LLM in International Trade and Investment Law

The LL.M. in International Trade and Investment Law is a one year taught degree programme with a 15,000-word thesis requirement, earning a total of 90 ECTS credits. Courses are led by key theorists and practitioners in their fields, and delivered through classic lectures and interactive sessions. Some courses will also integrate other teaching methodologies where appropriate, such as moot courts, site visits, as well as group presentations. Students must successfully complete 6 compulsory modules and 2 optional modules.

The list of available courses is as follows:

Courses

Compulsory Modules

• Fundamentals of Public International Law & International Economic Law and Policy
  Core rules and their historical background, treaty interpretation, main instruments, subjects and mechanisms relevant to economic relations.
• Trade in Goods and Trade Remedies: multilateral and regional frameworks
  Legal framework for trade in goods (GATT, SPS, TBT, customs law and rules of origin), antidumping, countervailing duties and safeguards under the WTO and major FTAs
• International Investment Law
  Treaty‑based protection of foreign investments. Investment policy. Investment facilitation for development (IFD)
• Trade in Services: multilateral and regional frameworks
  WTO GATS Agreement. FTA frameworks for trade in services. Linkages between trade in services and international investment law.
• International Investment Arbitration
  Investor-state arbitration procedure
• Contemporary issues in trade and investment law and policy
  E-commerce, AI, geopolitics, emerging technologies

Indicate Elective Modules*

• Regional Trade Agreements and Economic Integration
  Legal structures and effects of regional trade agreements and integration processes
  
• ADR, Mediation and dispute prevention in Trade and Investment
  Procedures and principles of ADR, mediation and dispute prevention in trade and investment disputes
  
• Sustainable Development, Trade and Investment
  Interaction between economic liberalisation, environmental protection and social standards
  
• Economic Sanctions, Trade and Investment
  Legal bases, operation and compliance aspects of economic sanctions in trade and investment
  
• Trade-related intellectual property rights
  Multilateral and regional frameworks for intellectual property rights

*Course availability is subject to adequate enrollment

Admissions Requirements

Academic Requirements

Given its interdisciplinary nature, the LL.M. in International Trade and Investment Law is open to any prospective applicant with background in law, economics, political science, international relations, governance studies, business, international and European studies and/or related fields. Applicants with a particularly competitive profile with evidence of relevant professional experience and long-term dedication to the field will also be considered. Recent graduates demonstrating significant interest in international trade and investment law during their studies (in the form of research, conferences, publications, moot courts, etc.) will be given positive consideration during the application process. Due to the international nature of the program, degree equivalencies will be determined by the Faculty Board.

Language Requirements

All courses of the program will be taught in the English language. As a result, students originating from non-English speaking countries must evidence their level of English language skills in accordance with the following:

• TOEFL Internet, Score of 90 or above
• IELTS, 5.5
• Duolingo, 95
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency, Grade B or above
• Any other internationally recognized test with equivalent marks

Students intending to study at a partner institution for their second semester must clearly demonstrate their ability to attend courses in the relevant language of instruction at the host university they are interested in attending.

Application

Students from all over the world are admitted following a rigorous application process which consists of two-phases. Students must first submit their application form and once they have done so, candidates considered for admissions will be invited to an interview.

To apply for a program, students must first review the application form and its requirements to ensure the collection of appropriate material. By the time they have gathered all documentation they should proceed with payment of the one-time application fee either at the relevant online portal or via a bank transfer. Students should always add their surname, initial letter of their first name and course/degree title in the deposit description.

Students can then proceed with their application, which can only be conducted online and submit it along with the supporting documentation, listed below. All support documents must be in electronic format and uploaded to be sent with the application.

The 2 reference letters, which should be emailed directly from Referees to LL.M. admissions at llm_ITIL@elgs.eu.

A successful application must include:

• A completed online Application Form in English (please refer to the degree Admission tab for full details)
• Uploaded scanned Passport or ID with photo
• Uploaded scanned most recent Undergraduate degree 
• Uploaded Certificate of Proficiency in English
  (if a non-native speaker, scanned and uploaded TOEFL 83, Cambridge Proficiency grade C, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 90 or equivalent)
• Personal Statement (400 words) -  with Scholarship request if applicable
• Two (2) Reference Letters contacts: one compulsory and one optional (to be sent directly from Referee to relevant program email)
• Registration fee proof of payment (non-refundable)

Deadlines

Tuition and Aid

Tuition for both EU and International students for the LL.M. program is 13,000€.

Please be advised that there are other direct and indirect costs related to attendance, in addition to tuition fees, such as books, supplies, accommodation and living expenses which must be taken into consideration by students when applying.

Scholarships 

Scholarships are available for a select number of students and take into consideration merit. If you are interested in receiving a scholarship, the appropriate box should be selected on the application form and a 400–600-word personal statement must be submitted, outlining the ways in which you satisfy the criteria.