Master of European and International Business, Competition and Regulatory Law (MBL-FU)

Overview This one-year postgraduate Master of Laws (LL.M.) provides concentrated, advanced training in European and international competition and regulatory law. The curriculum tackles current, practical questions at the intersection of law, economics and regulation, with particular attention to issues shaping contemporary and digital markets.

Teaching and curriculum Courses are delivered by a mix of leading academics in law and economics and seasoned practitioners — including officials from the European Commission and national authorities, as well as lawyers from international firms and in-house counsel at multinational companies. Instruction ranges from theoretical and economic foundations to detailed treatment of European and international competition law, intellectual property and other regulatory topics that are central to today’s key industries.

Why this programme is useful for international students The programme’s practice-oriented approach and internationally diverse faculty make it well suited to students seeking careers in competition authorities, international law firms, in-house legal teams, regulatory bodies or policy institutions. Small-scale, specialised instruction together with exposure to policymakers and practitioners offers strong networking and applied learning opportunities within a European and global context.

Key facts

• Degree: Master of Laws (LL.M.)
• Duration: one academic year
• Language of instruction: English
• Focus areas: European and international competition law, regulatory law, intellectual property, economic and theoretical foundations of regulation
• Teaching staff: academics and practitioners, including officials from the European Commission, national authorities, international law firms and multinational companies
• Institutional strengths: Freie Universität Berlin is one of Germany’s eleven “Universities of Excellence”; the university’s library network holds ~8 million media units
• Campus and international environment: around 33,500 students across 170+ degree programmes; 16 departments and central institutes; 100+ international partnerships; approximately 15% of students are from abroad

This program uses a blended learning model that combines on-campus teaching with online study and independent work. Instruction is delivered through lectures, seminars and tutorials held mainly on Fridays and Saturdays (with occasional Thursday sessions) at the Department of Law, while the university’s online platform provides complementary materials and communication. Overall you complete seven taught modules and a Master's thesis.

The curriculum is organised in two parts. Part I brings together business law and economic principles to ground legal analysis in commercial and policy contexts; Part II focuses on competition and regulatory law, including intellectual property and advanced regulatory topics. The course sequence and mix of interactive seminars, practical tutorials and e-learning are designed to develop both doctrinal knowledge and applied skills in European and international business regulation.

Program components and requirements (concise)

• Seven taught modules across two parts (see list below)
• Master's thesis as the final research component
• On-campus sessions: primarily Fridays and Saturdays, occasionally Thursdays
• Each module includes in-class lectures, seminars and tutorials plus online study and assignments

Key modules and intended learning outcomes

• Business Law and Principles of Economics — understand core commercial legal frameworks and basic economic reasoning relevant to regulation and business practice
• European and International Business Law — acquire knowledge of cross-border legal rules governing international and EU business transactions
• Economy and Competition – The Broader View — place competition law in a wider economic and policy context to appreciate market effects and regulatory goals
• European Competition Law — learn the substantive and procedural rules of EU competition law and their application
• Advanced Competition Law — develop deeper analytical skills for complex competition cases and enforcement strategies
• Intellectual Property — gain insight into IP rights and how they interact with competition and regulatory regimes
• Regulatory Law – The Fundamentals — grasp foundational principles of regulatory law and administrative mechanisms
• Advanced Regulatory Law — explore complex regulatory issues, enforcement and the interface between regulation and markets

These modules, together with the thesis, aim to equip you with the doctrinal knowledge, economic perspective and practical skills needed to analyse and work on European and international business, competition and regulatory law issues.

Graduates are prepared for careers that require specialised knowledge of competition and regulatory law and its economic underpinnings. Typical pathways include positions in national competition authorities and regulatory agencies, EU institutions, international and domestic law firms (antitrust/competition practice), in-house counsel or compliance roles at multinational companies, and consultancy or policy-advisory roles dealing with regulated and digital markets.

The programme’s practitioner-focused teaching and Berlin location also facilitate networking and internship opportunities that can help bridge academic study and professional practice in both public and private sectors.