LLM in Compliance

Full Time and Part Time Programs

In an increasingly complex regulatory environment, local, national, and international regulations and standards concerning corporate finances, human resources, environmental impact, competition, and taxation represent a constant challenge for businesses. The requirements are constantly evolving, leaving companies exposed to sanctions that entail significant financial and reputational losses.

National and multinational companies have created internal compliance organizations charged with monitoring regulatory developments, identifying risks, designing and implementing prevention mechanisms, overcoming compliance difficulties, and advising on internal rules and controls. Law firms and business advisors have developed compliance practices intended to support the national and multinational companies. Besides, many specialized entities are now offering their services to companies that choose to outsource compliance procedures.

In this context, the Fribourg Law Faculty has created a unique LLM in regulatory compliance enabling you to acquire the necessary capabilities to become a successful practitioner in the field. In addition to a solid theoretical basis, the program provides you with practical insight, allowing you to practice immediately following your studies.

• Who is eligible for the Fribourg Law LLM Program?

  The LLM program in Compliance was designed to meet the needs of  experienced lawyers and recent law graduates of proven ability.

  The program is also open to university graduates with degrees in disciplines other than law whose professional experience has prepared them for the study of regulatory compliance.

• What will you learn?

  The core curriculum of the Fribourg Law LLM in Compliance offers students numerous options for putting together individualized study modules suited to their own specific needs and interests. Modules can include any combination of curriculum units chosen from a wide variety of offerings:

  • an introductory course on compliance and compliance systems;
  • graduate level courses on the main areas of compliance law, including the regulatory regimes governing taxation, antitrust issues, labor relations, banking, environmental production, trade and commerce, customs clearance, corruption and money laundering,  and risk management;
  • specialized courses on law and business in the world's fastest growing economies – in  Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America; 
  • legal clinics and moot courts
  • business negotiation training, legal drafting and other skills-oriented courses and seminars.

   

  Successful completion of each unit allows students to earn the number of ECTS credits corresponding to the investment of time and effort demanded.

   

  Units may require between 6 and 16 hours of classroom time, spread over intervals ranging from one day to a maximum of two weeks. For a listing of the curriculum units and the ECTS credits to be earned for each unit, please consult the program structure using the link at the bottom of this page.

   

  Enhance the value of your LLM by choosing supplementary courses units!

• Your Career Options

  The LLM in Compliance will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities. Potential employers include:

  • compliance and legal departments of business ranging from small and midsize enterprises to major multinational corporations in diverse industries, including international trade, banking and financial services, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, telecommunications, construction, and others;
  • law firms;
  • national and international regulatory agencies;
  • international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
• Features of Full Time & Part Time Programs

  The academic year has a duration of approximately ten months, divided into two semesters.

  The fall semester runs from mid-September to mid-December.

  The spring semester runs from mid-February to mid-June.

  Besides the inter-semester breaks, there are several official holidays during the semesters, notably Easter (the exact date varies every year).

  Exam sessions take place at the end of each semester.

  Full-Time

  The Full-Time LLM program has a duration of two semesters.

  Classes take place Monday to Friday with an average class-time of four hours per day.

  Part-Time

  The Part-Time has a flexible duration of two to four semesters. Each course takes place once a year. Students may choose to follow a lecture in their first year or the second year of their Part-Time LLM. If they wish, they can complete the Part-Time LLM in just one year.

  This program is specially designed for candidates who are full-time employees or wish- for different reasons - to have a flexible program.

  Classes take place Friday afternoon and Saturday.

  Common features

  All courses take place in English.

  To receive their degree, students must complete curriculum units to earn a minimum of 60 ECTS credits, including:

  • 50 ECTS credits for coursework;
  • 10 ECTS for the preparation of a master’s thesis or internship.

  Students may choose to start the LLM in Fall or Spring.

• Tuition Fees

  Tuition Fees

  The full tuition fees amount to CHF 16,500.- and must be paid before graduation.

  Application Costs

  We do not require upfront payments for the treatment of application files. Successful candidates are required to pay an administrative fee of CHF 150.- and a registration fee of CHF 1500.-. Both fees are due 10 days after a successful application and are non-refundable. An invoice will be sent by email. These costs count toward the tuition fee.

  Payment Options

  Students can pay tuition fees with a 20% discount when paying in full before the semester starts, or in instalments throughout the first academic year.

  For more details, please contact us directly.

• Scholarships

  Excellence Scholarship Program

  Under the Excellence Scholarship Program, we provide scholarships, each worth CHF 8500 for outstanding candidates.

   Scholarships are available to LLM candidates. Their award and amount depend on the academic excellence evidenced notably by:

  • results in a bachelor's and masters' degree;
  • professional and academic achievements.

  Regional Scholarship Program

  The Regional Scholarship is available to applicants from developing countries, least developed countries, or countries in transition. The scholarship amounts to CHF 8250.-.

  Click here to download the list of countries qualifying for Regional Scholarship.

  Please note: The number of grants is limited, and the Regional Scholarship cannot be combined with the Excellence Scholarship.

  How to apply for a scholarship

  Scholarship applicants must first apply to a Fribourg Law LLM Program and select the scholarship option during the application process.

• STUDENTS ABOUT US

  Regina Tenisheva (Russia)

  "I would like to distinguish a brilliant teaching staff invited to teach on the LLM program. The world wide known professors and leading practicing lawyers all over the world taught me to think freely, independently basing on new knowledge and using to a large extent my previous experience. In this regard I appreciate an approach of the program administration to accept students with the professional background once the teaching approach itself and proposed case studies supposed interaction of professionals.

  The LLM program gave me an invaluable experience of communication with people of different nationalities as far as I studied in a truly international group. We studied, celebrated birthdays, organized out-of-class activities and adapted to peculiarities of Swiss way of life together. We were different but united being involved in a new social environment."