Institute For Law And Finance

Exchange /Double Degree Programs

Our partner universities are:

Columbia Law School
Amsterdam Business School, University of Amsterdam

With Columbia Law School

Since autumn 2005, the ILF has established a student exchange program with the Law School of Columbia University, one of the most prominent law faculties in the United States.

Up to two students who have a first degree in law and who have completed and particularly excelled duirng their studies at the ILF shall, upon the prior acceptance of Columbia Law School, be sent to New York, the world’s major financial center, to attend one semester of Columbia Law School's Juris Doctor (J.D.) program. Upon the successful completion of the course requirements at Columbia Law School, the students will receive official Columbia University transcripts indicating the courses which they have attended as well as the grades received for those courses.

: (Photography credits to: Dustin Ross)

On the other side of the exchange program, the ILF will welcome up to two students from Columbia Law School each year. The Columbia Law School students will join the LL.M. Finance program for the full course of study and upon their successful completion of the program, will be awarded the LL.M. Finance degree.

With Amsterdam Business School

We are pleased to announce that a new student exchange program between the ILF and the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Business School will commence in 2008/2009.

After attending the winter semester at the ILF, 2 ILF students shall have the opportunity to attend the third term of the Master's Program in International Finance at Amsterdam Business School. Upon successful completion, ILF students will be awarded the LL.M. Finance degree by the University of Frankfurt. For the same academic year, 2 students from Amsterdam Business School will be allowed to join the summer semester of the LL.M. Finance program and upon successful completion, they will receive the Master in International Finance at Amsterdam Business School.

European Master in Transnational Trade Law and Finance

The ILF is part of a consortium of 4 European leading universities offering the European Master in Transnational Trade Law and Finance (EMTTLF), a new Erasmus Mundus Master's Program. This Master's Program contains 120 ECTS credits that the students will follow courses over two academic years and in three of the four participating institutions.

Successful applicants of the ILF track will complete the first semester at the University of Deusto, Bilbao, the second semester at the University of Tilburg and the 3rd and last semesters at the ILF.

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ILF students who completed one semester at Columbia Law School

Mr. Georgios Palogos from Greece has just completed the Fall Term 2009 at Columbia Law School:

: Mr. Georgios Palogos

"I attended the 2009 fall semester at Columbia Law School in New York as an ILF exchange student, which was a real privilege. Students of CLS get to interact with scholars like Coffee and Gilson whose work has immensely influenced transactional and securities lawyers. A semester at CLS is hard work but you get to be taught by the best and you are surrounded by brilliant people. The potential for learning is infinite. Students here live with the constant dilemma between studying and exploring the cultural beauties of the city. Living here for half a year while attending a very demanding law school and “surviving” definitely toughens you up as an individual and expands your skill set in the most unexpected and fulfilling way, you just need to keep your antennae up and absorb stimuli from all directions."

: Mr. Wouter Schmit Jongbloed

“My time at Columbia Law School was in one word mesmerizing. The City of New York provides for all, even in times of economic hardship, the positive atmosphere of the American “can do spirit”. This atmosphere in turn pervades the whole of Columbia Law School, be it socially, academically or otherwise. It is this positive attitude that transforms obstacles into challenges that can – and will – be met. Although there are other Ivy League Law Schools in the US, I am convinced that the mixture of academic rigor with New York flair makes CLS stand-out among the best that legal education in the US has to offer. In short, spending a semester at Columbia can be both enriching and stimulating – but always mesmerizing!”

: Ms. Joana Baublyte

"The time spent at Columbia Law School in New York was an excellent experience. Columbia Law School - no doubt deserving the name of the best - gives you a taste of common law and US approach towards education that convinces you no matter how unfamiliar or skeptical you were at the beginning, especially when coming from continental Europe. First, having difficulties to understand and after some time, you find it interesting and attractive. The exchange program also gives you the chance to live in New York - indeed one of the most exciting cities on the planet. This flickering, dynamic and always surprising city is a good real life experience in itself. Having learned these professional and cultural lessons, you are much more ready to face new challenges in whatever you do in the future."

: Mr. David Kevkhishvili

"Being a student of Columbia University and studying for a semester at one of the world’s top ranked law schools was a source of great experiences and a unique period of my lifetime. I had the chance to choose courses from a wide curriculum and be taught by distinguished professors and highly qualified practitioners, whose exclusive knowledge passed to their students is the key to excellence in the practice of law. Being a member of Columbia University’s large library network which includes the libraries of Columbia Law School and Columbia Business School contributed a lot in finalizing and enriching my master’s thesis. Above all, the many social activities encouraged by the University, combined with excellent university facilities gave me the opportunity to participate in numerous interesting events."

: Ms. Jana Velebova (nee Svetlikova)

"Spending one semester at Columbia University was an unforgettable experience for me. I had the opportunity to discuss current issues on corporate governance with a former SEC Commissioner, negotiate the terms of a private equity fund and attend the World Leaders Forum to listen to the speeches of Heads of State from all around the world. I participated in lectures and seminars taught by professors as well as practitioners, who are among the best in their disciplines, and utilized Columbia’s superb libraries for my master's thesis research. I found new friends and talked to people I would never have thought I would see with my own eyes. Columbia offers endless opportunities for everyone who is ready to take on the challenge. Besides, being situated in the heart of Manhattan, there is always something to explore if you need a break."

: Ms. Joanna Wilczynska-Gluch

"The semester spent at the Columbia Law School was a time of great academic intensity: I was put in contact with top researchers in their fields, such as Prof. Pistor on corporations and Prof. Goldschmid on antitrust – the challenge of attending their courses brought my understanding of the chosen subjects to a wholly new level. Uniquely benefiting were also open lectures and one-day seminars, one of which – on the current issues of shareholder democracy – has inspired my final ILF thesis. And, aside from academic advantages, I was living for half a year in New York City! – something which I think everybody should try at least once."