LLM Advanced Studies in Law & Finance

How and why are international financial markets regulated? What does it take to direct capital flows toward sustainable development goals? Should financial regulation be adapted to crypto currencies and increasing digitalization ? How do banks structure and document international financial transactions?

What does this master's programme entail?

Think about how finance and investment opportunities must contribute to a sustainable tomorrow. You will then realise that trust in national and international financial markets is of paramount importance. That is why trading venues and financial institutions such as banks, asset managers and market intermediaries are extensively regulated. This leads to a growing need for: legal specialists with knowledge of the economic aspects that drive financial transactions; and financial experts who wish to increase their understanding of financial regulations. In the Law & Finance programme, you will be specially trained to work at the intersection of law and finance in this digitalized global world.

Reasons to choose Law and Finance at Leiden University?

As a student of the advanced master’s in Law & Finance, you will benefit from:

• Expert instructors: You will be taught by expert staff and guest lecturers who are internationally renowned in the field of law and finance. Many of our staff are prominent contributors to or associated with organisations such as the World Bank, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA), P.R.I.M.E. Finance, ESMA, prominent investment banks, regulatory consultancy agencies, various courts and alternative dispute resolution entities.
• Professional skills: In addition to the theory you learn in the coursework, you will be trained in professional skills, including writing legal briefs, oral presentations and presenting arguments in a moot court setting.
• Student trip: You will be able to visit financial market players on our student trip and engage with legal professionals working in the financial sector. On previous student trips we visited the European Central Bank, European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the Single Resolution Board, the European Banking Federation, Jones Day law firm, Ashurst international law firm, BNP Paribas, Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Is Law & Finance the right programme for you?

Are you fascinated by the complex, international and multidisciplinary questions facing the financial sector? Would you be interested in learning how to deal with these questions from a legal and economic perspective with special attention to sustainability and ethics? Then this could be the programme for you.

To be a good fit for the advanced nature of the programme, one of the following should apply:

• you are a legal professional and have a full law degree (offering access to legal practice); or
• you are a financial expert with a degree at an equivalent level in another discipline and sufficient background in or understanding of law.

In order to benefit from the advanced level of the programme, you should either have work experience or a strong academic track record in combination with an interest in the financial sector.

You can follow this programme for one year on a full-time basis or two years on a part-time basis. Please note that the part-time schedule consists of the regular courses (daytime courses) spread out over two years.