Master in Law and Sustainability in Europe

Paving the Way to a Sustainable Future

Today’s complex world raises some pressing questions. Why do we need a European Green Deal? How is it put to use in the EU and its Member States? What does the legal framework to foster the transition to a climate-neutral Europe look like? How can you ensure the green transition will be socially fair? What role do human rights play in environmental law?

Law fostering sustainability and sustainable development is one of the fastest-developing, most challenging legal disciplines, and the EU has become a key global actor in this field. This Master’s programme on Law and Sustainability in Europe discusses how the EU and its Member States respond to challenges related to the sustainability transition. It approaches the role of Europe and its legal regimes, especially EU law, in an international setting. But it also teaches students how national law can play an essential role in implementing European law on sustainability. This unique dual approach is the core feature of this new Master’s programme.

Do you want to gain knowledge about legal principles and instruments to create truly sustainable economies and societies at the European and national levels? Are you interested in how liability law is used in climate litigation and which new legal concepts are being discussed to stop biodiversity loss? Do you want to become a legal expert who contributes to saving the planet and improving the quality of life for current and future generations? If so, our one-year Master’s in Law and Sustainability in Europe sounds right for you!

Content of the Programme

During this Master’s in Law and Sustainability in Europe, you will:

• Study one of the fastest-developing and most challenging legal disciplines;
• Acquire essential knowledge on EU sustainability policy and law, and learn from the Member States’ experiences in implementing EU and international regulatory instruments;
• Gain a solid understanding of the implications and effects of the legal framework on policy goals;
• Gain the knowledge to approach sustainability in a multi-dimensional way to become a ‘sustainable’ regulator and enforcer or the sustainability law expert of a company or law firm; and
• Acquire insight into the European legal regimes of climate protection, natural resources law and sustainable water management.

Our elective modules (Capita Selecta) offer you the opportunity to specialise further. During the programme, we will train you to apply your skills to topics such as sustainability in EU procurement law, green crimes, sustainable strategic litigation, philosophy and ethics of sustainability, and comparative regional and national approaches to sustainability. During the Research and Thesis Trajectory, you will write a thesis on something you find interesting with support and supervision from our expert staff.

Programme Objectives

This Master’s programme equips you with knowledge and skills that will benefit you in your professional and personal life. During the year, you will:

• Understand how sustainability in Europe can be a game-changer, and the limits of legal instruments;
• Conduct your own research and learn to report it clearly and understandably in written and oral form;
• Learn to quickly deepen your knowledge of specific areas of EU law on sustainability and related matters, and develop the skills for lifelong learning;
• Acquire a critical, reflective attitude, including the ability to give and receive feedback; and;
• Develop interpersonal and social skills by working with fellow students in an international classroom and joining a network of graduates working on similar challenges.

Why in Utrecht

The LLM in Law and Sustainability in Europe is an English-taught programme consisting of small-scale, interactive and intensive courses. As a student of this Master’s programme at Utrecht University, you will:

• Be part of a small-scale international programme with intensive personal contact between staff and students;
• Develop your argumentation skills, for example in Moot Court courses;
• Deepen your knowledge of topical legal issues through elective modules (Capita Selecta);
• Examine real-life legal cases as part of engaging group assignments;
• Work with staff who maintain a large network of international contacts with courts and organisations; and
• Enjoy excursions, study trips and expert guest lectures.

Experts in the Field

Faculty researchers such as Professor Seline Trevisanut, Professor Chris Backes, Professor Ton van den Brink, Professor Elbert de Jong and Professor Marleen van Rijswick will share their knowledge and might invite you to assist in their research. Moreover, our teaching staff will use their network to help you connect with organisations and institutions you might be interested in.

A Leading University

Established in 1636, the Utrecht University School of Law is the oldest law school in the Netherlands and is still one of Europe’s leading centres of excellence. Today, our beautiful and historical faculty buildings provide a supportive and inspiring work environment to about 500 lecturers and almost 4,000 students. Many of our alumni hold prestigious positions with leading companies and institutions around the world. Based on the internationally recognised Shanghai Ranking, Utrecht University has been the best ranking Dutch university since the first ARWU ranking was published in 2003. Utrecht University is now ranked 50th worldwide. Utrecht University aims to be at the forefront of open science because open science promotes transparency and enhances the scientific and social impact of research. Our place in the rankings mentioned above is often based on other values than these. Utrecht University also works closely with more than 80 international universities and is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU): an association of 22 like-minded leading research institutes working together to influence European policy regarding research, education and innovation.

The Perfect Location

Utrecht is more than a well-established classical university town: it is a vibrant community where Dutch history comes together with a cosmopolitan population and an active student network. Every year, students from all over the world find their way to Utrecht and enjoy the experience of a lifetime. Why not join them?

What about Tomorrow?

Law touches everything. It is in constant motion, evolving even as it stimulates major societal and industrial changes. Every day, lawyers around the world discover answers to entirely new questions. Working with others, they are building tomorrow’s society, today. With its prestigious 380-year history, the Utrecht University School of Law guides its teaching and research activities by asking: “What about tomorrow?”.

The School of Law aims to play an active role in solving the world’s major issues by facilitating innovative, multi-dimensional legal research. Through challenging teaching programmes, the school trains its students to become outstanding lawyers who take the lead in driving justice and societal change.

Year Schedule

This one-year Master’s programme starts in September. The academic year is divided into two semesters: Semester 1 runs from September to January, and semester 2 runs from February to June. Each semester is divided into two periods. The academic year consists of:

• A compulsory part worth (30 EC) comprised of four compulsory major courses and Capita Selecta (15 EC).
• A Research and Thesis Trajectory (15 EC)

Course Schedule

Please note that the names of the courses may change next year. Visit the webpage Courses to find more detailed information on the content.

Compulsory Courses (30 EC)

In this Master’s programme, you will take four compulsory courses:

• Law and Sustainability in the European Union: An Introduction
• EU Natural Resources Law
• EU Climate Protection
• EU Sustainable Water Management

Capita Selecta (15 EC)

The Capita Selecta comprises six three-week modules (2.5 EC each) designed to help you quickly master a specific issue: a key competency of any good lawyer! These may include:

• Comparative Moot Court European Environmental Law;
• Sustainability in EU Procurement Law;
• Green Crime;
• Sustainable Strategic Litigation;
• Feminist and other critical approaches to sustainability;
• Human Rights Perspective: the right to a healthy environment;
• Geo-engineering in the EU;
• Philosophy and Ethics of Sustainability; or
• Comparative Regional and national approaches to sustainability.

One module (2.5 EC) of the Capita Selecta is part of the Research and Thesis Trajectory, namely the research design module. Aside from that, the Capita Selecta modules we offer vary from year to year.

Research and Thesis Trajectory (15 EC)

You will also complete a research thesis. This runs throughout the Master’s programme, beginning in September and ending in late June. You will fully work on the thesis in the second semester, using different interactive teaching methods and an individual trajectory with your supervisor.

Educational Methods

• Lectures (25-50 students); at least two hours a week
• Tutorials (max. 25 students)
• Compact Capita Selecta sessions
• Group sessions as part of your Research and Thesis Trajectory (max. 10 students)
• Assignments and presentations

Legal Skills Academy

The School of Law takes skills teaching seriously. We integrate professional, legal practice and academic skills into all our Master’s curricula, while our new Legal Skills Academy puts skills teaching in the spotlight. By the time you’ve finished your Master’s, not only are you proficient in the complexities of sustainability and law, but you also have the confidence and skills to thrive in the professional world. Your participation in inter alia moot courts, blog writing and simulated negotiations will give you valuable experience in applied lawyering that helps your CV stand out in a competitive job market.

Internships

The programme provides students with the flexibility to complete practical placements. For example, undertaking an internship may entitle you to an extended enrolment in the LLM. Internships are also facilitated by UU’s extensive network of professionals in public and private organisations at a national and international level.

Career Prospects

Because the transition to sustainability will have such a large Career Prospectsimpact on society and the economy, there will be a huge demand for lawyers who understand these issues in a European context. This Master’s opens the door to a successful career in legal practice, government, government agencies or the corporate world.

Career Prospects

A Legal Career to Contribute to a More Just and Sustainable Future

Major transitions need to be initiated and managed within the EU and its Member States and around the world. There is and will always be a need for lawyers who understand legal sustainability concepts and strategies, know how the law fostering these concepts and strategies is embedded in an international context, and know how it depends on national implementation and application. In short, the world needs lawyers who understand how sustainability operates within a multi-level legal order.

These are the lawyers needed to realise the transition processes at an EU and national level to further shape future law, meeting new and unforeseen sustainability challenges and cooperating in interdisciplinary teams to develop sustainable solutions. Whether you want to work in legal practise or the public domain, there’s always a need for well-trained graduates in this field.

After finishing your studies, you can work:

• In law firms, especially European and internationally oriented law firms;
• In regulatory agencies, at the European, national and international levels;
• As a judge at the European and national levels;
• In legal departments of large corporations or consultancy firms;
• In legal departments of international companies; and
• As a legal counsel in start-up companies.

The Utrecht School of Law, particularly UCWOSL and RENFORCE, liaises with preferred partners from law firms, public administration and NGOs, mainly in the Netherlands. Professors and teachers involved in the programme have extensive professional networks, experience outside academia and ties with government and market institutions, providing students with the opportunity to broaden their academic and professional options.

Career Development

The programme aims to facilitate the connection between the student and the job market, in particular through:

• Visiting relevant institutions such as the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the Dutch water authorities. Utrecht University’s strong reputation and contract network means students are regularly offered places on highly sought-after internships with these organisations;
• Inviting alumni to take part in various activities on campus, including informative presentations about their current employer and working environment, and/or social and networking events such as the annual career event; and
• Arranging internships.

UU Career Services

UU Career Services offers training related to career orientation and job application skills; examples include writing an application letter and CV and conducting a job interview. You can find more information about career services on UU Career Services for Dutch students or UU Career Services for international students. Furthermore, the alumni network supports graduates with workshops and meet-ups after graduation to expand their network and skills.

UU Careers Day

Once a year Utrecht University organises a Careers Day. The Careers Day offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and training, and to meet recruiters at the careers fair. It’s also possible to join a job application training or have your resume checked.