Application Deadline
non-EEA
1 July 2025
Application Deadline
EEA
1 August 2025
Application deadline
Dutch students
20 August 2025
Starting
date
September 2025

Why choose International Arbitration
This LL.M. programme provides its graduates with a unique set of international arbitration skills together with substantial expertise in international business law. The programme is tailored to cover both procedural and substantive law aspects of the international dispute resolution. This LL.M. gives you a head start to commence your career in the field of international dispute resolution.
Offers you a comprehensive view on international arbitration and legal aspects of international transactions.
Education by excellent teaching staff.
You will study in one of the leading commercial centres and largest ports of Europe
Visits to the leading arbitration institutions such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the Netherlands Arbitration Institute.
The master in numbers
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Get to know Erasmus University Rotterdam during our (fully hybrid) Master Open Day on Saturday 22 November 2025 from 10:00 to 16:00 (local time) and realise your ambitions!

Programme overview
Increased economic integration has become part of modern-day life both within the European Union and Internationally. Economic integration often translates into policy and law. It affects our lives in multiple ways and has severe consequences for the rule of law, democracy and human rights. This LL.M. programme allows you to analyse these effects. After completion, you can provide profound legal advice in the field of international and European law and economic integration to both public and private entities.
The main pillar of the programme is International arbitration.
At the beginning of the programme, you receive an introduction to international arbitration. You also learn how to do independent legal research and how to report your findings through presentations and papers during a 15 EC Research and Writing Skills Course. Attendance of the meetings is mandatory. Successful completion of this Course is a precondition to being admitted to the master thesis.
The second block is composed of two 5 EC courses, i.e. Fundamentals of Arbitration Law and Commercial Contracts. The third block is composed of one 10 EC course, International Commercial Arbitration. The fourth block includes one 5 EC course, International Trade and Investment Law, and one 5 EC elective. The fifth and last block consists of a master thesis and one 5 EC course, Investment Arbitration.
Students of this LL.M. programme have the opportunity to apply for international moot competitions. Joining this competition means that the student gets 5 EC, personal coaching, learns to work in a team and gets the opportunity to represent the Erasmus University abroad. Students have various opportunities to receive a special certificate for extracurricular activities like being an Associate Member of the TTLA or Board Member of the Study trip committee.
- Block 1
Research and Writing Skills (Arbitration Skills) - Block 2
Fundamentals of International Arbitration
Commercial Contracts - Block 3
International Commercial Arbitration - Block 4
International Trade and Investment Law
Free elective - Block 5
Investment Arbitration
Extra elective: Capita Selecta Trademark Law
Master thesis International Arbitration
For more information, please visit the general education website of International Arbitration.
Studying in Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a city full of surprises. Without tips from a Rotterdam native, it’s hard to find the best spots. We will help you on your way. Read more about student city Rotterdam, see tips for finding the nicest study spots on campus and which student associations there are to enrich your student life.

Frequently Asked Questions
Below we answer some recurring questions. Is your question not listed here? Then please contact us!
- For questions about the program, please contact the master’s coordinator at mastercl@law.eur.nl
- For all admission related questions, please contact Andre van der Schee at informationdesk.llm@law.eur.nl
You will find the admission requirements that apply to your situation on our admission page.
Graduates will have acquired advanced, specialised legal training and will be qualified to work in multinational legal environments, for example as in-house legal counsel or as an attorney in arbitration and litigation practice. Positions of our graduates:
- Lawyer or attorney in the legal practice;
- Business lawyer or legal adviser at (international) companies;
- Civil servant, for example at the European Commission;
- Academic teacher or researcher.
The exact tuition fees that apply to your situation can be found on the facts and figures page.
This LL.M. programme is a specialisation of the LL.M. in Commercial Law. As a result, you select Commercial Law in the application process. You will find all the relevant information on how that works on the application page.
- Voor studenten die de Bachelor Rechtsgeleerdheid bij ESL hebben afgerond geldt dat ze met deze master Civiel Effect behalen.
- Heb je Bachelor Rechtsgeleerdheid gevolgd bij een ander faculteit in Nederland, dan raden we je aan om contact op te nemen met de studieadviseur. Het is afhankelijk van de vakken die je in de bachelor hebt gevolgd of je Civiel Effect kan behalen.
Looking for all the details in one place? Download the brochure for the master International Arbitration!