Master of Laws (LL.M.) (2024)

Master of Laws (LL.M.)

• Educational level: Advanced master's programme*
• Language instruction: English
• Duration: 1 year (fulltime), 60 ECTS
• Type: day time education
• Location: in-person programme in Leuven
• Academic Calendar:
  • 1st semester: 3rd week of September - end of January (exams in January)
  • 2nd semester: 2nd week of February - end of June (exams in June)
  • Re-takes (if any): 3rd week of August - 1st week of September

• Study programme: The programme structure provides an overview of all components of the LL.M. programme.Specific course descriptionscan be found in the programme guide. Thisguide relates to the current academic year until three months prior to the start of the following academic year.

• Academic teaching staff: LL.M. Professors

The KU Leuven LL.M. Programme is possible to combine with:

• Double Degree with McGill, Montreal: An unprecedented trans-Atlantic experience at two world-leading law faculties.For more information,email usto learn about the possibilities.

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Brochure Video

*The LL.M.provides legal professionals anadvanced education to further specialize in the field of international and european law. In most cases, you will need to have finalized an (initial) master programme in order to meet the LL.M. eligibility criteria.

Why Select the KU Leuven LL.M. Programme?

• QUALITY High quality education at one of the oldest, most well-respected universities in the world. The programme is aimed at students who’ve already graduated in law and law professionals.
• STAFF Strong academic tradition, leading position in legal research and close links with legal practice and EU institutions: including the President of the Court of Justice of the EU (Prof. Dr. K. Lenaerts), one of the judges at the General Court of the EU (Prof. Dr. G. De Baere), and the Belgian judge at the European Court of Human Rights (Prof. Dr. P. Lemmens)
• INNOVATIVE COURSESThe programme proposes two distinct tracks: International and European Business Law and International or European Public Law.

• DOUBLE DEGREE McGILL UNIVERSITY, CANADAThe possibility to apply for, or transfer into, the McGill Double Degree Programme. An unprecedented trans-Atlantic experience at two world-leading law faculties. You will receive over two years, two degrees and write only one thesis. Select one of the four specialisations.

• LL.M. MASTERCLASSES Clinics that bring the "law in action" in the classroom: meet prominent practitioners and establish a network.
• LOCATION Beautiful campus situated in the historic student city of Leuven, at only 20 minutes by train from EU Capital Brussels.
• AFFORDABILITY In comparison to the rest of the world, Belgium offers affordable higher education fees.
• SUMMER SCHOOL All future LL.M. students can participate free of chargein our LL.M. Summer School, which takes place the week preceeding the start of the academic year.

Duration

1 year, full time, 60 ECTS

The programme does not include part-time, evening or weekend courses. It is also an in-person programme, meaning no online or hybrid teaching.

Academic Calendar 2024-2025

Study programme

The programme proposestwo areas of specialisation: International and European Business Law or International and European Public Law.

Each of these specialisations includes compulsory courses, a broad range of electives and an LL.M. Master Paper based on individual research.

Discover the programme structure

Study trips

*The LL.M. programme includes:

• attending hearings* at the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg
• attending hearings* at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
• discussing current issues in international affairs with the staff of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

*Court hearings are subject to change.

Every year, the staff of the LL.M. programme organises a welcome session at the start of the academic yearand a Christmas dinnerwith the LL.M. Director and professors.

Summer School

The Faculty of Law organizes the 4-day LL.M. Summer School on European andInternational Law. We want to introduce you to the greatest experts in International andEU Law, and offer an interesting foreign experience. This programme is an excellent refresher on your core EU and Internationallaw subjects.The programme is included in the tuition fee of the students enrolled in the LL.M. programme.

Read more

Application instructions and deadlines

• *EEA citizens: 1 June 2023
• *Non-EEA citizens: 1 June 2023
• Non-EEA citizens living in Belgium with a valid residence permit: 1 June 2023

*We review applications on a rolling basis andstrongly recommend you to apply as soon as possible to ensure enough time to find housing andforvisa applications, if applicable.

Apply here:

non-Flemish universityDegree holders

Flemish universitydegree holders

Eligibility & Admissions

The LL.M. is a competitive programme with strict eligibility criteria and rigorous admissions process. Each application is studied carefully by the LL.M. admissions committee. Meeting the admission criteria does not result in automatic acceptance.

Read more

Tuition fees, scholarships and funding opportunities

The tuition fee is €7,518.60for all students (60 ECTS) enrolling for 2024-2025. An additional fee is applicable if you choose more than 60 ECTS (approximately €100 per ECTS).

Tuition fees may be subject to change. Check the most up to date tuition feeshere.

Are you lookingfor means to finance your studies? Look at thescholarships and funding opportunities.

Excellent students in financial needmay be eligible for a one-time partial tuition fee waiver, also called the 'Germaine Cox scholarship'.

UPDATE Germaine Cox Scholarship:Dueto the volume of applications before the first deadline, there isnoreserve list for applications received after 20 April 2024. All scholarships have been awardednow. If recipients reject the scholarship ona later date, those on the reserve list will be contacted. We cannot communicate if applicants are on the reserve list(edit: 31 May 2024).

Why choose the LL.M. programme?

LL.M. Alumnus Stefan McClean recently published the findings of his LL.M. Master Thesis in the Journal of Conflict and Security Law. Click below to learn more about his experiencesas an LL.M. student at KU Leuven and about the next steps in his career.

Read about Stefan and others

Recently Graduated

Maria Langiewicz

SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities 2021;
LL.M. KU Leuven 2022

Read about Maria and others

Recently Graduated

Lucca Bruzzi Porto

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, 2021, LL.M. Leuven 2022

Read about Lucca and others