Introduction
LL.M. in International Business Law offers four alternative tracks. The master 1 programs are delivered through lectures, presentations, and seminars during each semester.
This English taught program is opened to law graduates wishing to develop a career in international business law. It is intensive and fast-paced bringing the students on a high growth learning experience throughout the 10 months of its duration.
Objectives
This program will introduce students to core topics in international business law and develop their knowledge and understanding of core issues through a combination of exams, individual assignments, and teamwork exercises. It covers, International Business Law, International Contract Law, International Trade Law, Private International Law, European and Comparative Competition Law, Ethics in International Business Law, Corporate Governance, and Dispute Resolution depending on the Track they choose. Students will benefit from lectures, presentations, and seminars during the program.
Students of the LL.M. in International Business Law enrolled on a double degree track can receive a dual degree delivered by UCLy & National University of Ireland Maynooth (Ireland) or UCLy & the City Law School, University of London (United Kingdom) or UCLy & The John Marshall Law School (Chicago, USA).
Graduates can further their legal education by gaining an understanding of specific areas of international business law. Graduates will develop useful skills in legal research, reasoning, drafting, advocacy, and teamwork skills. These skills are highly sought after by employers.
Tracks
An LL.M. in International Business Law is a French Master 1 degree in partnership with state university Lyon 2. It offers 4 alternative tracks:
Lyon track: Two semesters in Lyon (from September to May). Successful students will be awarded an LL.M. in International Business Law (French official Master 1 degree) and an LL.M. degree from Lyon Catholic University.
Maynooth track (dual diploma): One semester in Lyon (from September to December) and one semester in Ireland, at our partner University, Maynooth (from January to May). Students will attend classes at UCLy and Maynooth University. Successful students will be awarded an LL.M. in International Business Law (French official Master 1 degree) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) by Maynooth University.
London track (dual diploma): Two trimesters in London at City Law School, University of London(September-December & January-March), and one trimester in Lyon (April-September). Students will attend classes at UCLy and City Law School, University of London. Successful students will be awarded an LL.M. in International Business Law (French official Master 1 degree) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) by City Law School, University of London.
Chicago track (dual diploma) this track will not be available during the academic year 2021-2022: One semester in Lyon (from September to December) and one semester in the USA, at our partner University in Chicago (from January to May). Students will attend classes at UCLy and John Marshall Law School (USA). Successful students will be awarded an LL.M. in International Business Law (French official Master 1 degree) and an LL.M. in International Business Law UIC John Marshall Law School.
Highlights
Conferences
Students attend international conferences on a variety of topics:
International Symposium – International Arbitration In The context of Global Trade and Investments in November 2017 at UCLy
International Symposium – Smart Contracts & Blockchain technologies in May 2018 at UCLy
International Symposium – Multinational Corporations (and other International Economic Entities) Facing Human Rights Violations on 14th February 2019 at UCLy
International Symposium – Judicial Control of Arbitral Awards: Scope, Vacation, and Public Policy on 26th and 27th April 2019 at UCLy
Students can also attend conferences given by visiting scholars and practitioners on a variety of topics (i.e. EU Legislation on Data Protection, European Union, Digitalization and the law, Common law etc).
Mentoring
Our students benefit from a mentoring system. Our staff will also help you with your administrative papers and provide you with guidance for your internship search.
International Mooting Competition
UCLy students have participated in various Mooting Competition (i.e. ELSA Moot, Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, Foreign Direct Investment International Arbitration Moot) and ICC Commercial Mediation Moot Competition.
French classes
Students can study French while studying at UCLy. French classes as foreign language courses are proposed free of charge.
Accommodation for our students
Our accommodation department will help you in finding suitable accommodation for your stay in Lyon, Depending on the kind of accommodation you are looking for and your budget (ideal rent, etc), our accommodation department can also help you with your research and the renting process.
Members of our accommodation department can help you throughout the process in several languages. They speak French, English, Spanish or Italian.
Visiting
Study visits are an integral part of the program. In recent years, students visited the WTO and WIPO on study visits.
Extra-Curricular Activities for students
Lyon truly is great, regardless of what anyone likes to do. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as skiing, fishing, climbing, or taking leisure nature walks.
There are many restaurants proposing a wide spectrum of food specialties (French, Italian, Thai, Japanese, Indian, etc). You will even find a few new Michelin stars if you are a gourmet, several parks in the city, museums, theaters, and ruins. If you are looking for original options, these include an ostrich farm, visiting the wineries where typical wines are produced (Bourgogne wines, Côtes du Rhone wines), or visiting the museum of dolls.
Our students usually take advantage of the central location of Lyon. Students travel to nearby locations for example skiing resorts (Chamonix, Méribel, les 2 Alpes, Alpe Huez, etc); Lake Miribel offers a great swimming beach in summer, there is a hiking and trekking site in the region and a particle accelerator near Geneva that nerds can visit by asking a permit from the government. Switzerland and Italy are bus ride away for less than 10 euros, and for 15 euros or so, Belgium, Paris, Spain, or Greece. You can fly to European cities and other regions from Lyon airport.
Enrique from Venezuela (Promotion 2017-2018) highly recommends the Light Festival, which takes place every year on 8th December.
Julie from France (Promotion 2017-2018) suggests cultural visits to Lyon, which is a former Roman city, famous for its silk trade and a strong cultural heritage. She enjoyed traveling to other cities or other countries.
Targeted skills
The program is designed for students aiming at international trade, customs, and investment positions in companies, law firms, and international organizations. Students aiming at qualifying as lawyers and working as in-house lawyers would benefit from this knowledge. This LL.M. is designed to meet the need of companies which do business/trade at international level and invest abroad.
Career opportunities
Recent graduates have joined law firms (either for internships or job opportunities) or international organizations.
This LL.M. in International Business Law will give you an added value to your curriculum vitae. You will have contacts with practitioners and experts from international organizations and prestigious law firms in several jurisdictions. You will also develop a valuable network with other students coming from various parts of the world.
Study visits are an integral part of the program. In recent years, students visited the WTO and WIPO on study visits.
Admission
Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree in law (a French license, an LL.B., or equivalent). The Admission Committee will examine your background and relevant professional experience if any on a case-by-case basis. The Admission Committee will consider applications with other types of diplomas on a case-by-case basis.
English language requirements: International students should have the appropriate level of English proficiency.
Students should have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, a minimum TOEFL IBT score of 90, or a CAE score of 58. The Admission Committee may consider any experience establishing the command of the English Language.
Important information for the London Track: City Law School requires that students meet the City Law School language requirements: IELTS Score of 7 (with at least 6 in every item). This requirement does not apply if you are a native English speaker and/or if you have completed your undergraduate studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the USA, and the UK.
You do not need to speak French to come to UCLy! There are no particular requirements regarding the French language. Classes are taught entirely in English.
Application
Your application is reviewed by the Admissions Committee. A formal decision will be sent to you by the Faculty or Department. If you are admitted you will receive an enrolment letter from the Law Faculty containing information on the steps you need to take to your student housing, take care of immigration formalities (if applicable) and arrange student registration.
The Application deadline: 30th June 2021 – It is recommended to apply as soon as possible.
Documents for Application
A cover letter in English,
A Curriculum-Vitae in English,
A copy of your diplomas and transcripts (and an English translation if necessary),
A copy of your passport
A copy of the English language certificate where applicable (if you are not a native speaker),
Two letters of reference in English (academic or professional reference as the case may be), and any other document you might find relevant.
Tuition fee
For the Lyon Track (full year in Lyon):
Home/European Economic Area Students: 8 500 EUR
Non-European Economic Area Students: 9 500 EUR
For the dual program between Lyon and City University London (May change after January 2021):
Home/European Economic Area Students: 14 500 EUR
Non-European Economic Area Students: 19 000 EUR
For the double degree program between Lyon and Maynooth University:
Home/European Economic Area Students: 8 500 EUR
Non-European Economic Area Students: 14 500 EUR
For the double program between Lyon and the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, USA
For all students: 19 000 EUR
Administrative fees: the administrative fees may change every year. The administrative fees for the 2020-2021 academic year were: 331 EUR (243 EUR State Exam registration and 88 EUR University fees).
Changes may occur in the above information.