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Become a different kind of lawyer

Law in Society at VU Amsterdam is completely unique – nowhere else in the world are the lawyers of the future trained from a multidisciplinary, practical perspective.

The programme centres around four themes that are hyper relevant in today’s society: security, globalisation of markets, migration and sustainability. You will address each theme at both global and local levels, from different legal perspectives, using relevant social sciences tools and research methodologies. 

For example, many apartments in Amsterdam are rented out to tourists via Airbnb: while it may be a global company headquartered in Silicon Valley, it has a huge impact at local level in Amsterdam. What can local governments do to regulate the apartment rental business? Where does the responsibility lie if damage is caused to your house? How do public and private law intersect here? In another example, what are the employment law implications for companies like Uber and Foodora, which use "self-employed" drivers and delivery agents? Should governments step in to monitor safety at public law level?

In short, this programme starts with the messy reality of today's world, examines how the law intersects with that reality, and how it can be used to effect change. After all, if you want to make real change in society, you need to work at the level of laws and regulations. This programme will give you the tools you need to make an impact - whether that's internationally at the UN, a well-known law firm at the Zuidas in Amsterdam, or making a difference locally in your own community. 

The start date of this programme is September 1st.

Facts and Figures

Year Schedule

To practise Dutch law: We offer the “voorbereidend civiel effect” package or VCE for those who are fluent in Dutch and want to enter one of the togaberoepen (lawyer, prosecutor and judge). Worth 60 credits, you can take half during your minor and another 6 months of study after your Bachelor’s (or do all 60 credits during an extra year). There are three different routes you can take to obtain your VCE. You’ll then need to obtain your LLM from a Dutch university.

First year

You’ll dive into one of the biggest issues of our age: security – including global terrorism, as well as libel and assault cases. Alongside the philosophy of law and security, you’ll learn about criminology and empirical research. In the second semester, you’ll immerse yourself in the globalisation of markets, and will use psychology and statistics to deepen your understanding of how these markets work.

Subjects

  • PPI LIS year 1
  • Defamation and Assault
  • Methodology and Empirical Research
  • Diversity
  • Criminology
  • Terrorism
  • Philosophy of Law and Security
  • Amsterdam and the Platform Economy
  • Statistics & SPSS
  • Multinationals and the Platform Economy
  • Psychology

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Second year

You’ll explore migration – not just from an abstract point of view, but by meeting and interviewing those involved. In small groups, you’ll learn qualitative research methods like interview techniques and negotiation skills which are a great preparation for a legal career. You’ll also investigate topics like climate change and artificial intelligence – and the ethical dilemmas that lawyers face as a result.

Subjects

  • PPI LIS year 2
  • Global Migration Governance
  • Qualitative Research Methods
  • Migration Law and the Nation State
  • Sociology
  • Negotiations, Mediation and Dispute Solution
  • Climate Change
  • Evaluation Research
  • (Un)sustainable Amsterdam
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Law Ethics and Sustainability

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Third year

For your minor in your first semester, you’ll get the opportunity to go abroad and put your international curiosity to good use. For those staying in Amsterdam, there are plenty of minors offered in English at VU Amsterdam, from migration studies to global food security. If you wish to practise law in the Netherlands, you can use your minor to obtain 30 credits towards your "civiel effect" qualification (see the Future tab for more information). At the end of your final year, you’ll also write your Bachelor’s thesis.

Subjects

  • Recap: Criminal Law
  • Recap: Public Law
  • Bachelor's Thesis
  • PPI LIS year 3
  • Recap: Private Law

Please consult the Study Guide for more information

  • 1st year

    First year

    You’ll dive into one of the biggest issues of our age: security – including global terrorism, as well as libel and assault cases. Alongside the philosophy of law and security, you’ll learn about criminology and empirical research. In the second semester, you’ll immerse yourself in the globalisation of markets, and will use psychology and statistics to deepen your understanding of how these markets work.

    Subjects

    • PPI LIS year 1
    • Defamation and Assault
    • Methodology and Empirical Research
    • Diversity
    • Criminology
    • Terrorism
    • Philosophy of Law and Security
    • Amsterdam and the Platform Economy
    • Statistics & SPSS
    • Multinationals and the Platform Economy
    • Psychology

    Please consult the Study Guide for more information

  • 2nd year

    Second year

    You’ll explore migration – not just from an abstract point of view, but by meeting and interviewing those involved. In small groups, you’ll learn qualitative research methods like interview techniques and negotiation skills which are a great preparation for a legal career. You’ll also investigate topics like climate change and artificial intelligence – and the ethical dilemmas that lawyers face as a result.

    Subjects

    • PPI LIS year 2
    • Global Migration Governance
    • Qualitative Research Methods
    • Migration Law and the Nation State
    • Sociology
    • Negotiations, Mediation and Dispute Solution
    • Climate Change
    • Evaluation Research
    • (Un)sustainable Amsterdam
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Law Ethics and Sustainability

    Please consult the Study Guide for more information

  • 3rd year

    Third year

    For your minor in your first semester, you’ll get the opportunity to go abroad and put your international curiosity to good use. For those staying in Amsterdam, there are plenty of minors offered in English at VU Amsterdam, from migration studies to global food security. If you wish to practise law in the Netherlands, you can use your minor to obtain 30 credits towards your "civiel effect" qualification (see the Future tab for more information). At the end of your final year, you’ll also write your Bachelor’s thesis.

    Subjects

    • Recap: Criminal Law
    • Recap: Public Law
    • Bachelor's Thesis
    • PPI LIS year 3
    • Recap: Private Law

    Please consult the Study Guide for more information

Change your future with the Law in Society programme

Whether you're working on international issues in a local context, or on specific issues at international level, this interdisciplinary programme will give you the tools. So think big: some of our students want to improve human rights in their home countries, or reform the refugee system at the Dutch immigration department. Others wish to work for the UN, or become corporate lawyers.

Discover your future prospects

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