This program is offered in collaboration with La Sapienza Rome University and is conducted at the La Sapienza campus.
In your application, you will be asked to select the campus of your preference. All ELGS academic programs will be conducted ON PREMISE unless there is a strong limitation for in situ presence. Online attendance is allowed under specific conditions.
The Program
This is a one-year Master Degree (M2 level degree) offering to its participants a full overview of the main topics of European and Comparative Public Law. The Master’s course provides an in-depth knowledge of the constitutional law and administrative law of the European Union (EU) taking into account the different national traditions though a comparative approach. The activities to carry out during the course aim to address, in particular, issues related to the application of the concept of Rule of Law, the constitutional order and the governance of the EU, also in relation to the forms of government of the Member States. Furthermore, the Master’s course provides a comprehensive and solid introduction to public policy, European and comparative public law.
It is intended to enable participants to up-to-date their knowledge of the most recent regulations and policies governing the EU. Activities focus on issues relating to certain specific and fundamental sectors, which play an increasingly important role within the framework of European and national public policies. Especially, reference is made to those on environmental protection, digital technologies, public contracts, as well as those concerning the relations between the European Central Bank (ECB) and national central banks.
The course enables participants to improve their knowledge of both EU and national law and policies, also with a view to issues concerning Global Public Law, such as the protection of human rights, due process, the fight against terrorism, and world trade law.
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will be able to to master notions and tools useful to cope within national and supranational environments, as well as for integrating themselves in the current global one. The cross-cutting approach of the course, also concerning the main themes and issues affecting both European, comparative public law, along with political and economic sciences, enables to acquire knowledge and skills that can be spent in various professional contexts, over and above each candidate’s different backgrounds (legal, socio-political, economic).
The course also enables to examine the current political and socio-economic developments, as well as to analyze the relevant main challenges of the contemporary era from different perspectives. The course is also aimed at improving the understanding of the different roles and interests of the actors (governmental and non-governmental) involved in the national, supranational and global arena.
To whom it is addressed
• for students and scholars who have bachelor or master level degree in legal sciences and cognate fields
• for Government, International Organizations and NGO officials, lawyers and practitioners with an interest in European and Comparative Law
The Master is a wide-open program as it is a key topic in law, political, democratic and governmental fields and encompasses a wide range of topics from the constitutional to the administrative law fields.
Program Benefits
The course will provide an in-depth view of issues concerning public law at a global level, such as the protection of human rights, due process, the fight against terrorism, and world trade law.
Program Content
The Master in European and Comparative Law is a one-year taught Master degree program with a thesis or final dissertation requirement, earning a total of 60 ECTS credits.
Each candidate shall submit a paper of no less than 40 to 50 typewritten pages on topics relating to one of the subjects taught during the course, is to be discussed. Each candidate is free to choose the subject or topic of the thesis according to his or her interests and preferences. The supervisor of the relevant module, or another lecturer-reporter, supports the candidate in selecting the topic and title of the paper, which must be characterised by originality and practical-applicative relevance.
Courses are led by key theorists and practitioners in their fields and delivered through classic lectures and interactive tutorials. Some courses will also integrate other teaching methodologies where appropriate, such as moot courts, site visits to various public and private offices, as well as group presentations.
To obtain the degree, students must attend at least 75% of the classes and submit the final essay or dissertation.
Courses
The list of modules is as follows:
Module I – Rule of Law
The module will be focusing on the following topics:
I.1 The Concept of Rule of Law and Constitutionalism
I.2 Regulatory factors: limits to public power; limits to private power; independence of judges; accessibility of laws; anti-corruption; transparency
I.3 Indicators and practice: Rule of Law in Europe versus other areas; Rule of Law in different EU Member States
I.4 Dysfunctions and Remedies in the Application of the Rule of Law Principle
I.5 Rule of Law and Democracy
Module II – European and Comparative Constitutional Law
A. European Union
The sub-module will be focusing on the following topics:
II.A.1. Constitutional Pluralism in the European Union
II.A.2. The Organisation and Institutions of the European Union
II.A.3. The forms and modes of multi-level government
B. EU Member States Compared
The sub-module will be focusing on the following topics:
II.B.1 Forms of government
II.B. 2 Freedoms, rights and duties
II.B.3 Member States and the primacy of European law.
Module III – European and Comparative Administrative Law
A. The principles of European Administration
The sub-module will be focusing on the following topics:
III.A.1 The European Administrative Procedure
III.A.2 Organisational models
III.A.3 Judicial Protection
B. Areas of European Union law relevant to administrative law
The sub-module will be focusing on the following topics:
III.B.1 Ecological and energy transition in the light of the Green New Deal
III.B.2 Competition Policy and Antitrust Law
III.B.3 Regulation of public contracts
III.B.4 Market Supervision
III.B.5 Digital transition and new technology regulation
C. Comparison of Administrative Rights in some member states
The sub-module will be focusing on the following topics:
III.C.1 Organisational models
III.C.2 Administrative proceedings
III.C.3 Judicial review of administrative action
Module IV – European and Global Public Law
The module will be focusing on the following topics:
IV.1 The rise of a Global Public Law
IV.2 Human Rights
IV.3 Due process
IV.4 The World Trade Order
IV.5 Countering terrorism
IV.6 Towards a global Rule of Law?
Admissions Requirements and Procedures
Academic Requirements
It is open to graduates of any age or nationality, holding a degree of any class, as well as those who have obtained an equivalent university degree from a foreign university.
Teaching activities also include ones to be delivered abroad (18 ECTS in total), such as seminars, tutorials and participation in meetings and conferences.
Among them, the Master’s program includes participation in courses to be held during the summer of 2025 at EPLO’s premises in Athens and Legrena, Greece.
Successful completion of the 18 ECTS period abroad is a mandatory requirement for the Master’s degree.
Courses abroad include
- a one-week training session for the preparation of the Master’s thesis or final essay, in order to support participants in the drafting process;
- participation in the EPLO Academy final conference (July 2025);
– participation in the annual meeting of the European Group of Public Law (September 2025).
Linguistic Requirements
Lectures are delivered in different languages English, Italian and/or French. Students from non-English and/or non-French-speaking countries must prove their language level is equal to or higher than Level B
More details here (page 4) and below:
By January 31, 2025, under penalty of exclusion, the candidate shall send the following documents to masterecpl.dsg@uniroma1.it
Application for admission in Annex 2, duly completed and signed;
Photocopy of a valid identity document (ID card – car licence – passport);
CV
Copy of the receipt for payment of the admission test/qualifications assessment contribution of € 51.00, paid in accordance with the procedures indicated in Art. 6 of this call for applications
To this documentation, which is compulsory for all applicants, the following must also be added if you belong to one or more of the following four categories:
1) For candidates with an international qualification, one of the following documents must be submitted in addition to the documents mentioned above:
declaration of Value issued by the Italian Consular Authority of the country in which the study took place (accompanied by a transcript of records + copy of the final diploma)
or
CIMEA Statement of Comparability accompanied by CIMEA Statement of Verification (by accessing the CIMEA platform: https://www.cimea.it/EN/pagina-attestati-di-
comparabilita-e-verifica-dei-titoli)
or
Diploma Supplement (if it is a European qualification) issued by the university of origin and legalised at the Italian Embassy in the country of study
or
authorization decree of the Italian Ministry of Health for the practice of the profession.
Those who submit incomplete documentation shall be admitted conditionally and may not complete enrolment in the Advanced Professional Course.
Any missing documentation may be supplemented no later than the deadline for the first instalment referred to in Article 10 below.
Non-EU citizens and citizens resident abroad must comply with the inter-ministerial provisions contained in the circular “Procedures for the entry, stay and enrolment of
foreign/international students in higher education courses in Italy academic year 2024- 2025, available at the link: https://www.studiare-in-italia.it/studentistranieri/.
For those who need to obtain a study visa, it is necessary to submit a pre-application online at https://www.universitaly.it/ and send notification of submission to settoremaster@uniroma1.it
For candidates with a recognised disability in accordance with Article 3(1) and (3) of Law no. 104 of 1992 and/or with a disability of 66% or more, it is necessary to submit, in addition to what has already been described:
– a copy of the certificate of disability or law 104/92 issued in accordance with the law, under penalty of exclusion from the facilities provided; the same certificate must also be forwarded to the Unit for Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Difficulties at the following email address: servizio.disabilita@uniroma1.it
3) For candidates with simultaneous enrolment, for the academic year 2024-2025, in another course at Sapienza University of Rome who are interested in enrolling in an Advanced Professional Course in the same academic year, and who have verified that it is not incompatible with the course attended, it is necessary to submit in addition to the above:
– simultaneous enrolment application form in Annex 3 of this Call for applications.
Application
Call for applications is published on La Sapienza’s dedicated website:
https://www.uniroma1.it/en/offerta-formativa/master/2025/european-and-comparative-public-law
Information on the advanced professional courses here: https://www.uniroma1.it/en/pagina/advanced-professional-courses-call-2024-25
Information on the call for applications and tuition fees here
The deadline for applications is January 31, 2025
Tuition and Aid
Tuition for both EU and International students for the Master in European and Comparative Law program is 6000€, to be paid in two equal installments.
Please be advised that there are other direct and indirect costs related to attendance, in addition to tuition fees, such as books, supplies, accommodation and living expenses which must be taken into consideration by students when applying.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The first, second and third classified in the final short-list will obtain a reduction of the fee. The first will be granted a reduction equal to half of the fee; the second and third, respectively, will be granted a reduction equal to one third of the fee.
The final short-list can also be considered in the allocation of grants financed by other public or private bodies.
Information on the call for applications and tuition fees here https://www.uniroma1.it/sites/default/files/field_file_allegati/callforapplication_master_24-25_2.pdf
Payment Terms
The candidate admitted to the Advanced Professional Course of ELGS and La Sapienza must make the payment of the first or one-off instalment of the enrolment fee, no later than February 28, 2025.
To make the payment, follow the procedure below:
– access Infostud from https://www.uniroma1.it/en/pagina-strutturale/graduates;
– select in order: Advanced Professional Courses > First year > Enter the course identification code (to be found in Annex 1 of this call for applications) > Continue. Once the payment slip has been generated on Infostud, the PagoPA button will be activated and payment must be made as indicated in the following link: How to pay
If the list of admitted students has been published, pursuant to Article 10, paragraph 1 of the “Regulations”, students admitted to the Advanced Professional Course who fail to pay the first instalment by February 28, 2025, will have to pay a late payment surcharge of €65.00. After 60 days from the deadline set out in the call for applications, the surcharge will be due at twice the standard rate.
In the event that a ranking list has been published in accordance with Article 10, paragraph 2 of the “Regulations” and there are eligible students who could take over, a student admitted to enrolment who does not pay the first instalment by February 28, 2025, will be considered to have withdrawn.
Any enrolment of such candidates may only take place after the offices have gone through the whole list of candidates in the ranking.
The deadline for paying the second instalment is May 30, 2025.
To make the payment, follow the procedure described for the payment of the first instalment. Failure to comply with the payment deadline for the second instalment shall result in a late payment surcharge of € 65.00. If the payment of the second instalment is made after 60 days from the deadline specified in the call for applications, the pag. 7 surcharge will be due at twice the standard rate. Pursuant to paragraph 9 of Article 12 of the “Regulations”, a student who is not in good standing with the payment of fees and contributions may not, for the entire period covered by the aforementioned payment default, take exams, attend courses, internships or perform any career-related action, or obtain certificates.
After the deadlines, the student is not allowed to prepare the respective payment forms online from the Infostud 2.0 system, therefore it will be necessary for the Advanced Professional Course’s Director to authorise late payment by making a request to settoremaster@uniroma1.it.