BA in International & European Law

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The BA in International and European Law at the Brussels School of Governance provides the knowledge, skills and foundation needed for an international career related to the law. This programme is ideal for students who are interested in international and European legal issues. Students will gain an understanding of legal theories and processes in order to provide legal and policy analysis. The curriculum allows students to develop an understanding of legal systems around the world and how they interact, as well as the international system, the European integration process, and European and international law-making.

Students will also develop practical skills through reading and analysing recent legal materials, cases and reporting documents. They will learn to draft legal texts, give oral presentations and work in group sessions. Furthermore, students will have the opportunity to undertake an internship with law professionals as part of their studies. This programme offers a truly interdisciplinary approach whereby students can choose legal courses of study in a business as well as in the international and European context.

Upcoming events

• Join our Open Day for BA Programmes on 22 October (in Brussels)

Degree Structure

To complete the bachelor’s degree in International & European Law at the Brussels School of Governance, a minimum of 180 ECTS (credits or study points) is required. Most students complete the intense and rigorous study program within 3 years of admission to the college. Students are also encouraged to complete a Study Abroad semester at one of our partner universities overseas and to take an internship as part of our prestigious internship program.

The 180-ECTS degree program is divided into several different requirements. In general, students start with the core curriculum, a set of courses that develop the relevant skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the College’s distinctive undergraduate program.

In addition to the core curriculum, students take major requirement courses. These courses are divided into law, politics, business and economics courses.

To give students the opportunity to develop areas of personal and professional interest, the Brussels School of Governance requires the completion of major electives and free electives. International & European Law students may also choose any minor, regardless of their major. In order to obtain the ‘Minor’ classification, students must follow all four courses within that Minor.

This BA in International and European Law is a programme of which the degree will be awarded by Vesalius College. Vesalius College is part of the Brussels School of Governance, an alliance with the Institute for European Studies, established in February 2021.

Courses

Core Courses

• Introduction to Academic Writing & Critical Thinking
• Global Ethics
• Intermediate Qualitative Research Methods
• Global Ethics, Leadership, and Personal Development I
• Global Ethics, Leadership and Personal Development II

Major Requirements

• Human Communication
• Introduction to Economics
• Introduction to International and European Law
• Introduction to Legal Principles and Theories
• Business Law
• Global Politics
• Rhetoric
• Legal Aspects of Migration
• Criminal Law
• Advanced Business Law
• EU Constitutional Law
• Legal Analysis, Research & Writing
• Human Rights
• Law of the EU Internal Market
• Capstone in International and European Law
• BA Thesis in International and European Law – Seminar I (Advanced Research Methods)
• BA Thesis in International and European Law – Seminar II (Senior Seminar)

Major Electives

International and European Law students choose four Major Elective courses out of the list below.

• Environmental Law
• International Banking Law and Financial Regulation
• Competition Law
• Humanitarian Law
• Comparative Constitutional Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• European Organisations
• International Commercial Arbitration
• Corporate Governance
• Social Cause Marketing
• Lobbying in the EU
• Global Advocacy
• The EU’s Approach to Democratisation and Human Rights
• EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy
• International Organisations and Global Governance
• Internship (optional from Year 2)

Free Electives

Students also choose four free electives from any of the Bachelor-level courses offered by the Brussels School of Governance or one of its partner institutions previously mentioned. For example, students may choose courses within their major, another major, or outside the curriculum of all majors (e.g. language courses).

Learning Objectives

The Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts in International & European Law are:

• Acquire knowledge and understanding:
  • acquire knowledge of terminology and concepts of international and European Law.
  • gain an understanding of the international system and the European integration process.
  • develop a working knowledge of international law-making by means of treaties, state practice, and decisions of international organizations and conferences.
  • become familiar with the European institutions and decision-making processes.
• Apply knowledge and understanding:
  • develop the ability for independent analysis of the interplay between international and European Law.
  • develop the ability to transpose the analysis of rules and events into a scientifically sound and feasible research project.
  • enhance the student’s ability to use the appropriate research methods and tools in the framework of independent research projects.
  • provide students with the knowledge of and practice with electronic information sources on international and European law.
  • develop the ability to communicate in an effective way the acquired knowledge and the outcome of research projects, both in written and oral form.
  • develop the ability for group work is incorporated into the structure of in-class presentations and case studies.
  • further, develop skills in intercultural communication.
  • develop English language skills, both written and oral.
• Attitudes:
  • stimulate critically attitudes, which are necessary for “life-long learning” and sensitivity to the importance of legal and ethical considerations and the ability to confront dominant, popular opinions with constructive criticism
  • stimulate awareness of the normative dimension of international and European legal policies and of related ethical, social and operational problems and dilemmas.

Career perspectives

Graduates will be prepared for careers in:

• Public sector, the EU, the UN or other international organisations
• Diplomacy, public affairs and lobby organisations, NGOs and think tanks
• International businesses, banks and consultancies

Prior to entering the workforce, International and European Law graduates can go on to pursue studies in a range of Master’s programmes in various fields, such as:

• Business
• Competition Law
• European Integration
• European Law
• Environmental Law
• Global Banking & Finance
• Human Rights
• International Law
• IP & Information Law
• Journalism
• Public law