Bachelor's degree in law.

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Basel

Program Overview

The Bachelor in Law at the University of Basel gives you a solid foundation in Swiss legal essentials across private, public, and criminal law, building skills that lead straight into a master's and a full legal career. It's perfect for motivated students who want a broad, practice-focused training at Switzerland's oldest law faculty, with a fixed schedule of lectures and case-based tutorials to sharpen your thinking.

Curriculum structure
First year (Undergraduate studies): You'll dive into the basics with a structured timetable, tackling Private Law I, Public Law I, and Criminal Law I through lectures and hands-on tutorials where you apply concepts to real cases, plus Sociology of Law to understand law's societal role. These modules build your core knowledge and methods, culminating in block exams after two semesters that test your grasp—passing unlocks the next phase. It's designed to get you comfortable with legal reasoning right away, no guesswork needed.

Second and third years (Postgraduate studies): Here, you deepen those foundations in private, public, and criminal law with advanced modules, earning 120 credit points through prescribed courses, a proseminar paper, and a seminar paper in the writing skills module. You'll refine your expertise with case applications and prepare for the final block subject examinations in areas like specialized private, public, or criminal law topics. This phase hones your ability to handle complex scenarios, setting you up perfectly for professional challenges.

Focus areas: Private law, public law, criminal law—with pathways to specialize in business law, international law, or administrative law at master's level, plus multilingual joint programs across the Upper Rhine and with Geneva.

Learning outcomes: Gain fundamental legal knowledge, case-solving methods, writing and analytical skills via papers and exams, plus a broad, practice-oriented base for master's studies and careers—culminating in 180 ECTS credits and eligibility for the Master of Law.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Fully accredited by the University of Basel's Faculty of Law (state-recognized), following official regulations like the BLawO (Bachelor's Law Ordinance), with exams ensuring rigorous standards for Swiss legal practice and further doctoral access post-master's.

Reputation (employability rankings): As Switzerland's oldest law faculty (over 500 years), it delivers top-tier, flexible training that's internationally networked and practice-ready—grads excel in legal careers thanks to its holistic approach and Upper Rhine collaborations, though specific QS/Guardian rankings aren't detailed in faculty stats.

Ready to take the next step? Check out the full details and apply here: https://ius.unibas.ch/en/studium/bachelorstudium/

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor in Law program at the University of Basel isn't just about absorbing theory—it's about becoming a lawyer through hands-on experience from day one. During your undergraduate studies, you'll participate in fixed timetables of lectures combined with tutorials in small groups where you apply what you've learned directly to real legal cases. This blend of classroom instruction and guided practical work ensures you're not just memorizing law, but understanding how it works in the real world.

What makes this program stand out is the faculty's commitment to bridging the gap between university and practice. Many of your lecturers come from professional legal backgrounds, so you're learning from people who've actually practiced law. The Faculty of Law is equipped with everything you need to succeed:

- Moot courts where you can participate in simulated court hearings—giving you courtroom experience before you ever set foot in an actual trial
- Extensive library with comprehensive legal resources for research and case study
- Modern technology integrated throughout your studies
- Seminar rooms designed for collaborative group work and interactive learning
- Pro Iure Auditorium for larger lectures and presentations
- Extracurricular credit points available through courses offered by other faculties at Basel, allowing you to broaden your practical knowledge beyond core legal subjects
- Language Center opportunities to develop multilingual legal skills—increasingly valuable in international law practice

The program itself is structured to build your skills progressively. Your 2-semester undergraduate phase gives you foundational knowledge in private law, public law, and criminal law with dedicated support, while your 4-semester postgraduate phase deepens these areas through specialized seminars and practical writing assignments. You'll write proseminar papers and seminar papers that develop real legal writing skills.

Additionally, the faculty's geographical location in the three-country region means you're positioned at the heart of international legal networks, with connections to universities across the Upper Rhine and Geneva. This opens doors to understanding law across different legal systems—a tremendous practical advantage.

The University of Basel is easy to access: just an 8-minute walk from the main train station, with excellent public transport connections to the main campus.

For more details about facilities and student support services available to you, visit the Faculty of Law's student information and semester start resources at the Office of the Dean of Studies: Peter Merian-Weg 8, Basel.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the University of Basel's Faculty of Law, our Bachelor in Law program builds practical skills right from the start through hands-on tutorials where you apply legal knowledge to real cases, simulated court hearings in moot courts, and writing seminar papers that sharpen your analytical abilities. You'll dive into practical insights during the postgraduate phase (4 semesters), supported by modern seminar rooms, an extensive law library for in-depth research, a cafeteria for collaborative study sessions, and cutting-edge technology to enhance your learning. This setup ensures you're not just learning theory—you're preparing for real-world legal challenges in a supportive, well-equipped environment.

Here are some key ways you'll gain hands-on experience specific to the program:
- Tutorials in small groups: Regular sessions to work through cases in private law, public law, and criminal law, building essential problem-solving skills.
- Moot courts: Participate in simulated court hearings for realistic practice in argumentation and procedure.
- Seminar and proseminar papers: Develop writing and research skills through guided papers in the postgraduate curriculum.
- Extensive law library: Access specialized resources for independent research and preparation.
- Modern seminar rooms and technology: Equipped facilities for interactive lectures, group work, and digital learning tools.

Ready to experience this for yourself? Check out the full details on our faculty facilities here: https://ius.unibas.ch/en/studium/studieninteressierte/ Applying now is your first step toward a versatile legal career—lawyers from Basel lead in business, politics, and beyond!