Transnational Legal Studies

You will study the core principles of European and international law in depth, and go beyond this to understand the role of law in a globalizing world, and the challenges that it raises to our traditional ideas of sovereignty and democracy. Optional courses allow for specialization, and whether your interests are in human rights, economic law, constitutional principles, security and terrorism, equality and justice, or cross-border phenomena such as global warming and the internet, the friendly and diverse department of Transnational Legal Studies will help you achieve a Master of Law degree (LLM) which takes you further in your career.

Some examples of issues the Master's programme deals with are:

• Is there a way of achieving a Europe without barriers to movement while still preserving national identities and laws?
• How are ideas of risk and security used in international law to create new legal regimes and justify interventions?
• Is the European crisis of economics, society, and identity all about a dysfunctional EU, or is it a crisis of aimless and path-dependent nations?
• Is law-making at the international and European level effective, democratic and necessary? Whose interests does it serve?
• How are economics, politics and individual rights related at the transnational level?

The programme in a nutshell

Transnational Legal Studies is a full-time, one-year graduate programme, organized as a specialized track in the VU Master of Laws (LLM). Its curriculum should appeal to you if you want to pursue a career related to European and international issues and if you are passionate about exploring the political, economic and social context of law. You will follow:

• European and International Law, an intensive, advanced level course taught conjointly by international and European law scholars
• Transnational Law in Social Context, an innovative course providing political and social perspectives on transnational legal processes
• Further courses of your choice, allowing you to specialize in areas such as European economic law (EU internal market law, competition law), human rights law (European human rights protection, EU antidiscrimination law) or public international law (international humanitarian law, irregular migration)

The curriculum offers the possibility to undertake an internship or a period of study abroad. Former students have been working as interns in law firms, but also at international organizations, such as the UNHCR in Brussels.

Career prospects

As transnational legal regulation is becoming more and more dense, both on the international and the domestic level, the need for transnationally trained lawyers continues to increase. Apart from the traditional legal professions (i.e. within the judiciary and national bars), transnationally trained lawyers can be employed by many organisations. Future employers include: EU institutions, the UN, international organizations, ngo's, national governments, and international and national law firms. In addition, the programme is an excellent choice if you wish to pursue an academic career after graduating. All in all, students specialising in transnational law have good employment prospects: in the Netherlands, in their home countries, and on the international labour market.

Studying at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is an internationally renowned research university founded in 1880. The university is located in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with the largest concentration of students in the Netherlands and where English is the second language spoken. The campus is surrounded by one of the most dynamic and fast-growing business districts in the Netherlands hosting over 700 companies.

With more than 23,000 students, of which 3300 are international, the university conducts cutting-edge research into problems of major societal and scientific importance. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam distinguishes itself in research and education through four interdisciplinary themes reflecting a strong level of involvement in current societal issues: Human Health and Life Sciences, Science for Sustainability, Connected World and Governance for Society. As a student this will help you to look beyond the boundaries of scientific disciplines, to engage with society and to seek for tangible solutions for a better world. In addition Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam regards diversity, whether in culture, conviction, nationality or prior education, as source of innovation and progress, and hence as special strength.

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