Why this programme
The European Union has had a significant impact on the legal profession. To be a successful lawyer in an integrating Europe, you'll have to be familiar with both European law and the national legal systems of the main European countries. The European Law School programme at Maastricht University is an ambitious programme. You’ll study traditional legal subjects from a European and comparative perspective and you’ll gain a deep understanding of how European law interacts with national law.
A key takeaway from this program is the importance of understanding how technology works to effectively regulate it.
Technological advancements demand a new type of legal professional who can understand, interpret, and influence the interplay between law and technology responsibly. The specialisation is designed to meet this need, preparing you to lead the charge in technology law and beyond.
I found that I was only able to understand some of the more technical requirements of the AI Act after having personal hands-on experience with an AI model and the datasets connected to it.
Interdisciplinary education
The specialisation offers a unique approach that delves into how laws apply to technology and how technology can enhance society and respect public values. The curriculum includes foundational courses in European law and specialised courses in data regulation, data-driven analyses, and cybersecurity that involve various regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Cyberresilience Act, the AI Act, and the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA). The program’s focus ensures that you are not only versed in legal principles but also competent in technical methods such as natural language processing and machine learning.
Active involvement in research
You will have the opportunity to engage in pioneering research initiatives. Our faculty is at the forefront of integrating AI advancements into the legal domain, and students will learn directly from these cutting-edge developments. This hands-on research experience is invaluable, providing practical insights and real-world applications of AI.
Learning how to apply AI to law is a very practical and interesting experience, providing hands-on insights that prove invaluable.
Unique expertise
Maastricht’s Faculty of Law has unique expertise in the field of international, European and comparative law. Staff members include (former) officials of European institutions and international organisations. They have worked at research institutes connected to the European Commission, at think-tanks and NGO’s and at private practices. They will be able to give you a first-hand account of the workings of European organisations, bringing the world right into your classroom. The courses are taught by scientists from Maastricht Centre for European Law (MCEL), which is one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious centres for research in this field.
Our students on PBL
In our education Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is central. It requires you to be proactive in setting learning goals and encourages you to work with your fellow students on legal issues. In this way, you build up the social skills you need for future legal practice. What do our students think about Problem-Based Learning? They explain it in this video!
Internships
You can choose to do an optional 6 ECTS internship during the programme. In that case, you would be doing a course and an internship at the same time or do the internship in January, June or July.
Our differences are our greatest strength
With highly specialised and experienced academic staff from across Europe, the European Law School programme mirrors living and working in an integrated Europe. Over a half of the student population of Maastricht University is from outside the Netherlands and over 1250 exchange students come to study every year. Within the Faculty of Law itself, about 50% of the students are from overseas. The faculty employs staff including a large number of foreign academics and specialists in comparative, international and European law from all over Europe. Such diversity is strengthens the international orientation of the European Law School curriculum.
Moot court competitions
Each year, student teams from the UM Faculty of Law participate in the most prestigious national and international moot courts competitions, where teams vie against each other in simulated proceedings to present a convincing legal case to an expert jury. Our Law Faculty has built an excellent reputation for performing outstandingly and has been awarded the first prize in competitions such as the European Law Moot Court Competition, the VAR Moot Court Competition and the National Round of the Philip Jessup Moot Competition.
Participation in moot courts and legal clinics is extracurricular, no credits are granted within the programme.
Honours programmes
PREMIUM
Want to gain that extra edge by getting real-world experience during your studies? The PREMIUM honours programme will help you gain the experience and develop the skills employers are looking for. As part of a team of students and under the guidance of our academic staff, you’ll spend about three months working on a real-world assignment for a company, NGO or educational institution. It will take about 250 hours, but it will give you a lifetime of benefits.
Master Honours Research Track
Are you thinking about going into research after you graduate? Then you should consider applying for our Master Honours Research Track. In addition to your regular studies, you’ll spend a year writing an extended master’s thesis in the fields of European comparative law and human rights law. You’ll be familiarised with the main methodologies used in academic research in this field and you'll improve your practical research skills. The track will give you the experience you need to be a successful PhD candidate.
