LL.M. in International Contracts & Arbitration

The remarkable expansion of global trade has significantly increased the specialization in international contract practices. The jurisdictional complexities of these contracts have spurred rapid growth in the use of alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms. Many international corporations now have dedicated divisions within their legal departments for drafting, negotiating, monitoring, and enforcing international contracts, as well as for resolving any disputes that arise. Other companies collaborate with international law firms that specialize in this demanding area. 

A successful career in international contract law requires a deep understanding of multiple legal regimes, including the cultural nuances they embody and how they interact. Mastery of the ever-evolving international conventions and standards is essential when disputes arise. 

The Fribourg Law LL.M. in Contracts & Arbitration is specifically designed to prepare students for these challenges. Renowned professors, who are authorities in their fields, will help you gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of international commercial contracts. They will equip you with the skills needed to navigate the intricate world of international dispute resolution mechanisms. In addition to coursework, experienced legal practitioners will work with you to develop your drafting, negotiation, pleading, and presentation skills through practical exercises and training clinics.

Please see the Program Structure, IBL Student Handbook and Code of Conduct and the IBL Student Guide for more information about studying at the Institute for International Business Law, University of Fribourg. 

• Who is eligible for the Fribourg Law LL.M. Program?

  The Fribourg Law LL.M. program in International Contracts & Arbitration is designed to meet the demands 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 international contracts and dispute resolution.

• Your career options

  The Fribourg Law LL.M. in International Contracts & Arbitration will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities in companies and law firms with international operations, international organizations, and non-governmental associations and organizations around the world.

  Students interested in careers in business management and international trade will gain valuable knowledge and training for developing their contract negotiation and performance monitoring skills.

• The curriculum

  The Fribourg Law LL.M. in International Contracts & Arbitration curriculum consists of both core and elective course units. Each successfully completed unit awards students the corresponding ECTS credits, reflecting the time and effort required. Depending on the selected unit, students may attend between 3 and 18 hours of lectures, which can be distributed across several sessions throughout the semester.

  Students have the flexibility to choose any combination of lectures from the semester's offerings, allowing them to tailor their pace of study to align with their individual interests and needs. In addition to attending lectures, students must complete a Master's Thesis, Internship, or Management Project.

  For details about the course units offered in the current academic year and the specific credit requirements (LL.M. and Dual LL.M.), please refer to the Program Structure.

• Program features - full-time & part-time

  The academic year lasts approximately nine months, divided into two semesters. Students may choose to start the LL.M. program in either the Fall or Spring semester each year. The fall semester runs from mid-September to mid-December while the spring semester runs from mid-February to mid-June. In addition to the inter-semester breaks, there are several official local holidays throughout the year as typically observed in Switzerland.

  Students planning to study in person who require an entry visa should ensure their start date aligns with their visa issuance date to facilitate timely entry into Switzerland.

  The program is conducted entirely in English. Lectures can be attended live in person or online via Zoom – there is also flexibility to take a hybrid approach combining both. Whether the student studies full-time or part-time, the program offers more course units than are needed to complete the degree, allowing for maximum flexibility and customization in building their study curriculum. Typically, each course unit is offered once a year, either in the fall or spring semester.

  Full-time

  The LL.M. program is designed to be fully completed within one year. The full-time LL.M. program has a minimum duration of two semesters (one year) and a maximum duration of four semesters (two years). After four semesters, additional tuition fees will apply. Students may pause their studies for valid reasons, such as maternity, illness, professional or family commitments, without incurring additional fees, provided written confirmation is received from the program director.

  Part-time

  The part-time LL.M. program offers a flexible duration ranging from two to six semesters. After the sixth semester, additional tuition fees will apply. Students have the flexibility to take each unit during their first, second, or third year. Alternatively, they can choose to complete the entire part-time LL.M. program within a single year.

  The option to study part-time is specifically tailored for candidates who are full-time professionals or those who, for various reasons, seek a flexible study schedule. The program allows students to progress at their own pace with the convenience of online attendance and access to recorded lectures (where available).

• Graduation

  To receive their LL.M. diploma, full- and part-time students must complete curriculum units to earn a minimum of 60 ECTS credits, including:

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

  For the dual LL.M. see the Program Structure.

  Graduation ceremonies are held twice a year, in July and February. The LL.M. diploma, issued by the University of Fribourg's Faculty of Law, certifies the completion of a Master’s in Law and includes the graduate's chosen specialization, name, age, and academic distinction. The diploma is accompanied by a transcript detailing the curriculum units completed, the corresponding ECTS credits, grades achieved, and the overall GPA.

• Tuition fees

  The full tuition fee for the LL.M. program is CHF 16,500 and for the Dual LL.M. it is CHF 24,900, which must be paid in full before graduation. 

  Application Costs

  For successful applications, an administrative fee of CHF 150 and a registration fee of CHF 1,500 is charged. These non-refundable fees must be paid within 10 days and will be credited toward the total tuition.

  Payment Options

  A 10% discount is offered for full tuition payments made before the semester starts for students not eligible for scholarships. For students receiving a scholarship, a 5% discount is offered if the fees are paid in full before the semester begins.

  Other Fees

  An administration fee of CHF 75 will be charged for any changes to the program track or when switching between the LL.M. and Dual LL.M. programs. 

  From fall 2024, as of the 70th credit, an additional charge of CHF 500 per ECTS credit earned will apply, payable before graduation.

  Additional tuition fees will apply for full-time students after the fourth semester, and for part-time students after the sixth semester.

  IBL Tuition Terms and Conditions: Click here

• LL.M. scholarships

  Excellence Scholarship Program

  The Excellence Scholarship Program offers a scholarship of CHF 8,500 to outstanding candidates. For the Dual LL.M., the Excellence Scholarship is CHF 13,150.

  The award and amount are based on demonstrated academic excellence, as evidenced by:

  • Results in bachelor's and master's degrees
  • Professional and academic achievements

  Regional Scholarship Program

  The Regional Scholarship of CHF 8,250 is available to applicants from developing countries, least developed countries, or countries in transition. Similarly, for the Dual LL.M., the Regional Scholarship is CHF 12,450.

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

  How to Apply for a Scholarship

  To apply, simply complete the relevant section of the application form.

  Please Note: The number of scholarships is limited. The Regional Scholarship cannot be combined with the Excellence Scholarship.