about how law can help address complex issues facing European and global societies.
What will you learn?
The European Law School bachelor’s programme spans three years. In the first two years, you’ll build a solid foundation across the main fields of law, including constitutional law, private law, international law, and European Union law, while learning to apply a comparative perspective. You'll also study the historical, philosophical, and economic roots of legal systems. Throughout the programme, you will develop practical skills through legal challenges, research projects, and moot court competitions.
In the final year, you can tailor your degree by choosing electives, studying abroad, or doing an internship, allowing you to specialise and prepare for an international legal career.
By the time you graduate from the European Law School, you will have strong analytical abilities, advanced legal skills, and a unique global perspective. However, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) is typically considered an academic foundation rather than a fully qualifying law degree. That’s why most of our graduates choose to continue their education by pursuing a Master’s degree (LL.M), further specialising and strengthening their expertise for an international legal career.
- Would you like to explore law beyond national borders?
- Do you want to develop strong legal reasoning in an international setting?
- Are you analytical and eager to be challenged academically?
First Year
- Constitutional Law
- Introduction to Law and Legal Reasoning
- Introduction to Private Law
- International and European Law
- Thinking Like a Lawyer
- Foundations of Law
Second Year
- Private Law
- Legal Research
- Law of the European Union
- Criminal Law
- Philosophy of Private Law
- Conflict Prevention and Resolution
- Criminal Procedure
- Administrative Law
Third Year
- Final Legal Challenge European Law School
- Bachelor European Law School electives
- Bachelor internship European Law School
- Build an international career in the public or private sector
- Specialise in European, international, or comparative law
- Work at an international organisation, a government institution, or an NGO
Graduates of the European Law School are in high demand for their unique comparative and European legal expertise. They work across the public and private sectors, nationally, in Europe, and internationally, in diverse legal and non-legal roles.
A European Law School degree demonstrates deep knowledge of core legal fields, major legal traditions, and EU law, and prepares you to thrive in multilingual and multicultural environments. As with any law degree, we encourage you to consider your career goals early.
Maastricht, home to the historic Maastricht Treaty, offers the perfect setting for a truly international legal education. Located in the heart of Europe, Maastricht University attracts a diverse, global student community. The students in the European Law School programme represent close to 60 different nationalities, and 41% of the academic staff at the Faculty of Law come from abroad. Such diversity creates an international atmosphere that is strengthened by the programme’s global orientation.
For over 30 years, Maastricht University has been a leading hub for research and education in European and comparative law. Here, you’ll learn in a cross-border environment that prepares you for an international career, all while living in a lively student city known for its international spirit.
Our unique Problem-Based Learning method stimulates you to think beyond the classroom and consider your role as a global citizen. Through collaboration in small groups and project work, you’ll see the real-world impact of what you’re learning, opening your eyes to the broader responsibility that comes with knowledge.
You will be trained in many different (legal) skills, like working with reference books, mediation, negotiation, and advanced legal writing skills. Additionally, you will have the possibility to join international moot court competitions, where our law faculty has built an excellent reputation for performing outstandingly and has been awarded the first prize in competitions such as the European Law Moot Court Competition, the VAR Moot Court Competition and the National Round of the Philip Jessup Moot Competition.