LL.M. Course in International and European Law
About the Course
This fully online, flexible LL.M. program is designed for those interested in advancing their expertise in international and European law. Participants can choose from three distinct study options: the combined LL.M. in International and European Law, the LL.M. in International Law, or the LL.M. in European Law. For those seeking specialized knowledge, the program also offers the opportunity to focus on one of six core areas.
Conducted entirely in English, this program serves as a professional development course and is not a traditional study program. Upon successful completion, participants earn a certificate and are entitled to use the prestigious “LL.M.” designation professionally.
Key Features
- Fully flexible, fully online: the course is completed fully online giving participants maximum flexibility to schedule studies according to their individual needs. Participants can also register for additional subjects outside their core studies for a fee, allowing them to expand their knowledge and skills even further.
- Final seminar: the course is concluded by way of an online final oral seminar without the need for submitting a dissertation.
- Learn from the experts: the course is designed and taught by internationally recognised experts in various fields across international and European law.
Study Options
Participants may choose to enrol in either of the following study options, which includes the combined LL.M. in International and European Law or the individual LL.M. in International Law or LL.M. in European Law. Participants enrolled in the individual LL.M. may choose to specialise in one of six areas:
- Study option 1 (combined LL.M.): LL.M. in International and European Law – apply here
- Study option 2 (general): LL.M. in International Law – apply here
- Study option 3 (general): LL.M. in European Law – apply here
- Study option 4: Specialisations:
- LL.M. International Humanitarian Law – apply here
- LL.M. in International Criminal Law – apply here
- LL.M. in International Human Rights Law – apply here
- LL.M. in European Civil Procedure – apply here
- LL.M. in European Human Rights Law – apply here
- LL.M. in European Business Law – apply here
Online Study Format
The LL.M. program is delivered entirely online through Moodle, a highly user-friendly platform that offers seamless access to courses, lecturers, and study resources. Through Moodle, participants can conveniently access all course materials, including lesson plans, assignments, recommended readings, and interactive features for engaging with classmates and lecturers. This setup ensures a flexible and comprehensive learning experience, with everything needed to succeed in one accessible online space.
Study option 1: LL.M. in International and European Law
This combined study option provides participants with an excellent opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the fundamentals in both international and European law. The curriculum includes subjects from both fields, offering a comprehensive perspective on these interconnected areas of law. Participants are required to complete two core subjects in international law, two core subjects in European law, and two elective subjects. Please note that further specialisation is not available within this option.
Obligatory Subjects
Public International Law I
Public International Law II
European Union Constitutional Law
European Union Economic Law
Final Seminar
Elective Subjects
Law of Armed Conflict and Use of Force
Law of International Organisations
Private International Law
International and European Environmental Law
International Human Rights Law
European Human Rights Law
European Civil Procedure
International Criminal Law
International Economic Law
History of EU Integration
EU Institutions
Transition to Democracy
Regulation of Digital Markets
EU Competition Law
Sustainability and Conflict
Study Option 2: LL.M. in International Law
This study option allows participants to concentrate specifically on international law, offering a deep dive into this vital area. Participants will complete two core courses covering the fundamentals of international law, complemented by six elective courses to tailor their expertise further. No mandatory courses in European law are required; however, participants may choose to expand their knowledge by registering for additional European law courses for an extra fee.
Obligatory Subjects
Public International Law I
Public International Law II
Final Seminar
Elective Subjects
Law of Armed Conflict and Use of Force
Law of International Organisations
Private International Law
International and European Environmental Law
International Human Rights Law
International Criminal Law
Sustainability and Conflict
Study Option 3: LL.M. in European Law
This option is designed for those who wish to focus exclusively on European law, providing an in-depth exploration of this essential field. Participants will complete two foundational courses in European law, along with six elective courses, allowing them to customize their studies to their specific interests. There are no required courses in international law, though participants have the option to broaden their scope by enrolling in additional international law subjects for an added fee.
Obligatory Subjects
European Union Constitutional Law
European Union Economic Law
Final Seminar
Elective Subjects
International and European Environmental Law
European Human Rights Law
European Civil Procedure
History of EU Integration
EU Institutions
Transition to Democracy
Regulation of Digital Markets
EU Competition Law
Sustainability and Conflict
Study Option 4: LL.M. with specialisation
This option allows participants in either the LL.M. in International Law or the LL.M. in European Law to add a specialised focus, resulting in the degree designation LL.M. (with specialisation in [specific area]).
What sets Study Option 4 apart from the other options is the opportunity for participants to delve deeply into a specific field within either international or European law. In addition to core studies, participants in this track select a field of specialisation, where they will complete an advanced module and produce a 25-page mini-dissertation. This dissertation serves as a demonstration of their in-depth knowledge and competence in their chosen specialisation.
Based on faculty capacity and available courses, the following specializations are offered:
LL.M. in International Humanitarian Law
- Public International Law I (obligatory)
- Public International Law II (obligatory)
- Law of Armed Conflict and Use of Force (obligatory)
- Advanced Law of Armed Conflict and Use of Force (obligatory mini-dissertation)
- International Human Rights Law (obligatory)
- International Criminal Law (obligatory)
- One choice elective (see list of modules above from LL.M. in International Law)
- Final Seminar
LL.M. in International Criminal Law
- Public International Law I (obligatory)
- Public International Law II (obligatory)
- International Criminal Law (obligatory)
- Advanced International Criminal Law (obligatory mini-dissertation)
- Law of Armed Conflict and Use of Force (obligatory)
- International Human Rights Law (obligatory)
- One choice elective (see list of modules above from LL.M. in International Law)
- Seminar
LL.M. in International Human Rights Law
- Public International Law I (obligatory)
- Public International Law II (obligatory)
- International Human Rights Law (obligatory)
- Advanced International Human Rights Law (obligatory mini-dissertation)
- European Human Rights Law (obligatory)
- International Criminal Law (obligatory)
- One choice elective (see list of modules above from LL.M. in International Law)
- Seminar
LL.M. in European Civil Procedure
- European Union Constitutional Law (obligatory)
- European Union Economic Law (obligatory)
- European Civil Procedure (obligatory)
- Advanced European Civil Procedure (obligatory mini-dissertation)
- European Human Rights Law (obligatory)
- EU Institutions (obligatory)
- One choice elective (see list of modules above from LL.M. in European Law)
- Seminar
LL.M. in European Human Rights Law
- European Union Constitutional Law (obligatory)
- European Union Economic Law (obligatory)
- European Human Rights Law (obligatory)
- Advanced European Human Rights Law (obligatory mini-dissertation)
- EU Institutions (obligatory)
- Transition to democracy (obligatory)
- One choice elective (see list of modules above from LL.M. in European Law)
- Seminar
LL.M. in European Business Law
- European Union Economic Law (obligatory)
- Advanced European Union Economic Law (obligatory mini-dissertation)
- EU Competition Law (obligatory)
- Regulation of Digital Markets (obligatory)
- International Economic Law (obligatory)
- Three choice electives (see list of modules above from LL.M. in European Law)
- Seminar
Final Seminar
The LL.M. program concludes with a final seminar, a 30-minute oral discussion between the participant and a panel of three experts in international and/or European law. This seminar provides participants with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate and apply their theoretical knowledge on a topic of their choice.
At the start of the course, participants are given a list of topics curated by course lecturers, from which they identify three areas of interest. After initial consultations with relevant lecturers, participants select one topic to focus on for the final seminar. To ensure they are well-prepared, participants engage in three required consultations with their chosen topic’s lecturer over the course of the programme.
Choosing your final seminar topic: Participants may choose from any of the three topics provided in any given subject part of the LL.M. they are registered for, provided that they are enrolled for the subject within which that topic falls, either in the first or second semester. Participants do not need to have completed the subject prior to topic selection.
The final seminar consists of a 15-minute presentation by the participant, followed by a 15-minute discussion, during which the expert panel poses questions to explore the participant’s insights and understandings further.
Meet your Lecturers
Your course lecturers are internationally recognised experts in their fields. You will therefore have access to direct consultations with leading experts throughout the duration of your studies.
Admission Requirements
- Proof of English language competence (CEFR level B2) – to be proven by English language certificates (TOEFL, IELTS, CAE, CPE) or documents about previous university studies in the English language.
- No previous study in law or a related field is required.
Tuition fees
| Tuition fee: | EUR 3500 | (early-bird applications EUR 3000) |
| Annual administrative fee: | EUR 500 | |
Contact Us
The course coordinators welcome any questions you may have about the course. Send us an email or complete the “contact us” form below and we’ll get back to you shortly.
Course coordinators:
JUDr. Martin Faix, Ph.D., MJI
martin.faix@upol.cz
Dr Marko Svičevič, LL.Dip.
marko.svicevic@upol.cz
Course administration:
Mgr. Radana Kuncová
radana.kuncova@upol.cz
(+420) 585 637 675
Applications
Applications for the 2024/2025 academic year are open.
- Study option 1 (combined LL.M.): LL.M. in International and European Law
- Study option 2 (general): LL.M. in International Law
- Study option 3 (general): LL.M. in European Law
- Study option 4: Specialisations:
FAQ
What is the difference between a Master’s programme and an online LL.M. course?
At our faculty, we offer
- LL.M. Course in International and European Law: This is a one-year professional development course conducted entirely online. Participants are not formally enrolled as students and, upon completion, receive a certificate (not a diploma) along with the professional title LL.M.
- Master in International and European Law programme: This is a full-time, accredited study programme conducted on campus, with a standard duration of two years. Participants are formally enrolled as students, eligible for scholarships, and may participate in Erasmus exchange programmes. Graduates of this programme are awarded the academic title Mgr.
How much time does it take to complete the LL.M.?
The online course is designed to take two semesters. Extension of studies beyond one year is possible but will be subject to an annual administrative fee.
How much time does it take to complete each course unit?
On average, the standard length is approximately 30 hours; however, this may vary and could be either longer or shorter based on factors such as the participant’s familiarity with the topic and individual study pace.
How do the examinations/testing for the courses in the online LL.M. look like?
The methods of assessment may vary depending on the specific course unit. They typically include completing tasks throughout the semester or submitting short written assignments. Additionally, many course units also incorporate quizzes or other forms of testing within the Moodle learning environment, alongside study materials provided. These assessments are designed to evaluate understanding and progress in the respective subject areas.
A final course seminar is conducted as a 15-minute presentation by the candidate on a selected topic. This is followed by a 15-minute discussion, during which the examination committee poses questions to the candidate.
I don’t live in your time zone. How will we schedule live consultations?
The flexible nature of the course allows for scheduling live consultations that best suit both parties. The timing of live consultations will be agreed between course participants and the lecturer in order to ensure that everyone can participate. Should this not be feasible, we will consider individual solutions.
When does the course start?
The course runs twice a year commencing on 1 October and 15 February respectively.
When do the applications start? What is the deadline for early-bird applications?
Early-bird applications are open between 1 March and 30 June and 15 October and 31 December each year. Full-price applications are valid from 1 July to 23 September and 1 January to 7 February.
Which LL.M. option should I choose?
The choice of an LL.M. programme largely depends on individual preferences. The primary consideration is your personal interest in specific areas of international and European law. Additionally, it is important to evaluate which specialization aligns best with your professional goals. To help you decide which option best suits your needs, we suggest arranging a short Zoom call with our course coordinators, who will help you with your decision and answer any questions you may have.
What study materials are used?
Study material varies depending on specific course units. Resources are made available through the Moodle learning environment, which facilitates access to all course-related material. Typically, they include presentations, quizzes, case studies, professional articles, textbook excerpts, video links, and references to professional literature.
What title will I get?
After completing the course, you will be entitled to use the title ‘LL.M.’ after your name.
Is it an academic qualification?
No, our online LL.M. course is a professional development course, not a study programme, and thus is not recognized as an academic qualification. However, in terms of content, length, number of study hours, etc., our LL.M. course is comparable with LL.M. programmes abroad, (although it does not constitute an academic qualification according to Czech legislation).