5 Best Law Schools in Finland

Why study in law school in Finland? One of the most important things to keep in mind is safety. Finland is recognized to be the safest country in the world. It is also known as the happiest country worldwide ranked by the United Nations World Happiness Reports in 2018. One reason to not study here? Well, the cold is not for everybody. However, there are so many ways to cope with the weather by preparing a good set of warm clothes and shoes. So, if you still want to experience the quality of life and education in Finland, have a read on their top three law schools in Finland.

Top Law Schools in Finland

1. University of Helsinki

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Finnish, Swedish, English

Established in 1640 as the oldest and largest Finnish research university, the University of Helsinki is the best law school in Finland. The university continuously contributes to research and education, particularly in social issues related to climate change, sustainability, health, and technology. It proudly presents its success through notable alumni such as educating nine presidents, four Nobel laureates, and numerous graduates who became politicians and scientists.

Today, it encompasses 8,100 staff and 11 faculties educating over 30,000 students and researchers, participating in the search for solutions in cancer, artificial intelligence, and climate change. The campuses are located in strategic locations in the city center, Kumpula, Meilahti, and Viikki.

The Faculty of Law offers one bachelor’s program, three master’s programs and one doctoral program in Finnish, Swedish and English. Students can also obtain a bilingual bachelor’s degree in Finnish and Swedish. Their bachelor’s and master’s programs in Finnish and Swedish are only taught in the Helsinki campus and Vaasa campus, whereas their master’s program in English is also in the Helsinki campus. The Law School offers a Master’s Degree in Law (Finnish), International Business Law (English) and Global Governance Law (English) where it is centered on Finnish and international labor affairs. The Ph.D. in Law has more than 200 members conducting research in specialized areas such as social justice, globalization and the environment.

2. University of Lapland

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
  • Language of Instruction: Finnish, English

The University of Lapland is uniquely placed at the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi City. With its unparalleled location, students can witness the midnight sun and the polar night. The University of Lapland Faculty of Law was founded in 1979, producing one-fourth of Finland’s law professionals. As a result, the University of Lapland is one of the best law schools in Finland. The Faculty of Law has 60 staff members, 1,000 bachelor’s and master’s degree students, 90 doctoral students, and 140 new students enrolling every year. More than just research and study, students have the opportunity to widen their network and have a rich social experience with organizations such as Artikla and the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA), the largest law student organization in the world, with over 50,000 members coming from about 300 universities.

Obtaining a law degree is broken down into two cycles: the first and second cycle. The first cycle is a three-year Bachelor’s Degree in Law with 180 ECTS, followed by the second cycle, a two-year master’s degree where both degrees are taught in Finnish. Not to worry, they also offer some law lectures in English which are catered to international students. After completing an LL.B. and LL.M. degree, students can further their education with a doctoral degree. The Licentiate of Laws and Doctor of Laws degrees comprises 240 ECTS.

3. University of Turku

  • Law School Link
  • Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
  • Language of Instruction: English

The last on our list of top law schools in Finland is the University of Turku. Founded in 1920, the University of Turku is one of the oldest and most reputable universities in Finland. The Law School was established in 1993 in collaboration with its Faculty of Law, School of Economics, and Åbo Akademi University’s Department of Law. Since 2012, the Law School has held an annual lecture inviting guest lecturers from international universities, the Supreme Court, and the European Court of Justice.

The Faculty of Law offers English-medium degree courses in the Master’s Degree in Law and Information Society and Doctoral Program in Law. The Master’s Degree in Law and Information Society is a 120-ECTS, two-year course. The course is free for EU/EEA citizens, otherwise, it is approximately USD 11,865.65 per year. The Doctoral Program in Law is a 240-ECTS course divided into six units, with only 15 new doctoral applicants accepted annually.

 

I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Europe Scholarships Page.