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Why this programme?

International Laws

Due to globalisation and European integration, the legal profession is internationalising at an astonishing rate. As a result, there is an increasing demand for graduates with a strong academic background, who are fluent in a number of languages and confident in an international environment. By combining international and European law with training in foreign languages, this programme prepares you for the challenges of the legal profession in the 21st century.

Unique international expertise

Maastricht’s Faculty of Law has unique expertise in international, European and comparative law. Many of the faculty’s staff members hold or have held prestigious positions in the legal world working for key international and European institutions such as Amnesty International, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation. Your instructors will be able to give you first-hand accounts of the inner workings of large international organisations, bringing the international legal world right into your classroom.

International classroom

From the very first day of the programme, you’ll be challenged with differing viewpoints and experiences as you interact with staff and students from all over the world. Your preconceptions and worldview will be enhanced by this interaction, bringing you closer to the programme’s goal of teaching you not only facts and concepts but also international accessibility and understanding. Roughly 75% of the students in the International Laws programme come from outside the Netherlands. Such diversity creates an international atmosphere that is strengthened by the international orientation of the programme.

Problem-Based Learning

In our education Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is central. It offers a practical, case-based learning approach that will make your learning more relevant and easier to apply in real situations. It requires you to be proactive in setting learning goals, fosters independent research and critical thinking, and encourages you to work with your fellow students on legal issues. In this way, you build up the social and legal skills you need for future legal practice. What do our students think about Problem-Based Learning? They explain it in the video below!

With our Problem-Based Learning method you...

  • learn to think and work in a solution-focused way to solve practical problems.
  • learn to conduct independent research and develop a critical mindset.
  • learn to collaborate with others in a dynamic and international environment.
  • get actively involved in small tutorial groups of maximum 19 students.
  • acquire the knowledge and skills that will boost your future career.
Three students studying together

Tailor your degree to your interests and ambitions

The International Laws programme offers a large amount of freedom. All students will take three core courses and write a master's thesis. For the rest of the programme, you can choose from a number of elective courses offered by the European Law School and the Globalisation and Law programme, you can do an internship, and you get to study at an international partner university of your choice. So whether you would like to learn more about human rights law or would like to pursue a career in international trade law, the flexibility of the programme ensures that you can tailor your degree to suit your interests and ambitions.

Internships

You can choose to do an internship to gain professional experience and give you an edge when looking for a job. In fact, many graduates end up working at the organisation where they intern. Our students have interned at:

law firms
international businesses
international organisations
European Union institutions
Governmental institutions
NGOs

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.

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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.
  More about PREMIUM   
 

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.
  More about the Master Honours Reseach Track