EU Law - Leiden or Maastricht?


Stella*

Hello!

I have been admitted to the LL.M. European Law at both Leiden and Maastricht (in this last case, EU Law and Market Integration).

Which one is considered to be the best option for EU Law (reputation, academic programme etc.), given that I would like to specialise in EU Competition and Intelectual Property Law?

Also, any thoughts about Leiden's practicum and privatissimun, Maastricht's problem-based learning method and their effectiveness?

Thank you in advance!

Hello!

I have been admitted to the LL.M. European Law at both Leiden and Maastricht (in this last case, EU Law and Market Integration).

Which one is considered to be the best option for EU Law (reputation, academic programme etc.), given that I would like to specialise in EU Competition and Intelectual Property Law?

Also, any thoughts about Leiden's practicum and privatissimun, Maastricht's problem-based learning method and their effectiveness?

Thank you in advance!
quote
Inactive User

Good morning Stella!

As I did some research, I do believe that Maastricht is a no-brainer when it come to EU Law, especially, the private field of specialization.

I cannot really answer the Leiden question, as I haven't really spoken to anyone regarding their programme. It appears that they launched it this year, in particular. Leiden didn't offer EU Law in the previous years, if I remember correctly.

Regarding PBL system, it is believed, that it's considerably hard, however, rewarding. You're focusing on relative cases, in a small class and discussing the issue with your peers or lecturers. So it has been proven, that it really works in practice.

Long story short, that's why I chose Maastricht. If you have any further questions, please just let me know. Unfortunately, I cannot speak about Leiden in that regard :)

Good morning Stella!

As I did some research, I do believe that Maastricht is a no-brainer when it come to EU Law, especially, the private field of specialization.

I cannot really answer the Leiden question, as I haven't really spoken to anyone regarding their programme. It appears that they launched it this year, in particular. Leiden didn't offer EU Law in the previous years, if I remember correctly.

Regarding PBL system, it is believed, that it's considerably hard, however, rewarding. You're focusing on relative cases, in a small class and discussing the issue with your peers or lecturers. So it has been proven, that it really works in practice.

Long story short, that's why I chose Maastricht. If you have any further questions, please just let me know. Unfortunately, I cannot speak about Leiden in that regard :)
quote
Inactive User

Hello!

I have been admitted to the LL.M. European Law at both Leiden and Maastricht (in this last case, EU Law and Market Integration).

Which one is considered to be the best option for EU Law (reputation, academic programme etc.), given that I would like to specialise in EU Competition and Intelectual Property Law?

Also, any thoughts about Leiden's practicum and privatissimun, Maastricht's problem-based learning method and their effectiveness?

Thank you in advance!


I think both LLM can be equally good. From what I know both Leiden and Maastricht have been offering their LLM in EU law for quite some time already...
I studied at Maastricht for my LLB, and now I am at UvA for my LLM..I can absolutely recommend you Maastricht, as I always enjoyed both the atmosphere and the professors there.
If you were to choose Maastricht, I am sure you won't regret it..though, having said that, it is difficult to say which uni you should go for: both their LLM, correct me if I am wrong, are listed under the "top 10 LLMs for EU law" in this website..and both universities are within the top 50 for law according to both QS and THE (even though, those rankings are mostly bachelor-oriented from what I know)...All I can say, coming from a guy who has been living in the NL for the last few years, is that Leiden seems to enjoy a stronger reputation than Maastricht, even though (depending with whom you discuss this subject) in the last few years Leiden's reputation seems to start fading away for some reason.


PS if I were you, I would also take the location as a decisive factor in order to decide where to study...because, after all, Maastricht would be very close to Brussels and that's, most likely, where you wanna go after graduating in EU law...

[quote]Hello!

I have been admitted to the LL.M. European Law at both Leiden and Maastricht (in this last case, EU Law and Market Integration).

Which one is considered to be the best option for EU Law (reputation, academic programme etc.), given that I would like to specialise in EU Competition and Intelectual Property Law?

Also, any thoughts about Leiden's practicum and privatissimun, Maastricht's problem-based learning method and their effectiveness?

Thank you in advance![/quote]

I think both LLM can be equally good. From what I know both Leiden and Maastricht have been offering their LLM in EU law for quite some time already...
I studied at Maastricht for my LLB, and now I am at UvA for my LLM..I can absolutely recommend you Maastricht, as I always enjoyed both the atmosphere and the professors there.
If you were to choose Maastricht, I am sure you won't regret it..though, having said that, it is difficult to say which uni you should go for: both their LLM, correct me if I am wrong, are listed under the "top 10 LLMs for EU law" in this website..and both universities are within the top 50 for law according to both QS and THE (even though, those rankings are mostly bachelor-oriented from what I know)...All I can say, coming from a guy who has been living in the NL for the last few years, is that Leiden seems to enjoy a stronger reputation than Maastricht, even though (depending with whom you discuss this subject) in the last few years Leiden's reputation seems to start fading away for some reason.


PS if I were you, I would also take the location as a decisive factor in order to decide where to study...because, after all, Maastricht would be very close to Brussels and that's, most likely, where you wanna go after graduating in EU law...
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Stella*

Thank you both very much for your kind replies!

Thank you both very much for your kind replies!
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matsr

As I did my masters in European Law at Leiden University, I would very much recommend you the program. The program is quite intensive and delves into various topics, such as Internal Market and Competition Law (see https://studiegids.universiteitleiden.nl/en/studies/6809/law-european-law#tab-1 for more info on all the courses). There is no specific course that covers Intellectual Property Law, but you might choose to specialise in such an issue by doing your own research under supervision with your thesis. So if you are really looking for a program that mainly focusses on Competition and Intellectual Property Law, Leiden is perhaps not the best choice: the program in Leiden covers a wide range of distinctive EU law-areas, thereby giving you a broad insight on many particularities of EU law. Nevertheless, you'll have some choice in the program to focus on your personal preferences (through electives, practicum, privatissimum and thesis). 
As for your question on the practicum and privatissimum: Personally, I especially considered the practicum as an unique addition to the program, since this course intends to provide students with the opportunity to explore the work as a practicing lawyer by applying their knowledge of EU law in real-life (and actual) scenarios by means of a Moot Court. Also, you will have the possibility to choose the Competition-track during this course. 
As for the privatissimum: you will focus on a particular topic of European law, ranging from the Eurocrisis to fundamental human rights, under the supervision of a lecturer who is an expert in that particular field. The main objective of the course is to improve your research, writing and presentation skills by focusing on a topic of your interests. At the same time, this course gives you the opportunity to delve more deeply into a specific topic of your own interests. So you can make it as interesting as you like.  
To sum up: I would very much recommend the LLM European Law in Leiden, although I am not familiar with the program in Maastricht. As for the location: Leiden is an amazing city to study, and a great place to build a network through social activities besides the intense studying! 1f642
Hope this helps!

As I did my masters in European Law at Leiden University, I would very much recommend you the program. The program is quite intensive and delves into various topics, such as Internal Market and Competition Law (see&nbsp;<a href="https://studiegids.universiteitleiden.nl/en/studies/6809/law-european-law#tab-1" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">https://studiegids.universiteitleiden.nl/en/studies/6809/law-european-law#tab-1</a>&nbsp;for more info on all the courses). There is no specific course that covers Intellectual Property Law, but you might choose to specialise in such an issue by doing your own research under supervision with your thesis. So if you are really looking for a program that mainly focusses on Competition and Intellectual Property Law, Leiden is perhaps not the best choice: the program in Leiden covers a wide range of distinctive EU law-areas, thereby giving you a broad insight on many particularities of EU law. Nevertheless, you'll have some choice in the program to focus on your personal preferences (through electives, practicum, privatissimum and thesis).&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>As for your question on the practicum and privatissimum: Personally, I especially considered the practicum as an unique addition to the program, since this course intends to provide students with the opportunity to explore the work as a practicing lawyer by applying their knowledge of EU law in real-life (and actual) scenarios by means of a Moot Court. Also, you will have the possibility to choose the Competition-track during this course.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>As for the privatissimum: you will focus on a particular topic of European law, ranging from the Eurocrisis to fundamental human rights, under the supervision of a lecturer who is an expert in that particular field. The main objective of the course is to improve your research, writing and presentation skills by focusing on a topic of your interests. At the same time, this course gives you the opportunity to delve more deeply into a specific topic of your own interests. So you can make it as interesting as you like.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>To sum up: I would very much recommend the LLM European Law in Leiden, although I am not familiar with the program in Maastricht. As for the location: Leiden is an amazing city to study, and a great place to build a network through social activities besides the intense studying!&nbsp;:slightly-smiling-face:</div><div><br></div><div>Hope this helps!</div>
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Stella*

Thank you very much for your reply and sorry for the belated answer!

Thank you very much for your reply and sorry for the belated answer!
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