Erasmus University Rotterdam - Erasmus School of Law

Study break at the foodcourt

Our programmes are summarized in this animated movie

Erasmus School of Law offers four Master's programmes in English:

Master's in Commercial Law
The LL.M. in Commercial Law has four specializations:

1. Commercial and Company Law

This LL.M. provides you with the legal aspects of doing business in an international setting. Study the contractual relations between companies involved in international commercial transactions. Because of the unique combination of two jurisdictions, both international corporate law and commercial law, the master Commercial & Company Law provides a comprehensive overview of the company law field.

Because you will study in one of the leading commercial centers the programme will able you to go "on-site" and visit companies to see how things work in practice.

2. International Trade Law

The specialisation International Trade Law focusses on trade law and the commercial aspects of doing business. Starting with commercial contracts, continuing with insurance and transport law, trade finance law and concluding with intellectual property rights, this LL.M. offers you an all-encompassing legal perspective on international trade. The programme has an exclusively commercial law perspective, leaving aside regulatory and company law aspects.

3. Maritme & Transport Law

This unique LL.M. focuses on the legal aspects of shipping and the transportation of goods. The Erasmus University is located in Rotterdam: by far the largest seaport of Europe and a major logistic and industrial hub. Your study location is a stone’s throw away from the port and as part of your study you will visit companies to see how things work in practice. Course topics include Charter-Parties & Bills of Lading, Maritime casualties, Law of the Sea and Marine Insurance Law.

4. International Arbitration and Buisiness Law

This LL.M provides you with the practical and theoretical skills necessary to deal with business problems and dispute resolution (including litigation and arbitration). Courses include: Conflict of laws and International Litigation, Fundamentals of Arbitration Law and Contract Drafting.

LL.M. International and European Union Law

Analyse the legal effects of economic integration in a European and international context. Follow courses such as Globalisation and Multidimensional Legal Orders, EU Competition Law, Human Rights Law and International Law and the Environment. Acquiring practical legal skills is an important and useful aspect of this programme. You are trained to structure, write and present legal advice for example by producing a policy paper or pleading in a moot court session.

Legal Theory

This Master programme is highly suitable for students who wish to pursue a scientific career. If you choose to take this Master programme, you will develop your skills in academic thinking, will learn to reflect on law, will be challenged intellectually, and will conduct research. This Master programme is sutited for those who are determined, inquisitive, and a real go-getter.

European Master in Law and Economics

For both lawyers and economists, knowledge of the other discipline and international contacts are crucial for a successful future career. The EMLE programme is the institutional response to these challenges and offers the unique opportunity for interdisciplinary studies of law and economics at two or even three European and Non-European universities.

Our bicycle friendly campus

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is ranked 69th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. In addition according to several global employability surveys Erasmus University Rotterdam delivers alumni that are highly employable. As a result obtaining a degree at Erasmus University Rotterdam is the perfect boost for your career.

The university concentrates its expertise on issues of management, organisation and policy in the public and private sectors on the one hand, as well as on the field of medicine and health sciences. Erasmus University Rotterdam has bundled its education and research in three domains in which the university has a national and international reputation to maintain:

- Economics and Management;
- Medicine and Health Sciences;
- Law, Culture and Society.

Our commercial and company law graduates

At Erasmus School of Law we combine academic thinking with practical training.Participate in company visits and skills workshops and improve your legal skills and job readiness. Boost your career by obtaining a LL.M. at Erasmus School of Law!

Our school is located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Rotterdam is a vibrant multicultural entrepreneurial city with the largest port in Europe. According to Lonely Planet Rotterdam is the must visit city for 2016! Moreover the Netherlands is a very safe country. In addition the Netherlands is ranked third on the list of the EF English Proficiency Index and almost everyone speaks English! 

Study space at the Erasmus Paviljon

Home to innovative research and first-rate legal education, Erasmus School of Law (ESL) attracts ambitious students and staff from all over the world. Erasmus School of Law applies an interdisciplinary approach that combines legal, economic,social and political thinking.

Our research is international and interdisciplinary, and has a strong social and business-driven orientation. Due to its high quality education and research ESL achieves high positions in international rankings.

Our school is located in Rotterdam, a vibrant multicultural entrepreneurial city with the largest port in Europe. At Erasmus School of Law we combine academic thinking with practical training.Participate in company visits and skills workshops and improve your legal skills and job readiness.

A degree from ESL provides you with excellent career opportunities.Our graduates hold positions in international law firms, European institutions, national ministries and in the banking, maritime and insurance sector. Give your legal career a boost and study with us!

Meeting Erasmus himself

For Commercial Law, International and European Union Law and Legal Theory:
- Law degree and TOEFL 94/IELTS 7,0
Cambridge Certificate Advanced English (CAE), with a minimum grade of C or Cambridge Certificate Proficiency English (CPE)
- Letter of motivation and letters of recommendation

For EMLE:
please see: http://www.emle.org

Please visit: Requirements for more information on the admission requirements.

Information about the application procedure and application forms can be found on the respective Master programme websites.

Tuition fee 2019-2020

Commercial Law and International and European Union Law
EU/EEA students: EUR 2083
non EU/EEA students: EUR 11900

European Master in Law and Economics:
EU/EEA: EUR 5500
Third Country: EUR 9500

There are several scholarship programmes for students who are not able to (fully) finance the Erasmus LL.M. Programmes from private resources. The European Commission awards special Erasmus Mundus Scholarships to students for the EMLE programme.

Click here to learn more about scholarships offered by Erasmus School of Law.

Rotterdam sunset

The city offers a wide selection of cafés and restaurants with an international cuisine. As a university city, there are a number of cafés especially for students. Students from all continents come together in these cafés to converse and drink beer. Art lovers know Rotterdam for its museums, like Boymans van Beuningen and de Kunsthal. For those who love modern architecture, Rotterdam has everything to offer. -- including the striking cube houses, the Weena area - with the modern headquarters of an international insurance company - and the Rotterdam library.

Given its unique, central location, Rotterdam has developed into the largest commercial port in the world. It is a centre for trade, industry and services. Many international companies like Shell and Unilever have their headquarters and their branches in Rotterdam. Among them are several of the most prestigious law firms in the world. Rotterdam is an international city par excellence.

With ample public transport, Amsterdam, The Hague and Antwerp are less than an hour away. If you want to see more of Europe - London, Brussels, Berlin and Paris are within a few hours reach. Europe is yours!

Your future room?

Erasmus University Rotterdam is able to provide the demand for accommodation for part of the international students staying in the Netherlands less than 12 months. Accomodation on campus is available as well: The brand new student complex Hatta-building is located on the campus grounds of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. The building offers accommodation to 372 Dutch students and international students. The Hatta-building is the ideal place to live as a student: live where you study, and study where you live. Click here for more information about Housing.

The old harbor

Rotterdam is an international city par excellence, home to over 160 different nationalities and is known for its striking modern architecture. The city has several theatres, cinemas and annual festivals. Film fans can enjoy the International Film Festival and during the summer carnival Rotterdam becomes a tropical city!

Events like the North Sea Jazz festival and the World Harbour Days further intensify the city's liveliness. And as a university city, there are a number of cafés catering especially to students. Students from all continents come to these cafes for a drink and a chat. Please find out what Rotterdam and Erasmus University Rotterdam have to offer you.

The Erasmus Programmes begin with an orientation introducing you to the campus, faculty, staff and each other. So it won't take you long to feel right at home at the start of your Rotterdam experience! During your participation in the Programme, you can meet fellow students and lecturers at the social events organised by the Erasmus International Office.

During the Programme, you will have the possibility to go on a study trip, which will take you to major European institutions in London and Geneva. As well as consisting of highly interesting and educational visits, this trip is also an amazing experience to share with your fellow students.