Master’s Degree in Specialized Legal Studies
Barcelona, Spain
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
Spanish
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 19 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 19.37 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2025-2026
Key Summary
The master's degree in Specialized Legal Studies is addressed to lawyers from Spain and abroad, including recent graduates and experienced professionals, who would like to receive additional research-oriented training and to refresh their knowledge of recent and innovative trends in law.
The master's degree in Specialized Legal Studies is a university master's degree course offered by the University of Barcelona, one of the top 100 universities in the world according to the Shanghai ranking. It is designed for lawyers from Spain and abroad, including recent graduates and experienced professionals, who would like to receive additional research-oriented training and to refresh their knowledge of recent and innovative trends in law. It comprises 18 credits of core training in fundamental knowledge and methodology: in terms of knowledge, comprehensive, cross-disciplinary training in comparative law and the foundations of law; in terms of methodology, since the master's degree grants access to doctoral studies, the course teaches the skills required to complete a research project or doctoral thesis.
Teaching staff for the course meet the required levels of excellence, skill and expertise, and belong mainly to the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Law. The teaching methodology is both theoretical and practical. Classes are held in the afternoon where possible.
The master's entry profile basically responds to two different training needs:
First of all, those with degrees or graduates in Law or related disciplines who wish to further specialize and deepen in legal sciences, having as their professional objective the development of research tasks.
Secondly, Law professionals who require in-depth legal studies, supplementing or updating their knowledge in different fields of Law.
- To provide appropriate methodological tools for conducting advanced legal research in both the academic and professional fields.
- To offer advanced academic training on current legal issues that are the subject of research or on aspects of social reality whose legal treatment is little explored in the current state of science.
- To empower students to generate new legal knowledge capable of solving complex social problems.
- To equip students with the necessary knowledge to design and develop their own research projects and transfer the results achieved to society.
- To develop students' capacity to assess how legal norms impact individuals and groups affected by structural discrimination or in vulnerable situations, assess their needs, and incorporate this perspective into legal research.
The University of Barcelona consistently ranks among the top institutions nationally, in Europe, and worldwide. Its performance in the most prestigious international rankings reflects excellence in teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and global engagement.
- Ranked 1st nationally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
- Ranked 1st nationally in the THE (Times Higher Education) World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 68th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 27th in Europe in the Best Global Universities Rankings
Studying at the University of Barcelona means joining a world-class academic community recognized for its innovation and impact.
Students will be able to identify socially relevant legal problems and propose the most appropriate legal solutions to resolve them, determined through a process of scientific analysis.
Likewise, if they pursue doctoral studies, the graduate will be well-equipped to pursue a research career. They will also have the necessary training to develop consulting activities that require research and in-depth analysis in any field of law, either as independent professionals or as staff members integrated into legal teams at public or private sector entities.
Finally, those with professional experience will consolidate their competencies and skills in the analysis of social problems with legal significance, integrating cross-cutting perspectives into the examination, adopting an interdisciplinary approach in their treatment, and scientifically arguing for their suggested solutions.