Top LL.M. Programs for European/EU Law 2024

The College of Europe, with campuses in Bruges and Warsaw, epitomizes a fundamentally European approach to legal education. Its top LL.M. program in European Law strikes a delicate balance between the economic and constitutional dimensions of European law, offering a comprehensive curriculum covering a wide array of topics. Courses within the program delve into key areas such as EU institutions, constitutional law, external relations of the EU, and competition law in the public sector. The program's bilingual approach, with instruction offered in both English and French, reflects its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. The school’s European Legal Studies Department publishes research dedicated to the analysis of European Law, demonstrating a strong theoretical framework in the field. 

Like the other LL.M. programs based in the Netherlands, Utrecht University’s School of Law offers proximity to international legal institutions like the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Within the school’s LL.M. in European Law, students choose one of two tracks: Criminal Law, which covers European and international criminal law and human rights, or European Law, which delves deeper into judicial protection and enforcement of EU law and European competition law. The Utrecht Centre for Regulation and Enforcement in Europe (RENFORCE) is hosted by the university’s Europa Institute, combining research from across disciplines, including law.

The LL.M. in International and European Tax Law at Maastricht University offers a comprehensive curriculum covering corporate taxation, international tax planning, and a diverse range of related economic, legal, and social topics. This program provides students with specialized tracks, including:  International and European Tax Law (General Track), Customs and International Supply Chain Taxation, and Tax and Technology. In addition to its focus on tax law, Maastricht University's European Law School offers a general LL.M. program with opportunities for specialization in either European Law and Market Integration or European Public Law and Governance. This allows students to tailor their studies to align with their career goals and interests. The Maastricht Centre for European Law serves as a hub for research cooperation, facilitating collaboration among scholars working in European law and providing valuable opportunities for academic growth and development.

Saarland University’s Europa-Institut is home to the LL.M. in European and International Law. This program focuses on EU integration of the law, European economic law, foreign trade and investment, international dispute resolution and European human rights protection. Guest professors and lecturers from top EU institutions like the EU Commission, The Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the Courts of Justice join highly qualified lecturers. Students take regular excursions to institutions like these, interacting with EU policymakers.

Tilburg University offers an LL.M. in International and European Law, dealing with the interaction between the laws of each member state and EU law as a whole. The European Union Law track within this LL.M. is for students wishing to specialize in the constitutional foundations of EU law and the European integration process. It includes two sub-tracks: EU Economic and Competition Law and The EU in a Global Legal Context. Tilburg is also home to the European and International Public Law research department, housing European law researchers and hosting public events.

Post-Brexit, Paris 1 is well positioned to become a destination for students interested in studying European Law. In addition to covering European law topics in the school’s well-regarded LL.M. Business Law for Foreign Lawyers, Paris 1 also offers a joint program with QMUL as well as a Certificate in European Law.

Ghent University runs several European law-focused LL.M. programs, including an LL.M. in International and European Law and an LL.M. in European Union Law. These programs, along with an LL.M. in International Business Law, are designed for students from outside of the EU who need to skill-up in the areas of EU law and EU institutions. The school is also home to the Ghent European Law Institute, which produces relevant research. 

With the EU’s center of gravity set to move away from London, KU Leuven is in an ideal position for students interested in studying European law. The school’s LL.M. in European and International Law has a strong EU focus and also allows students to specialize in either International and European Business Law or International and European Public Law. KU Leuven also hosts the Institute for European Law, which was founded in 1990 and supports teaching and research in the area of European law.

As EU law continues to exert its influence on civil and commercial law across the union, there's an increased need for specialized LL.M.s that look at the broad interplay between law, economics, and the political environment on the continent. The University of Amsterdam's LL.M. track in European Union Law provides a solid foundation in EU law, and, through electives, allows students to delve into topics such as competition law and trade across the EU. The university’s Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance supports research on how constitutional law is evolving across the EU, and it contributes to international discussion across disciplines, including political science and economics.

The European University Institute in Florence is home to a well-regarded, research-oriented LL.M. Program in Comparative, European and International Laws. The program is aimed at students who wish to develop scholarly analyses of the law in an interdisciplinary environment. Students attend courses in European, International and/or Comparative Laws, as well as a seminar in legal research. The program is taught by reputable academics and world-renowned experts regularly hold guest lectures.