Law and Society (MSc)
Law and Society: Governance and Global Development (MSc) is a one-year master’s degree at Leiden Law School. The programme brings together law and social sciences to explore the real-world impact of legal systems. The programme sets itself apart by focusing on global orientation, interdisciplinary approach and focus on social justice. This interdisciplinary master is open to students with a background in law as well as social sciences, such as political science, anthropology, sociology or public administration, who want to understand how law works in practice and in society, including in policy and governance contexts.
Law and Society (MSc) | Law in action, beyond the books
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Professor of Law & Society
'Is the law a useful tool for (social) change? That depends. In this unique master we will explore the functioning and the dysfunctioning of the law in the real world.'
'The programme thus closely combines and connects theory with practice and "real" case studies. An understanding about how rules are made, for whom, by whom and the messiness of the real world in which these rules need to be applied, is necessary to make founded criticisms of current arrangements and put forward alternatives for (social) change. Due to the small classes and extensive network of the Van Vollenhoven Institute, students will get to intensively engage with the teaching staff as well as with a broad range of practitioners also involved in the programme.'
Adriaan Bedner
Professor of Law and Society in Indonesia
'This programme offers exactly what all those who work with law need: a thorough understanding of how law interacts with society and what this means for justice.'
Janine Ubink
Professor of Law, Governance and Development
'This master's programme moves beyond the conventional Global North and Global South dichotomy, and instead pursues a holistic global orientation.'
'Issues of social justice and development are not confined to any particular geographical region, and careful analysis of case studies and theories from different regions leads to a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of law and its relationship to society, including context specific similarities and differences.'
Law in practice
Law and legal institutions are powerful forces that shape society. They can be used to address and regulate social problems ranging from migration and terrorism to corruption, and from pollution and climate change to social and gender equality. At the same time, how laws are designed and enforced can also preserve and deepen societal problems and lead to injustice.
In this programme, you will develop empirical research and analytical skills to understand how legal institutions interact with all aspects of society – from cultural norms and business practices to political structures and social movements. By combining perspectives from law and the social sciences, you will develop the knowledge and tools to critically understand how law works in practice and explore ways to tackle challenges, such as access to justice, inequality, and the regulation of new technologies.
International atmosphere
This programme provides you with in-depth academic knowledge and equips you with professional skills for a global career. Teaching takes place in small, seminar style classes that encourage active participation. Students come from inside and outside the EU, which, together with the diverse teaching staff, creates a diverse international learning environment.
More about admission and application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: can I do a law master without a law degree
Answer: Yes. You can apply for this master with a background in the social sciences, such as political science, sociology or public administration. A prior degree in law is not required, as long as your academic background shows sufficient affinity with both law and society.
Question: what is socio legal studies
Answer: Socio legal studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines how law functions in society. It focuses on how legal systems interact with social, political and economic processes, and how law is applied and experienced in practice.
Question: difference between LLM and MSc law
Answer: An LLM typically focuses on legal doctrine and specialisation within specific areas of law and can, depending on the programme and national requirements, contribute to a legal career. This MSc focuses on the role of law in society and combines perspectives from law and the social sciences, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary analysis and research. It does not train you to become a lawyer or qualify you for legal practice.
Question: how to study law without being a lawyer
Answer: This programme does not train you to become a lawyer or qualify you for legal practice. Instead, it focuses on how law operates in society and prepares you for careers in policy, research and governance, where legal knowledge is applied in a broader context.