Saarland University
Europa-Institut

LL.M. in European and International Law

The Europa-Institut at Saarland University offers a one year Master's program in European and International Law. After successful completion of the program the title "Master of Laws" (LL.M.) is awarded. The program can be done in English and/or German. It combines practice-oriented teaching with excellence in academic training and is an excellent preparation for the European and international job market. Up until now, more than 5,000 students from all over the world have graduated from the program and now hold positions in European and international organizations, internationally oriented law firms, international companies as well as in national governments and administrations.

Key Facts

• One-year Master's program focusing on European and International Law
• Program can be done in English and/or German
• Five modules are offered: Module 1: European Integration and Modules 2-5 with the study units European Economic Law, Foreign Trade and Investment, International Dispute Resolution and European and International Protection of Human Rights
• Title “Master of Laws” (LL.M.) is awarded
• Highly qualified specialists from the academic and business world
• Practice-oriented teaching combined with excellence in academic training
• 75 students from 40 countries
• Excursions to European and international institutions
• Intensive support from the Europa-Institut team
• Access to an international network via our Alumni Association EVER e.V.
• Excellent preparation for the European and international job market

Specializations

The Europa-Institut offers the following modules:

• Module 1: European Integration
• Module 2: Study Unit European Economic Law
• Module 3: Study Unit Foreign Trade and Investment
• Module 4: Study Unit International Dispute Resolution
• Module 5: Study Unit International and European Protection of Human Rights
• Module 6: Master's Thesis

Each unit offers a high degree of specialization in quickly expanding professional fields within European and international law.

Module 1: European Integration

Module 1 focuses on the basics and foundations of European law. Aside from the more classical fields, lectures will also cover subjects such as European Private Law, and the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, in order to provide students with a basic understanding of and an insight into the legal inter-connectedness of the European Union and its institutions. Through a variety of practical simulation courses, such as the ECJ Moot Court or EuroSim, students are able to put their acquired theoretical knowledge into practice.

Module 2: Study Unit European Economic Law

The study unit comprises various areas of law which are of fundamental importance not only in Europe but in a global perspective, with regard to both economic and legal practice. The courses convey sound knowledge of the general framework that characterizes economic activity in the European Union (the Economic and Monetary Union, Banking Law and European Tax Law). Students may also deepen their knowledge of more particular regulations which economic activities in the EU might be subject to (e.g. European Competition Law, Economic and Competition Policy) or that potentially accompany such activities (e.g. Intellectual Property Law). The challenges of economic globalization are taken into account in courses in which the subject matter extends beyond EU borders. In addition, there are numerous case studies offered as part of the study unit which allow students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice. Moreover, students have the opportunity to focus on European Management.

Module 3: Study Unit Foreign Trade and Investment

The study unit deals with economic globalization especially in the areas of trade, investment and capital transactions. Courses such as International Trade, Investment and Raw Materials Law and further selected parts of International Economic Law convey essential knowledge of key material in International Economic Law. Special attention is given to the interplay between economics and law, a relationship that is becoming increasingly important in both international and European legal practice. Courses that delve more deeply into the subject matter include lectures based on the Foreign Trade Law of the European Union and its member states, substantive WTO Law (particularly focusing on the GATT, the GATS and the TRIPS Agreement) and the harmonization of national trade laws. Certain courses are centered on legal areas that are becoming increasingly more important as a result of increased international trade (such as laws relating to financial supervision). In addition, courses on international economic and monetary policy as well as on international economic sanctions laws are offered.

Module 4: Study Unit International Dispute Resolution

The study unit International Dispute Resolution familiarizes students with typical problems and the basic concepts of international commercial arbitration, international investment arbitration and alternative dispute resolution. The aim of the study unit is to focus on efficient and fair dispute resolution in a transnational context, in a world where commercial courts are national institutions. This study unit offers, in addition to the named lecture topics, complementing lectures for increased understanding and insight, for instance in “International Business Transactions”, a lecture focusing on students acquiring specialized expertise as well as insight into the many cultural perspectives and aspects relevant to doing business across borders, in order for students to get an enhanced understanding of the complexity of cross-border trade. Case studies, negotiation and procedural training are an important part of the study unit and provide an ideal addition to the lectures on offer. This enables students to obtain an ideal mix of theoretically minded lectures, equipping students with the necessary analytical abilities, and more practically applicable courses, allowing students to put their acquired theoretical knowledge into practice. Distinguished guest lecturers form an integral part of the program. Furthermore, excursions to international institutions (such as the ICC in Paris) are on the agenda.

Module 5: Study Unit European and International Protection of Human Rights

Participants in this study unit will focus on the main features, limits and developments in human rights protection and will be shown how to put this knowledge successfully into practice. The study unit deals with the development and realization of human rights in public international law and in international treaties on a global level as well as on a regional European level and their respective interrelations. Moreover, the study unit focuses on the relationship between the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights as well as on the practice of the bodies of the United Nations, the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. The practical application of human rights law is of particular relevance and interest for the purposes of this study unit. The courses cover both past and pending case law which addresses current issues. But it is also about more general questions such as those relating to the rights of individuals in relation to the sovereignty of the European Union and moreover to the point on how and whether the “neverending story” of an accession of the European Union to the European Convention on Human Rights can be brought to a successful conclusion.

Credit Points

A total of at least 45 credit points must be attained during the course of the study program. 15 additional credit points are awarded after the completion and approval of the Master's thesis, making it a total number of 60 credit points that have to be reached for completion of the Master's program.

Entry Requirements

The requirements for admission to the LL.M. program "European and International Law" at the Europa-Institut are as follows:

• • a university degree in law or in a comparable subject (business studies, humanities) from a German or foreign university and
• • proof of sound knowledge of German and/or English

More information on www.europainstitut.de/application

Application Procedure and Deadlines

The number of available places is limited. Candidates are selected on the basis of their academic qualifications and suitability.

The Master's program "European and International Law" begins in the winter semester. The deadline for applications is always 15 July, directly preceding the winter semester that candidates wish to commence in. Late applications may be accepted until 30 September.

Tuition and Fees

The tuition fees are 5,600 Euro per academic year (2,800 Euro per semester).

An additional administrative fee is payable to Saarland University. This entitles students to an ID-Card, which authorizes free use of public transportation within the Saarland and accident insurance. In addition, it confirms student status and can therefore be used to obtain student discounts.

Online Application

The Europa-Institut offers an online application that can be found here: www.europainstitut.de/onlineapplication


About the Europa-Institut

The Europa-Institut is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the European Commission and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It stands for high educational standards, close contact and regular exchange with institutions in the European Union, the Council of Europe as well as with the German Federal Foreign Office. The Europa-Institut was thoroughly examined and certified by the ACQUIN agency within the context of the system accreditation of Saarland University. The program accreditation states that the Europa-Institut offers both excellent research opportunities and excellent quality in teaching. The Europa-Institut also received the so-called “Certificate for Quality of Internationalisation (CeQuInt)” for the successful implementation of an internationalization strategy in its Master's program.


About Saarland University

Saarland University is a modern university within the Saar-Lor-Lux region - a dynamic part of Europe defined by the shared borders between Germany, France and Luxembourg. An international perspective has been a defining feature of Saarland University ever since it was established in cooperation with France in 1948. Today, 18.500 young people study in Saarbrücken and Homburg (faculty of medicine), 17 per cent of whom are international students. Located in a pleasant woodland setting, the university campus offers students and researchers a broad range of sporting and cultural activities, which together with the numerous cafés and restaurants make the campus an ideal place to relax between lectures or after work. And thanks to the high-speed ICE train link it takes only two hours to travel from Saarbrücken to Paris.