International and European Law (PILC) – (LL.M.)

The one year Master in International and European Law enables up to 40 students to obtain an advanced degree (LL.M), which is clearly distinct from the more basic Master and Bachelor degrees in the Bologna set up. Students are eligible to apply when they have completed their study of law and have received a final law degree according to the requirements of the country in which they have obtained their degree.

The Programme offers a balanced package of traditional courses, practical exercises and case studies, as well as assisted individual research at advanced level. The educational techniques include, in addition to the more traditional forms of lecturing, interactive class teaching and joint discussions on case studies and practical cases that may arise in day to day professional life. In addition, the Programme seeks to create a strong Group identity so that, because of the very diverse composition of the student body and the Faculty, the Master Programme in itself becomes a daily exercise in multi-cultural communication which as such furthers the skills of students to define objectives and act adequately in a multi-national and multi-cultural environment.

The courses cover the key areas of international, comparative and European law and together form an uptodate, broad and balanced Programme content that gives insight in the traditional acquis as well as the most recent developments in International and European law. Courses are taught by a diverse faculty from a multi-national background, which bring with them the particularities and standards of different academic traditions as well as a broad scala of practical experiences in the domain.

Career Opportunities

The high reputation of the Programme notably flows from the leading positions of many of its more than 1200 graduates at international institutions like the European Union, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in diplomatic services and the judiciary as well as at the major law firms around the world.

All IES students can benefit from career advice, including interview preparation and CV review at the VUB Career Centre. This unique service offered by the VUB in cooperation with Randstad was launched in 2011. Clients of the Career Centre include major law firms and the European Commission.