Master of European and International Law (MEIL, LLM)

Program overview

This one‑year, English‑taught Master's programme offers concentrated, advanced study in European and international law. It provides in‑depth exposure to the legal principles, institutions and frameworks that shape cross‑border regulation and cooperation, with courses delivered entirely in English to serve an international cohort.

Designed for students aiming at transnational legal work, the programme places strong emphasis on developing both subject‑matter expertise and the soft skills needed for global practice. Successful graduates will build a solid grounding in European and international legal concepts while strengthening intercultural communication and advanced English proficiency—capabilities that are essential for careers across borders.

Key facts and requirements

• Duration: 1 year (full-time)
• Language of instruction: English
• Academic focus: European law and international law (in‑depth study)
• Essential skills/expectations: firm understanding of European and international legal concepts; intercultural competence; very good English language skills

Overview This programme combines on-campus study in Hamburg with a mobile semester option at selected European partner universities, giving students a transnational classroom experience. In the winter semester all students are based in Hamburg. The summer semester can be spent either in Hamburg or at one of the partner institutions across Europe, enabling comparative exposure to different legal systems and teaching styles.

Curriculum and teaching During the first semester you take an introductory module plus three compulsory modules drawn from three core areas: public international law and human rights, EU law, and European business law. In the second semester you move into specialisation modules offered both at Universität Hamburg and at partner universities. Specialisation topics include international human rights law, EU law, and European and international business law. Courses are delivered by a “Flying Faculty” composed of academics from the partner universities, and instruction throughout the programme is in English.

Why this matters for international students The structure is designed to deepen foundational knowledge in the first term and then allow targeted specialisation in the second, while benefiting from multiple institutional perspectives. The mix of Hamburg-based teaching and partner-university modules supports networking across Europe, comparative legal insight, and exposure to different academic cultures — valuable for careers in international law, human rights, EU institutions, or cross-border business regulation.

Concise requirements and key elements

• Winter semester: study on campus in Hamburg (all students).
• Summer semester: option to remain in Hamburg or study at a European partner university.
• First-semester curriculum: one introductory module + three compulsory modules covering public international law & human rights, EU law, and European business law.
• Second-semester curriculum: specialisation modules in international human rights law, EU law, and European/international business law (available at Hamburg and partner universities).
• Teaching delivered by a “Flying Faculty” from partner institutions.
• Language of instruction: English.

Key learning outcomes

• Solid grounding in public international law, human rights, EU law, and European business law.
• Ability to specialise in focused areas such as international human rights law, EU law, or European/international business law.
• Comparative and transnational legal perspective gained through study at multiple European institutions.
• Experience with diverse teaching approaches and academic networks across partner universities.

The programme is designed to prepare graduates for international careers where expertise in European and international law is essential. The combination of doctrinal study, comparative perspectives and English-language instruction equips students for roles in international law firms, governmental or intergovernmental organisations, NGOs, compliance departments and transnational business legal teams.

Graduates will also be well positioned for further academic study or research, or for professional roles that require cross-border legal analysis and the ability to work with diverse legal systems and international partners.