One of the best countries to consider when studying law abroad is Italy. Aside from its wonderful art and cuisine, Italy has some of the oldest and leading universities that offer various law courses. It is home to international students as most universities value excellence and higher learning regardless of the differences of every student. In addition, there is a wide range of university courses that are taught in either Italian or English. Some universities also offer study grants and student discounts to their students.
To be a lawyer in Italy, a student must complete both undergraduate (LL.B.) and graduate level (LL.M.) studies. It is also required to have at least one year of internship with law firms. Here are some of the best law schools in Italy for international students.
Top Law Universities in Italy
1. University of Bologna – Law School
Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna) is the oldest university in Italy, particularly among the Western countries. This top law school in Italy is composed of five campuses which are located in Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, and Rimini. Priding as the “Nourishing mother of the studies”, it has 32 departments offering over 200 degree programs in various fields including Agriculture and Food Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, Political Science, and Legal Studies.
The university has the following programs under the Legal Studies: 1st Cycle/ Bachelor’s in Employment and Business Relations Consultant in Bologna, 1st Cycle/ Bachelor’s in Legal Consultant in Business and Public Administration in Ravenna, 2nd Cycle/ 2-Year Master’s in Legal Studies in Bologna, Single Cycle/ Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s in Law in Bologna, and Single Cycle Degree/ Combined Bachelors and Masters in Law. The university also offers scholarship opportunities, fee exemptions, and other discounts to its students.
2. Sapienza University of Rome – Faculty of Law
The Sapienza University of Rome (Sapienza Università di Roma) is home to one of the best law universities in Italy. As the largest university in Europe, it focuses on research, excellence, quality education, and international cooperation as a means to contribute to the advancement of society. It has eleven faculties and 65 departments with over 600 degree programs for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree, Advanced Professional Courses, Doctorate, and Specialization Degrees.
The Faculty of Law has six Master courses including Administrative Law-MIDA, Global Regulation of Markets, Corruption and Institutional System, Environmental Law, Labor and Social Security Law, and European Private Law and Cooperation; four Advanced Post-graduate courses which include Training Course for the Preparation to the State Bar Exam, Regulation of Markets, Roman Law, and Fundamental Rights in Europe; and three Master courses designed for the officers and civil servants namely International Military Strategy Studies, International Humanitarian Law and Law of Armed Conflict, and Global Strategy and Security.
3. European University Institute – Department of Law
The European University Institute (EUI) in Fiesole is one of the most prestigious law universities in Italy. Founded in 1972, the university prides itself on being an international organization aiming for the advancement of society through research and higher learning.
The university offers one-year master’s programs in Comparative, European, and International law and four-year Doctorate programs in European Law, Public International Law, and Private Law. Its main focus is European and international law wherein students are taught methodologically and comparatively.
4. University of Milan – Faculty of Law
One of the largest public universities in Europe, which was established in 1924, is the University of Milan (IUniversità degli Studi di Milano), also known as UniMi or Statale. It is composed of ten schools- Humanities, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Law, Political, Economic, and Social Sciences, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Science and Technology, and Language Mediation and Intercultural Communication, which offers more than 200 degree programs in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and specialization studies. As a prestigious research-intensive university, the University of Milan is recognized as one of the members of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and is the only Italian university in the organization. The university focuses on providing quality and inclusive education without considering the differences of its students.
The Master’s Degree Program in Law is a 5-year single-cycle program with several courses offered in English. It is mainly focused on international issues, and it allows students to be trained in the field of legal institutions. This opens several opportunities in their career paths including being attorneys, notaries, magistrates, corporate legal affairs personnel, and public administration legal affairs personnel.
Aside from study grants and student discounts, some of the benefits of enrolling in the University of Milan include the opportunities to study in its partner universities abroad and have internships with major law firms and institutions.
5. LUISS University – School of Law
The LUISS University (Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali), located in Rome, Italy is a private university founded between 1974 and 1978. It has four departments- Departments of Economics and Finance, Business and Management, Law, and Political Science. For graduate and professional studies, the university has the following schools: the Luiss Business School, the School of Government, the School of Law, and the School of European Political Economy. LUISS University trains young people to be flexible and become masters of their future through an innovative approach to learning.
The university’s Department of Law offers degree programs in a single five-year cycle for the combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This top law university in Italy has a wide range of programs for its students including Legislative drafting, Administrative Law, Art Law, Business and Company Law, Competition and Innovation Law, Compliance and Corruption Prevention in the Public and Private Sectors, Corporate Criminal Law, Customs Law, Energy and Sustainability Law, European and Comparative Company Law, European Law and Policies, Family Law, Fashion Law, and Food Law.
We hope that this article on the Best Universities for Law in Italy was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students.
