Springboard for international careers in law

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This winter semester, LMU’s Faculty of Law is introducing a new master’s degree course in English.

The course – on European and International Economic Law – gives students an in-depth understanding of precisely these subjects. It is intended for candidates who have completed an initial law degree, such as the first state examination in Germany or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad. There are no tuition fees: Only the regular semester fee has to be paid.

“This is the first time we have run an entire master’s degree course in law in English,” explains Professor Christian Walter, Chair of Public International Law and Public Law at LMU and the man who leads the course. “Earlier programs in English such as our Summer Schools were important in paving the way to this course.” The new postgraduate course primarily targets international graduates but is also open to German-speaking students who specifically want to gain access to the global labor market.

Elective courses from data law to competition law

At around 30, the intake has deliberately been kept small as this permits intensive supervision and should reinforce dialogue within the international group. “We see that as a tremendous opportunity, because the students will each contribute their different legal traditions and perspectives,” says Tim Grammola, who is coordinating the course at the Faculty of Law.

The two-semester curriculum covers all areas of economic law that are of relevance to the European and international context. Compulsory modules deal with the European Union’s business constitutional law and the basics of international economic law. These subjects are complemented by elective courses on topics such as competition law, company law, tax law, intellectual property and data law.

The fact that the course requires attendance at LMU in person gives the students direct access to numerous economic and legal institutions in Munich. “Although most modules are taught by LMU professors,” Grammola says, “we also invite practitioners who are experts in selected fields, such as specialists working with international law firms.”

“Completely new in terms of language and content”

Master’s theses are written in parallel to the lectures, and the faculty attaches great importance to close links to research. “Our aim is to dovetail the master’s phase more closely with doctoral research, and also to recruit qualified graduates for scientific doctorates here at LMU,” Grammola adds.

The new course will replace the existing German course on European and international economic law. “Drawing on money from LMU’s Study Program Development Funds, we have been able to completely redesign the course,” Grammola stresses. “Not just the language, but the content too, making it a modularized master’s degree course that aligns with today’s demands on an international legal education.”

Students who complete the course will graduate with the title of legum magister, or LL.M. Translated from the Latin, this means “master of laws”. The master’s degree does not follow on directly from a bachelor’s degree: Instead, it gives students an additional, advanced legal qualification that enables graduates to specialize. The title is recognized worldwide in government, law firms, companies, and international organizations.

Further information

You can find more information about the new degree program “European and International Economic Law” and the application process here.