Is Europe ready for the new challenges posed by digital technologies? 

Technology today is everywhere around us, making our lives easier in countless ways. In the digital economy, a new pair of shoes is just a tap of a finger away. You can organise a car or train journey by asking Alexa or Siri, and stream your favourite music or TV series along for the ride. You can even monetize such a journey on social media through influencer marketing. At the same time, governments around the world are also embracing increased digitalisation, while they try to more effectively govern cyberspace.

The ways in which societies make use of technological innovations pose new challenges. What if the algorithms supporting today’s digital platforms and the government discriminate against certain individuals? What if a self-driving car causes an accident? And, as companies and governments harvest more and more of our personal data, how can we trust that our privacy is fully protected? What are the risks of using digital technologies for the rule of law and values such as accountability, transparency, checks and balances, access to justice, procedural fairness and fundamental rights? And are our laws up to date, or do we need new ones?

Just how future-proof are Europe’s laws?

Are you interested in privacy, data governance, automated decision-making (whether private or public) and platform economies, as well as the potential ramifications of these developments for our society and its underlying values and the rule of law? Do you, as a legal expert, want to make a significant contribution to the fields of both law and technology? If so, then we invite you to learn more about the LLM in Law and Technology in Europe at Utrecht University, at a time when technology regulation in the European Union and beyond is seeing historical reforms. This thought-provoking Master’s dives deep into the fascinating digital and societal developments that are raising new questions at the intersection of law, regulation and technology. As a student on the programme, you will examine the role played by the EU as it looks to regulate and police these technologies, and whether Europe’s laws are ‘future-proof’ enough to withstand continuing technological innovation and change.

Programme director Professor Sybe de Vries tells you why this Master's Programme prepares you for a futureproof legal career.

Content of the programme 

During the Master's in Law and Technology in Europe, you will:

  • Study the evolving relationship between law and technology, while crossing the boundaries of ‘classical’ subsystems of law.
  • Explore how digital advancements impact different actors within society and study the possibilities and pitfalls of potential legal responses.
  • Examine the multilevel legal order of the EU and its growing role in shaping the regulatory response to technological developments
  • Anticipate future developments in technology and digital innovation, and potential EU responses.

Programme objectives

During this programme, you’ll study the societal challenges of new digital technologies and the possibilities and pitfalls of a regulatory or legal response. 
Over the year, you will:

  • Understand why and how new technologies are regulated, and grasp the complexities of technology regulation and case-law in a field of continued innovation.
  • Understand the intricacies of the relationship between the European Union and its Member States in the field of digital technology.
  • Gain the analytical tools to understand the workings of new technologies through crash courses, in order to identify the social and economic effects that these technological developments may have, and what that means for the regulation of these technologies.
  • Improve your academic research, writing and presentation skills, and learn how using digital technologies can be useful for your own research projects.

Career Prospects

This Master’s opens the door to a successful career in government or with a regulatory agency. Equally, you may choose to pursue a role in legal practice or the corporate sector, or a position in academia. These positions could be at national, European or international level.

Have a glimpse of our city, library and university buildings and watch our video.

The perfect location

Utrecht is more than just a well-established classical university: it is a vibrant town where Dutch history, a cosmopolitan population, and an active student network meet. Above all, it’s an inspiring city which nurtures talent and creativity. Every year, students from all over the world come to Utrecht and have the experience of a lifetime. Why not join them?

Key facts

Degree: 
European Law
Language of instruction: 
English
Mode of study: 
Full-time
Study duration: 
1 year
Start: 
September
Tuition fees: 
Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time) 2024-2025: € 2,530

Non-EU/EEA students (institutional fee) 2024-2025: € 20,043

More information about fees
Croho code: 
60602
Accreditation: 
Accredited by the NVAO
Faculty: 
Law, Economics and Governance 
Brochure: 
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