3
atlternative tracks
64%
of international students
21
countries represented
LL.M. in European and International Trade & Investment Law (Master 2)
Full-time study
Master 2 under a partnership agreement with the University Lumière Lyon 2 - International Trade and Investment Law track
Law
The core courses of this full-year program cover the major negotiated European and Global Trade and Investment Agreements and their interaction with the WTO, with a particular focus on the European Union.
Academics from different jurisdictions but also experts from the WTO, the EU and from major law firms and companies will bring students to a high level of understanding in this fast-evolving and job-rich legal area.
The LL.M. in European and International Trade and Investment Law offers two alternative tracks.
Learn more about
LL.M. in European and International Trade and Investment Law
Topics include regional trade agreements (NAFTA, USMCA, CAFTA, CETA, CPTPP etc…), international and European trade law, trade and development, TRIPs agreement, trade preferences, international banking regulations, international customs practices, bilateral investment treaties and dispute resolution.
This LL.M. is entirely taught in English by experts, legal practitioners and lecturers from several jurisdictions. Professors have a practical approach to teaching focusing on tutorials, group work, students’ presentations and Moot arbitration.
The LL.M. in European and International Trade and Investment Law offers two alternative tracks. The programme is delivered in English through lectures, presentations and seminars during each semester.
- Lyon Track : Two semesters in Lyon (from September to May). Successful students will be awarded a French Master 2 of European and International Trade and Investment Law (French Official Master 2 degree) and a LL.M. degree from Lyon Catholic University.
- St John’s Track : One semester in Lyon (from September to December) and one semester in New-York, at our partner University, St John’s University (from January to May). At the end of both semesters, successful students will be awarded a Master of European and International Trade and Investment law (French official Master 2 degree) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) by St John’s University (New- York).
- St John’s Track – New York Bar Option : One semester in Lyon (from September to December) and one semester in New-York, at our partner university, St John’s University (from January to May).
At the end of both semesters, successful students will be awarded an LL.M. (French official Master 2 degree) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) by St John’s University (New-York). Students following the St John’s Track have the opportunity to prepare for the New York Bar.
Students may decide to stay for another semester at St John’s University to prepare for the New York Bar exam after having successfully completed the St John’s Track. Dual LL.M. students would have to enrol in at least 12 credits during the autumn semester at St John’s University.
St John’s University would charge a preferential rate for the second semester of coursework.
The core courses of this LL.M. programme cover the WTO agreements, the EU major external trade agreements and their interaction with the EU Single Market. Various courses are also dedicated to International Investment Treaties and the Trade Disputes settlement mechanisms.
In an increasingly international legal market, UCLy offers the opportunity to our students to study in France, allowing them to gain valuable legal and language skills, as well as experience of other cultures thanks to the multinational dimension of our classes.
Objectives
The European Union (EU) is the world’s largest single market area. UCLy offers the opportunity to our students to study in France, allowing them to gain valuable knowledge about the EU legal order and, thanks to the proximity to Geneva and Brussels, to be exposed to legal experts coming from the WTO, the European Union but also other stakeholders, as the EU Court of Justice .
An important and increasing share of world’s imports and exports is ruled by free and preferential trade agreements, making them central to the business activity of international companies and States. Lawyers who are specialized in this area will therefore have a valuable expertise into the legal market. The curriculum covers extensively trade in goods, services, trade and intellectual property, taxation of international trade, customs law and foreign direct investments.
Vidéo interview
Partnerships
The St. John’s University School of Law – Université Catholique de Lyon offer a Dual Diploma : St. John’s LL.M. in Transnational Legal Practice & UCLy’s LL.M. in European and International Trade and Investment Law.
In partnership with Saint John’s University Law School of New York (USA).
Why choose this exciting double diploma? click here!
Publics
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree in law (a French Licence, a LL.B. or equivalent) and a Postgraduate degreeand in any event at least 4 years of undergraduate studies. Acceptance of applicants with other types of diplomas will be determined by the Admission Committee which may also take into account relevant professional experience.
English Proficiency Requirements
The program requires that applicants possess a good level of English language proficiency. Therefore we only accept applicants with a minimum IELTS Score of 6.5 (online test accepted), a minimum TOEFL IBT score of 90, a CAE score of 58 or a DUOLINGO (internet based accepted) score of 120, will be considered.
We might also consider without a test applicants with an experience establishing the command of the English Language.
Nonetheless, results of a test is mandatory for St John’s Track and NY Bar Track applicants except for natives of Canada, UK, New-Zealand and Australia.
French Proficiency Requirements
You do not need to speak French to come to UCLy! There are no particular requirements regarding French language. Classes are taught entirely in English. Free French language classes can be offered to interested students.
Application
Application procedure
All applications are considered every year starting from October for the following intake.
Applicants should receive an answer from the Admission Committee within a month.
Foreign students ( Non-EU) affected by the “Etudes en France procedure” (for the list of the concerned countries go to Campus France.
Should be mindful that they must follow the Campus France process (Etudes en France) in addition to our admission process.
Applications deadline: May 2025
Documents for application
- A cover letter in English,
- A Curriculum-Vitae in English,
- A copy of your diplomas and transcripts in English,
- 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),
- Any documents you deem necessary.
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 to 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 a foreign language courses are proposed free of charge.
Accommodation for our students
Our accommodation department will help you in finding a suitable accommodation for your stay in Lyon, Depending on the kind of accommodation you are looking for (there are university accommodation outside campus) and your budget (ideal rent etc…), our accommodation department will help you with your research and the renting process. See our Accommodation webpage
Members of our accommodation department can help you throughout the process in several languages. They speak French, English, Spanish or Italian. You can contact them by email (service.logement@univ-catholyon.fr)
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, Cotes 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 are 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 a 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 in Lyon, which is a former Roman city, famous for its silk trade and a strong cultural heritage. She enjoyed travelling to other cities or other countries.
- Jens went to the Parc de la Tête d’or for sporting activities and enjoyed cinemas at Confluence center in Lyon.
Conferences
- 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 (see our Symposium page)
- International Symposium – Multinational Corporations (and other International Economic Entities) Facing Human Rights Violations on 14th February 2019 at UCLy (see our website: International Symposium)
- 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…).
Some general tourist promotion links:
lyon-france
visiterlyon
Examples of specific clubs/activities:
lyonkayak
peche69
tripadvisor
Why should I enroll?
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.Recent graduates have joined law firms (either for internships or job opportunities) or international organizations (see what our past students have done).
This Master 2/LL.M. 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.
Tuition fee
- For Lyon Track:
Home/European Economic Area Students : 9 500 EUR
Non-European Economic Area Students : 11 000 EUR
- St John’s Track (New York):
For all: 20 500 EUR
Admisnitrative fees: the administrative fees may change every year. The administrative fees for the 2021-2022 academic year were: 556 EUR (443 EUR State Exam registration and 113 EUR University fees).
Changes may occur in the above information.
Administrative contacts
LL.M. Programs Director
Delphine Vinegla
LL.M. Programs Coordinator Law School Université Catholique de Lyon
Faculté de Droit – Master of International Trade and Investment Law
10, place des Archives – 69288 Lyon Cedex 02 – France
Tél. : 04 72 32 51 50
Opportunity to prepare for the New York Bar
2 differend tracks : Lyon track and St John's track
Program delivered in English
What did they do after the LL.M. progam? Students’ feedback
Quentin
from France – St John’s Track –New York Bar Pathway (Promotion 2017-2018)
Jens
from Germany – St John’s Track (promotion 2016-2017)
Ginalin
from the Philippines – St John’s Track (promotion 2016-2017)
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