Bachelor of Laws in Laws

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Ghent University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws in Laws at Ghent University gives you a solid foundation across key branches of law, blending legal studies with insights from political philosophy, history, economics, and humanities to build a well-rounded perspective. It's perfect for motivated students who love debating ideas, writing clearly, and tackling real-world legal challenges through case studies and practical exercises.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1 lays the groundwork by introducing the core structures and fundamentals of the internal, international, and European legal orders, helping you grasp how laws interconnect on different levels. You'll dive into the historical backgrounds of law and its cultural and philosophical foundations, while also exploring economic, sociological, and political influences that shape legal systems. Courses like those on legal orders and historical contexts ensure you build analytical skills from day one.

Year 2 builds on this with a deeper look at legal methods and interpretation, teaching you to research Dutch, French, and English legal texts and apply them to solve problems methodically. You'll hone your ability to develop and substantiate legal arguments, alongside elective options in fields like economics, political science, public administration, psychology, philosophy, sociology, history, or criminology. This year sharpens your command of legal science through practical exercises that mimic real exam scenarios.

Year 3 ramps up with advanced problem-solving in small groups, focusing on written and oral skills via exercises and your Bachelor's dissertation, where you'll conduct independent research. Expect emphasis on interpreting rules, applying research techniques with academic integrity, and electives from the Ghent University list to broaden your horizons. It's your chance to tie everything together and prepare for professional or further studies.

Focus Areas
Gain expertise in Belgian, European, and international law with a helicopter view of their structures, systems, and core rules, plus historical, philosophical, and socio-economic contexts that influence them.

Learning Outcomes
Develop competences like researching multilingual legal texts, methodically interpreting rules, substantiating legal strategies, and applying scientific research methods with integrity—turning you into a versatile legal thinker ready for any challenge.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This program aligns directly with legal professions in Belgium and beyond, offering a generally applicable diploma that prepares you for bar exams, judicial roles, or corporate law; it also opens doors to diverse Master's programs at Ghent and elsewhere.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Ghent University's Law Faculty produces versatile legal experts with strong critical reflection skills, highly regarded for employability due to practical training in small groups, moot courts, clinics, and dissertations—grads excel in Belgian, European, and international careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws at Ghent University goes far beyond textbook learning—it's designed to develop you into a thoughtful, skilled legal professional who can think critically and engage actively with the law. From your first year, you'll be encouraged to move beyond passive note-taking. Interactive teaching methods ensure you're doing independent research, completing class preparation assignments, and engaging in small papers throughout each semester, so you're constantly applying what you learn rather than simply absorbing it.

What really sets Ghent apart is the breadth of practical opportunities woven into your degree. The university provides exceptional resources and facilities that let you test your knowledge in real scenarios: Here's what you'll have access to:

- Moot Court experiences where you apply constitutional law and procedural knowledge to complex cases, working collaboratively with peers to build arguments and present positions
- Legal clinic participation as an official part of your curriculum, giving you hands-on experience working on actual legal matters under professional guidance
- The excellent university library, which doubles as a European Documentation Centre—a specialized resource hub for in-depth legal research and European law materials
- Guest lectures from internationally reputed professors who rotate yearly, bringing current industry insights and real-world perspectives directly into your courses
- Recorded lectures available through the Ufora platform, ensuring flexibility if you're balancing studies with work or other commitments
- EU law specialization resources through Ghent's Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence designation, with proximity to EU institutions meaning you can engage with European legal practice at the source
- Active, small-group learning where class participation is essential, with lecturers and assistants available both by email and appointment to support your development

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Ghent University Law School, you'll dive into experiential learning right from the start of the Bachelor of Laws, building real-world legal skills through hands-on activities that go beyond textbooks. With the EU institutions practically next door, the faculty provides top-notch facilities tailored for deep dives into law, including interactive teaching that demands active participation, advanced reading, and critical thinking. You'll sharpen your abilities via guest lectures from renowned professors and practitioners, small papers, moot courts, and legal clinics—all integrated into the curriculum to prepare you for a dynamic legal career.

This practical focus extends to specific opportunities like these:
- Moot courts, such as the Moot Court Constitutional Law, where you simulate real court proceedings, honing oral advocacy and full process participation (worth credits in your assessment).
- Legal clinics as an official curriculum option, giving you direct exposure to practical legal work alongside experts.
- Interactive plenary exercises and group discussions in core courses like Basic Concepts of Law, requiring active student contributions to explore topics like legal personality and agency.
- Guest professors and practitioners, rotating yearly and delivering sessions (e.g., 25% of courses like EU Mergers and Acquisitions feature attorneys tackling hypothetical takeover cases).
- Excellent library doubling as a European Documentation Centre, packed with resources for EU law research and in-depth study.
- Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence status, offering specialized facilities and resources for European Union Law, right near EU institutions.