The Netherlands offers international students a range of English-taught law programs, including LL.M. programs. The country has several universities with established law faculties and a rich academic environment. From Tilburg Law School’s internationally recognized work in law and public administration to Maastricht University’s focus on small-scale teaching and European and international aspects of law, the Netherlands offers diverse options for students from around the world. Students can also read more about the Dutch education system.
So, let’s explore universities with top law schools in the Netherlands.
Top Law Schools in the Netherlands
1. Leiden University
Leiden University, founded in 1575, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. Leiden Law School offers programs at multiple levels, including four Dutch-taught LL.B. programs, LL.M. options, and Ph.D. research opportunities. Many of its programs and courses are taught in English, making them accessible to international students.
Admission requirements vary by program, degree level, and specialization. Prospective students should review the official page for the specific program they plan to pursue before applying.
2. University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam traces its origins to the Athenaeum Illustre, established in 1632. Its Amsterdam Law School offers three bachelor’s programs: Dutch Law, Tax Law, and the English-language PPLE program. It also offers more than 20 internationally oriented master’s programs and a Ph.D. program in Legal Studies.
For students interested in English-taught options, the LL.M. programs include internationally oriented master’s programs in law. The PPLE (Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics) program is a three-year interdisciplinary bachelor’s program taught entirely in English.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Amsterdam Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Law Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Melina Coelho Garcia
Master’s in International Trade and Investment Law
Began studying in August 2024 | Her studies examined international economic law, particularly trade and investment rules. She reported exploring unfamiliar topics with strong support from her thesis supervisor and other law professors; her classes were taught in English. | — |
3. Utrecht University
Utrecht University, established in 1636, is located in the city of Utrecht. Its School of Law conducts research in private law, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, and international law. The school states that its educational programs are based on academic research and train internationally oriented lawyers using modern didactic principles.
For students interested in the intersection of law and technology, Utrecht University offers the English-taught LL.M. program Law and Technology in Europe. Adriana Figueredo from Paraguay, who pursued a master’s degree in Law and Technology in Europe at Utrecht University, highlighted her intentional choice of “a program taught entirely in English, in an emerging field at the intersection of law and technology.” This focus helps students engage with contemporary legal issues from a European and international perspective.
What Current Students / Alumni of Utrecht University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Law Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Khizar Ahmad
LLM in Law & Technology | He described a program connecting legal theory with contemporary digital challenges, with classroom discussions that encouraged students to question existing frameworks. He found the international perspectives of classmates and faculty valuable for discussions of law and technology. | He reported that faculty were approachable and willing to engage with students about developments in law and technology. |
4. Tilburg University
Tilburg University was founded in 1927. Tilburg Law School describes itself as internationally recognized in law and public administration and states that it ranks among the best schools worldwide in rankings such as the Times Higher Education Rankings. The school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. pathways. For students starting the Global Law LL.B. in the 2026–2027 academic year, Tilburg lists an institutional tuition fee of €10,700 for EU/EEA students and €13,400 for non-EU/EEA students who do not qualify for the statutory fee. Students who qualify for the statutory fee pay €2,694 for 2026–2027. Fees are charged per academic year and are subject to change.
For aspiring legal professionals, Tilburg University offers specialized programs that align with evolving global demands. João Pedro Rocha Oliveira from Brazil, who completed an LL.M. in International Business Taxation, deliberately chose Tilburg because his prior exchange experience there was “overwhelmingly positive,” and the master’s program “stood out as one of the best programs available in its field, backed by the expertise of the renowned Tilburg Fiscal Institute.” His experience highlights the university’s ability to provide in-depth expertise in specialized legal areas through English-taught programs.
5. Maastricht University
Maastricht University‘s Faculty of Law offers legal education at the bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. levels. The faculty emphasizes European and international aspects of law, law and technology, small-scale teaching, staff-student contact, and practical skills.
The faculty aims to prepare students for a range of professional roles. Because career outcomes vary by program and individual circumstances, prospective students should review the official career information for the specific degree they are considering.
6. Erasmus University Rotterdam
Erasmus School of Law, part of Erasmus University Rotterdam, dates to 1963. The school offers legal and criminological education and examines law from economic and social perspectives. Its programs include bachelor’s programs, LL.M. programs, and Ph.D. research opportunities.
Admission requirements vary by program. Prospective students should consult the official page for the specific bachelor’s, LL.M., or Ph.D. pathway they plan to pursue.
What Current Students / Alumni of Erasmus University Rotterdam Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Law Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Mukhlisa
Erasmus Mundus Master in Law and Economics (EMLE)
Joint degree study at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Pompeu Fabra University, and the University of Arizona | She reported studying in English during her Rotterdam portion of EMLE. Across the joint program, she studied law and economics, competition, and regulation alongside quantitative methods; the economics and statistics components initially challenged her because her previous education focused more heavily on law. | — |
7. University of Groningen
The University of Groningen, formally founded in 1614, has a Faculty of Law that offers English-taught legal education at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Its programs include the LL.B. in International and European Law and several LL.M. options. The university’s Graduate School of Law also offers a structured, internationally oriented Ph.D. program in legal research.
8. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers legal education through its Faculty of Law in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its programs examine legal rules alongside their operation in society, with undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral pathways. The faculty provides Dutch-taught legal education as well as selected English-taught degrees and specializations.
Undergraduate options include Rechtsgeleerdheid, Notarial Law, and the English-taught Law in Society LLB. Law in Society takes three years and comprises 180 ECTS. Its interdisciplinary curriculum examines security, the globalization of markets, migration, and sustainability through legal and social science perspectives. Students develop quantitative and qualitative research skills, complete a bachelor’s thesis, and have opportunities to incorporate international study into their final year.
The master’s program in Law comprises 60 ECTS and normally takes one year. English-taught specializations include International Migration and Refugee Law, International Technology Law, and European and International Law. These are specializations within the master’s degree. The curriculum includes legal methodology and a thesis. Doctoral candidates undertake supervised dissertation research; the faculty describes a four-year full-time pathway and requires 30 ECTS of education and training.
What Current Students / Alumni of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Law Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Syed Shaharyar Ahmed
Master’s in International Technology Law | He described engaging in discussions of technology law and policy, with courses emphasizing interdisciplinary learning. All classes in his program were conducted in English, and he reported that not knowing Dutch did not create an academic barrier for him. | — |
FAQs: Law Studies in the Netherlands
Are there English-taught Law Programs in the Netherlands?
Yes. Universities in the Netherlands offer English-taught law programs, including LL.M. programs in fields such as European law, public international law, law and technology, and international economic law. Tuition depends on the student’s circumstances and the institution. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the statutory tuition fee is €2,694 for students who meet the eligibility requirements. Students who do not qualify for the statutory fee pay an institutional tuition fee set by the university and program.
The Netherlands offers international students multiple English-taught LL.M. programs. From Leiden University, founded in 1575, to the University of Groningen, formally founded in 1614, each law school offers distinctive options. Because admission requirements and tuition fees vary by institution and program, prospective students should review the official pages for the degrees they are considering. Whether pursuing an LL.B., LL.M., or Ph.D., students can find law programs that match a range of academic and professional goals.
Hopefully, this article will help you decide which law school to attend. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
