Utrecht University School of Law

Photo by Steven Snoep

What about tomorrow?
Law touches everything. It is in constant motion, changing even as it sets off changes in the world. Every day, lawyers are focused on discovering answers to completely new questions; working with others, they are building tomorrow's society, today.

'What about tomorrow?' is the question that guides our teaching and research activities. The Utrecht University School of Law plays an active and significant role in innovative, multi-dimensional legal research that contributes to ongoing solutions for important societal issues. Through challenging academic programmes, we train our students to become excellent lawyers who can take the lead in creating just societal changes.

The Utrecht University School of Law offers eight English-language Master's programmes and contributes to the Transnational Law Programme, an English-language Bachelor's programme. The LLM programmes have an outstanding reputation; will provide you access to international corporations and law firms, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and many other international judicial organisations located in The Hague, Brussels, Geneva and Strasbourg and allow you the flexibility to compose your own curriculum according to your interests and talents.

European Criminal Justice in a Global Context (LLM)
The Utrecht University LLM in European Criminal Justice in a Global Context is an opportunity to dive deeper into this stimulating area of debate. A debate which is at the core of any criminal justice system. The programme links the national criminal justice systems of the EU Member States to EU criminal law, EU constitutional law, including fundamental rights law, and EU administrative law. It deepens your knowledge on EU criminal law. It analyses the interactions with the criminal justice systems of other EU Member States or third countries (such as the United States) under new, innovative forms of enforcement cooperation. It examines the relationships of national criminal justice with the sharply increasing number of EU enforcement agencies. This unique and innovative programme provides an inspiring intellectual challenge, as well as the platform for a rewarding legal career at a national, European or international level.
European Criminal Justice in a Global Context (LLM)

European Law (LLM)
Today's society and labour market needs lawyers who have a thorough mastery of European law. The European Union increasingly affects all areas of law. The legal systems of Member States of the European Union have reached a high level of integration. Our English-taught LLM programme in European Law takes you into this challenging and dynamic field. Unique features of this programme are that it combines both substantive and institutional knowledge of European law and also studies European law in connection to the Member States' legal systems. Even before you graduate, this LLM in European Law will have given you a good introduction to professional practice through moot courts, visits to major European organisations, and the chance to speak with top-ranking professional lawyers. As a result, you will be well prepared for a legal career either in your home country or internationally.
European Law (LLM)

Law and Economics (LLM)
In the past two decades many aspects of business and social life have been disrupted by high-growth corporates like Google, Apple and AirBnB, and by developments on financial markets. Think about the emergence of new crypto currencies and the (so far, unchallenged) hierarchy of Facebook as a leading social media platform. Should firms that agree to raise prices because of sustainability concerns be applauded, or fined as a cartel? 
Market power of corporate organisations is based on brilliant but sometimes debatable strategies, which brings challenges to policy makers, regulators and supervisors like the national enforcement authorities and the European Commission. How can markets and organizations function effectively, while taking into account legal and societal challenges? Why do companies behave the way they do, and to what extent is this behavior acceptable?  In this highly international environment of powerful corporates and policy makers, competition, regulation and supervision challenges require profound expertise in both economics and law to be effective. This Master's programme prepares you for addressing these challenges in present or future markets
Law and Economics (LLM)

Law and Sustainability in Europe (LLM) 
Today’s complex world raises some pressing questions. Why do we need a European Green Deal? How is it put to use in the EU and its Member States? What does the legal framework to foster the transition to a climate-neutral Europe look like? How can you ensure the green transition will be socially fair? What role do human rights play in environmental law? Law fostering sustainability and sustainable development is one of the fastest-developing, most challenging legal disciplines, and the EU has become a key global actor in this field. This Master’s programme on Law and Sustainability in Europe discusses how the EU and its Member States respond to challenges related to the sustainability transition. It approaches the role of Europe and its legal regimes, especially EU law, in an international setting. But it also teaches students how national law can play an essential role in implementing European law on sustainability. This unique dual approach is the core feature of this new Master’s programme: Law and Sustainability in Europe (LLM). 

Law and Technology in Europe (LLM)
Are you interested in privacy, cybersecurity, blockchain, artificial intelligence, automated government decision-making and platform economies, as well as the potential ramifications of these developments for our society and its underlying values and the rule of law? Do you, as a legal expert, want to make a significant contribution to the fields of both law and technology? If so, then we invite you to learn more about the LLM in Law and Technology in Europe at Utrecht University. This thought-provoking Master’s dives deep into the fascinating digital and societal developments that are raising new questions at the intersection of law, regulation and technology. As a student on the programme, you will examine the role played by the EU as it looks to regulate and police these technologies, and whether Europe’s laws are ‘future-proof’ enough to withstand continuing technological innovation and change.
Law and Technology in Europe (LLM) 

Legal Research (LLM)
Are you curious by nature, analytical and ready for a challenge in an attractive academic legal environment? Are you interested in writing academic texts or engaging in debate and prepared to tackle the more complicated aspects of legal issues? Than the two-year master's programme in Legal Research might be the right choice for you! This programme not only prepares you for a legal career as a practitioner in the commercial, public service or academic sector, it also offers an excellent foundation for further studies at PhD level. The highly regarded Keuzegids Master’s Selection Guide 2018 ranked Utrecht University’s Legal Research programme as the best in the field in the Netherlands. 
Legal Research (LLM)

Public International Law (LLM)
Our Master’s programme in Public International Law (PIL) at Utrecht University will equip you with a broad range of legal tools to address current legal concerns facing the world. PIL is a flexible programme that offers you many options, both during your study period and in your career possibilities post-graduation. As an added benefit, the international mix of students in this programme means that you – by working together – will actually offer each other personal "comparative" insights on international law.

Three specialisation Tracks 
​In today’s globalised world, public international law addresses complex, challenging issues that touch everyone’s lives. In the PIL programme, you will explore common themes of public international law with the option to take a specialisation in three tracks:

• Conflict and Security
• Human Rights
• Oceans, the Environment and Sustainability

Have a look at the website of Public International Law (LLM). 

Global Criminology (MA)
There is a growing demand for qualified researchers, legal practitioners and policy makers who can address these and comparable issues. Are you a multidisciplinary expert or criminologist who wants to make a significant contribution to the field? Do you want to work in the field of law and social reform- or any sector dealing with growing forms of local and global crime control? Then the MA programme in Criminology at Utrecht University is the right choice for you!
Global Criminology (MA)

European Governance (MSc)
The Master in European Governance is a unique double-degree programme offered in partnership with Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic) and the University of Konstanz (Germany). As a student in this programme, you will study and live in two different European locations. This will allow you to experience European governance from two different perspectives in the context of a unique personal experience. You will develop the skills to analyse complex problems of European governance from multiple perspectives, including economics, law, political science and public administration. You will also learn to apply abstract knowledge and theory to real-life problems through case studies, simulations and policy-oriented research projects. The challenging course content will train you to use academic knowledge to analyse and solve complex problems in different contexts and from different perspectives.
European Governance (MSc)

Photo by Kees Rutten

Founded in 1636 and located in the heart of the Netherlands, Utrecht University is one of Europe's leading research universities, recognised internationally for its high-quality, innovative approach to both research and teaching. Every year, approximately 1,500 international students come to Utrecht University to take part in English-taught degree programmes and other courses. With some 118 nationalities working and studying closely together, students learn to work in an international environment from the start - essential for scientists and scholars in an increasingly globalised world.

Utrecht University is recognised as a leading research university across the globe, ranking number 1 in the Netherlands (Shanghai Ranking) on the universities table, which was published by the Shanghai University in 2021. 

Photo by Steven Snoep

Established in 1636, the Utrecht University School of Law is one of the oldest and most beautiful law schools in the Netherlands. Today, our historic faculty buildings provide a supportive and inspiring work environment to around 500 lecturers and almost 4,000 students. Many of our alumni have gone on to hold prestigious positions with companies and institutions around the world. Based on the internationally recognised Shanghai Ranking 2021. Utrecht is ranked the best research university in the Netherlands. Utrecht University has been the best ranking Dutch university since the first ARWU ranking published in 2003. This year, Utrecht University is ranked 15th in Europe and 50th worldwide. Moreover, Utrecht University works closely together with over 80 leading international universities. Nearly four centuries after the School of Law first opened its doors, we are proud that we are still able to maintain our strong reputation as a centre of excellence.

The perfect location
Utrecht is more than just a well-established classical university: it is a vibrant town where Dutch history, a cosmopolitan population, and an active student network meet. Every year, students from all over the world come to Utrecht and have the experience of a lifetime. Why not join them?

Photo by Kees Rutten

1 faculty, 3 specialisations, 3 departments

Master's programmes within Utrecht University's School of Law are based on the multidisciplinary research conducted by the Faculty of Law, Economics, and Governance. This research takes into account socio-economic and socio-political perspectives, as well as the impact of European and international law on national laws.

The Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance at Utrecht University is a unique combination of three departments: the  Utrecht University School of Law, the Utrecht University School of Economics and the Utrecht University School of Governance. These three specialisations offer education and conduct research independently as well as jointly. This multidisciplinary approach makes the faculty an outstanding partner for knowledge exchange at a high level.

Society and cooperation

Our focus is on people who want to take responsibility for shaping our society, both now and in the future. People who want to play a role in solving important social issues. This is why our faculty is fully integrated in society – for example, through national and international cooperation with government, the business sector, social organisations and academic institutes.

For all Master's programmes at Utrecht University, the Admission Committee of the programme decides whether your will be accepted. The Committee employs the following criteria:

Is your degree considered (at least) equivalent to a Dutch academic Bachelor's degree? The International Office assesses all international credentials according to the credential evaluation criteria of the Nuffic (the Netherlands Organisation for international cooperation in Higher Education), and advises the Admissions Committee on this subject.

Is your previous degree relevant to the Master's programme you are applying to, and do you meet the specific entry requirements for the Master's programme? See the website of the Master's programme:

European Criminal Justice in a Global Context (LLM)
European Governance (MSc)
European Law (LLM)
Global Criminology (MA)
Legal Research (LLM)
Law and Economics (LLM)
Law and Sustainability in Europe (LLM) 
Law and Technology in Europe (LLM) 
Public International Law (LLM)

Do you demonstrate talent and motivation?
Are you uncertain whether you qualify for admission? Discuss your situation in a timely manner with the contact person for your Master's programme. You will find the contact details on the website of the programme.

Apply as early as possible to maximise your chances of being admitted! After April 1, you should always check to see if it is still possible to apply for the programme of your choice. To apply follow these steps:

- Download the Instructions Applying for a Master's programme (pdf).
- Go to Studielink and apply online.
- Send in the required forms and documents in good time.
- Pay the application fee in good time.

Applicants from China please, here you can find for information about the Nuffic Certificate.

Going to university - and student life in general - costs money. It is hard to predict exactly how much money you will need, as spending habits and lifestyles vary. Please go to the programme of your choice to find detailed information about Tuition Fees and Financial Support.

Utrecht University, the Dutch Government and other organisations offer scholarships, fellowships and grants. You can begin your search for funding by reviewing this list, which contains some of the scholarships and loans available to international students.

Photo by Michael Kooren

Utrecht has a rich history going back almost 2,000 years and an architectural legacy that includes both ancient and thoroughly modern buildings. Utrecht's old city centre has remained largely intact, with its picturesque canals and elegant parks, cafes and cultural venues. The impressive Dom tower rises high above the city, surrounded below by international restaurants, cinemas, clubs and boutiques that give Utrecht its unique, dynamic atmosphere. And according to BBC Travel Utrecht is one of the happiest places in the world to live in.

Photo by Michael Brunek

Please know that Utrecht University does not own any accommodation for students. However, the university has an agreement with SSH Short Stay, a local housing corporation that offers temporary furnished housing. They reserve a range of furnished accommodation especially for international students and staff of Utrecht University.
We strongly urge students to register with SSH Short Stay, since this is the only accommodation option the university can help and assist you with.

For more information about SSH Short Stay and finding accommodation in and around Utrecht, please visit Housing in Utrecht. On this website you will also find detailed instructions on how to register with SSH Short Stay.

Photo by Michael Brunek

Utrecht University and the city of Utrecht offer a great environment for students to study in and live. Utrecht has a bustling student community, with plenty of extracurricular activities to get involved in, as well as many different student organisations and societies. At Utrecht University's Parnassos cultural centre you can explore your talents in the performing arts, take a creative workshop and lots more. Utrecht Science Park/De Uithof boasts excellent sports facilities at Olympos.

Check our international law students on Facebook! The page will keep you updated about all the (extra curricular) activities and allows you to contact our students directly.