Bachelor's Degree in Law

 Daytime Programme    180 ECTS credits   3 years
 European Qualifications Framework (EQF): Level 6 
 Internship: yes   Final assignment: no   Exchange Programmes: no

Law is essential and omnipresent in society. It provides a framework for the lives of individuals from the moment of their conception up to the time of their death. Legal practitioners are at the very forefront of the increasing complexity and the globalisation of the political, economic, social and cultural issues we know today. They are expected to have a thorough knowledge of the applicable rules of the game and a strong sense of justice and fairness.

Laws generally stipulate specific behaviour for those concerned: sometimes to impose an obligation, sometimes to authorise, and still other times to prohibit a particular conduct.  These laws have to take into consideration the values commonly accepted by a given society. This is why the law programme at Saint-Louis University includes a solid foundation in human sciences, through lessons such as sociology, history, philosophy, economics…

Over the course of their Bachelor programme in law, students will cover what is referred to as “private” law and what is referred to as “public” law.

Public law designates the entire set of laws that govern the organisation, the functioning and the powers of the public authorities as well as the relationship between these authorities and private individuals. Included in public law are constitutional law, administrative law, tax law, social security law, criminal law and criminal procedure law.

Private law encompasses the laws that govern relations between private individuals, be they natural persons (individuals) or legal entities (businesses, associations, etc.). Included in private law are civil law, commercial law, labour law and private judicial law.

The courses of the programme are delivered alternatively in a classical way ("ex cathedra" lectures in an auditorium), and in a practical and participatory style (seminars, personal work, scenario exercises, tutorials, access to legal sources on the web, etc.).

More specifically, in view of both a practical approach to the research process and a reflective outlook on the law and its issues, a seminar of theory of law invites students to write and present a substantial research paper: started in the second semester of the second year it is finalised by the end of the third year.

The Bachelor in Law is a first cycle programme (a so-called "transition" bachelor), which comprises 180 ECTS spread over three years. It provides a preparation for the second cycle programme (Master’s degree) that our students can follow at another university.

The Bachelor in Law programme is twofold:

On the one hand, through the law courses, it provides the basic knowledge of the main legal branches, as well as ability to understand and handle legal reasoning;

On the other hand, through the human science courses, it allows the students to acquire a rigorous academic culture in all human sciences that can contribute to a critical reflection on the issues (including ethical, political and socio-economic issues) of legal phenomena.

To complete this training, and in the interdisciplinary ambition which is one of the trademarks of Saint Louis University, students must complete 15 ECTS of optional courses to choose from in the second and third years. They have a choice between several minors: in law, criminology, philosophy, political science, economics and management, European Studies or multidisciplinary.

The learning and mastery of foreign languages have for many years been the subject of close attention within the law faculty. Thus, it is possible to follow a bilingual French / English or French / Dutch Bachelor in Law programme (for details, see the Languages page).

Finally, in an effort to train lawyers in tune with the realities on the ground, the Bachelor of Law programme provides the opportunity to integrate into its third year programme an observation internship of the practice of law.