Erasmus University Rotterdam - Erasmus School of Law

Study space at the Sanders Building

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 programmes are summarized in this animated movie

Our dynamic campus

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an multinational and multicultural university, ranked 72th 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.

Virtual experience 
The virtual experience gives you a chance to see what our campus, housing, classroom, the city, and career experiences are like - as told by our current students and alumni. But there’s more! New video testimonials and pictures have been added to show you how our students can engage to create positive societal impact.

Swipe through photos to see our students learning sustainable gardening and cooking skills, using the Education Lab & Studio to work on and communicate innovative ideas; play videos to hear our students talk about finding like-minded people and acceptance in social and sports associations; and don’t forget to check the housing section for an honest account of the current housing situation, and the different types of accommodation.

Home to innovative research and first-rate legal education, Erasmus School of Law 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 Erasmus School of Law 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. According to Lonely Planet Rotterdam is the must visit city for 2020! Moreover the Netherlands is a very safe country. In addition the Netherlands is ranked first on the list of the EF English Proficiency Index and almost everyone speaks English! 

A degree from Erasmus School of Law 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!

Our commercial and company law graduates

Find out more about the LL.M. programmes we offer by reading the stories of our alumni:

- Commercial and Company Law
- International and European Union Law
- International Arbitration ane Business Law
- International Trade Law
- Legal Theory & Socio-Legal Studies
- Maritime and Transport Law

For Commercial Law, International and European Union Law and Legal Theory:

• Law degree
  We require a law degree (bachelor) from a recognised university for all programmes, and;
• TOEFL score of 94 / IELTS score of at least 7,0 / Cambridge Certificate Advanced English (CAE), with a minimum grade of C or Cambridge Certificate Proficiency English (CPE), and;
• Letter of motivation and letters of recommendation

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

For Commercial Law, International and European Union Law and Legal Theory:

STEP 1: Register at Studielink
Start your application request in Studielink. After completing your application via Studielink, you will receive two e-mails (check your your spam and junk folder):

• Check your email for the link to the EUR ADMISSION PORTAL
• Check your email for login details (ERNA account and password)

STEP 2: Finalise your application in the EUR Admission Portal.
You need to finish your application request in the EUR Admission Portal. In this portal, you are invited to finalise your application by uploading the required documents and answering some additional questions. Once you have done this, you can submit your application. You can start working in the portal, save your entries and use your login information to return to the portal later.

Application documents
For your reference, please see the admission requirements.   

Please provide the following documents before 1 July*:

• An original certified copy of your law diploma (online and hard copy);
• An original certified copy of your transcript (list of grades including a description of the grading system)(online and hard copy);
• Original proof or original certified copy of your English proficiency (online and hard copy);
• Curriculum vitae;
• A motivational letter;
• Two original letters of recommendation (letterhead, including name and address of reference, dated and signed);
• A copy of your passport.

*If the language of these documents is not English or Dutch, original certified English translations must be enclosed.

Questions? 
In case you have any questions please send us an e-mail (informationdesk.llm@law.eur.nl) or call us: +31 10 408 9764.

For EMLE:
Please visit: Application for more information on the application requirements.

Tuition fee 2022-2023

Commercial Law and International and European Union Law
EU/EEA students:          EUR 2209
non EU/EEA students:   EUR 13 500

European Master in Law and Economics:
EU/EEA:                        EUR 6000
Third Country:               EUR 10 500

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: a unique and vibrant city

Rotterdam

Our international city, a true melting pot and home to more than 160 nationalities and known for its striking modern architecture. Take a walk around and see the first skyscraper of Europe, the Markthal or the 'Kubuswoningen'. After that, drink a beer in one of various cafés with other international Students. The city also hosts many famed events, such as the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), Rotterdam Marathon, North Sea Jazz Festival and Wereldhavendagen.

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.

You feel at home in Rotterdam as a student. Do not wait and find out more about this beautiful city! 

Click here to cycle through Rotterdam (virtual tour)!

Could this be your room?

Erasmus University Rotterdam reserved about 800 rooms on and nearby the campus. We have collaborations with several companies who provide rooms for international and national students, like SSH or Xior Student Housing. In addition there are also other organisations that help you find a room, like Stadswonen or RoomPlaza. There are lots of beautiful rooms close to the university, but do not wait to long.

Click here for more information about Housing!