International Legal Studies (bachelor's programme)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Vienna

Program Overview

The bachelor's programme in International Legal Studies at the University of Vienna is a bilingual (German and English) 6-semester journey (180 ECTS) that equips you with a rock-solid legal foundation tailored for global challenges, like international and cross-border law. It's perfect if you're passionate about how law shapes our interconnected world, dream of roles in traditional legal professions with an international twist, and want to build sharp analytical, argumentative, and communication skills from top lecturers with real-world experience

Curriculum structure
First year: You'll kick off with the basics of legal thinking and global perspectives, diving into Introduction to Law and Legal Skills to master core methodologies, International Law Foundations for key principles of treaties and state interactions, and European Union Law to understand supranational governance. This builds your ability to analyze complex issues right from the start, blending theory with practical argumentative training in both languages.
Second year: Building momentum, you'll explore Public International Law in depth, covering human rights and dispute resolution, alongside Comparative Law to compare legal systems worldwide and International Economic Law focusing on trade agreements. These modules sharpen your skills for cross-border problem-solving, with plenty of English-taught sessions to boost your global readiness.
Third year: The final stretch emphasizes application through International Dispute Settlement like arbitration and courts, Transnational Private Law for contracts and disputes across borders, and elective modules in areas like human rights or migration law. You'll hone oral and written advocacy, preparing you to tackle real-world legal challenges with confidence.

Focus areas: International and cross-border law, European Union law, public and private international law, comparative legal systems, and global legal challenges like trade, human rights, and dispute resolution.

Learning outcomes: Gain comprehensive legal training to analyze complex global issues, argue persuasively in speech and writing, and address legal problems in a globalized world—plus bilingual proficiency for international careers.

Professional alignment (accreditation): This programme awards a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, fully accredited by the University of Vienna, and lays the groundwork for traditional legal professions or further master's studies; note the required entrance exam for admission.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Vienna's law programmes are highly regarded, preparing graduates for roles like judges, attorneys, prosecutors, or international lawyers, with strong support from the Uniport career service for job insights and networking—graduates rate related law programmes positively (e.g., 3.1/5 for the diploma in Law).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Bachelor's programme in International Legal Studies at the University of Vienna, you'll dive into practical legal training right from the start, building skills to handle real-world global challenges through bilingual courses (mostly in English) taught by lecturers from top Austrian and international universities who bring their hands-on experience directly into the classroom. This isn't just theory—it's designed to equip you with the confidence and tools to thrive in dynamic legal environments, supported by the university's dedicated resources like the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) for workshops on writing, mentoring, and exam prep.

Here's how you'll gain that edge through experiential opportunities tailored to this programme:
- Interactive courses with practical focus: High proportion of English-taught classes emphasize applying legal concepts to globalised scenarios, with lecturers sharing real-world insights from their professional backgrounds.
- CTL support for hands-on skill-building: Access STEOP mentoring, writing workshops, and personalized guidance to sharpen your practical abilities like legal analysis and argumentation.
- University digital tools for collaboration: Use platforms like u:space, u:find, u:search, and Moodle for course registration, group work, finding resources, and interactive learning—essential for managing group projects and international case studies.
- International Office for global exposure: Get advising on semester abroad opportunities to apply your skills in real international settings, bridging classroom learning with practical fieldwork.

Progression & Future Opportunities

In the Bachelor's programme in International Legal Studies at the University of Vienna, you'll build practical skills to handle real-world legal challenges in a globalized context, thanks to a high proportion of English-taught courses and lecturers from top Austrian and international universities who bring hands-on experience directly into the classroom. You'll get personalized support through the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), including STEOP mentoring and writing workshops to sharpen your legal analysis and communication skills, plus easy access to key digital platforms for seamless collaboration and study management. This setup ensures you're not just learning theory—you're preparing to thrive in international law careers.

Here are some standout ways the programme delivers experiential learning:
- Digital tools like u:space, u:find, u:search, and Moodle: These university-wide platforms let you register for courses, find resources, search materials, and collaborate on assignments in real-time.
- Support from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL): Get mentoring in your first semester (STEOP) and workshops on legal writing to practice professional skills with expert guidance.
- International Office advising: Plan semester abroad opportunities to gain global exposure and practical insights into international legal systems.
- Entrance exam prep resources: Free test literature, sample exercises, and an Online-Self-Assessment (OSA) build your analytical skills before you even start.