Jesse Schevel

If someone would have told me two years ago that I would write a testimonial for Erasmus School of Law, I would have laughed. Why would I? I was an engineering student at Delft University of Technology, not a law student.

However, after my exchange at Berlin University of Technology, I wanted to pursue my ‘newly discovered’ interest in international and European Union law in Rotterdam. It was especially that combination of international and European law that attracted me: these two legal orders are inherently interlinked and for a better understanding of global governance you need knowledge of both of them. Corresponding to Erasmus University’s identity, a wide range of electives on economic integration, human rights, and democracy is offered. This all makes the programme very interdisciplinary and gives you a great deal of freedom to shape the LL.M. to your own interest.

In the first block, you will follow the Research & Writing Skills course. For me, as a non-law student, this was quite an intense module as it is basically a crash course in international and European law. Meanwhile, much attention is paid to developing your legal skills. Some students, like me, had doubts about this programme after taking this module: would this master’s remain so intense? I can only say, do not be put off by this block. This block might be challenging but assures you that you have the basis needed to successfully complete the rest of the programme. And for the first block itself? If you just complete the assignments, participate in classes, and read the literature, you definitely will make it through!

For the remainder of the master’s, you can specialise in either EU or international law. Choosing does however not mean you will stop learn about the other track. Firstly, you will experience in the interactive joint courses in blocks 3 and 5 that the interaction between the two legal orders is never far away. Secondly, it is still possible to participate in courses from the other track. I myself, for instance, took two modules on European competition law and the EU’s economic and monetary union to learn more about international economic law as a whole.

The best thing about this master’s is the people defining it. We often worked in small, multicultural, and interdisciplinary groups. Not only did I learn much from other students having various backgrounds, but we also became very close. Nothing is more important than being able to enjoy Rotterdam together after having studies together all day. The teachers are very open to discussion and have a strong connection with the legal practice, making the lectures interactive and applicable to current cases. Their personal guidance really motivated me to go for the extra mile.

This master’s will give you a wealth of both theoretical and practical knowledge of international and EU law. After graduation, you are not only utmost prepared for the labour market, but you certainly have made new friendships for life as well.