MSc Law and Society

Law and Society: Governance and Global Development (MSc) is a one-year master’s degree at the internationally renowned Leiden Law School of Leiden University. The program brings together students from law and social sciences to examine the dynamic relationship between legal norms and social reality. Its global orientation, interdisciplinary approach, and focus on social justice make this master’s program unique in its field.

Scope of Law and Society

Law and legal institutions play an important role in the organization of society. They can be used to address and regulate social problems ranging from migration and terrorism to corruption, and from pollution and climate change to social and gender equality. But laws and institutions, and how they operate in practice, can also preserve and deepen societal problems and lead to injustice.

In this program, you will focus on the different ways in which laws and legal institutions affect society and, vice versa, how society influences the formation and functioning of law. Combining various fields of law and diverse methods will give you the necessary knowledge and tools to critically understand the law’s role in addressing current social, political, and economic challenges.

International atmosphere

This program provides you with in-depth academic knowledge and equips you with the professional skills needed in your (global) career. To achieve this, students are taught in small, seminar-style classes. Our program attracts students from inside and outside the EU, which, combined with our diverse teaching staff makes for a truly international atmosphere.

Why Leiden University

Studying at Leiden Law School

Leiden Law School focuses on high-level academic teaching, with international staff and international students. Our teaching staff are experts in the field of law and society with broad professional experience. Moreover, students receive intensive mentoring throughout their studies and the program aims to connect students to prospective employers, consistently incorporating input from labor market representatives throughout the program. We offer a varied mix of teaching methods, including interactive lectures, individual and group assignments and presentations, plenary discussions, and debates. Besides the academic curriculum, the program organizes several social events that will build a community to last beyond the scope of the program

Studying at Leiden University

In 1575 we became the first university in the Netherlands. Since then our academic research and teaching have contributed directly towards a safer, healthier, more sustainable, more prosperous, and more just world. Here, researchers look beyond the boundaries of their discipline and work together with colleagues at home and abroad. In the annual rankings, Leiden University invariably scores in the top 100 of 25,000 universities worldwide. We have received no fewer than 19 Spinoza Prizes - the most prestigious research prize in the Netherlands.

Academic fields

Leiden has faculties in the fields of:

• Archaeology
• Governance and Global Affairs
• Humanities
• Medicine
• Law
• Science
• Social and Behavioural Sciences

Student support

International student advisers

The international student advisers are a good place to go when you need assistance during your stay in the Netherlands. Students in both locations of Leiden University have access to these specialised advisers. In many cases they will be able to provide the information you need, or will refer you to the relevant services. You can consult the advisers on a variety of matters, ranging from financial concerns, settling down issues, academic issues and health insurance to dealing with external housing agents or finding a family doctor.

Student counsellors

We have a number of specialised student counsellors available. They can help in legal and financial matters, but can also assist you in developing study-related skills. The skills package that is offered involves individual counselling and workshops designed to support you in your academic performance. Topics covered include thesis writing, time management, stress management and planning. Additionally, our counsellors are available to help resolve study and personal problems, should this be needed.

Departmental study advisers and coordinators

Each department has its own study advisers/coordinators who can answer questions about matters that are related to the study programme of your choice. You can consult the study adviser/coordinator on issues such as timetables, exam grades, choice of subjects and application for graduation.