The study programme

Today, many important private law questions no longer stop at national and disciplinary borders. Lawyers – working in legal practice – national and EU institutions, international corporations, NGOs and academia are increasingly confronted with rules and doctrines of European and international origin.

All students take part in the compulsory courses: Private Law in a European and International Context, European Contract Law and the module European Private Law in Practice and the special MA thesis programme. For the 30 EC electives you can pick the courses of your choice. At least one course is part of the Amsterdam Law Practice, our unique experiential education. A contemporary way of learning, in which you learn by doing and develop your professional identity by reflecting on who you are as a legal professional.

Is this programme for you?

• You would like insights and knowledge about private law issues in a rapidly changing world.
• You aspire a thorough understanding of the European and international aspects of private law, and of the economic, social and political forces driving its Europeanisation and globalisation.
• If you hold a Dutch university Bachelor’s degree in Law or PPLE, you can be directly admitted to the programme.
• International students with a comparable academic degree are also admissible. Applications are assessed by the Admissions Board.
• If you hold a different Bachelor’s degree, please consult our list of admission requirements in the Teaching and Examinations Regulations.

After graduation

Thanks to its ‘in context’ approach, European Private Law forms flexible, critical, problem-driven and curious lawyers. They can easily adapt to different kinds of practices and functions in the private and public sector. Students who have finished a Bachelor’s at the UvA first, qualify for the legal professions in the Netherlands (‘civiel effect’). Students who have a Bachelor’s diploma from another Dutch university should read more about the conditions (in Dutch).