The Master in International Business Law is an advanced training programme designed to prepare professionals to operate effectively within the field of international business law and global markets.
Aimed at business lawyers, in-house counsel, and managers, the Master provides advanced skills to manage cross-border transactions, support internationalization processes, and address the regulatory challenges faced by companies operating internationally.
The programme offers an integrated perspective on European and international law, combining a strong business-oriented approach with practical application. Particular attention is given to the most relevant topics in today’s market, including compliance, ESG, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.
Through a multidisciplinary and practice-oriented learning approach, the Master equips participants with the competencies needed to take on strategic roles in legal, corporate governance, and compliance functions, contributing to the competitive growth of organizations in global contexts.
The Master offers a structured and multidisciplinary learning pathway, designed to develop comprehensive and practical expertise in European and international business law.
The teaching approach combines lectures, case study analysis, practical exercises, and applied learning activities, with the aim of fostering skills that can be immediately applied in professional contexts.
The programme is structured into four main thematic areas:
- European and International Law: in-depth study of markets and competition, foreign investments, international trade, and the legal tools used in cross-border operations.
- Private Law: focus on international contract law, European contract law, corporate law, M&A, corporate crisis and restructuring, labour law in restructuring processes, banking and financial markets, intellectual property, and legal informatics applied to business.
- Public Law: coverage of international tax law, customs law, domestic and international arbitration, and economic criminal law, with particular attention to regulatory compliance.
- Legal English: a specialized module dedicated to international legal language, with practical applications in contract drafting, negotiation, and dispute management.
The programme equips participants with concrete tools to interpret and manage regulatory complexity in global contexts, through an integrated approach that connects law, business, and markets.
The Master is designed for professionals who wish to strengthen their profile in the field of international business law, developing cross-functional and strategic competencies.
It is particularly aimed at:
- In-house counsel working in structured companies with an international presence or global outlook
- Business lawyers involved in cross-border transactions, advising foreign investors and supporting the internationalization of Italian companies
- Managers and professionals seeking to integrate legal, economic, and governance skills into corporate decision-making processes
The programme prepares professionals who are able to:
- manage complex legal issues in international contexts
- interact effectively with key corporate functions (finance, HR, tax, compliance, business development)
- support business growth and strategic development
Career opportunities include roles in legal, compliance, corporate governance, legal advisory, and strategic management, within companies, law firms, and organizations operating on a global scale.
The Second-level Short Specialisation Degree for International business lawyer provides training on 4 macro-areas, divided in turns in educational modules:
EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL LAW
- Market and competition law
- Investment and international trade law
- Private, procedural and network law
- Customs law
PRIVATE LAW
- International contract law and European contract law
- Financial market law
- Labour law in corporate restructuring
- Corporate law and business accounting
- Business crisis law and M&A
- Intellectual property law
- Legal corporate computer science
- Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management
PUBLIC LAW
- International tax law
- National and international arbitration law
- Economic criminal law and corporate social responsibility
LEGAL ENGLISH
- Legal English
A maximum of 20 CFU will be recognized for previous attendance of: legal practice schools, (Level 1 and 2) Master’s Degrees, doctorates, higher education courses (certified or promoted by relevant training institutions), single courses and post-graduate schools in the legal field, or related to the Master’s Degree, after evaluation by the organizing committee.
The Master in International Business Law offers the opportunity to attend the following individual courses:
- Public Procurement Law
- International Contract Law and European Contract Law
- Customs Law
- Legal Informatics for Business
- Corporate Crisis, Restructuring and M&A
- Industrial Property Law
- Corporate Law and Accounting
- International Tax Law
- Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management
At the end of each individual course, participants are required to complete a final assessment. Depending on the admission requirements specified in the relevant call for applications, this will lead to the issuance of either a certificate of attendance or a certificate of successful completion.
For information on course schedules, duration, ECTS credits, teaching format, and fees, please refer to the dedicated sections for each individual course on the Italian page.
The Master’s Degree in International Business Law includes an opening day and two other days dedicated to the in-depth study of specific topics, attended by academics, professionals, business lawyers, entrepreneurs and representatives of partner companies, with the primary aim of providing students with in-depth knowledge and opportunities for discussion. These events are an opportunity to expand your network and create new opportunities for professional collaboration.
Master’s partner companies:
• Bottega S.p.A.
• Danieli & C. S.p.A.
• DeLonghi S.p.A.
• Lagardère SCA
• Marcolin S.p.A.
• Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems S.p.A
• Ormesani S.r.l.
• Rizzani De Eccher
• Tecnoeka S.r.l.
Master’s partner firms:
• Àdest Legal & Tax
• Bergs & More
• BM&A Studio Legale Associato
• Delfino e Associati, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Studio Legale
• Deloitte Legal
• Gianni & Origoni
• Grimaldi Alliance
• SAT Studio Legale – Spinazzi Azzarita Troi Genito Scimeni
• SNBS Studio Notarile Bevilacqua Simoncini
• Studio De Poli – Venice
Master’s Partner Institutions
• Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo
The general ranking of merit for the academic year 2026/27 will be published on the Italian page of this Master according to the timing provided in the Call.
Single course
Information
FAQ
The activities are divided into 300 hours of lessons plus 200 hours of traineeship at the Master’s partner organizations, or at another organization identified by the student, even among those already affiliated with the University. As an alternative to the traineeship, attendees can opt for a project work concerning the analysis of a practical case related to one of the topics of the course. The project work must be a specific chapter of the final dissertation.
An attendance of at least 70% of the lessons is mandatory. Each student can be absent for up to 90 hours during the entire course. The 200 hours of traineeship must be carried out in full. The final exam will be done in September, on a written paper (25 pages minimum) about one of the topics covered by the Master’s modules.
Yes, the materials used by the professors during the lessons will be uploaded to the University platform (Moodle), within the specific session dedicated to the Second-level Short Specialisation Degree for International business lawyer. Some of the materials will also be made available before the lessons, in order to allow a more effective, in-depth debate with the professors.
The students’ attendance will be recorded several times during the day, remotely, by the Master’s tutors. Except for exceptional, documentable cases, at the Master Direction’s discretion, if the number of absences allowed (90 hours) is exceeded, the student won’t be able to access the final exam and therefore to achieve the Master’s title.
The traineeship can be done at one of the Master’s partner companies, or at a company or organization chosen independently by the student. Every student can also apply to the traineeship offers available in the so-called “UNIPD display case”. Based on the agreements made by the University with partner companies, professional firms and other public/private organizations, traineeship will not be paid. In any case, applicants have the option of agreeing any possible reimbursement of expenses or benefits directly with the organization interested in hosting them.
No, it is not guaranteed; however, your application is guaranteed, and it is up to the partner to decide whether to pursue the relationship. The networking events organised during the course facilitate direct contact with partners.
Starting from a.y. 2018/19, students enrolling in one of the courses of the University of Padua receive a card with university badge functions: the Flash Studio Card.
It is the University personal electronic badge, which identifies its holder as a student of the University of Padua, allowing them to access university services, or even a card with financial functions.
It is valid for 7 years, also in the case of continuing higher-level courses, or other courses within the University.