Curriculum
First year:
In the first year, you follow the module Law in Context which focuses on understanding the law in its societal context. This includes, for example, modules in ethics, sociology, economics, psychology and their connection with the law.
Upon successful completion of the Law in Context module in the first year, you will have the choice to take part in modules focussed on legal practice or legal research for the remainder of the programme.
Second year:
In the second year of the UMLC programme, you can choose to participate in the Contracts and Conflicts Simulation or the Research Design and Methods module. You will also participate in the UM Honours+ programme and the personal development workshops.
Contracts and Conflicts Simulation
The Contracts and Conflicts Simulation focuses on providing you with the skills required for success in the real world of legal practice. More specifically, the track is focused on drafting and negotiating contracts and conflict resolution.
The key features of this track:
- Seminars on topics such as legal drafting, negotiation and communication
- Dispute resolution simulation whereby students learn how to represent their client’s interests
- Development of a variety of skills including legal analysis, problem-solving, strategic thinking, legal drafting, negotiation, collaboration and team work
Research Design and Methods
The Research Design and Methods module offers you the skills that are essential for any successful legal academic. The core components of this track are an introduction into research methodologies, including empirical legal research, and the opportunity to undertake independent individual research.
The key features of this track:
- Seminars on research methods, including empirical legal research
- Independent research project
- Development of written skills, legal analysis, information literacy, how get published, presentation skills and critical analysis
Honours+ programme:
During the second year of the programme, our students also participate in the Honours+ programme, the Maastricht University excellence programme for all second year honours students. The Honours+ programme allows you to work together with honours students from other faculties on an interdisciplinary academic assignment based on the UM’s core research themes and you will attend a number of workshops.
Third year:
The focus in the third year of the UMLC is on projects that best fits your personal goals and interests. You will be given the opportunity to develop a project that focuses on the specific competences that you wish to work on further – e.g. public speaking, civic action, perspective-taking, creativity, leadership – as well as a project with either a practice or research orientation. These projects can include for instance co-operations with different legal firms or participating in the MaRBLe research programme. They are developed in close cooperation with supporting staff members.
Ongoing – Personal Development Track
Throughout the two-and-a-half-year programme, the UMLC offers a variety of personal development workshops and assignments which run alongside the academic courses. These workshops include topics such as personal leadership, giving and receiving feedback, creativity, team work, team leadership, public speaking, cross-cultural communication.
