Benefits of advanced legal studies

Why should you consider advanced legal studies? Whether you’re eyeing an LLM or leaning towards a business school programme, these opportunities offer more than just another line on your CV. They can open doors to new career opportunities, deepen your expertise and give you an edge in today’s competitive legal landscape.

Why choose an LLM or business school?

Advanced legal studies aren’t just about gaining academic knowledge. They’re about positioning yourself for success in a rapidly changing legal world. Here’s how they help:

• Expand your legal and business mindset
  An LLM gives you the chance to engage with foreign legal systems that may operate entirely differently from what you’re used to. If you opt for business school, you’ll gain insight into how entrepreneurs think and how businesses operate beyond the legal framework – broadening your perspective far beyond just the law.
• Build a global network
  Your classmates, professors and even guest lecturers could become lifelong professional allies (or at least LinkedIn connections). These relationships are invaluable as your career unfolds. Plus, many of them might become friends for life, making it easier to plan those international trips in the future!
• Gain international experience
  Studying abroad isn’t just about mastering a new legal system – it’s about learning to navigate different cultures and perspectives. You’ll develop a global mindset, which is especially handy in today’s interconnected world.
• Specialise and stand out
  With advanced legal studies, you can develop expertise in areas like tax law, financial markets or even law in a digital economy. By learning from top experts in their fields, you’ll gain knowledge that expands your legal understanding and positions you as a sought-after specialist.

“An LLM forces you to step outside your comfort zone. You’re suddenly engaging with legal concepts from perspectives you hadn’t considered before, often in an entirely different legal framework. It’s challenging, but that’s exactly what makes it so valuable.”

Alexander Canetta – Winner Argo Scholarship ’23 & Harvard LLM Student

The business school advantage

If you’re drawn to the entrepreneurial or managerial side of law, business school might be the better fit. Here’s why it’s worth a look:

• Develop essential skills
  A business school programme doesn’t just teach you legal skills. It equips you with leadership, strategic management and negotiation techniques that are crucial for career growth as a lawyer.
• Understand the financial aspects of law
  After earning your law degree, there are key financial aspects of corporate law that often remain unexplored. That’s why gaining a deeper understanding of financial principles can be so important: it bridges the gap between legal expertise and business strategy.
• Prepare for the real-world business environment
  Business school is hands-on. You’ll work on real-world cases, meet strict deadlines, and develop practical problem-solving skills – just like in a fast-paced law firm. These experiences prepare you to better serve clients and handle the pressures of legal practice.

The LLM advantage

For those looking to sharpen their legal focus, an LLM offers unmatched opportunities:

• Gain exposure to different legal systems
  An LLM immerses you in various legal frameworks. You’ll encounter common law systems in the US and UK, which differ significantly from civil law systems like Belgium’s. Plus, engaging with international legal perspectives will challenge your way of thinking and enhance your adaptability
• Deep dive into a legal specialisation
  Whether it’s international law, corporate law or competition law: an LLM allows you to focus on a specific legal area and learn from world-class experts. This broadens your legal understanding and elevates your expertise.
• Boost your career prospects
  An LLM is more than just a degree. It signals to future employers that you’re willing to dedicate yourself fully to mastering a specific legal field. It requires time, effort and commitment. Qualities that top law firms and employers highly value.