CY Cergy Paris Université

Full LL.M. program at CY Cergy Paris Université (CYU)

The LL.M. in French and European Law, specialization in Taxation, Business Law and Compliance is a highly selective program that will strengthen your capabilities to work in an international business environment. 

This program is entirely taught in English and offers a unique opportunity for non-native French speakers to study French and European tax and business law.

Classes and seminars are taught by both international academics and renowned professionals from prestigious international firms based in Paris.

After successful completion of the program, students may obtain two diplomas: a specialized LL.M. University Degree and a national master’s degree.

• Students and professionals without a recognized qualification will be awarded the specialized LL.M. University Degree.
• Students holding a Juris Doctor (JD), a LL.B. (4 years) or an equivalent recognized qualification will be awarded both the specialized LL.M. University Degree and a national master’s degree.

The Degree is competitive, selective and designed for law students who have a high level of legal studies and a very good level of the English language. The program has been distinguished several times by different organizations and the French Ministry of Higher Education.

Kindly see the detailed presentation and the Step by Step Guide on the Full LL.M. for more information.

We also recommend you follow our LinkedIn page for regular update on the program.

Additional information on the program and the application form are available on our website: https://cydroit.cyu.fr/formations/masters/ll-m-taxation-law-business-law-and-compliance

Joint LL.M. Program with the University of Dundee, Scotland (UOD)

The joint LL.M. program is an exciting new venture which brings together two dynamic and highly rated law schools. Students will be taught by acknowledged experts and will gain an in-depth knowledge of a wide range of contemporary law subjects from both a common law and civil law perspective.

The program is unique and offers two qualifications delivered in two semesters. Students enrolled in the Joint LL.M. program will graduate with an LL.M. in International Commercial Law from UOD and a national master’s degree in French and European Union Law, specialization in Taxation, Business Law and Compliance from CYU.

We recommend strongly to read the detailed presentation and the Step by Step Guide on the Joint LL.M. for a comprehensive procedure on the application process.

Our LinkedIn page will also provide recent update on the program when followed.

Additional information on the program and the application form are available on our website: https://cydroit.cyu.fr/formations/masters/ll-m-taxation-law-business-law-and-compliance

The University of Cergy Pontoise (UCP) was created in 1991. On January 1, 2020, UCP merged with several other higher education institutions to form CY Cergy Paris University (“CYU”). CYU is located west of Paris in the department of Val d’ Oise. Its privileged geographical situation allows it to benefit from Paris and its western employment zones.

CYU is a public Institution and a leading center for teaching and research that welcomes over 1,500 international students from 54 different countries out of a total student body of 25,000 comprising of 600 doctoral students, 1200 researchers and 4132 graduates. With over 1,000 academic staff, the University offers all levels of undergraduate and post-graduate studies and has been ranked among the 20 best national Universities.

144 Degrees are available in all disciplines (except medical studies). CYU is divided into 5 departments: Law, Economy and Management, Languages, Literature and Social Sciences, Science and Technology.

CYU has developed international exchanges with over 135 foreign universities and also takes part in the European exchange program and has adopted the ECTS system (European Credit Transfer System) which allows European students to obtain credits in their university for courses taken abroad. CYU has been pointed out as a “Model University” several times by the French government.

In 2019, CYU also formed EUTOPIA, an ambitious alliance of six like-minded European Universities. Vrije Universitat Brussels (Belgium), CY Cergy Paris University (France), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), University of Pompeu Fabra (Spain) and University of Warwick (United Kingdom).

Students, researchers and staff of the EUTOPIA Alliance are working together to build a new academic model, reflecting an open and united Europe, respectful of citizens and the environment.

EUTOPIA's mission is to build in the long term a unique and daring alliance of transformative and committed institutions. In June 2019, EUTOPIA was chosen as one of the 17 winning projects within the framework of the new call for proposals entitled “European University Initiative”, launched by the European Commission with the aim of building the European education area superior.  Information on EUTOPIA Alliance is available via: https://www.cyu.fr/eutopia-alliance

Finally, CYU also formed another leading academic project: in CY Initiative project, supported by CY Cergy Paris University and ESSEC Business School. It aims to bring out in the territory of the Western Paris metropolitan area, a leading academic strength in the form of an international research-intensive university that will enter in top 200 within 10 years in rankings like THE or QS.

More information on CY Initiative : https://initiative.cyu.fr/english-version 

CYU School of Law welcomes over 3,100 students, divided into Licence, Master and Doctoral Degrees and offers them real supervision and support throughout their studies and until their professional integration. It is a dynamic and prestigious school ranked 3rd in France by the French Ministry of Education and 1st in Paris and suburbs for the median salary of its graduates and their employment integration.

The School of Law has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Chair several times. This is characterized by its desire to develop international and exchange programs.

Training competent lawyers has been one of the main objectives of the School of Law, evidenced by the varied links with the professional network and close ties with the Bar association and local as well as national authorities.

For more than 30 years, the CYU School of Law has been developing courses renowned for their quality and originality thanks to a qualified and renowned teaching staff in their field (professors, lecturers, French and foreign associate professors, professionals in the right), who tutor and supervise the students to achieve the desired result.

 CYU Teaching body for the LL.M. Program

Read our Alumni and students testimony (Links to the LinkedIn posts)

1. Claudia Cuellar
2. Sophia Jeon
3. Virakarikalan Virasegar
4. Rachel Loschiavo
5. Zeynep Ulak
6. Haï Chi  Ngugen
7. Caitlin Carroll
8. Natalie Laurie
9. Nneoma Chimeziri
10. Nurzhan Tlebayeva
11. Elahe Frouzandeh

The LL.M. program is open to graduates (French or foreigners) from non-French jurisdictions and foreign professionals. Applicants are required to hold a recognized postgraduate degree in law according to the academic requirements to seek admission to practice as a lawyer in their home country. Also, applicants enrolled in their last year of JD or LL.B. can follow the LL.M. program as part of their JD or LL.B. program and transfer credits towards their degrees in their home institution.

Prospective applicants are required to fill in either the Full LL.M. or Joint LL.M. Application Form. Upon completion of the Application Form, send same via email attaching the following supporting documents:

·       Résumé or Curriculum Vitae;

·       Personal Statement;

·       A passport Photograph;

·       Two letters of recommendation;

·       Copy of all degrees and transcripts certified by the awarding institution;

·       Test score in English proficiency;

·       Copy of your passport/national ID; and

·       Birth certificate (with English or French official translation if necessary).

Incomplete application files will not be examined. Applicants whose native language is not English must provide original test scores for one of the standardized English proficiency tests or produce a proof of waiver if applicable. To learn about the language requirements: please read carefully the English language requirement guide.

All applicants must fill in and send via email the LL.M. application form and the requisite supporting documents to the following email address: llm.droit@ml.u-cergy.fr

The selection is competitive and based on an examination of the Application Form. Entry to the LL.M. program is restricted to applicants with the requisite level of honors or equivalent grades, class ranks or transcripts. The level of English and the applicant’s motivation are important criteria of selection.

The application Committee strives to decide within two to six weeks after a completed application is received. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications for 2023-2024 academic year is currently ongoing and applicants are advised to send in their applications before the deadline:

·       Full or Joint LL.M. application starting in September 2023: Deadline June 30, 2023.

·       Full or Joint LL.M. application starting in January 2024: Deadline September 30, 2023.

Selected students will receive an admission letter by electronic message and fax or post. Upon reception of the electronic admission message, applicants must confirm their application and pay 800 Euros within 30 days of the receipt of the admission letter. Upon confirmation of the payment of the 800 euros, students will be sent an invitation letter to apply for their visa. This amount will be deducted from the total amount of the tuition fees.  If the confirmation of payment is not received within 30 days, the applicant will be considered as a dropout, and another candidate will be selected.

The tuition fees vary depending on the elected LL.M. program (Full LL.M. or Joint LL.M.)

FULL LL.M. TUITION FEES

• 7500 € for Non-EU Applicants
• 7000 € for EU Applicants

JOINT LL.M. TUITION FEES 

• 10000 € for Non-EU Applicants
• 9800 € for EU Applicants

Kindly note that the LL.M. fees are separate from the University registration fees and the French language class fees which will have to be paid upfront prior or upon arrival at CYU.

•  University registration fees – approximatively 262€
• Student and Campus life contribution (CVEC) – approximatively 100 € paid upfront by credit card at the registration office.
• French language courses (compulsory to be paid upfront to the French language center upon arrival) – approximatively 230€/Semester or 430€/Year.

The School of Law offers a range of financial support for post graduate study at CYU.

• LL.M. program scholarship

  The LL.M. offers merit-based scholarships to outstanding candidates. Applicants must apply for the scholarship at the time of application and provide a detailed letter of motivation to the attention of the Selection Committee: => Learn more

•  Eiffel scholarship

  Application files must be returned in both paper & electronic versions, before December 15 for the following academic year. In order to apply to this scholarship, candidates must send the request via email to :Sabina.abdelrasol@u-cergy.fr ; Celine.roger@u-cergy.fr

• Learn more: http://www.campusfrance.org/fr/eiffel

CYU is situated in a surprisingly verdant and picturesque location in the department of the Val-d’Oise, one of the largest economic areas in France with two international airports and a high density of French and international firms.

Val d’Oise is known as the cradle of the impressionist art movement. It has been a land of inspiration both for writers such as Jean-Jacques ROUSSEAU and François MAURIAC and for painters, including Vincent van GOGH, Camille PISSARRO, Claude MONET and François-Charles DAUBIGNY, all of whom have left behind traces of their genius. And the artistic tradition of the Val d’Oise is alive and well today with its buzzing theatre and music (Baroque, jazz, contemporary and rock) scene, every season bringing with it an exciting programme of festivals and cultural events.

Cergy-Pontoise is a dynamic city which offers a broad spectrum of artistic and cultural events thanks to its numerous theaters, museums and concert halls. It is within a short distance from Paris, 30 minutes from the Arc de Triomphe and the Avenue of the Champs Elysèes.

The School of Law is provides quality accommodations to its international students. For this reason, the University of CYU has built a partnership with two private residence halls, Allegessec and Studapart.

We recommend accommodation in the private sector only as the French government offers financial help to international students (a service called CAF).

1) Algessec, the student residence halls of the ESSEC Business School

Résidence les Hauts de Cergy

60 Avenue du Hazay, 95800 Cergy

• 5 minute by train from the University of Cergy (line: RER A)

=> More info: http://www.essec.edu/en/pages/about-essec/essec-business-school/housing/

=> Link to the housing application for non-ESSEC students: https://housing.alegessec.fr/convention2019

• Contact: Jona Harpa GYLFADOTTIR, email: gylfadottir@essec.edu, phone: +33 1 34 20 60 28

Please be advised that Jona is the only contact person for the Résidence les Hauts de Cergy, she can also help you applying for the financial help offered by the French government (CAF).

2) Studapart, the student housing platform of the University of Cergy-Pontoise 

On this platform, you will be able to :

• Find your roommate(s) and form shared rentals

• Find a temporary room

How to use it:

1. Connect to the platform by using this website: http://housing.u-cergy.fr
2. Click on 'Student login' or 'Connexion étudiant' 
3. Sign up and fill in the fields
4. Activation code: Ask to Elia Gombert

For any problem, please contact Elia Gombert: international.droit@ml.u-cergy.fr or elia.gombert@u-cergy.fr

This residence does not normally request a guarantor.

Important: In France, home insurance is compulsory for your room or your apartment, you are required to subscribe.  We suggest you to to take the optional 'responsabilité civile' (civil liability).

Here is the website which is usually used by our international students: https://www.assurances-etudiants.com/en

CYU School of Law offers an environment where it is good to study and which cares about proximity and support for its students. The school is a place for the intellectual construction of students but also for the development of student life. The dynamism of the student associations offers many events such as Moot Court competitions, Meetings, Conferences but also moments of conviviality, such as the Faculty Gala, the leading students "Awards of Excellence" or networking opportunities.