What Damjan says about the Master's in European Business Law

Damjan from N. Macedonia –  Alumni, attorney at law, now doing a traineeship at the European Commission

Why did you choose the Master’s programme in European Business Law at Lund University?

"After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Law in my hometown, I wanted to pursue an international Master’s degree in Law. Having explored many options for several months, I decided to apply to the Master’s programme in European Business Law at Lund University. Why?

First, the programme suited my needs – it was in the English language, it had a flexible 1- or 2-year programme, it had appealing subjects and recognised professors. Second, there were several scholarship options available, which make education very affordable and inclusive. Third, Sweden as a country is very well organised and Lund is suited at a good location for travelling around Scandinavia and Europe. Additionally, for me, it was neither too far, nor too close to my country. Lastly, the environment in Lund was international, meaning it gives a person a different perspective on life and offers opportunities for personal growth, in addition to professional growth."

What did you like most about the Master’s programme?

"I liked how the programme was structured because it offered the basics, such as EU Constitutional Law and Internal Market Law, but also very specific topics, such as Environmental Law, EU External Relations, Tax Law, and other elective courses. The programme allows everybody (back then, I was a novice in EU law) to fit in, to study and to become an expert in EU law. Personally, what I most liked about the programme was the European Law Moot Court Competition, for which every year 4 students are chosen to represent the Faculty of Law and to compete with 100 student teams from other European and USA Universities. It is a wonderful experience and an opportunity to work on a case in a real-life setting, to gain knowledge and practical skills, to build your network, to plead before real judges, and of course to have fun (and travel for free). Thanks to the excellent professors and the high-quality programme, the Faculty of Law has a proven track record in this competition and I encourage all EU law enthusiasts to enrol in the programme and to represent the faculty in the competition."

What can you say about the teaching style?

"The teaching style is research-based, meaning that the professors give the students various information (“something to dig” – past students know this phrase very well) and it is up to the students to do additional research. This does not mean, however, that the students are left to themselves, but instead they do their research under the constant guidance of the professors. I think this teaching style is very suitable for a Master’s programme, and properly prepares the students for a possible PhD or practical work. The general atmosphere is quite relaxed, there is no unhealthy competition and no pressure to achieve a particular result. I felt that the students (including me) perform better and naturally give their best in this setting."

What are the benefits of having an LLM in European Business Law from Lund University?

"Having an LLM from a university ranked 30th in the world for the Law subject, and constantly in the top 100 universities in the world, opens the doors to many opportunities, from continuing in academia and research to working for private companies and for international organisations. For me, it was crucial that I have many opportunities after graduating. That is why, immediately after graduating, I started working in a law office, then obtained a licence to practice law independently, and currently I am a trainee at the European Commission. It is not just the high-quality education, but also the gained skills, network, and personal growth, that allowed me to have a versatile and prosperous career so far."

What about extracurricular activities?

"There is something for everyone, from parties, to sports, to board games, photo contests, student ambassador programmes, picnics, but also lectures for tackling anxiety, procrastination, public speaking, student law reviews and journals, etc. These activities are diverse and offer something for everyone. Make sure to join a student nation and subscribe to the newsletter to never miss an event! After graduation, there is the Alumni Network which is very helpful for the future career."