As the European Community becomes larger and more complex, so have the different laws and legislative processes within it. Some of the newer states built their own fresh legal framework after the collapse of Communism: often, this was based on more established systems, such as the law of England and Wales. However, there are still a number of different codes and ideologies within the EU that occasionally conflict with one another. So the study of European law is a very broad subject, which can be split into several areas: the separate legal structures of the different European Union countries, which are often studied comparatively, ie by measuring substantive individual legislation (employment law, contract law, criminal justice and so forth) from one member state against that of others; cross-European laws that apply to all member states and can range from fairly minor regulations to major treaties; philosophical, historical and political considerations; interaction with countries beyond Europe; and specific legal issues, such as immigration, human rights and conduct of business
Increasingly, issues like civil liberties, movement of people, environment and development are being debated by law and policy makers, and these issues, too, are finding their way into master’s in EU law, as is the debate about whether all member states should embrace the same legislation.
From the above, you can see that there is a lot of choice and very wide scope to pursue a variety of legal interests if you choose to pursue a master’s in European law. Detailed research is needed to find the course(s) that are right for you.
The majority of universities in the UK that run law courses offer LLMs in some branch of European law. This might be as part of a general master’s in law, but it is more likely to come under a course title like ‘LLM in European Law’ or ‘LLM in European Legal Studies’. At present, there are about 20–25 programmes of this type across the country. Apart from these, there are also several that cover both EU and international law, and even more which consider a particular aspect of European legislation, particularly business/commercial law, trade law, human rights law, criminal law and public law. Most of these are ‘taught’ through classes and tutorials, though research LLMs are offered at a handful of universities.
In common with other LLMs, to obtain a master’s, you will need to write a long dissertation. In European law master’s, it can range from about 10,000 words (Essex University) to 18,000–20,000 words (Nottingham Trent and Kent Universities). Contact with teaching staff is generally low – about four to eight hours per week on straightforward LLMs in European law (ie those specialising in other areas such as business). There is a great deal of emphasis on individual research and reading.
Find out how each course monitors your progress on its LLM in European law programmes. Some will ask you to sit exams, others will rely on continuous assessment, and, for some, it’s a mixture of both. To narrow down the huge number of choices available, pick courses that suit your style of learning. You should also look at the links that each course has with European law schools and organisations. Will you be able to spend time in Europe, perhaps do study or research there, or maybe learn another language?
It is usual to have a first degree in law, although many colleges will accept applications from those with bachelor’s qualifications that have a large law element (eg business or political subjects)
You will need a minimum IELTS score (or equivalent) of between 6.5 and 7.0.
Most one-year master’s in European law start in September and about one-third of courses are also available part time. This usually involves two years’ study, although, at London Metropolitan and Nottingham Universities amongst others, this can be extended to four or five years. Distance learning is not common, but, at the moment, this can be done at Leicester University and the University of London’s External LLM Programme.
If you want a LLM that looks at a broad range of European law, check out the following universities:
- Bristol
- University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol
- Cardiff
- Dundee
- Essex
- Exeter
- Glasgow
- Kent
- King’s College London
- Leeds
- London Metropolitan
- Manchester
- Nottingham
- Nottingham Trent
- Queen Mary University of London
- Reading
- University College London.
Note that many of them also run other LLMs with a European or international flavour. Leicester University, too, has several master’s in European law that look at a wide variety of social issues.
If you are seeking alternatives, you might research LLMs in international law, as they often have a number of options in EU law (see the article on international law for more information). Competition law is another possibility and so is Dundee University’s LLM in International Contracting. One potentially interesting idea is the ‘Trans-Manche’ (cross-Channel) LLM in International Mobility, Globalisation and the Law at the University of Kent and its sister colleges in France and Belgium.
Opportunities after the course
The LLM qualification is seen as evidence of high academic achievement and increased legal understanding in may countries. Depending on what your course has covered, a master’s in European law will help you to access work and study opportunities in individual European and international law firms, government establishments, corporate enterprises, charities, and similar organisations. The LLM does not allow you to practise law in the United Kingdom. For this, you should be a qualified lawyer in your own jurisdiction or be prepared to study for the Legal Practice Course/Bar Vocational Course in England and Wales (or the Scottish equivalents).
Recommended reading
A Textbook on EC Law, J J Steiner and L Woods
An Introduction to Comparative Law, K Zweigert and H Kötz
Constitutional Law of the European Union, S Douglas-Scott
European Constitutionalism Beyond the State, J Weiler and M Wind (eds)
Gillian Sharp
