LL.M in European Integration
The Masters program "European Integration" is divided into a nine-month teaching period and a three-month period for preparation of the Master’s thesis. The teaching period constitutes basic courses, specialized courses and seminars. Each course is assessed by a written or oral test. The Masters degree can be completed entirely in the English language, entirely in the German language or in a combination of both, depending on the desired specialization.
The ‘basic courses’ deal mainly with institutional European law and substantive European law of a general nature.
The ‘specialized courses’ allow for specialization in one or more of the six study units: European Economic Law, Foreign Trade, European Management, European Media Law, European Protection of Human Rights and European Private Law.
A specific number of credit points is awarded for each course. A total of at least 45 must be attained during the course of study in order to qualify for preparation the Master’s thesis.
European Economic Law
The courses convey sound knowledge of the general framework that characterizes economic activity in the European Community (the Economic and Monetary Union, Banking Law and European Tax Law). Students may additionally opt to deepen their knowledge of more particular regulations to which activities in the EU can be subject (e.g. European Competition Law, Economic and Competition Policy) or which can accompany such activities (e.g. Intellectual Property Law).
The concerns of economic globalization are additionally taken into account in courses where the subject matter goes beyond EC boundaries.
Foreign Trade
The special study unit on foreign trade deals with economic globalization in the areas of trade, investment and capital transactions. Lectures dealing with Foreign Trade Law of the EU and member states, with GATS and the service sector, with TRIPS and the harmonization of trade laws, with international monetary policy or international economic sanctions constitute both the more general courses and those that delve further into the theory of foreign trade and into the economic analysis of law.
European Management
Courses in European Management take place in cooperation with the MBA-Program of the Europa-Institut (Sektion Wirtschaftswissenschaften). Students learn about, amongst other things, management tactics, marketing and human-resource. The needs of the economy, international law firms, national administrations, European Institutions and International Organizations are also taken into account.
European Media Law
The electronic media is an important domain today, its significance continuously growing. The main focus of this unit of specialization is directed towards legal questions pertaining to the Internet, e-commerce and online multi-media offers. The specifics of other electronic communication forms such as broadcasting and telecommunication are also on the agenda. There are also courses available that deal with the printed media, law of the fine arts or photo and film law.
European Protection of Human Rights
Participants of courses of this study unit are familiarized with the main features, limits and developments in Human Rights Protection and trained to apply this knowledge practically for the future. This unit centers on the development and realization of human rights in Public International Law and in multilateral contracts, on the relationship between the European Community and the European Convention of Human Rights and on the practice of the European Court of Justice for Human Rights in Strasbourg.
European Private Law
The study unit European Private Law centers on examination of the relevant harmonizing measures in place and their consequent impact on the law of the member states. Conflict of laws, which is relevant to areas of private law which have not been harmonized within the EU, will also be covered (focusing particularly on the application of “Rome I” and “Rome III”), as will international civil procedure law (especially with regard to the “Brussels I” and “Brussels II” Regulations).
The Master’s Thesis
The prerequisite for writing the Master’s thesis is the successful completion of the study program. The thesis constitutes an independent exposition in the field of European or International Law and is awarded with fifteen credit points. Students have three months to write their thesis once they have officially registered to do so. As soon as the thesis has been successfully graded by a nominated lecturer, the title "Master of European Law" (LL.M.) is awarded. Students are free to choose when to start working on their Master’s thesis. Thus, the thesis can also be written at a later date, for instance whilst in employment.
About Europa-Institut
Our international LL.M. program “European Integration” is the second eldest program of its kind in Europe. It centers on institutional and substantive European law with six different areas of possible specialization, constituting European Economic Law, Foreign Trade, European Management, European Media Law, European Protection of Human Rights and European Private Law. We offer an independent and original curriculum, taught by lecturers of diverse backgrounds.
Education through Theory and Practice
The mixture of lectures, seminars, interactive-exercises, moot courts, language courses, communication training and discussions attuned to the curriculum content allows us to offer an optimally combination of theoretic knowledge and practical application here at the Europa-Institut. No other Master Program in Germany has streamlined its curriculum so rigorously in order to meet the specific demands of the European job market as the Program "European Integration" offered at Saarland University.
Internationality
Apart from the multi-lingual characteristics of the curriculum offered, it is the mixture of students and lecturers that further emphasizes the internationality of the Europa-Institut. Renowned lecturers from all over the world teach students from over 30 different countries, allowing for a real polyglot flair to the Europa-Institut.
Moreover, the location of Saarbrücken within Germany, with its proximity to Luxembourg and France and its position as geographical centre of Europe, makes it the ideal location for the Europa-Institut.
Practical Experience
The lecturers at the Europa-Institut guarantee a highly practical and professional approach to their respective subjects. Along with professors based at Saarland University, we have guest lecturers from an array of countries, top officials from all major European institutions such as the Commission, the Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg and leading personalities from the judiciary, administration, political sector and the business realm. Among our lecturers are the former German judge at the European Court of Justice, who is currently President of the German Federal Supreme Court, the former German Advocate General at the European Court of Justice, the former German judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the Registrar of the Civil Service Tribunal. Courses are also taught by lawyers from leading law firms such as Norton Rose, Baker & McKenzie and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. A great additional advantage is therefore the opportunity our students have to establish direct contact to top level professionals in Europe, a fact that often leads to the attainment of highly sought-after internships and a great step towards promising careers.
The European Documentation Centre
The Europa-Institut has an excellently equipped library which also serves as a European Documentation Centre as it contains all official publications of the European Union. In addition, students of the Europa-Institut have access to the law faculty’s library and to the main university library.
Development of Additional Skills
Professional qualifications are an important factor for success in the job market. Another increasingly important factor is however the possession of "soft skills." These skills are indispensable to the carrying out of a profession and it is for this reason that the Europa-Institut offers its students the possibility of attaining such skills in addition to the comprehensive education offered by the Masters Program.
Training Courses in Communication
In order to improve rhetorical skills, the Europa-Institut offers training courses conducted by an experienced communication and language consultant. The students’ communication skills are tested in realistic stress situations and then analyzed with help of state-of-the-art camera equipment. This allows for strengths to be discovered, weaknesses eliminated and the perfection of this skill to be attained.
Language Courses
In order to begin learning a language or to deepen existing knowledge, language courses are offered in English, German and French. Lessons for those of an advanced level place emphasis on legal terminology as well as extending language knowledge generally.
Moot Courts
Moot Courts are held on a regular basis and are an opportunity for students to gain a practical insight into the work of the European Court of Justice and into the arbitration proceedings of the WTO. Moot Courts present an opportunity for students to convert theoretic knowledge into practice in realistic scenarios. The European Law Moot Court is held at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, whilst the WTO Moot Court takes place in Bern, Switzerland, in cooperation with the University of Bern. Fictitious cases are negotiated, enabling students to take on different roles, draft corresponding statements, develop and present their arguments orally and consequently defend themselves under realistic circumstances and pressures.
The annual simulation of European decision-making processes (EUROSIM) that is held by the Europa-Institut in cooperation with a consortium of universities from the State of New York and Europe, presents a special opportunity for our students to put their knowledge to the test. During the simulation, which is held in English and takes place alternately in New York or Brussels, students take on the roles of European decision-makers and discuss, prepare and often argue out, resolutions for each of the issues at hand. True to form, students will come to a common decision which is presented at the large ‘plenary meeting’ that culminates the session.
Extracurricular Activities
Excursions to the Institutions of the European Union and other International Institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg, Luxembourg, The Hague and Geneva are an integral part of the study program. These, as well as regularly held international parties and outings enhance the multi-cultural ambience at the Europa-Institut.
EVER e.V.
EVER (Ehemaligen-Vereinigung des Europa-Instituts Rechtswissenschaft), is the Institute’s alumni organization and enables us to keep in touch with our alumni. EVER’s goal is to cultivate a network structure through organization of numerous activities and through enabling the exchange of information between colleagues even after students have concluded their studies. Moreover, EVER constitutes an indispensable careers tool due to its job and internship database, which has proved most useful for many of the graduates that aim to embark on impressive and exciting careers.
The City of Saarbrücken
The Europa-Institut is part of the Saarland University, a campus university located just outside the city centre of Saarbrücken.
Saarbrücken can be summarized as being a very pleasant and active city to live in. Due to its proximity to France, the locals have in many ways adopted the French way of life, as can be seen when strolling around the picturesque St. Johanner Markt with its many cafés on a sunny afternoon.
However, although the city has much to offer in itself, exploring other attractive destinations is never a difficult task due to its central location. The cities of Metz and Luxembourg, for example, are within an hour of Saarbrücken, and both well worth a visit. Paris can be reached within 1.45 hours by TGV or ICE and, for a less ‘cosmopolitan’ feel, the pretty villages of Alsace or Lorraine are only a stones throw away.
The University itself also offers its students a range of activities to participate in. Apart from the numerous parties and get-togethers organized by students and held both on and off campus, the University provides students with the possibility of participating (generally even free of charge!) in different kinds of sporting activities, cultural activities, including theatre groups, the university orchestra, choir or cinema society, and language or other additional skills courses, as well as offering membership of international student societies such as ELSA and AEISEC.
On a more general basis, life in Saarbrücken offers a variety of pastimes. For those who are nocturnal, the city offers several nightclubs, a wide variety of bars and numerous international restaurants. For those who enjoy the fresh air, the many beer gardens and grassy areas around the river "Saar" have much to offer. Where culture is concerned, Saarbrücken is home to the main theatre and opera house of the Saarland, the Staatstheater, as well as to numerous small theatres, including those specializing in more ‘arty’ and original performances.
In addition, summer time is festival time, meaning that a range of events for a variety of ages are on offer during the summer months.
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