Law
The time of “universal lawyers” who can give general advice on several different matters has passed. Focusing on one field and mastering it is what gives the advantage for success.
In TalTech's Department of Law, you can acquire your Bachelor’s degree in EU and international law as well as in international relations. You can also take various electives and free courses from other curricula – these will prepare you for acquiring your Master’s degree. Find out more about what the TalTech field of Law has to offer!
Main specialisations
EU and International Law; International Relations
Study programme
LEVEL OF STUDYBachelor’s
DURATION3 years
FACULTYSchool of Business and Governance
STUDY LOAD180 ECTS (view curriculum)
MODE OF STUDYFull-time study
Study information
LANGUAGEEnglish (view English language requirements)
Tuition fee3100 EUR/year for EU and non-EU
Tuition fee waiversAvailable for best candidates
SCHOLARSHIPSDifferent schemes available
ADMISSIONAdmission for 2020/2021
TalTech trains lawyers of a new generation who are familiar with the customs and practices of both the Estonian and European judicial area. In your Bachelor’s studies, you can choose to specialise either in the EU and International Law or in International Relations.
In the field of EU and International Law, you will acquire the basic knowledge of the main fields of law in the context of the European cultural space and the European Union. You will get to know the specifics of the common and civil law and their relation to each other.
In the field of International Relations, you will acquire the basic knowledge of politics, international communication and the functioning of the most important international organisations necessary to understand cross-border relations. Acquiring the basic judicial knowledge is also essential.
Studying is flexible, as you can study by:
- daytime learning;
- open studies;
- external studies.
All courses are carried out in English.
Primary courses
European Union Law
Public International Law
Private International Law
International Humanitarian Law
EU Competition Law and Policy
International Tax Law
Human Rights Law
Public International Law
Private International Law
International Humanitarian Law
Introduction to Political Science
EU and International Organisations
International Political Economy
Contemporary International Relations
The 3 year (180 ECTS) curriculum comprises the following modules:
Specialisation in European Union and International Law
General studies (21 ECTS)
Core studies:
Legal Theory and Methods (21 ECTS)
Public, Private and EU Law (36 ECTS)
EU and International Law (30 ECTS)
Special studies:
Practical Law (6 ECTS)
Specific Courses of EU and International Law (21 ECTS)
Optional Courses (27 ECTS)
Free electives (6 ECTS)
Graduation thesis (12 ECTS)
Specialisation in International Relations
General studies (21 ECTS)
Core studies:EU and International Law (30 ECTS)
Public, Private and EU Law (24 ECTS)
Legal Theory and Methods (15 ECTS)
International Policy (21 ECTS)
Optional courses (15 ECTS)
Special studies:
Internship (6 ECTS)
International Relations (15 ECTS)
Optional courses (15 ECTS)
Free electives (6 ECTS)
Graduation thesis (12 ECTS)
Academic staff
"In our fast moving society, we have to deal with rapid technological change, increasing globalisation and innovations at all levels of society. It is a challenge how to regulate sufficiently to avoid risks and ensure reasonable liability while at the same time not stifling innovation but instead using the legal system to encourage it. This means that the role of lawyers is constantly changing and growing: law is an integral part of all aspects of society and lawyers have to be able to deal with many issues and in many different roles: as attorneys, judges and prosecutors, but also as corporate counsel, in international organisations, for government ministries and authorities. It is a very exciting time to study law and a very wise choice to do so in an innovative, international environment such as Tallinn Law School!"
Professor Katrin Merike Nyman Metcalf,
Head of Chair of Law and Technology, Tallinn Law School
Read about our academic staff HERE
Why this specialty?
- Studies in TalTech’s Department of Law are based on extensive field-specific knowledge, but we focus primarily on European law and technology law. Our chair of Law and Technology is unique in Estonia and specialising in the field during Master’s studies is highly promising when considering the future.
- In TalTech, renowned practitioners, lawyers and top specialists from international organisations are involved in teaching law. Study trips are organised to bar associations of different countries and the best students get to participate in international moot court competitions.
Career prospects
The globalised world expects lawyers to know the laws of other countries and to have the skill of finding the best solution for cross-border disputes. You can safely say that a lawyer who wishes to succeed nowadays must definitely know international law.
The demand for lawyers specialising in technology law is also increasing. The digital and technological world is developing at a rapid pace and the regulation of information technology and intellectual property is becoming increasingly more important. Knowing international law creates a strong base on which to study technology and law.
Who will you become after graduation?
Upon obtaining your Bachelor’s degree, you will acquire the most important basic judicial knowledge. This will allow you to work at an international company or as a lawyer at a law office.
In international relations, you will acquire the skills to evaluate the effect of international relations on the contemporary society in addition to basic judicial knowledge. This creates a good basis for working in a diplomatic position, as a coordinator of EU and external relations in a state office or in the field of international entrepreneurship.
As a holder of a Bachelor’s degree, there are still certain legal decisions you cannot make. Therefore, we recommend you continue your studies at the Master’s level, as that will grant you a higher professional qualification as well as broader and more interesting job opportunities. With a Master’s degree, you can work as a lawyer, prosecutor or judge, be a diplomat or a coordinator of external relations at an Estonian administrative agency or in international entrepreneurship.
In the Master’s programmes of TalTech, you can specialise in Law and Technology, EU and International Law or International Relations.
Students say
"I was a TalTech student in the Legislative Drafting course and most importantly, Alternative Dispute Resolution. ADR course sparked my interest towards dispute resolution, which is one of the reasons I studied also arbitration in Nottingham. Things I learned in ADR and in Legislative Drafting really helped me in my interview to European Chemicals Agency, where I currently work in Dispute Resolution team. My job is to resolve data sharing disputes of companies importing or manufacturing chemicals in the EU, and draft the decisions as well. Just wanted to let you know how great impact your teaching has had on my career, and say thank you. I don’t think that without ADR course I would be where I am right now."
Maiju Toivanen
Student of the Law programme
The reason why I chose TalTech University was because of its international approach to legal education, coupled with an international student body. Looking back, as a current Stanford Law School graduate student, having worked in international law firms, and in-house legal departments of leading technology companies, I can say that many of those opportunities would not have been there if not for my studies in TalTech. The way that the programme encourages students to think outside the context of their own country teaches an especially valuable lesson. I can highly recommend studying in TalTech for everyone who is willing to embrace an international career path.
Markku Räsänen
Alumnus of the Law programme
Secondary school diploma or equivalent
Motivation letter
Online interview
In order to qualify for the studies in Tallinn University of Technology an applicant has to have at least 60% of the highest possible CGPA.
Please provide the following:
- Explain your interest in the Law. Describe your professional goals and explain how the degree programme you are applying for supports your professional profile.
- Which specialization of the programme you are applying for, Law or International Relations? Explain why specifically this specialisation interests you.
- Describe your previous education, how does your academic background fit to the degree program you are applying for? Evaluate your previous knowledge and skills gathered during your previous education, how they would be useful in your studies in the law programme.
NB! It is important to properly cite and reference any sources used in your motivation letter (quotations, publications, ideas etc. that are not your own). Neglecting the rules of referencing and citation is considered plagiarism and will result in the disqualification of your application.
During the interview the following aspects will be evaluated:
- What is the interest of the candidate to the law; how candidate sees his/her future professional career?
- Why candidate has decided to study at the Tallinn University of Technology?
- Why candidate finds the programme offered attractive?
- Why candidate believes that he/she is the right person for this programme?
- What is the knowledge of the candidate about the problems concerned law?
- What does candidate know about the role of the lawyer and the professional ethics/moral of the lawyer?
Duration of the interview is 15-30 minutes.
Students for TalTech international study programmes are admitted based on the admission threshold. By the motivation letter and interview, candidate’s English, skills of expression, analysing and argumentation are evaluated. Max score is 10 points. An applicant who receives the minimum of 5 points is admitted.
TalTech international admissions office
TalTech international admissions office provides general advice to prospective Bachelor’s and Master’s degree applicants and their advisers about applying to and studying at TalTech University.
Student counsellor at School of Business and Governance
Student counsellor at School of Business and Governance can help you
with questions about the study programme.
Mrs. Maria Edur
(+372) 620 2425
maria.edur@taltech.ee
Contact a Student Ambassador
Student Ambassador can help you with questions about living in Estonia, travelling to Estonia, work and housing options or free time activities for students.