Program Overview

Master of Law: Double Degree Programs - 120 ECTS

General Description

The Double Degree Master's programs, conducted jointly with partner faculties, offer students the opportunity to expand and deepen their knowledge of the Swiss legal system, the legal system of the country of the respective partner faculty, and international law. Participants acquire two Master's degrees ("Master of Law UZH" and the corresponding academic degree from the partner faculty) after a standard study period of two years.

ECTS Credits / Pauschal Recognition of 30 ECTS Study Achievements from Partner Universities

To graduate, Double Degree students must successfully complete both the study program at the RWF UZH (60 ECTS credits) and the study program at the partner university. Study achievements from the partner university can be recognized pauschally up to 30 ECTS credits to reach the required total of 90 ECTS credits for graduation.

Study Program

Double Degree students can choose between two study programs:

• MLaw UZH Rechtswissenschaft
• MLaw UZH International and Comparative Law

Within these study programs, students at the RWF UZH must complete the following modules totaling 60 ECTS credits:

Double Degree Master's Program in Law (German-speaking)

Double Degree Master's Program in International and Comparative Law (English-speaking)

*The module Introduction to Swiss Law is recognized for students with a BLaw degree from a Swiss university, starting with the study program. They instead complete an additional (English-speaking) law module of their choice, worth 6 ECTS credits.

Important Information

Admission to the Zurich bar exam with a Double Degree is possible. However, the study program, due to its focus on international law, comparative aspects, and partially foreign law, is not specifically designed for an internship at a Zurich district court (auditoriat) or the subjects examined in the Zurich bar exam (§10 Abs. 3 PrufV, OS 215.11). Graduates of this program who wish to take the cantonal bar exam must therefore deepen their knowledge of Swiss law on their own, which is associated with additional learning effort.

Repeating Rules

The module Introduction to Swiss Law and the Master's thesis can be repeated twice. A third failure results in final rejection.

For the other modules, a common maximum of eight failures applies. As long as this maximum is not reached, they can be repeated and substituted by other modules, provided that sufficient modules from the respective module group (Wahlpflichtmodule Grundlagen, Wahlpflichtmodule International Law, and Wahlpflichtmodule Comparative Law) are completed. If additional compulsory modules (beyond the Master's thesis) are chosen in the Law study program, these can be repeated up to two times; otherwise, repeatability is limited only by the maximum number of failures. Final rejection occurs after more than eight failures.

Important Information on Equivalent/Similar Modules

Students are not allowed to complete equivalent or similar modules at the RWF UZH and at the partner faculty, nor can these be doubly credited towards the study achievements. Whether two modules are equivalent or similar is determined by their content. If equivalent or similar modules were nonetheless completed, these ECTS credits will not be credited towards the degree, and the student must complete an additional module to achieve the missing ECTS credits, even if this is only possible in the following year. It is the responsibility of the students to ensure that they do not complete equivalent or similar modules. In case of doubt, the coordinators of the home or partner faculty can be contacted.

New Double Degree Program with the Cardozo School of Law in New York City

The Faculty of Law of the University of Zurich is pleased to offer a new Double Degree program with the renowned Cardozo School of Law in the heart of New York City, starting from the fall semester 2024. As the tenth Double Degree program of the Faculty of Law and the second in the USA, this Double Degree program offers an invaluable opportunity to delve into both the Swiss and American legal systems. The Cardozo School of Law offers a range of excellent LL.M. (Master of Law) programs focusing on various legal areas. Learn more about the newest Double Degree program, admission requirements, and tuition fees in the Cardozo School of Law flyer.

Past Welcome and Information Events for Double Degree Programs

Presentation from the Information Event (Master's Day) FS25 (PDF, 2 MB)