Bachelor of Law

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Lucerne

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Law at the University of Lucerne offers a strong and well-structured introduction to the legal world. Over six semesters (180 ECTS credits), students develop a solid understanding of the core areas of law—Private Law, Public Law, Criminal Law, and foundational legal subjects—while also building the analytical and methodological skills needed for legal practice and further study. The program is carefully designed to guide students step by step, combining theoretical knowledge with practical legal reasoning so you can clearly understand how law operates in society.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum is organised to gradually build your legal expertise throughout the three-year program.

Year 1: Building the Legal Foundation
Your first year focuses on the essential building blocks of legal study. You’ll begin with Basic Subjects, which introduce the methodological tools and analytical thinking needed to study law effectively. Alongside this, you’ll explore the fundamentals of Private Law and Public Law, gaining your first insight into how legal systems function and how laws are interpreted.

Years 2–3: Deepening Legal Knowledge
As you move forward in the program, your studies expand across the key areas of law. You’ll explore Private Law, Public Law, and Criminal Law in greater depth, understanding how these areas shape everything from contracts and property rights to constitutional structures and criminal justice systems. Because the curriculum is carefully sequenced, each course builds naturally on what you learned previously, helping you develop a clear and coherent understanding of increasingly complex legal concepts.

Final Stage: Preparing for Professional or Academic Paths
In the final semesters, you consolidate your knowledge and sharpen your legal reasoning skills. By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed a comprehensive understanding of the law and the ability to apply legal principles in real-world contexts. This strong academic foundation prepares you for careers in law firms, public administration, international organizations, and corporate environments, or for further specialization through postgraduate study.

Focus Areas

Private Law, Public Law, Criminal Law, and interdisciplinary legal studies.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, students gain a solid grounding in the core disciplines of law while developing the critical thinking and methodological skills required for advanced legal study and professional legal practice.

Professional Alignment

The Faculty of Law at the University of Lucerne follows the internationally recognized Bologna education model, which has been implemented since 2001. This ensures that the degree aligns with European higher-education standards, making it well-recognized for both postgraduate studies and professional opportunities across Europe.

Reputation & Employability

Since its establishment, the Faculty of Law has grown steadily in both size and reputation. Increasing student interest and recognition within Switzerland’s legal education system reflect the faculty’s commitment to high-quality teaching and modern legal training.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Lucerne's Faculty of Law, our Bachelor of Law program goes beyond lectures to build real-world skills through hands-on access to top-notch facilities right on campus. You'll dive into practical legal training in areas like private law, public law, and criminal law, using dedicated spaces that encourage collaboration and deep study—all in a structured six-semester program designed for success. This setup lets you develop methodological skills while making the most of our modern Uni/PH Building and supportive resources.

Here’s how experiential learning comes alive for law students: leveraging these facilities to practice, collaborate, and grow:

- Study rooms and group work spaces: A dedicated study room with 67 workstations and free PC terminals in the Uni/PH Building's first floor basement, plus a tutorial room perfect for group projects and discussions when not in scheduled use.
- Library resources: Our open-shelf library holds 300,000 volumes with over 600 workstations across the first floor, ideal for in-depth legal research and quiet focus.
- Interdisciplinary institutes: Access to the Institute for Interdisciplinary Legal Studies (lucernaiuris), including the Swiss Law and Humanities Hub for collaborative projects blending law with humanities, culture, and critical theory—open to students interested in innovative legal approaches.
- Accessible lecture theatres and seminar rooms: Tiered theatres (like 1, 9, and 10) with induction loops for hearing support, plus seminar rooms equipped for interactive sessions.
- Additional campus perks for focused learning: Canteen areas for studying outside peak hours, prayer/meditation room for reflection, and plenty of workstations to fuel your legal explorations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the University of Lucerne's Faculty of Law, our Bachelor of Law program goes beyond textbooks to build real-world legal skills through hands-on access to top-notch facilities right on campus. You'll dive into practical learning in a structured six-semester setup that emphasizes methodological skills alongside core areas like Private Law, Public Law, and Criminal Law, all supported by the university's modern Uni/PH Building and dedicated law resources. This means you'll have everything you need to practice, collaborate, and grow as a future lawyer in a supportive environment designed for success.

Here are some key ways our facilities make experiential learning come alive for law students:
- Library with 600+ workstations: Dive deep into research with an open-shelf library holding 300,000 volumes, perfect for legal studies and group discussions—plus free PC terminals nearby.
- Study rooms and tutorial spaces: Use the dedicated study room with 67 workstations or the tutorial room for group work on legal cases when not in scheduled classes.
- Seminar rooms with induction loops: Engage in interactive sessions equipped for accessibility, ideal for debating legal topics in small groups.
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Legal Studies (lucernaiuris): Join projects at this hub linking law with humanities, like the Swiss Law and Humanities Hub, for collaborative research on law, literature, art, and ethics—open to students.
- Uni/PH Building amenities: Work in tiered lecture theatres, canteen study areas, and foyers during off-hours, all in a central location with Wi-Fi and printing support.