Your future
By the time you graduate from the European Law School, you will have strong analytical abilities, advanced legal skills, and a unique global perspective. However, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) is typically considered an academic foundation rather than a fully qualifying law degree. That’s why most of our graduates choose to continue their education by pursuing a Master’s degree (LL.M), further specialising and strengthening their expertise for an international legal career.
Master’s programmes
ELS students can pursue the following master’s programmes at Maastricht University without additional requirements:
Specific admission requirements apply to the following master’s programmes:
Career prospects
Graduates of the European Law School are in high demand for their unique comparative and European legal expertise. They work across the public and private sectors, nationally, in Europe, and internationally, in diverse legal and non-legal roles.
A European Law School degree demonstrates deep knowledge of core legal fields, major legal traditions, and EU law, and prepares you to thrive in multilingual and multicultural environments. As with any law degree, we encourage you to consider your career goals early.
Access to professional qualifications
The Bachelor European Law School does not automatically qualify you to practice as a lawyer, public prosecutor, or judge.
Since the programme focuses on European and comparative law, additional study in national law is required to enter professional training in most countries. Students are therefore strongly advised to check the specific requirements in the country where they intend to pursue a legal career.
Qualifying in the Netherlands
To qualify for legal professions in the Netherlands, students in the European Law School can apply to transfer into the bachelor Rechtsgeleerdheid at the end of their second year. Completing both programmes allows you to earn two degrees: European Law School and Rechtsgeleerdheid. When combined with a Master in Dutch Law, this meets the requirements for professional qualifications in the Netherlands (civiel effect).
Students enrolled in both programmes may request exemptions for certain third-year electives in the European Law School and first-year courses in Rechtsgeleerdheid. However, they must first complete an introductory programme in Dutch private law, constitutional and administrative law, and criminal law before starting the second year. As Rechtsgeleerdheid is entirely in Dutch, language requirements apply, please consult the website for details.