Hello all!

I just received an acceptance letter in this LLM Program (second year of studies). However, since the University of Luxembourg is relatively new (and I cannot find any raking information about the LLM) I would like to know if any of you followed the program, what are the real job perspectives afterwards (whether it's easy or not to get a job in Lux after following it) and if doing an internship during my studies is feasible or not (since there are no available scholarships, an internship would provide a constant revenue).
Another question is related to the fourth semester's specialization in investment funds. This seems to be the most interesting thing about the LLM, bearing in mind that it's the only program in continental Europe who offers it. Do you know if there is enough demand on the Luxembourg's labor market for lawyers specialized in investment funds?
I would also like to ad that I was accepted in other Master 2 programs in Paris (where, by the way, I graduated) so I must quickly decide whether to go to Lux. or stay and continue my studies in France. What do you think is the best choice?
Thak you all for your time,
Andrew

Dear Andrew,

You definitely have made the right choice in applying for this master in banking and finance law at the university of luxembourg. It is one of the best programs offered there and quite unique in Europe as, as you have noted, you can specifically focus your studies on investment fund law.
As for job prospects, all of last year students who are entering on the job market have found an internship for before the bar exam and a secure employment afterwards. The master is quite known in the Luxembourg professional world, with many teachers being Luxembourg, French, or foreign practitionners.
Now, I know it is tempting to apply for parallel internship with the master, but the only way to achieve this is a part time master, doing the master not in one, but 2 years. Even a 10 hour per week student job can be a problem with weeks of up to 40 hours of courses.
As I chose the Investment fund option, I can only recommend this. Luxembourg law firms need specifically trained lawyers in the field. Also, the teaching experience is very active and the course in Private Equity is simply one of the best courses I have ever assissted.
Just bear in mind that course attendance is not only mandatory, but essential. There is quite a lot of case studies to solve during the semester and they are very close to what you would find in the professional world.
I really hope you choose this master. Also, completing this master gives you better access to the Luxembourg job market.
As for ranking, the university of Luxembourg figured in the Financial Times Law School listing, but the ranking assessment has not yet been completed. But rest assured, in Luxembourg and most of France, in Germany and Belgium, it is well known and respected.

Kind regards

Jérôme Mausen

Hi Andrew,

I did the LL.M in European Banking and Financial Law this year, and I join Jérôme in my opinion on it. I can only recomment it.

The first semester consists mainly in "standard" academic courses, while the second semester is all about seminars and group case studies with some of the top lawyers in Luxembourg (partners and founders of the biggest firms).

As Jérôme said before, having an internship during the course of the studies is conceivable only if you do the part-time master in 2 years. The workload is heavy, and attendance in class is essential. I personally had a 10 hour/week student job at the same time, and it wasn't always easy.

As for the job prospects: as stated above, I think all of us have found an internship for the period following the studies. I was offered a job 6 months before the end of the programme. The local law firms are hiring a lot, and yes, they are looking for people to work in investment funds. Following this programme will greatly increase your employability as this is the only programme focusing on Luxembourg investment funds law. It will give you a great advantage over potential competitors.

The fact that the programme is bilingual is also an advantage in my opinion compared to what France has to offer.

Good luck & kind regards,

Adrien

Hi everyone,
I am studying in third year LLM Bachelor in Law in Lille.
I am really interesting in the LLM programs of the University of Luxembourg, particularly in the financial one.
I would like to know how selective was the LLM to know if I have a chance to be accepted. And when exactly the university give its response to the applying students?
Kind regards,
Emma

I did the LLM in European and Banking and Financial Law two years ago and can tell its a waste of time. The quality of teaching is really low, academic honesty is close to zero as students overtly plagiarize and cheat on exams. In addition the administration is extremely poorly organized, not informing students about exam schedules. Teachers cancel last minut their classes all the time. You end up doing a lot of assessments which take a lot of time but do not really know what is the goal or purpose; no proper feedback. Subjects are not coordinate so sometimes you end up studying something twice. There is no cohesion and interconnected between the different subject. No focus on critical thinking just on learning stuff by heart. The programme was close to killing any my passion for law and continuous learning. It's cheap but you get your money's worth - a trash course and frustrating experience administrative wise. In addition, selection of students was very random and a lot were not sufficiently fluent in neither French or English and surprisingly some could not grasp basic legal concepts.