Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) - Institute for European Studies (IES)

The University

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is the sister university of the French-speaking Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), founded in 1834. The VUB is known for its critical thinking, interdisciplinary approach, and openness of its teaching staff. The VUB offers Bachelor and Master programmes, as well as PhDs, in various domains, and is world renowned for its research.

The main VUB Etterbeek campus is just a few metro or tram stops away from the historic city centre. The campus is a green and leafy space, and reflects the international atmosphere and diversity of Brussels itself. It is also located very near the EU institutions and international institutions such as NATO. On campus there is a full range of amenities including extensive sport and leisure facilities, banks, libraries and a cafeteria.

www.studyinginbrussels.be/

The Law School

The Institute for European Studies (IES), a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in Brussels, offers an outstanding research-focused environment in the heart of Europe. Located close to the main EU institutions, and in proximity to international organisations and law firms, there are excellent networking and internship opportunities. The lES boasts excellent teaching facilities and a modern working space, right next to the amenities of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Etterbeek campus.

Our institute comprises both academic staff and EU practitioners, combing theory with practice. For all our courses we invite eminent guest speakers from international organisations, such as NATO, and EU institutions such as the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament, amongst others. The lES boasts excellent teaching facilities and an ultra-modern working space, right next to the excellent amenities of the VUB Etterbeek campus.

www.ies.be
[email protected]

The Program

The LLM in International and European law at the VUB has been an internationally renowned, high quality programme for over 40 years. Created in 1971 as the Programme on International and Legal Cooperation (PILC), it is one of the most established LLM of its kind.

The LLM is an Advanced Master degree of 60 ECTS organised by the Institute for European Studies, in cooperation with the VUB Faculty of Law. The selective student body (a maximum of 40 students each year) guarantees high quality interactive teaching.

The LLM offers a unique mixture of European and international public and business law in the following fields:

- Institutional law and judicial protection
- Economic and competition law
- External relations
- Sustainable development and the environment
- Human Rights
- Criminal law
- Taxation
- Comparative law

For more details please visit the website:
www.ies.be/llm

[email protected]

The Faculty

The LLM is organised in cooperation with the Faculty of Law and Criminology of the VUB. The faculty is well known for its practically-oriented education, its relatively small size and the openness of its professors.

The LLM course is taught entirely in English.

Entry Requirements

The LLM is a demanding programme with high academic admission requirements. To qualify for admission you need to have a law degree (J.D. or LLM), which entitles you to practise law in your country of origin, excellent academic results and references, and proven proficiency in English. Because of the variety of legal education systems, the Admission Board reserves the right to decide which qualifications will permit access to the programme.

Application Procedure

The deadline for applications is the end of February. The Academic board will select a maximum number of 40 students and notify them of their admission by 1 April.

Tuition and Fees

For the period 2012-2013 IES was able to cap the tuition fee at 4500 euros.

Financial Aid

The programme offers a limited number of scholarships that take the form of a reduced tuition fee (full or partial waiver) for cases of merit and/or demonstrable need. For more information go the the IES website: www.ies.be/llm/admission-requirements

Location

As the beating heart of Europe, Brussels is a special place for students of European Studies. Brussels offers fantastic internship and job opportunities in the EU institutions, at NATO, or at one of the many multinational headquarters in the city.

Brussels is in many ways the ideal city for international students. As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, and with over 70,000 students, it's easy to fit in.

It's next to impossible to get bored in this city. Nowhere else in Belgium can you find such an exciting range of cultural activities, music, festivals, museums, restaurants and bars. Brussels may not be associated with high glamour, but it's easy to be seduced by its charms. The quality of life is high in Brussels, so much so that many students end up staying here long after their studies.

Accommodation

For all questions about accommodation visit the accommodation page of the VUB: www.vub.ac.be/english/infofor/prospectivestudents/…

Student Life

Student life in Brussels is among the best in the world. A great number of activities (sports, concerts, music, museums, trips etc.) are available both on campus and in the city itself. The International Relations and Mobility Office of the university, among others, will organise and keep you informed about ongoing activities.

See also: www.vub.ac.be/english/infofor/prospectivestudents/…

Summer Program

IES Summer School on European Policy Making

Every year, the Institute for European Studies teams up with the University of Vienna and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna to organize the inter-university Summer School on European Policy Making. The intensive two-week programme is held one week in Brussels and one week in Vienna. Packed with lectures, study visits and simulation games, this programme aims at attracting students and young professional who wish to broaden their knowledge of the European institutions, European law and the European decision-making process in general.

Aside from being a valuable asset in professional life in general, the Summer School has proven to be a great help in preparing for the competitions organised by the EU to select future officials. Our alumni can be found not only in the European institutions, but also in national administrations, law firms and academia.

For the period 2012-2014, the Summer School will receive Jean Monnet funding, as recognition of its excellence.

For more info: www.ies.be/summerschool
[email protected]