To Sigrid Heirbrant, her decision to study law at the University of Luxembourg was obvious. With the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Investment Bank and three out of five Magic Circle law firm offices close by, it was easy for her to imagine herself at these esteemed venues.
“I decided to do an additional master’s degree here in Luxembourg and more specifically the LLM in Space, Communication and Media Law because I’m convinced that this is the best place to do it,” she says. “Luxembourg really invests in innovation and this programme focuses on all legal aspects that come with the innovation.”
Heirbrant’s right. When it comes to hands-on learning, valuable industry connections and diversity, the University of Luxembourg stands out among Western European nations. In the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, the university was ranked 68th in the world for Law.
From the Bachelor in Law to the LLM with six outstanding specialisations, programmes by the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) combine industry and education — to great impact.
After a common first year, LLM students enter a highly specialised second year — with every step of the journey filled with various opportunities to apply what they learn. Internships open up excellent career paths in Luxembourg and beyond. Networking events capitalise on the university’s location in a country that’s globally known as a world-leading legal and financial centre. Students are also encouraged to study abroad at one of the university’s partner universities in European countries, the US, Canada, Brazil, China and India.
Moot court competitions offer even more practical insight. All master’s students can join a team and take on a fictional case, analyse its issues and defend parties before international experts. Not only do they get to feel what it’s like to be in court, but they get to draft briefs and memorials and join oral pleadings as well.
The skills gained extend far beyond the academic. Students learn how to work together to improve both their legal drafting and rhetorical skills — in between coaching by junior researchers (doctoral candidates and post-doctoral researchers). A professor supervises and activities are carried out with the support of the law firm Clifford Chance Luxembourg.
Such features enrich 25-year-old Francesco Fiaschi’s LLM in European Economic and Financial Criminal Law. In classrooms and lecture halls, Fiaschi explores several key aspects of European criminal law in his LLM: regulation and enforcement within the EU; European criminal law and criminal procedure; corporate criminal law and compliance; judicial cooperation and the European law enforcement agencies. These take the form of interactive teaching in small groups, oral presentations, advocacy training, and a special focus on effective legal drafting. Study trips — to the likes of the Council of the European Union, Eurojust, Europol, the Court of Justice of the European Union and the International Criminal Court — let students see theories and concepts come to life.
“Luxembourg is a very important place to study this legal field,” he says.
For the latest industry trends from leading scholars and practitioners, he can rely on the faculty bringing in judges from the Court of Justice of the European Union, EU officials and partners of leading law firms.
“It’s also very international here so there are many networking opportunities for students and graduates.”
Frequent and regular networking events let students like Fiaschi make the world’s leading financial centre their playground, making connections and forging relationships with industry experts. By the time they graduate, they’ve sculpted a competitive edge to successfully enter the rapidly expanding field of European economic and financial criminal law in Luxembourg or abroad. Whether they choose to become a compliance expert, a while collar crime lawyer or an EU official, they’re bound to do well thanks to their University of Luxembourg degree.Admissions are now open for the Bachelor in Law, the LLM and other programmes by the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance. To apply, click here. Have questions? Chat with a student here.
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