Master of Laws in European and Comparative Law
University of Malta
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
The Master of Laws in European and Comparative Law is in essence a taught course, with teaching based on guided research and teaching and the presentation of a paper by yourself in a teacher-led seminar. The course includes an important dissertation component. The programme aims to: Provide postgraduate specialization in European Union Law and related comparative law to become a holder of a good first degree in law. Prepare you for a specialist career, whether in the European Union Institutions, in other international organizations, as an advisor to government and other entities, or in private practice in Malta and abroad. European Union law is an all-embracing, rapidly developing, and ever more significant and fascinating area of the law. The programme provides an in-depth education in European Union law, establishing a balance between the economic and the constitutional aspects of European law. The Master of Laws in European and Comparative Law was established within the Department of European and Comparative Law in the Faculty of Laws in 1994. It is in essence a taught course, but the pedagogic method is that of the seminar based on presentation of papers after guided reading rather than that of the lecture, and it includes an important dissertation component. The first aim remains that of providing postgraduate specialization in European Union Law and related comparative law to holders of a good first degree in law. The programme of studies ranges over a large list of subject areas which are sub-disciplines of European Law and often overlap with their counterpart domestic law, and from which the student chooses a number of study units. In principle, the comparative (national law) dimension is worked into most subjects, while also being the principal methodology employed in a number of study units. The level of the degree compares with the level of leading LL.M programmes in other European universities, this being certified on an annual basis by an external exami
Career Opportunities
This postgraduate academic programme provides students with an in-depth education in European law. The degree is generally known in Europe as the Master of Laws (LL.M.). It establishes a balance between providing knowledge of the core economic/social and the constitutional/institutional aspects of European law and allows for specialisation in a number of areas of law such as competition law, aspects of the law of the internal market, company law, consumer law, trade law, justice and home affairs law and several others. LLM European and Comparative Law graduates have privileged access to high level practice, national and international, and to a large number of positions requiring expertise in European Law. Many graduates have gone straight into high level employment with the European Institutions, often directly in the field of specialization on which they focused while on the degree. Many have done the same with Maltese law firms, while others have gone into employment with the government or parastatal bodies, often in their chosen field. Others have found that their already existing career has benefited. A number have found employment with law firms in other Member States. A significant number of the students on the degree take the programme over two academic years on a part-time basis. For those aiming for an academic career, the degree provides an excellent basis for the pursuit of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in law.
Program Curriculum
Year 1 In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 40 ECTS credits from the elective on offer during the year. Elective study-units are to be equally divided between SEM 1 and SEM 2, and therefore students cannot exceed 20 ECTS per semester. An elective study-unit will ONLY be offered if a sufficient number of students register for it. Consequently, the availability of respective study-units will only be confirmed after the registration period. TAUGHT COMPONENT Semester 1 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) ECL5118 The Law of Fundamental Freedoms of the European Union (Internal Market) 10 ECTS Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) ECL5101 EU Financial Services Law 5 ECTS ECL5102 Environmental Legislation and Policy of the European Union 5 ECTS ECL5103 EU Transport Law 5 ECTS ECL5105 The Law of the Institutions of the EU 5 ECTS ECL5110 Gambling Law and Policy in the EU 5 ECTS ECL5116 Intellectual Property Law: Issues and Harmonization in an International and EU Context 10 ECTS ECL5117 European and Comparative Company Law 10 ECTS ECL5121 EU Information Technology Law 10 ECTS Semester 2 Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s) ECL5122 Judicial Protection in the EU 10 ECTS Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints) ECL5104 EU and International Trade Law and Policy 5 ECTS ECL5107 Fundamental Rights in the European Union 5 ECTS ECL5108 European Business Private International Law 5 ECTS ECL5109 European and International Comparative Commercial Law 5 ECTS ECL5112 Cryptocurrencies, Distributed Ledger Technologies and the Law 5 ECTS ECL5113 European Criminal Law 5 ECTS ECL5115 European Union Tax Law 10 ECTS ECL5119 EU and Comparative Competition Law and Policy 10 ECTS
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be in possession of: Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications the degree of Doctor of Laws or a Bachelor degree in Law as the main area of study, obtained with at least Second Class Honours or Category II or a degree from the University of Malta or any recognised overseas institution which the Board considers to be comparable to any of the degrees indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b). The Board may consider also applicants in possession of a Bachelor degree in European Studies, Political Science, Economics or in any other area of study it deems appropriate, if the first cycle degree presented for admission is obtained with Second Class Honours or Category II. You are viewing the entry requirements for International applicants. Switch to Local qualifications. You can submit your application online . The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta. You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage . Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements . The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website . Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt , and our team will be more than happy to help. After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, ac
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
€10,800 (Non-EU)
About University of Malta
University of Malta
Msida, Malta
TheUniversity of Malta(Maltese:L-Università ta' Malta;UM; formerlyUOM) is apublic research universityin the towns ofMsidaandValletta, Malta. It serves as theflagshipandnational universityof...
University Profile- Start Date October
- Language English
- Duration 2 years
- Credits 90
