Master of Laws (LL.M.) Programme in EU and EEA Law

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Today’s Europe requires experts who possess a thorough knowledge of European law. Specialist legal knowledge of how the international and national systems interact, influence, and develop dynamically in tandem with each other, is increasingly in demand. And whilst there are countless LLM-programmes in EU law offered by universities around the globe, given its unique emphasis on the intricacies and peculiarities of EEA law, the LLM in EU and EEA law is unique, and the first of its kind in the world.

The programme is designed to prepare you for a wealth of theoretical, but also practical EU/EEA legal issues that you may encounter, for example when working in the public administration, as a corporate lawyer as a judge or in academia. 

Career 

The Master of Laws programme in EU and EEA law offers a study path of clear relevance to the pursuit of a wide variety of professions – primarily in law, as a legal practitioner or judge, but also in other fields where such specialist legal knowledge may prove helpful. 

The programme is also a relevant recruitment arena for international organizations such as: 

• the European Union,
• European Free Trade Association (EFTA),
• United Nations, World Trade Organization etc.

International institutions such as the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA), the EFTA Court, the European Commission and the Court of Justice with its many subdivisions are important employers for lawyers with specialist knowledge in EU and EEA law.

The Master of Laws programme in EU and EEA Law will also prepare its students for potential future academic careers at universities and colleges. 

Read more about the University of Bergen's PhD programme in Law. 

Structure

The LLM programme in EU and EEA Law is a one and half year programme starting every August. The first semester has three mandatory courses, while in the second semester you will choose between certain courses. In the final semester, you will write a master’s thesis on a chosen EU/EEA topic. It is also possible to submit the master’s thesis in August of the third semester if you wish to complete the program earlier. You need to notify us about this in December of the first semester.

This is how the programme is structured: 

First semester (Autumn I):

In the first semester you will complete these mandatory courses:

• EU and EEA Institutional Law and Policymaking (JUS3500, 10 ECTS)
• Free Movement under EU and EEA Internal Market Law (JUS3501, 10 ECTS)
• Competition Law (JUS3509, 10 ECTS)

Second Semester (Spring):

In the second semester, you will study at least two of the following three courses:

• EU and EEA State Aid Law (JUS3502 , 10 ECTS)
• EU and EEA Public Procurement Law (JUS3515, 10 ECTS)
• EEA Moot Court (JUS330-A, 10 ECTS)

You may choose to study all three of the above-mentioned courses, or you may exchange one of them with either of these elective courses: 

• Privacy and Data Protection - GDPR (JUS3503, 10 ECTS)
• EU Copyright Law (JUS3514, 10 ECTS)
• International Climate Law (JUS3511, 10 ECTS)
• Legal Philosophy (JUS3512, 10 ECTS)
• Health and Human Rights (JUS3522, 10 ECTS)

Third semester (Autumn II):

In the third semester you will be writing your master's thesis.

• Master's Thesis (LLM399, 30 ECTS)

Student life

You will spend most of your time at the Faculty of Law in Bergen. Here you will meet an international community of staff and students in an informal atmosphere and take part in academic and social events. The Faculty of Law is situated all in one place on the hillside on the Bergen University Campus, located within walking distance of most attractions in the city centre. While reading and studying, you may also enjoy the scenic views over the Bergen fjord. 

As an LLM student, you will be invited to events in the Research Group for European Law (BERG) and you will have access to working areas at the Faculty of Law such as the Law library and the many reading rooms. 

In the courses you will work both independently with literature and assignments, and in groups. All your lectures and seminars will be in English.

Read about what the students think of the LLM program: – A fantastic opportunity to gain a unique specialization

What you will learn

At the end of the LLM journey, you will have thorough knowledge of EU and EEA internal market law, and be skilled to navigate through complex EEA law material. 

Full list of learning outcomes

Admission requirements 

To apply for the Master of Laws Programme in EU and EEA Law you must have obtained a bachelor’s degree in law (3- or 4-years’ duration) or have completed law studies equivalent to a bachelor’s degree (first degree) in law.

You also need to document:

• That you have obtained an average grade of minimum Norwegian grade C or the equivalent, in your previous law studies (The Norwegian grade C equals to the grade C in the ECTS system or to the US grade B.)
• Proficiency in English
• Your motivation for the programme by submitting a letter of motivation (this applies to all applicants)

How to apply

Applications for admission for August 2025 open on February 1, 2025.

Read about the application procedure:

• For EU/EEA/Swiss applicants (deadline 1 March) 
• For Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway (deadline 15 April) 
• If you are currently employed, self-employed, have special needs or children, or are here on a permit, you can apply for an early reply. This must be done before March 1. You can find more information about early replies here.  

Applicants from outside of EU/EEA/Switzerland

The August 2025 intake will not be open to applicants from outside Europe. This will be reconsidered before the August 2026 intake. Please note that students with citizenship from countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, must pay tuition fees.