Program Overview

---

University of Fribourg

The University of Fribourg offers a range of academic programs, including the Master of Arts in Legal Studies.

Master of Arts in Legal Studies

The Master of Arts in Legal Studies is aimed at persons who wish to acquire a sound fundamental knowledge of law, but do not want to complete full law studies. It chiefly addresses non-lawyers who are interested in Swiss law in the context of their professional activities, or lawyers who hold a foreign law degree.

Abstract

Students draw up their own curriculum, which enables them to deepen their legal knowledge in line with their personal interests. Compulsory subjects can be freely combined with other subjects. This master's degree course is only offered at the Faculty of Law of the University of Fribourg.

Profile of the Study Programme

Students create their own curriculum in consultation with the person responsible for the Master of Arts in Legal Studies, which means they can intensify their basic legal knowledge in accordance with their personal interests. They take some of the compulsory subjects in the bachelor course – introduction to law, civil law, code of obligations, public law and criminal law – and combine these with freely selectable subjects from the bachelor and/or master programmes. This master's degree course can be awarded with the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German». Students are free to choose whether to complete their studies in one language or take some examinations in German and some in French, thus fulfilling the requirements for this distinction.

Fribourg Profile

The Master of Arts in Legal Studies gives non-lawyers and lawyers with a foreign law degree a thorough fundamental knowledge of Swiss law. This option is unique in the whole of Switzerland. Students benefit from the global network of teaching staff and events featuring visiting professors.

Career Openings

This programme of studies is directed at persons wishing to acquire a level of legal knowledge which is sufficient for use in their professional activities. It prepares them for management and consulting activities in areas such as communal, cantonal and federal administration, social services, associations, the private sector and international organisations, as well as paving the way to future careers as diplomats, journalists, politicians, teachers or legal informatics specialists.

Studies Organisation

Structure of Studies

The programme consists of 90 ECTS credits and can be completed in 2-3 semesters.

Curriculum

The annual compulsory courses start in the Autumn Semester (September).

Admission

There are two types of admission:

• Holders of a non-law bachelor's or master's degree awarded from a Swiss university can be admitted to the Master of Arts in Legal Studies without any additional requirements.
• Holders of a law or non-law bachelor's or master's degree awarded by a foreign university can also be admitted, provided that the degree is recognized and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg.
• Holders of a bachelor's degree awarded from a Swiss university of applied sciences can also be admitted with additional requirements (can be completed during the master's degree programme).

Key Points

Degree Conferred

Master of Arts in Legal Studies

Languages of Study

Possibility to study in French, in German or in French and German. Some courses are offered in English.

Options

Option of an award bearing the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German».

Commencement of Studies

Commencement of studies in the Autumn Semester (September) or in the Spring Semester (February)

Access to Further Studies

Ph.D.

Course Offerings

The University of Fribourg offers a range of courses in various fields, including:

• Theology and Interreligious Studies
• Law
• Management and Economics
• Communication and Media Research
• Philosophy
• Languages and Literatures
• Multilingualism and Foreign Language Education
• Historical Sciences
• Art History and Musicology
• Social Sciences
• Pedagogy, Psychology
• Exact and Natural Science
• Human Medicine, Medical and Sport Science
• Digitalisation and Computer Science
• Teacher Education for Primary and Secondary Level
• Interdisciplinary

Organisation of Studies

The University of Fribourg provides various resources and services to support students during their studies, including:

• Beginning of studies
• During studies
• Administrative services for Unifr students
• Glossary

Choose Fribourg

The University of Fribourg offers a unique study environment, with:

• Life in Fribourg
• Living in Fribourg
• Fribourg and its region

Admission

The University of Fribourg offers various admission options, including:

• Bachelor
• Master
• DEEM
• Doctorate & post-doctorate
• Visiting student
• Listener
• Refugees
• Welcome Center
• Contact & team
• Administrative services for Unifr students

Mobility

The University of Fribourg offers various mobility options, including:

• Incoming
• Outgoing
• Contact

Diploma

The University of Fribourg offers various diploma options, including:

• University diploma
• Diploma Supplement
• Verification
• Duplicate
• Equivalence Licentiate / Master
• Certified copy, legalisation (of the original)

Support & Resources

The University of Fribourg provides various support and resources to students, including:

• Financial support & insurance
• Wellbeing & Health
• Learning & success
• Equality & Parenthood
• Conflits & discrimination Duplicata
• Administrative & legal support
• Contacts
• Emergency numbers