How do governments influence effects of digitalisation, such as cybercrime and breaches of privacy? And how can governments make better use of benefits that digitalisation has to offer?
In the modern globalised world, privacy and security are two topics that do not lose their relevance. On the contrary, incidents demonstrate how they affect our daily life. This LLM programme discusses the need to protect the privacy of citizens online, but also looks at the risks of the dependency on the private sector in IT projects and describes online tools to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement.
Our law students are interested in studying how governments deal with challenges IT raises. Consequently, they understand that it is in their interest to have knowledge of social sciences. If they have no prior knowledge, they are willing to obtain this during a Summer pre-LLM.
This master responds to an increasing demand of the labour market, since there is a great need for lawyers with knowledge of public administration to deal with the aforementioned issues.
By means of guest speakers, excursions, internships and research, the student will gain practical experience with digitalisation issues in a public sector context. After this study, students will have all necessary skills allowing them to successfully pursue a meaningful career in this highly dynamic and complex environment.
Why study this programme in Leeuwarden?
The English-taught LLM Governance and Law in Digital Society combines two distinctive disciplines: Law and Public Administration in order to study consequences of IT (including privacy, safety and security), making it unique in the Netherlands.
Further, the LLM is taught at the University of Groningen's Campus Fryslan in Leeuwarden, offering a chance for a more personalized study experience within a small classroom setting.
Job prospects
In the job market, there is a clear demand for graduates with an interdisciplinary profile capable of interpreting development in digital society and responding to them accordingly. The Master's programme is designed to meet the increasing demand and prepare students for a career within the field.
Graduates of this programme go on to work in a variety of positions in the public sector. Career opportunities are not limited to traditional authorities such as ministries or subnational authorities but also found within organizations surrounding them, for example the Public Prosecution Service, consultancy agencies and the police organisation.
Further, all students have access to the university Careers Services Law which can help them in finding and preparing for internships and employment.
Job examples
Expected May 2023
More details
Start date
Expected September 2022
University of Groningen
Broerstraat 5,
Groningen,
9712 CP, Netherlands
As the programme is a hybrid of both law and the social sciences, applicant must have a LLB or equivalent with a minor in Social Sciences or a BSc in Social Sciences with a minor in Law. For those with a relevant degree but who are missing a required minor, we also offer Pre-LLM programmes to ensure adequate mastery of key competences and knowledge: one Summer pre-LLM for law students and two regular pre-LLMs, one for social science students and one for law students.
Grade average: On top of providing the Admissions Board with transcripts and diplomas, students should have an equivalent minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) of 7/10 (Dutch grading scale).
Native speakers of English may request exemption from providing proof of proficiency. Otherwise you will need to provide proof of English language proficiency:
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
