Regulating Competition in the EU

The course offers an overview of the main areas of EU competition law sensu lato, including State aid, public procurement and liberalization measures.

The aim of the course is to acquire a thorough knowledge of the principles, the law, and the policy problems in this area of European law, and to become acquainted with the relevant legal sources: mainly the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the secondary law, the case law of the Court of Justice and the General Court, and the administrative practice of the Commission.

Furthermore, the purpose of the subject is to render the student capable of understanding and, on a scientific basis, reflect on the knowledge of the field of study and be able to identify scientific issues.

In relation to the study programme’s qualification profile, the course explicitly focuses on:

• imparting knowledge about the scientific methodology and terminology of the subject matter;
• enhancing skills in being able to communicate research-based knowledge and discuss professional and scientific issues with both academic peers and non-specialists;
• qualifying students to independently take responsibility for own professional development and specialisation.

The course is based on the knowledge acquired in the course EU Law and Market Regulation. 

The purpose of the subject is achieved by the fact that the subject contains the following area of study:

• Market definition
• Vertical and horizontal agreements, including the block exemptions and the Commission’s guidelines
• Cartels
• Abuse of a dominant position
• Mergers and joint ventures
• State aid
• Competition law and intellectual property rights
• Public undertakings
• The liberalized sectors
• Public procurement 

To achieve the purpose of the course, the learning goals ensure that the student:

proves knowledgeable of the subject topics, so the student is able to:

• identify the relevant legal sources
• identify the relevant facts in a particular case
• account for the interaction between the legal sources

demonstrates skills so that the student is able to:

• apply the legal sources in the correct manner and formulate correct arguments using the terminology of the subject

exhibits competency so that the student is able to:

• reflect on the subject matter
• see things in the wider perspective 

Scheduled classes:
3 lectures per week in 9 weeks.

1 ECTS is equivalent to 27 working hours. Parts of the curriculum are designated for self-study. This includes the topics of Public undertakings and the liberalized sectors. An estimate of the workload for an average student could be:
Face-to-face teaching: 27 hours.
Preparation: 123 hours.
Examination preparation: 120 hours.
Total: 270 hours.