Bachelor in Law

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Namur

Program Overview

The Bachelor in Law at the University of Namur gives you a solid, hands-on legal foundation over three years, turning you into a versatile lawyer ready for a master's or real-world practice—perfect if you're passionate about justice, curious about how law shapes society, and eager for practical skills like mock trials and internships. It's designed for motivated students who thrive in dynamic settings, blending core law with insights from economics, psychology, and more, all while building language skills in English and Dutch.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
You'll dive right into the essentials of law from day one, mastering Sources, principles and methods of law I & II, Constitutional law, and Civil liability law to understand legal foundations, court systems, and basic responsibilities—think analyzing real cases and debating principles that underpin every legal argument. Practical exercises like Practical law exercises get you writing briefs and simulating disputes early, building confidence alongside courses on historic private law roots for a well-rounded start. It's an exciting entry that hooks you on law's real-world pulse.

Year 2
Building momentum, you'll tackle Criminal law and procedure, Law of obligations and contracts, and Family law, learning to navigate crimes, agreements, and personal legal matters through case studies and interactive sessions that feel alive and relevant. The Methodology and law work course sharpens your research skills in databases for legislation, case law, and writings, paired with Practical legal exercises for hands-on pleading and analysis—preparing you to think like a pro. Directed personal work here fosters independence, making complex topics click.

Year 3
Your final year ramps up with advanced applications like Social law (focusing on labor rules) and Administrative law, plus internship opportunities to shadow lawyers, judges, and notaries for that crucial bridge to professional life. Culminating in an end-of-cycle assignment, you'll synthesize everything from Dutch legal terminology and English for Legal Professionals to argue cases fluently, ready to excel. Simulated trials at Namur's Palais de Justice seal the deal with thrilling, resume-boosting experience.

Focus areas
Core strengths include digital law expertise via CRIDS research center, vulnerabilities in society, constitutional and civil law from year one, plus interdisciplinary angles like criminology, economics, and languages for global readiness.

Learning outcomes
Graduates emerge as excellent general lawyers with skills in legal research, argumentation, practical exercises (mock trials, internships), and autonomy—fully prepped for master's programs or careers, with a unique "fil rouge" theme weaving curiosity and real-world relevance throughout.

Professional alignment (accreditation)
This accredited 180-ECTS program aligns directly with master's in law (day or evening), criminology, or political science, plus specialized tracks like digital law or human rights—ensuring seamless progression and high professional standards.

Reputation (employability rankings)
UNamur's Faculty of Law stands out for innovative pedagogy, research excellence (CRIDS, Vulnérabilités et Sociétés), and practical training like internships and competitions, producing autonomous lawyers in demand—backed by strong societal service and alumni success in digitized fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Namur's Faculty of Law, our Bachelor in Law program dives right into practical skills from year one, so you're not just learning theory—you're building real-world expertise through hands-on activities like mock trials, pleading exercises, and writing assignments that mirror actual legal work. You'll get direct exposure to legal practice via internships at the end of your bachelor's, connecting with lawyers, magistrates, notaries, bailiffs, and in-house counsel to see concepts in action. Plus, the program's innovative pedagogy keeps everything grounded in today's realities, with tools like the annual "fil rouge" theme weaving through courses, assignments, and cultural events to spark curiosity and teamwork.

Here's how we make experiential learning come alive in the program:

- Simulated trials and competitions: Practice rhetoric and argumentation in mock trials at the Palais de Justice de Namur, plus inter-university contests in international humanitarian law and constitutional law.
- Internships: End your bachelor's with real professional immersion, working alongside practicing lawyers, judges, notaries, bailiffs, and corporate counsel to apply classroom knowledge.
- Practical legal exercises: Dedicated sessions like "Practical legal exercises" (DRHDB206) and "Methodology and law work" (DRHDB205) with theory plus hands-on practice hours for skills like case analysis and drafting.
- Faculty Library as your lawyer's lab: Over 20,000 books, 150 periodicals, plus specialized documentation centers for CRIDS (Centre de Recherche Information, Droit, Société) and Vulnérabilités et Sociétés—perfect for research, with 50,000+ annual database consultations and open access for all.
- Research centers for deeper dives: Engage with cutting-edge work at CRIDS and Centre Vulnérabilités et Sociétés, including options like the "Vulnerabilities and Societies" final paper (DROIB397), tying into interdisciplinary projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the University of Namur's Faculty of Law, our Bachelor in Law program dives right into practical skills from year one, so you're not just learning theory—you're building real-world expertise through hands-on activities like mock trials, pleading exercises, writing assignments, and even simulated trials at the Palais de Justice de Namur. You'll sharpen your argumentation and rhetoric in inter-university competitions on international humanitarian law and constitutional law, while the end-of-bachelor internship puts you directly in touch with lawyers, magistrates, notaries, bailiffs, and in-house counsel to see law in action. It's all designed to make you a confident, job-ready lawyer with that edge employers love.

Here's how we make experiential learning come alive: from practical exercises woven into your courses to top-notch tools that support your success:

- Internships: A dedicated internship at the end of your bachelor's connects you with legal professionals like lawyers and magistrates, applying classroom concepts to real cases.
- Mock trials and competitions: Practice rhetoric in simulated trials at the Palais de Justice de Namur, plus inter-university contests in constitutional and international humanitarian law.
- Practical legal exercises: Hands-on work like "Practical legal exercises" (DRHDB206) and methodology courses with dedicated practice hours to build core skills.
- Group and skill-building projects: Courses include exercises, monitorings, tutorials, and the annual "fil rouge" theme that ties into group assignments, framings, and cultural activities across the faculty.
- Digital tools and e-learning: Access the WebCampus platform for course recordings, exercises, pedagogical videos (e.g., how to use law codes), in-depth expert interviews, videoconferencing, and online legal databases—all taught specifically for law students.
- Law Library as your lab: Over 20,000 books, 50,000+ annual database consultations, free electronic legal docs, WiFi, and computer rooms; it's the "lawyer's laboratory" housing CRIDS and Vulnérabilités et Sociétés documentation centers.
- Research centers: Dive into interdisciplinary work at CRIDS (Centre de Recherche Information, Droit, Société) and Centre Vulnérabilités et Sociétés, with library access supporting your projects.