Level: 100 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees:  Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours 

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment*: One examination and one essay

Typical credit**: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

*Assessment is optional

**You will need to check with your home institution

For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

There are no prerequisites for this course.

The course syllabus is likely to include:

• History of European Integration and Basic Concepts in EU Law

• Institutions and Law-Making

• Democracy in the EU

• The Judicial System of the EU

• The Internal Market

• Free Movement of Goods

• Free Movement of Services

• Free Movement of Persons and Citizenship

• Fundamental Rights

• Brexit

• Rule of Law Crisis

• The Future of EU Integration

This course is delivered as a combination of lectures, case-studies, class discussions and readings. A key feature of the course is the focus on the interaction between law and politics, allowing students to understand the dynamics that structure the process of integration, and use them in practice, whether as a lawyer, policy-maker or engaged citizen. The course includes practical problem-solving skills such as moot court exercises and simulation of inter-institutional dialogue.

The course is assessed through one final examination and one essay. Take-home exercises will be provided in class to provide feedback and test understanding. These exercises will not contribute to the final grade but will help prepare students for the summative examinations.

The course will challenge you not only to understand, but also to critically assess the structures, methods and content of EU law. It will include discussion of the various crisis of the EU and its future trajectory, and involve practical problem-solving skills such as moot court exercises and simulation of inter-institutional dialogue.

The course is therefore aimed at those interested not only in the law of the EU, but also in understanding the functioning of the EU institutions and the current political problems that Europe faces. It will interest those with a background in law and will also appeal to those with an interest in European politics, history, economics and international relations.

This course will suit you if you are interested in the EU – whether your starting point is law, history, politics, social sciences or economics. This course introduces the crucial dimensions of EU law in a contextual fashion, allowing all students to engage with it. It is also suitable in case you are planning to study EU law in greater depth. It will offer you an in-depth analysis not just of EU law, but also of how EU law relates to other processes that govern the integration project.

You should consider taking this course if you are interested in pursuing a career in (EU) law, policy, administration, or government. The content of the course should help students in the pursuit of careers in these fields.

LSE’s Law Department is one of the top-ranked departments in the UK, receiving the highest rating of 5* in the most recent Research Excellence Framework. It also ranked in the top 10 law departments worldwide in the 2021 QS World University Rankings. The Department’s research output has a significant impact on national and international policymaking and on  decision-making within business, government and other agencies.

Students have unique access to a wide breadth of courses which explore the biggest and most pressing issues affecting our society today. The courses are continually adapted to cover global social phenomena and contemporary developments within law. Many of the full-time graduates of the Law Department go on to play leading roles in law, politics, government, business, media and administration, in the UK and abroad.

Dr Floris de Witte
Associate Professor of Law, LSE Law School

Dr Michael Wilkinson 
Associate Professor of Law, LSE Law School

Dr. Jan Zglinski
Assistant Professor of Law, LSE Law School

The basic reading for this course will consist of Dawson & De Witte, EU Law and Government (CUP 2022).

Electronic materials will also be used.

*A more detailed reading list will be supplied prior to the start of the programme
**Course content, faculty and dates may be subject to change without prior notice