Advanced European Union Law

Before attending this LLM, I was a practicing lawyer in Greece, already holding an LLM. As I decided to pursue an LLM in EU law to further enhance my legal knowledge and career, the University of Groningen was the perfect choice for me. That is for several reasons.

First of all, this EU law LLM offers advanced courses on the core components of EU Law, such as EU internal market law. Thus, when one graduates, they can be confident that they hold a high-quality and well-rounded knowledge of the basic aspects of EU law. At the same time, this programme offers the ability and freedom to specialise in your own area of interest. For example, as an EU employment law enthusiast, I decided to focus on that field. Therefore, not only did I write my thesis on that subject, but also, I wrote labour law papers in the context of other courses. Moreover, the study curriculum emphasises that EU law does not work in a vacuum, and it highlights the interaction between EU law and both the national and international reality. Overall, the programme met my expectations and presented to me new aspects of law.

There are a number of elements that make this LLM a unique academic and personal experience. The courses are taught by highly qualified and renowned academics, who are very passionate about their field of studies, and transfer their passion to their students. I cannot recall a single time when a subject was presented in a dry and uninspiring way in the classroom. On the contrary, each and every time, we were invited to embark on a critical academic journey, one that required independent and out-of-the-box thinking and reflection upon the issues at hand. Moreover, the small group approach of the programme fostered interactive discussions and personalised teaching, allowing for a more engaging experience. On top of that, the academic staff was extremely approachable and supportive, throughout the year.

Groningen itself is an ideal city for LLM studies. The classrooms and the library are conveniently located in the city centre. This setup allowed me to enjoy strolls around the picturesque streets and taste the famous Dutch herring, at the colourful and vibrant Vismarkt during breaks. Moreover, despite its relatively small size, the city is characterised by a cosmopolitan and international atmosphere.

To conclude, completing the LLM in European Law in a Global Context has made me a better lawyer, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and passion needed for whichever professional path I choose to follow.