Master's Programme in European and International Law (MEIL)

This one-year, English-taught master’s programme was launched in the 2022/23 academic year and offers concentrated, advanced study in the interconnected fields of European and international law. The curriculum is designed to deepen your understanding of the legal concepts, institutions and frameworks that shape cross-border and EU-related legal practice, giving you focused academic exposure in both areas.

The programme is tailored to prepare graduates for international career paths where a solid grasp of European and international legal principles is essential. Alongside substantive legal knowledge, the course emphasizes the intercultural competencies and high-level English language ability that employers seek in global legal environments.

What you should bring

• Programme language: English — very good English skills are essential
• An international outlook and intercultural competence
• Particularly suitable for those with a legal background or a strong interest in pursuing work in European or international law

This program combines on-campus study in Hamburg with a mobile, pan-European semester experience. All students come together in Hamburg for the winter term; in the summer term they can continue in Hamburg or spend the semester at one of the programme’s European partner universities. Teaching is delivered in English and many courses are provided by a “Flying Faculty” drawn from the partner institutions, giving students exposure to diverse academic perspectives.

The first (winter) semester provides a common foundation: an introductory module plus three compulsory modules that cover the core legal fields of public international law and human rights, EU law, and European business law. In the second (summer) semester students choose from specialisation modules offered both at Universität Hamburg and at partner universities across Europe. Available specialisations include international human rights law, EU law, European and international business law, and IP & IT law.

Key modules

• Introductory module (programme foundation)
• Three compulsory modules in:
  • Public international law and human rights
  • EU law
  • European business law
• Specialisation modules (second semester) in:
  • International human rights law
  • EU law
  • European and international business law
  • Intellectual property & IT law

Learning outcomes

• Acquire a solid foundation in public international law, human rights, EU law and European business law through compulsory coursework.
• Develop specialised expertise in a chosen area (human rights, EU law, business law, or IP & IT) via second‑semester modules.
• Gain comparative and transnational perspectives by studying at partner universities and learning from a Flying Faculty of international academics.
• Improve legal English proficiency and the ability to engage with European and international legal problems in a multicultural classroom setting.

Graduates are prepared for a range of international career paths, including positions in international organisations, EU institutions, government agencies, multinational law firms, and non-governmental organisations. The programme’s emphasis on EU and international law, coupled with specialised modules and international teaching staff, equips alumni to work on cross-border legal issues, compliance, policy development and advocacy.

The combination of substantive specialisation, research training and intercultural experience also provides a solid foundation for further academic work (e.g. doctoral studies) or for roles that require high-level legal analysis and multilingual communication in an international environment.