LL.M. International Technology Law
One year gives you access to eight fields of technology law. Next to the compulsory courses on technology law and on data, privacy and human rights, you can take electives on competition law and digital markets, artificial intelligence and robots, blockchain, biotechnology, outer space, e-commerce and international weapons law.
Each elective is taught by members of the Amsterdam Law & Technology Institute who research that field, so you learn space law from space lawyers and digital markets from the people who write about them. Few LL.M. programmes let a student combine this many technologies in a single year, and that range is what sets this degree apart.
- One year, full time
- Taught in English
- Starts 1 September or 1 February
Apply at VU Admission requirements
Courses
Compulsory: Technology Law, Data, Privacy and Human Rights, Legal Methodology, and the master’s thesis.
Electives include Competition Law, Foundations: Law, Technology and Economics, E-Commerce Law, Law and Ethics on Robots and Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Law, Bioethics, Technology and Law, Law and Governance of Outer Space Technologies, International Weapons Law.
What sets this LL.M. apart
- Every technology on one timetable. Artificial intelligence, robots, blockchain, biotechnology, outer space, weapons, e-commerce and competition law are all electives of the same degree. You build the combination that fits the career you want.
- Taught by the people who do the research. Electives are taught by ALTI researchers who publish in the field they teach, from space law to competition law.
- A law school ranked 35th in the world. VU Amsterdam ranks 35th in the world and 9th in Europe for law in the 2026 ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, up from 38th in 2025. See the ranking
How it compares
Other universities in the Netherlands offer a master’s in law and technology taught in English. Here is how this LL.M. differs from them, on points you can check on their websites.
| Other law and technology masters | This LL.M. | |
|---|---|---|
| Start | September only, for most of them. | September or February. |
| Entry | Some are advanced LL.M.s, which expect a completed law degree or a first master’s. | Open after a bachelor’s degree in law. |
| Choice | In several, every course is set in advance, apart from one elective at most. | You choose your electives from eight fields of technology law. |
| Monthly seminar | No monthly seminar for master’s students listed with the programme. | The institute holds a seminar every month, where authors present their work, and master’s students attend at no cost. |
| Outer space | No course on outer space in their published course lists. | Law and Governance of Outer Space Technologies. |
| Weapons | No course on weapons in their published course lists. | International Weapons Law. |
| Biotechnology | No course on biotechnology in their published course lists. | Bioethics, Technology and Law. |
| Blockchain | No course on blockchain in their published course lists. | Blockchain Law. |
| Computational methods | No course in their published course lists where law students learn to use computational methods. | Foundations: Law, Technology and Economics teaches network analysis and machine learning as tools of enforcement, and how to question what they show. |
What you will be able to do
You will know the main fields where law and technology meet, and the core legislation in each. You will have in-depth knowledge of data and privacy law, and of fields such as e-commerce, bioethics, cybersecurity, robot and algorithm law, blockchain law and the regulation of large technology firms.
Your knowledge centres on the law of the EU Member States, with attention to global trends and to the differences with the United States. You will be able to advise clients, build legal arguments or do research in technology law.
Where graduates work
- Law firms. Large commercial firms, and smaller firms specialised in technology, IP or human rights.
- Industry, banking and commerce. Legal advice on privacy, cybersecurity, data, blockchain or liability.
- Government regulators. Specialist work on the regulation of the technology industry.
- Research and NGOs. University research, and work that feeds the public debate on technology and law.
Next to the programme
- Research Talent Track. A selective programme for master’s students who want to develop their research skills alongside the one-year LL.M. More information
- Internships. An internship is not required but is encouraged. You find the placement yourself, and a faculty supervisor guides you.
Ask about the programme before you apply
- VU Faculty of Law, Master’s programmes and admissions, masters.law@vu.nl