Double degree: Bachelor of Laws/LL.B. of Law

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Catholic University of Lyon

Program Overview

The Double degree: Bachelor of Laws/LL.B. of Law at Catholic University of Lyon (UCLy) offers a dynamic three-year program that builds strong legal foundations with a focus on European, international, and comparative law, available in classic or bilingual formats to suit students passionate about justice, global affairs, or business law. It's perfect for motivated high school graduates or transfer students who want hands-on skills, international exposure, and a humanistic approach in a welcoming community founded in 1875, preparing you to become a confident lawyer, notary, magistrate, or corporate counsel.

Curriculum Structure
First Year
You'll dive into the essentials of legal thinking and key systems, starting with Law of Persons, where you'll explore rights, obligations, and community roles in Common Law contexts like family and legal partnerships. Alongside Introduction to Common Law: Court Systems, you'll grasp judicial structures, and through Legal Methods: Case Law and Judgment Analysis, you'll learn to dissect real cases, building analytical skills right from the start in this foundational year.

Second Year
Building momentum, you'll tackle obligations and public law with Droit Administratif 1, examining how administrative rules shape government actions and citizen rights over 31 hours of engaging study. European Law 1 (or European Law + Tutorials) introduces EU principles across 20-36 hours, while criminal law modules cover offence classification, court procedures, and sanctions, sharpening your grasp of justice systems.

Third Year
In your final undergraduate year, you'll connect theory to practice with Droit Civil 3: Les Biens, delving into property rights and ownership nuances, and Droit des Contrats Spéciaux on specialized contracts like modalities and post-contractual duties. Courses like Comparative Law, Tort Law, and Global Contemporary Issues broaden your view to international perspectives, equipping you for advanced studies or careers with real-world legal tools.

Focus Areas
European Law, International and Comparative Law (including Common Law), Contract and Obligation Law, Administrative Law, Criminal Law, Property Law, and Tort Law—emphasizing practical skills and global openness.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates gain theoretical and methodological expertise, critical thinking for societal impact, proficiency in French and English legal systems, human-centered ethics, and readiness for professions like lawyers or magistrates, with options for double degrees (e.g., with University of Maynooth or London).

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
RNCP Certified at Bachelor level, ensuring official French recognition; pairs seamlessly with DUs like Common Law or World Foreign Policy, and leads to LL.M.s in International Business Law—fully aligned with training top jurists under partnerships like University Lumière Lyon 2.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
UCLy's Faculty of Law, established 1875, boasts a strong track record training quality jurists with international appeal, welcoming diverse global students yearly; official stats highlight high employability in legal fields, bolstered by English programs and ties to institutions like St John’s University.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Catholic University of Lyon takes a hands-on approach to legal education that goes far beyond textbooks. The Faculty of Law is designed to train not just qualified jurists—lawyers, notaries, magistrates, and company lawyers—but also critical thinkers who can navigate real-world legal challenges. The university recognizes that modern legal practice demands both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, which is why the program emphasizes developing your "theoretical, technical, and methodological skills" while preparing you for international careers.

What makes studying law here distinctive is the university's commitment to practical, human-centered education. You'll gain exposure to international legal systems through courses taught in both English and French, giving you a competitive edge in a globalized legal market. The Faculty of Law operates across multiple locations—the Saint-Paul Campus in Lyon and the Alpes Europe Campus in Annecy—each providing unique learning environments and resources:

- Faculty of Law with specialized institutes embedded within the institution, including the IDHL (Institut des Droits de l'Homme/Human Rights Institute) and the CIEDEL (International Centre for Local Development Studies) — these aren't just administrative units but active research and learning centers where you can engage with cutting-edge legal scholarship
- Dynamic university community where students, lecturers, researchers, and administrative staff from different disciplines collaborate on projects and research initiatives
- Access to specialized legal programs, including a Bachelor of Law in bilingual format that strengthens your ability to work in both French and English-speaking legal contexts
- English-taught course catalog with a wide range of courses across different levels, ensuring you can build expertise in specific areas of law regardless of your language background
- Modern campus facilities on both Saint-Paul and Carnot campuses in Lyon, designed to support collaborative learning and research
- International student support services including housing assistance and administrative guidance to help you focus on your studies
- Student spaces and break rooms equipped with resources for group work and peer learning

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Double degree: Bachelor of Laws / LL.B. of Law at Université Catholique de Lyon (UCLy) leave the program with a strong understanding of both European and international legal systems. This combination of legal knowledge and international exposure prepares students for a wide range of opportunities after graduation. Many go on to work in roles such as legal assistant, compliance officer, corporate legal advisor, or policy analyst, supporting organizations that operate across borders.

Here’s how UCLy helps students turn their degree into real career opportunities:

Career support and guidance: UCLy offers academic mentoring and professional support services that help students plan their career path, prepare for internships, and connect with the legal sector.
International exposure: With more than 60 partner universities worldwide, students have opportunities for exchanges and international experiences that strengthen their global legal perspective.
Practical career preparation: The program is designed to train future legal professionals who may work in areas such as law firms, corporate legal departments, public administration, or international organizations.
Strong academic reputation: UCLy’s Faculty of Law focuses on developing essential legal skills such as analytical thinking, legal reasoning, and problem-solving — abilities that are highly valued by employers in the legal field.
Graduate pathways: Alumni commonly move into professional roles within companies, legal institutions, or public bodies, building careers in both national and international legal environments.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this bachelor’s degree, students can continue their studies with Master’s or LL.M. programs in law, either at UCLy or at universities around the world. Many graduates choose to specialize further in fields such as international business law, trade law, or digital law, which can open the door to advanced legal careers and professional qualifications in the global legal sector.