Master of Law
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 4,591 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EEA; May 1st for EEA | for the most recent – and only official – information on application deadlines, please check the KU Leuven webpage
** for non-EEA; EUR 1157 for EEA | for the most recent – and only official – information on tuition fees, please check the KU Leuven webpage
Key Summary
Introduction
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About the programme
Students of the Master of Law programme gain experience at two different universities, each with their own expertise. In this two-year master programme, you will study one year in Leuven, Belgium and a second one in Zurich, Switzerland. The programme focuses on each institution's individual strengths: International and European Law in Leuven and Arbitration Law, Financial Law and Human Rights Law in Zurich. Switzerland enjoys a world-class reputation as a centre of arbitration and banking, and many international institutions are based in Geneva, just as they are in Brussels, 20 minutes by train from Leuven.
Upon completion of the programme, students receive a double degree - one from KU Leuven and another from the University of Zurich. A double degree from two leading law faculties in Europe will be of enormous added value for your future professional career in the world of business and/or international law. Each partner university will select fifteen students to participate in the programme.
Structure
Students applying for admission to the Master of Law programme at KU Leuven will start the programme in Leuven (60 ECTS) and continue in Zurich during their second year (also 60 ECTS). In Leuven, your curriculum consists of a number of compulsory courses (18 ECTS), a large number of elective courses with a focus on European and International law (36 ECTS) and a practical clinic (6 ECTS). In Zurich, you will follow one compulsory course (6 ECTS) and you will also be able to choose from a wide range of electives (36 ECTS). In addition, you write a master's thesis (12 ECTS) and you follow a complementary methodology course (6 ECTS) at the University of Zürich.
The programme consists of daytime education and there are no part-time, evening or weekend courses. Each institution applies its own regulations and issues an individual diploma referring to the fact that it is granted in the context of the double degree programme and in conjunction with the other institution's degree. None of the institutions can grant a degree unless the student has also been granted his/her degree at the other institution.
Curriculum
Students applying for admission to the Master of Law program at KU Leuven will start the program in Leuven (60 ECTS) and continue in Zurich during their second year (also 60 ECTS). In Leuven, your curriculum consists of a number of compulsory courses (18 ECTS), a large number of elective courses with a focus on European and international law (36 ECTS), and a practical clinic (6 ECTS). In Zurich, you will follow one compulsory course (6 ECTS) and you will also be able to choose from a wide range of electives (36 ECTS). In addition, you write a master's thesis (12 ECTS) and you follow a complementary methodology course (6 ECTS) at the University of Zürich.
The program consists of daytime education and there are no part-time, evening or weekend courses. Each institution applies its own regulations and issues an individual diploma referring to the fact that it is granted in the context of the double degree programme and in conjunction with the other institution's degree. None of the institutions can grant a degree unless the student has also been granted his/her degree at the other institution.
Ideal Students
Ideally, you should possess the following attributes:
- Basic knowledge of local, European, and international law and a general understanding of the mutual relationship between these three systems of law;
- A capability for situating law in its social, historical, and geographical context;
- An ability for treating law with critical, reflective research;
- A mastery for reasoning, synthesizing, and analyzing in order to think in a creative and law-forming manner;
- A sound knowledge of legal sources.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English and also available in Dutch.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 120 ECTS
- Degree Type: Master'S
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their own research. In our FabLab, students can use a number of high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programmes as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student centre is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Faculty
Info Sessions
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
The Master of Law Program is a stepping stone towards an interesting legal career. As experts in European and international law, our students work in international law firms, a wide variety of public services at all levels of the government and in European and international institutions. Our graduates are also recruited by non-governmental organisations and companies in the private sector.