Enquire to study in the UK 
Are you thinking about doing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Finance? Many are since the world’s banking, finance, and securities sectors, along with related industries, are vast, heavily regulated, and constantly evolving. Because of their size and dynamic nature, the laws that govern them are often highly complex, which means that lawyers skilled in these areas are in high demand.
Enter Institute for Law and Finance (ILF) at Goethe University. Established in 2002 as a non-profit educational institution, the ILF stands out not only for its rigorous academic programmes but also for its strategic location in Frankfurt, Germany — a hub of international and European finance and commerce.
Frankfurt is home to the European Central Bank, the central bank of the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Stock Exchange, numerous regulatory authorities such as the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), major commercial banks, consultancy firms, and top international law firms. These institutions have been closely involved in the ILF from its planning stages until today, guaranteeing that your curriculum is up-to-date. What’s more, this proximity to key financial institutions offers ILF students unparalleled opportunities for internships, networking, and post-graduation employment.
The LL.M. in Finance programme is international, featuring a global curriculum, diverse faculty and students from around the world. Source: ILF, Goethe University Frankfurt
In fact, that is what Theodoros Fostieris, a 2019 graduate, did. “After completing my LL.M. in Finance programme at the ILF, I extended my stay in Frankfurt as an employee at the European Central Bank and later at the banking and finance team of a top-tier law firm,” he says. “Now, I’m back in Greece, working at a leading law firm in Athens specialising in Project Finance.”
The ILF’s LL.M. in Finance programme is international in every way — the curriculum, faculty, and student body are globally diverse, enriching the learning experience. The LL.M. in Finance is ranked top 10 worldwide for Banking, Finance, and Securities Law by the LL.M. Guide. Its interdisciplinary approach equips students with a holistic understanding of the interplay between law and finance. Students can choose from over 35 law and business/finance courses to tailor their education to their specific interests. Courses such as Accounting, Compliance Management, Global Economic Environment, International Capital Markets, Law of Corporate Finance, Law of Investment Banking, Law of Project and Acquisition Finance, Regulation and Supervision of the Single Financial Market, and Sustainable Finance and ESG Strategies help students grasp the financial implications of legal decisions and stay ahead of rapid changes in global financial markets and regulatory requirements.
The ILF’s faculty comprises international experts with many years of industry experience. This group of educators hails from over 10 countries from Europe and America, creating a truly global learning environment.
“One of the fondest memories from my time at the ILF is the thought-provoking class discussions, where we learned from the experiences of distinguished faculty members who were experts in their respective fields,” says Ketki Kulkarni, a 2022 graduate. “I enjoyed the case studies approach, which allowed me to put what I had learned in class into practice. The classroom discussions were even more exciting when we exchanged differing viewpoints based on diverse legal systems in our respective home countries and our professional experiences, thereby widening the horizon of our discussions.”
As part of the LL.M. in Finance programme, students gain valuable experience through a seven to eight week internship with one of ILF’s sponsors in finance, regulatory, central banking, international law, accounting or consultancy. Source: ILF, Goethe University Frankfurt
With an annual intake of around 50 students, the ILF ensures a close-knit and personalised learning environment. This allows for direct and meaningful interactions with lecturers, enabling in-depth discussions and tailored learning experiences. The small cohort size also facilitates strong bonds among students, creating a supportive academic community.
Beyond the classroom, the ILF serves as a forum for exchange among members of the legal and financial industries. Conferences and seminars provide platforms for networking with potential employers and allow students meet alumni and seasoned lecturers who understand their backgrounds and career aspirations — something Ketki can attest to.
“Networking during my studies at the ILF in Frankfurt was a very rewarding experience,” she says. “The diverse and international student network the ILF created a dynamic environment, fostering interactions with peers from various regions and professional backgrounds. This diversity not only enriched my academic experience but also expanded my professional network.”
One of the highlights of the LL.M. in Finance programme is the seven to eight-week internship, which allows students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Thanks to the ILF’s location in Frankfurt, students can intern at international law firms, banks, accounting and consultancy firms, the German Bundesbank, and the European Central Bank. These internships expose students to the working environments and professional expectations of top firms and institutions.
This is precisely what drew Ketki to the ILF. “The programme’s thoughtfully crafted internship structure was quite impressive as it provided me with a direct path to the financial industry, which was in line with my career aim of gaining real-world experience to complement the theoretical knowledge I was studying in classes,” she says.
As graduates, they leave ILF with lots of memories. Throughout the year, extra-curricular activities keep students busy with networking events, industry tours, and alumni roundtables. It is a less formal — and a lot more fun — way to connect with peers, industry leaders, and graduates, creating a strong professional network that can significantly boost their careers.
Learn more about the programme.
Follow Goethe University’s Institute for Law and Finance on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube
