Master of Laws in Finance (LLM Finance)

Overview

The Institute for Law and Finance (ILF) at Goethe University offers a focused graduate programme leading to a Master of Laws in Finance. Delivered entirely in English, the curriculum is designed to bridge law and business/economics by combining theoretical study with practical training. The programme is available as a one‑year full‑time course or a two‑year part‑time option, and roughly 50 highly qualified students are admitted each year to maintain a close, interactive learning environment.

Study experience and career preparation

Teaching is provided by a mix of leading academics and seasoned practitioners from Europe’s legal and financial sectors, and students regularly attend conferences and seminars on current law-and-finance topics hosted by the ILF. An integrated, two‑month internship with public and private partner institutions — typically including international law firms, banks, accounting and consulting firms, the European Central Bank and the Deutsche Bundesbank — gives hands‑on experience and valuable professional contacts. Located in Frankfurt am Main, one of Europe’s major financial centres, the programme offers strong networking and placement opportunities.

Student life and degree

Small cohort sizes ensure personalised access to faculty and a collegial atmosphere. The ILF also organises a variety of extra‑curricular activities (for example, a field trip to Berlin, social events, sports and alumni meetups) to enrich the year outside the classroom. Upon successful completion, graduates receive an internationally recognised and accredited LLM Finance degree conferred by Goethe University Frankfurt.

Admission and programme facts (key points)

• Language of instruction: English
• Suitable for applicants with a good first degree in law, business or economics
• Study formats: full‑time (1 year) and part‑time (2 years)
• Cohort size: approximately 50 students per year
• Students are fully enrolled members of Goethe University; degree awarded by the university
• Includes a compulsory two‑month internship with partner institutions (e.g., international law firms, banks, accounting/consulting firms, European Central Bank, Deutsche Bundesbank)
• Faculty: combination of academics and experienced practitioners from Europe’s legal and financial sectors
• Location: Frankfurt am Main — major financial centre offering networking and career opportunities
• Extra‑curricular offerings: conferences, seminars, field trip(s), social and alumni events

This program is structured as a 90 ECTS master’s degree combining taught courses, an independent thesis, and a practical internship. The taught component consists of 12 courses (60 ECTS) that build a rigorous, interdisciplinary foundation at the intersection of law, finance, and economics. Course selection is designed to let students deepen either legal or economic expertise depending on their background, while core work fosters the analytical tools needed to navigate financial regulation and transactions.

Which subjects you concentrate on depends on your first degree: law graduates must take at least four of the 12 courses in business or economics, while graduates in business or economics must choose at least ten law courses. After finishing coursework, students complete a 20 ECTS Master’s thesis during a four-month writing period; this research phase does not require physical presence in Frankfurt. A 10 ECTS supervised internship adds hands-on experience in a relevant professional setting.

Learning outcomes focus on developing advanced, practice-relevant capabilities: rigorous legal and economic analysis of financial markets and instruments; interdisciplinary problem-solving across law and finance; independent research and academic writing demonstrated through the thesis; and workplace skills and professional insight gained via the internship — all intended to prepare graduates for roles in legal practice, regulatory bodies, finance, or further academic research.

Requirements (concise)

• Total program size: 90 ECTS
• Coursework: 12 courses = 60 ECTS
  • If first degree is in law: at least 4 of the 12 courses must be in business/economics
  • If first degree is in business/economics: at least 10 of the 12 courses must be in law
• Master’s thesis: 20 ECTS, to be completed within a four-month period after finishing coursework (no physical presence in Frankfurt required during writing)
• Internship: 10 ECTS (supervised practical placement)

Graduates receive an internationally recognised LLM Finance degree and benefit from ILF’s strong connections to law firms, banks, regulatory bodies and international institutions. The built-in internship and the programme’s Frankfurt location facilitate direct contact with potential employers and practical experience that support entry into competitive roles.

Typical career paths include positions in international law firms (financial services practice), banks and investment firms, regulatory agencies (e.g. central banks, financial regulators), consulting and accounting firms, corporate legal departments, and roles in compliance, financial regulation, risk management and structured finance. The programme’s blend of legal and economic training prepares graduates for advisory, regulatory and in-house counsel roles in the finance sector.