Bachelor in Law (BLaw)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of St Gallen

Program Overview

The Bachelor in Law (BLaw) equips you with comprehensive knowledge across all key areas of law—civil law, criminal law, public law, and international law—while training you to become an independent, critical-thinking legal professional who can navigate complex legal issues with precision. This three-year programme combines a rigorous foundation in essential legal subjects with the flexibility to specialize in areas that match your interests, preparing you for advanced studies or diverse career paths beyond traditional legal practice.

Curriculum Structure

Assessment Year (Year 1)

Your first year establishes a strong foundation across both law and economics, covering 60 ECTS credits through core and contextual studies. You'll dive into mandatory subjects including the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB), foundational legal methodology, and core principles that underpin the entire legal system. Beyond core courses, you'll develop essential skills in communication, critical thinking, and language proficiency through contextual studies, ensuring you're not just learning law but building the broader competencies that employers value.

Core Studies (Years 2-3)

In your second and third years, you'll deepen your expertise through the core curriculum covering Swiss Contract Law (OR), Administrative Law, Tax Law, and Legal Methodology & Labor Law, each building systematically on your foundation. The program emphasizes developing methodological skills—learning to systematically analyze complex legal problems, apply legal principles to real cases, and craft well-founded arguments backed by critical analysis of legal norms and court rulings. Through integrative courses like Moot Courts, you'll gain practical experience that bridges theoretical knowledge and professional practice.

Elective Specialization (Years 2-3)

Six elective modules allow you to tailor your education to your interests, with options spanning Public Law, Criminal Law, International Law, Procedural Law, and Commercial and Business Law. Contextual studies—including Legal History and other interdisciplinary courses—provide complementary knowledge that enriches your legal training with perspectives from neighboring disciplines. This flexibility means you can shape your degree to align with your career aspirations, whether that's corporate law, public sector roles, or specialized legal fields.

Focus Areas

Private law, criminal law, public law, international law, commercial and business law, procedural law, and legal methodology.

Learning Outcomes

You'll develop the ability to apply legal principles and theories to cases, craft well-founded legal arguments, critically analyze legal norms and court rulings, systematically solve complex legal problems, and communicate persuasively—all while cultivating the independent thinking essential for modern legal practice.

Professional Alignment

The Law School (LS-HSG) holds prestigious accreditations including EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, ensuring your degree meets international quality standards. A bachelor's degree in Law from St.Gallen opens a wide range of career opportunities that extend well beyond traditional legal practice and apply across various industries and sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the Bachelor’s Degree – Major in Law (BLaw) at the University of St. Gallen, learning is designed to be interactive and practical from the very beginning. Instead of focusing only on theory, the program encourages students to apply legal concepts through discussions, case analysis, research projects, and collaborative work. This approach helps you build essential skills such as critical thinking, legal reasoning, and persuasive communication—abilities that are central to any successful career in law. Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with faculty and fellow students while exploring real legal challenges and developing solutions that reflect how the legal profession operates in practice.

This hands-on approach is supported through several practical learning opportunities integrated into the program:

Moot court exercises: Students take part in simulated court proceedings where they analyse legal cases, develop arguments, and present them in a structured debate format—an excellent way to practice courtroom-style advocacy and legal reasoning.
Bachelor’s thesis (research project): In the final stage of the program, students complete an independent research thesis. This allows you to investigate a legal topic in depth while strengthening your academic research and writing skills.
Group projects and presentations: Throughout the assessment year and beyond, students regularly work on team assignments, presentations, and seminar papers that build collaboration, communication, and analytical abilities.
Contextual studies courses: These interdisciplinary modules connect law with broader areas such as society, culture, and economics, helping students understand how legal systems operate in real-world contexts.
Career & Corporate Services support: The university’s Career & Corporate Services team organizes networking events, career workshops, and employer meetings—giving students opportunities to connect with law firms, consulting companies, and international organizations.
Modern learning spaces: Students benefit from innovative learning facilities such as the Square learning center, a dynamic space designed for collaborative learning, academic events, and interactive teaching.
Specialized libraries and research resources: The university provides access to extensive legal and academic resources, allowing students to conduct high-level research and deepen their understanding of complex legal issues.

Together, these experiences ensure that graduates leave the program with not only strong academic knowledge but also the practical skills and professional confidence needed to succeed in the legal field.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor’s Degree – Major in Law (BLaw) at the University of St. Gallen leave the program with a strong legal foundation and valuable interdisciplinary skills. This combination prepares them for a wide range of career paths in the legal and business world. Many graduates begin their careers as legal assistants, compliance officers, corporate legal advisors, or consultants, working in law firms, companies, public institutions, and international organizations. The university’s strong reputation and industry connections make it easier for graduates to transition from study to professional life:

Career & Corporate Services (CSC): Students receive support from the university’s dedicated career center, which offers career coaching, CV and interview preparation, employer networking events, and workshops designed to help students connect with top recruiters.
Strong employment outcomes: Around four out of five students receive at least one job offer before graduation, reflecting the high demand for graduates from the University of St. Gallen.
Extensive industry connections: Graduates pursue opportunities in law firms, corporate legal departments, consulting firms, public administration, auditing, tax consulting, and international organizations.
Globally respected degree: As part of a university with internationally recognized accreditations such as EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, the degree carries strong global credibility and long-term value.
Flexible career opportunities: Alumni often build careers as corporate lawyers, compliance managers, legal consultants, and professionals in regulatory or governance roles, demonstrating how versatile the degree can be.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BLaw, many students continue their studies with the Master’s Degree in Law (MLaw) at the University of St. Gallen, which provides advanced legal training and can lead toward professional legal qualifications such as the Swiss bar exam. Others choose specialized master’s programs in areas like law and economics, international law, or public policy, allowing them to deepen their expertise and prepare for leadership roles in the legal, corporate, or public sectors.