European and International Energy Law
Established in 2014 by Prof. Dr. Dr. Dres. h.c. Franz Jürgen Säcker, a world-renowned energy law expert, the MBL in European and International Energy Law is a top-notch energy law master’s programme which creates unparalleled career opportunities.
Energy law is a rapidly expanding field which calls for a specialised expertise. Globally, only a few universities offer a tailored energy law curriculum. Germany, with the largest energy sector in Europe, has been at the forefront of energy law research and education for decades. The MBL programme at the TU Berlin is a solid offering which stems from long-standing research excellence and teaching experience. At the same time, the programme takes a modern approach to studies and addresses the most topical issues at the intersection of energy law, regulation, economics, and technology.
Remarkably, the MBL curriculum covers both European and international perspectives. Students are first introduced to the fundamentals of energy, competition, investment, and regulatory law and, on that basis, study legal frameworks for electricity generation, grid operation, and energy trade and supply. Six substantive modules guide students through the entire energy value chain and inspire discussions of key sectoral shifts, including transition towards clean energy, increasing diversification of supply sources, and digitalisation of energy markets. At the end of an academic year, MBL students explore the topic of their choice in a master’s thesis.
Apart from extensive theoretical knowledge, the MBL programme provides students with a unique practical skill set. For example, students learn how to negotiate energy deals, draft energy contracts, trade energy related-financial instruments, and resolve energy disputes. Taking an example of a liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest fossil fuel which can be shipped over long distances and is expected to account for over 25% of world energy demand by 2035, students are introduced to various forms of LNG transactions (including long-term contracts and spot deals) and explore a changing nature of LNG trading, a growing role of LNG derivatives, and an increasing portfolio of international LNG disputes. Looking closer at complex, high-stakes pricing disputes in long-term LNG supply contracts, students discuss various methods of resolving them, get first-hand insights into past LNG gas price review arbitrations, and learn how to draft an enforceable dispute resolution clause in future contracts.
MBL lectures are interactive, intellectually challenging, and stimulating. They are provided by leading scholars and practitioners from across the globe who are passionate about, and committed to, teaching. A busy schedule of lectures is enhanced by guest presentations and student visits to energy institutions and companies. In a year in Berlin, students not only gain an in-depth knowledge of energy issues but also a significant exposure to the energy industry which frequently triggers first career opportunities upon the completion of their studies. MBL graduates have pursued different career paths, including in energy companies, law firms, and government authorities, and together form an ever-growing network of successful alumni of the programme.
By Agnieszka Ason
Master in International and European Energy Law (MBL)
Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin)
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