MA in International and EU Law
Program Overview
The "Master’s in International and European Law" is an innovative English-language distance learning program offered by the University of Pécs, Faculty of Law. This master's program addresses the growing international dimension of legal practice and the increasingly dominant role of International Law and European Union law in the legal employment market. The program addresses these challenges and opportunities through a comprehensive and practice-oriented approach, enabling students to deepen their knowledge in both general and specialized areas of international and EU law, with a particular focus on current developments in legal application.
Program Format and Structure
The three-semester Master’s is delivered exclusively through distance learning, combining asynchronous and synchronous elements. The predominantly asynchronous format provides students with the flexibility to study from anywhere, regardless of their geographical location, and at their own pace. Students maintain continuous contact with instructors and peers through digital educational platforms and interactive learning materials, while accessing up-to-date legal applications and engaging with theoretical questions and concepts.
The synchronous consultation sessions, on the other hand, enable students to consult directly with lecturers and staff regarding any substantive or administrative questions. The curriculum incorporates foundational knowledge of public law, expertise in international law, European Union law, and a thesis, resulting in a well-rounded professional education.
Faculty and Educational Approach
Courses are taught by a combination of University of Pécs Law Faculty instructors and carefully selected domestic and international external educators with expertise in various fields of European and international law. The integration of international faculty ensures that students are exposed to multiple perspectives and diverse legal cultures, which are essential for a deeper understanding of the legal subject analyzed in the programme. This multidisciplinary approach significantly enhances graduates' labour market competitiveness and professional mobility opportunities.
Professional Competencies and Career Opportunities
Graduates develop comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of international law and EU law. The program develops critical analytical skills and prepares students for employment. These competencies position graduates exceptionally well for careers in international organisations, non-governmental organisations, the diplomatic service, global business environments, and European Union institutions.
Target Audience and Entry Requirements
The program is particularly beneficial for professionals who wish to specialise in international and European law and are already building their careers. The distance learning format accommodates those balancing educational advancement with professional commitments. Prospective students must demonstrate B2 level English language proficiency to participate in this exclusively English-language program.
Students who wish to apply need to possess a Bachelor's or Master's diploma in one of the following fields:
- Law
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Criminology
- Sociology
- European Union studies
The entrance exam is based on a point system and includes a professional interview.
Teaching Philosophy
The program emphasizes the development of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, fostering continuous professional development and personal growth. Students cultivate an openness to innovation and independent task performance while developing quality-oriented and precise work habits. The curriculum encourages cooperative professional relationships and commitment to organizational goals when working within international frameworks.
Planned curriculum
Term 1 (28 ECTS)
Public International Law 6 ECTS
Public Law of the European Union 6 ECTS
International Human Rights Law 6 ECTS
Law of International Organisations 6 ECTS
Multi-layered Constitutionalism and
The Role of the States 4 ECTS
Term 2 (32 ECTS)
Law of Diplomatic and Consular Relations 8 ECTS
Protection of Fundamental Rights in Europe: The Council of Europe and the EU 8 ECTS
EU Internal Market Law 8 ECTS
EU Justice- and Home Affairs Law 8 ECTS
Term 3
International and European Environmental Law * 6 ECTS
International Business Law* 6 ECTS
International and European Tax Law* 6 ECTS
European Union Criminal Law* 6 ECTS
Introduction to the Laws of War** 6 ECTS
International Police Cooperation** 6 ECTS
Master’s thesis 12 ECTS
* 2 courses must be completed from the list of compulsory elective courses.
** 1 course must be completed from the list of freely elective courses.
MA International and EU Law programme description
Application procedure
Step 1: Submit your online application
Please create your application profile and choose the desired program on the apply.pte.hu online surface and upload all the required documents:
• a BA/BSc, or an MA/MSc certificate and a certified translation into English, which entitles the applicant to enter into a master’s program in the applicant’s home country;
• an official transcript of the results of the completed BA/BSc or an MA/MSc program and a certified English translation thereof;
• at least a CEFR B2 level English language exam certificate; please see the detailed language requirements on this website: https://international.pte.hu/admission/entry-requirements#language%20re…
• CV
• letter of motivation
• other relevant certificates
Step 2: Application fee payment
After applying, the online application system automatically issues the invoice for the €100 application fee payment. You can pay it directly in the system with your bank card. If you pay via bank transfer, please note that it may take up to 10-14 business days for the transaction to be visible in our bank account.
Bank account details:
| Name of the bank | MBH BANK Nyrt. |
| Address of the bank | 1056 Budapest, Váci u.38. |
| Account number | 10300002-10011256-00014889 |
| Swift code | MKKBHUHB |
| IBAN code | HU72103000021001125600014889 |
| Name of the receiver | University of Pécs |
| EU VAT Number | HU 17783941 |
|
Comment field (MANDATORY) |
102351_appfee |
If you pay with a bank transfer, please email international@pte.hu your proof of payment document to speed up the confirmation process of your payment.
It is essential to highlight that the application fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application.
Step 3: Evaluation
Once the payment has been confirmed and the uploaded materials have been evaluated, a decision is made regarding the applicant's eligibility. The document evaluation is based on a point system; please refer to the details below. You must fulfil all the above-mentioned criteria to participate in the admission interview. If you do not meet one of the requirements, the application will be rejected, and you will receive a "Not qualified" status. The decision shall be without appeal.
Step 4: Entrance exam fee payment
| Name of the bank | MBH BANK Nyrt. |
| Address of the bank | 1056 Budapest, Váci u.38. |
| Account number | 10300002-10011256-00014889 |
| Swift code | MKKBHUHB |
| IBAN code | HU72103000021001125600014889 |
| Name of the receiver | University of Pécs |
| EU VAT Number | HU 17783941 |
|
Comment field (MANDATORY) |
102351_exam |
Step 5: Entrance exam
An oral entrance interview (online) is scheduled for eligible applicants and conducted by a committee. The qualified applicant receives a guideline email (sent to the email address provided during the application process) approximately 5-7 days before the date of the entrance exam interview. Shortly after, the applicant receives the actual MS Teams invitation with a link to join the meeting at the specified time (be aware of the time zone differences).
The interview lasts approximately 15 minutes, and the committee will ask about your background, plans, and motivation for choosing us. You will need to talk about your previous studies and field of interest.
The committee might ask you additional questions; no previously set list exists.
Step 6: Admission decision
The admissions committee proposes, but the decision is made by the Head of the Program within a maximum of two weeks from the date of the interview, taking into account the applicant's score and the capacity of the training program for which they are applying. The decision shall be without appeal.
Step 7: Offers
If you successfully pass the document evaluation and the admission interview and upload all the required documents, you will receive an "Acceptable" offer.
If you pass the document evaluation and the admission interview but have some missing documents, you will receive a "Conditionally acceptable" offer. In this case, you will have time to submit the missing documents. After this is done, you will receive the "Acceptable" offer. If you cannot pass the admission interview, you will receive a "Failed" status, which means the application is rejected. The decision shall be without appeal.
Step 8: Tuition fee payment
If you receive an "Acceptable" offer, you must accept this offer in the online application system. As soon as you have done that, the system issues the invoice for the tuition fee payment. You must pay the full tuition fee; paying in instalments is not possible in the first semester. If you pay via bank transfer, please note that it may take up to 10-14 business days for the transaction to be visible in our bank account.
Bank account details:
| Name of the bank | MBH BANK Nyrt. |
| Address of the bank | 1056 Budapest, Váci u.38. |
| Account number | 10300002-10011256-00014889 |
| Swift code | MKKBHUHB |
| IBAN code | HU72103000021001125600014889 |
| Name of the receiver | University of Pécs |
| EU VAT Number | HU 17783941 |
|
Comment field (MANDATORY) |
102351_tuition |
If you pay with a bank transfer, please email international@pte.hu your proof of payment document to speed up the confirmation process of your payment.
Step 9: Letter of Admission
Upon receiving the tuition fee payment, the program’s coordinator must issue the Letter of Admission. The scanned version of the letter will be sent to your email.
Application requirements:
(1) This admission procedure applies to all applicants without Hungarian or Hungarian dual citizenship.
(2) Documents to be submitted with the application are:
• a BA/BSc, or an MA/MSc certificate and a certified translation into English in one of the following fields: Law, European Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Criminology, Sociology), which entitles the applicant to enter into a master's program in the applicant's home country
• an official transcript of the results document and a certified English translation thereof;
• Accepted proof of proficiency: https://international.pte.hu/admission/entry-requirements#language%20re…
You do not have to submit an official English test result if one of the following criteria applies to you:
English is your native language
You have continued your undergraduate studies in English (official proof must be attached)
You have continued your graduate studies in English (official proof must be attached)
(3) Applications are ranked in a 100-point system according to the following criteria:
a) Learning outcomes: maximum 50 points
b) Motivational interview: maximum 50 points
c) Extra points: maximum 16 points
| Criteria | Results breakdown | Max points |
| 1. Learning outcomes: GPA of the applicant's last two years in the BA/BSc, or an MA/MSc training |
0 points: If the applicant's GPA is below 50% 20 points: If the applicant's GPA is 50% or above 35 points: If the applicant's GPA is 70% or above 50 points: If the applicant's GPA is 85% or above |
50 |
| 2. Motivational interview |
0 points: the applicant cannot communicate with the interviewer, not even the most basic communication acts (greeting, identity issues); 15 points: the communication is not fluent; the applicant only communicates in short answers, mostly answering yes or no to the questions. 25 points: the applicant is fluent in general topics, his or her professional motivations are not fully elaborated; 35 points: the applicant is fluent in both general and basic professional topics; 50 points: the applicant has determined professional goals and can express his or her professional motivation. |
50 |
| Total | 100 | |
| Extra points* | ||
| Certified, relevant professional experience | 5 points: the applicant has relevant professional experience in International or EU Law | 5 |
| CEFR level C1 language exam certificate in the instruction language (English) | 5 points: the applicant has an internationally recognised CEFR level C1 language exam certificate obtained no earlier than 2 years ago in the instruction language | 5 |
| Scientific Papers published in an international journal | 1-2 papers | 3 |
| 3 or more papers | 5 | |
| Total | 18 | |
* Applicants will be awarded a maximum of 18 extra points, according to the criteria listed, but the total number of admission points, including the extra points, must not exceed 100.
(4) Minimum eligibility criteria for admissions
a) obtains more than zero points for each of the two main criteria
b) the total score of at least 51 points, without extra points.
