LL.M. Public Law and Democracy (Institut Michel Villey)
LL.M. Public Law and Democracy (Institut Michel Villey)
2025 / 2026
Direction : Denis BARANGER
Diplômes à Paris réservés aux étudiants internationauxLLMProgrammes taught in English - Droit
Diplôme d’Université
Diplôme délivré : Diplôme d’Université
The LL.M. is a university degree (DU) and therefore not an equivalent to a Master's degree.
The LL.M will offer the highest quality of teaching in small group seminars provided by leading French and international scholars. The program will benefit from a partnership with Institut Michel Villey, Paris-Panthéon-Assas University' leading research center in jurisprudence and constitutional law.
Career and prospects:
- International students aiming at acquiring a professional expertise in the field of democratic practice and democratic ingeneering. They will later work for NGOs, governmental bodies, international organizations.
- Students wishing to embrace an academic career and to read for a PhD.
Goals
The program’s purpose is to provide international students with a set of courses at the crossroads of public law, legal theory and theory of democracy. The aim is to enable a new generation of scholars and leaders in the field of law and democratic government, and provide them with the theoretical baggage and the skills to approach modern problems of democratic
governance and democratic reform. The emphasis will be put on legal theory and political theory, as well as insights on modern democratic government across the world.
Tuition fees
Students must pay a tuition fee of 10,000 euros (including university fees) to Paris-Panthéon-Assas University.
Exchange students (American universities): 5,000 euros.
Program eligible to the LPDP scholarship. Please contact Lpdp.prancis@ifi-id.com for more information
Academic Year :
October - June
Application period:
October 2nd - September 30th
Admissions
Admission
Le LL.M. est accessible aux étudiants étrangers titulaires d’au moins une deuxième année de Law School américaine (dans le cadre d’un échange entre leur université d’origine et l’Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas) ; aux étudiants titulaires d’un JD ou de tout autre diplôme de fin d’études juridiques dans leur pays d’origine, comportant au minimum quatre années d’études supérieures, soit 240 crédits ECTS ; à titre exceptionnel, aux étudiants titulaires d’un diplôme comportant 180 crédits ECTS, si le parcours d’études dans le pays d’origine le justifie.
Le LLM est par ailleurs accessible à un nombre limité d’étudiants français chaque année (maximum un quart de l’effectif maximum, soit 5 étudiants) pouvant justifier de 5 années d’études (M2) et de 300 Crédits ECTS.
Les étudiants sont sélectionnés sur dossier (un maximum de 20 étudiants est admis par promotion) et, éventuellement, après un entretien si le jury de sélection le juge utile.
L’admission dans le LLM est exclusive de toute autre inscription, au sein de l’Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas ou dans tout autre établissement français ou étranger.
Organisation
Programme
Teaching
The LLM is a year-long, full time, program.
The curriculum is based on ten courses (24h each), for a total of 240 hours. All courses are mandatory. There are no optional courses.
Courses
Unit 1 Theories of justice and political power
- Theories of democracy (ancient and modern)
- Introduction to political thought
- Reading seminar in political philosophy
- Foundations of public law
Unit 2 Constitutionalism
- Political and constitutional history
- Comparative constititional law
- Constitutional theory
- International Law and democracy
Unit 3 : democracy & governance
- Contemporary Governance and democratic practice
- Current problems of democratic societies
Chair of democracy
A short course or series of lectures delivered every year by an expert or personality of
international standing.
Débouchés
The course is aimed at two audiences:
Future experts in democratic practice in international organizations, NGOs, etc. working in this field or with a specialized unit;
Students interested in an academic career, for whom the LLM will serve as pre-doctoral training.
Titre
More information
Titre
Alumni
Joana ZGHAIB, 2024
There is no better place to explore Public Law and Democracy than at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University! The LL.M. program, offered in partnership with the Institut Michel Villey, provides a unique blend of public law, legal theory, and the study of democracy. As someone who was already practicing law, I realized there was still so much to learn about the intricate concepts of governance, democracy, and their broader implications. This program has opened numerous doors for me, as well as invaluable insights and opportunities, more specifically in international law.
I'm deeply grateful for having had the chance to study at one of Europe's most renowned legal institutions. Being surrounded by students with impressive academic and professional backgrounds pushed me to be better in every way. Throughout my time in this LL.M., I was privileged to learn from leading French and international scholars who not only imparted knowledge but also inspired us. The program included enriching experiences, such as visits to the Sénat, the Assemblée Nationale, the Conseil Constitutionnel and the Cour Nationale du Droit d'Asile, which provided firsthand exposure to democratic institutions in action.
The connections I made and the community we built are sources of pride for me. This LL.M. has been more than an academic pursuit. I encourage you to join this exceptional journey.