Bachelor in Law

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Geneva

Program Overview

The Bachelor in Law at the University of Geneva is your gateway to a solid foundation in Swiss law, blended with international, European law, and social sciences—perfect for anyone passionate about justice, policy, or global affairs and ready for a three-year journey (six semesters) that builds real-world legal skills. It's ideal for motivated students who want versatile training that opens doors to top careers, whether in Switzerland or beyond.

Curriculum structure
Year 1 (60 credits, foundational mandatory courses):
You'll kick off with the essentials, diving into a General introduction to law and exercises to grasp core concepts hands-on, alongside General criminal law for understanding crime and punishment basics, and Constitutional law to explore Switzerland's government framework. Law of natural persons and family law covers personal rights and relationships, while History of law and Roman foundations of private law give you the historical roots that shape modern systems—setting you up with a broad, confident base right from the start.

Year 2 (building core skills, 60 credits from mandatory courses):
Here, you'll tackle Public international law and European Union law to navigate global and regional legal dynamics, paired with Administrative law and Fundamental rights for mastering public governance and human rights protections. Courses like Obligations law and Special contracts sharpen your handle on everyday agreements and business deals, plus Economics and law links legal principles to real economic forces—equipping you to think critically about how law drives society.

Year 3 (advanced application, 60 credits from mandatory courses):
The final stretch hones professional tools with Property law, Family property law, and Private international law to resolve cross-border disputes and asset issues, alongside Tax law and Company law for corporate and fiscal expertise. You'll master Fundamentals of civil and criminal procedure and Enforcement, dive into Social security law and Labour law, and refine communication via Legal writing, Rhetoric, Negotiation and mediation, and Online legal research—preparing you to argue cases, draft flawlessly, and thrive in any legal setting.

Focus areas: Swiss law as the core, with strong emphasis on public international law, European Union law, private international law, criminal law, civil procedure, labor law, and interdisciplinary topics like economics, philosophy, and sociology of law.

Learning outcomes: Graduates gain deep knowledge of national and international law, skills in applying it to real cases, critical judgment, effective communication, and independent learning—key for professional success.

Professional alignment (accreditation): This program is the accredited first stage of Swiss legal training, fully recognized for pursuing the Master's in Law and qualifying for bar exams or roles in private/public sectors, law firms, government, NGOs, or judiciary.

Reputation (employability rankings): University of Geneva's Faculty of Law is renowned for world-class international law teaching, with Geneva's hub status offering unique internships; official stats highlight strong employability as jurists, lawyers, judges, or advisors in top organizations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor in Law at University of Geneva isn't just about learning legal theory—it's about becoming a practicing lawyer from day one. The Faculty of Law has built a curriculum centered on practical skills, with oral and written exercises integrated throughout every stage of your studies. From your first semester, you'll develop the communication and argumentation abilities that define successful legal professionals through dedicated rhetoric courses and legal writing instruction. This hands-on approach ensures you're not just memorizing laws; you're learning how to argue cases, write legal documents, and think like a lawyer.

The Faculty provides exceptional resources and opportunities to develop these practical skills:

- Legal Writing and Communication Courses: Mandatory instruction in legal writing and specialized language skills (including Legal German) ensure you can communicate complex legal ideas clearly—a skill every employer demands
- Study and Research Centers: Eight dedicated study and research centers across the Faculty give you access to specialized expertise and research opportunities in different legal fields
- Comprehensive Law Library: The University of Geneva's law library supports your research and practical coursework throughout your degree
- Internship Opportunities: While pursuing your degree, you can gain real-world experience through internships coordinated with law firms and legal institutions
- Simulation Exercises: The Faculty incorporates real-life professional scenarios into coursework, preparing you for actual legal practice before you graduate
- International Resources: As a student in Geneva—home to major international organizations—you have unique access to human rights NGOs, international law institutions, and judicial bodies that enhance your practical learning
- Exchange Opportunities: Study at approved partner universities abroad, earning up to 30 of your ECTS credits internationally to broaden your perspective
- Modern Campus Facilities: Access to newly renovated collaborative learning spaces, including Uni Dufour (a brand new student hub) and Espace Atrium for group projects and study

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the University of Geneva's Faculty of Law, our Bachelor in Law program emphasizes practical skills through hands-on oral and written exercises integrated at every stage, including rhetoric courses that build real-world legal communication abilities. You'll dive into mandatory courses like legal writing, general introduction to law with exercises, and fundamentals of civil and criminal procedure, all designed to sharpen your application of Swiss law in everyday scenarios. This approach ensures you're not just learning theory—you're practicing it in Geneva's dynamic legal hub, surrounded by international organizations.

Here's how our facilities and opportunities make experiential learning come alive for Bachelor students::
- Oral and written exercises throughout the program: From day one, tackle practical rhetoric courses and legal writing to master arguing cases and drafting documents like a pro.
- Uni Mail facilities: Access modern classrooms like Room MS160 for in-person sessions, perfectly located near trams for easy commuting—ideal for interactive law classes.
- Study and research centres: Tap into 8 specialized centres for deeper dives into areas like international law, supporting group projects and self-directed legal research.
- Public international law course: All Bachelor students take a full-year course, often involving group simulations tied to Geneva's UN context for real-world diplomatic practice.
- Exchange opportunities: Earn credits abroad at approved universities, fostering international group projects and exposure to diverse legal systems.