One of the strong countries to consider when studying law abroad is Italy. Aside from its outstanding art and cuisine, Italy has some of the oldest and leading universities that offer various law-related courses. It is home to international students, as many institutions value excellence and higher learning regardless of students’ backgrounds. In addition, a wide range of courses are taught in either Italian or English.
Some universities also offer study grants, fee reductions, and student services. To qualify as an avvocato in Italy, students typically complete a law degree, complete an 18-month legal traineeship, and pass the state bar examination. So, this article will list some of the best law schools in Italy for international students.
Top Law Schools in Italy
1. University of Bologna
Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna is the oldest university in the Western world. This top law school in Italy has campuses in Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, and Rimini. It has 31 departments and offers more than 260 degree programs in various fields, including agriculture and food sciences, engineering and architecture, political science, and more.
Unibo offers law-related undergraduate programs, such as the Bachelor’s in Employment and Business Relations Consultant and the Bachelor’s in Legal Consultant in Business and Public Administration. It also offers a five-year single-cycle Master’s Degree in Law, an English-taught Master’s in Legal Studies, and Ph.D. programs focused on areas such as legal studies and law, science, and technology.
2. Sapienza University of Rome
The Sapienza University of Rome, or Sapienza Università di Roma, is home to one of the best law universities in Italy. Founded in 1303, Sapienza is the oldest university in Rome and the largest university in Europe. It focuses on research, excellence, quality education, and international cooperation to contribute to society’s advancement. The university has a large academic community and a broad course catalog, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, advanced professional, and specialization programs.
Its law-related offerings include bachelor’s programs such as Law and Economics of Real Estate and Law and Public Administration. Sapienza also offers a single-cycle Law degree and master’s programs such as Human Resources, Labour Sciences and Innovation, Law, Administration and Management of Cultural Heritage, and European Studies, which is taught in English.
3. European University Institute
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Ph.D. (LL.M. not currently recruiting)
The European University Institute in Fiesole is one of Italy’s most prestigious law-focused graduate institutions. Founded in 1972, this higher education institution is an international organization that aims to advance society through research and higher learning. It offers a Doctoral Programme in Law. Its LL.M. Programme in Comparative, European, and International Law exists, but EUI states that it is not recruiting new researchers for that LL.M. in the upcoming academic year, so applicants should check the current admissions status before applying.
These law programs focus on European, international, transnational, and comparative law, and students are taught through a methodological and comparative approach. The department brings together LL.M. researchers, doctoral researchers, post-doctoral scholars, professors, and visitors from more than 35 countries in a vibrant and encouraging academic environment, making this university an ideal school for future legal researchers and professionals.
4. University of Milan
As a major public university in Italy, the University of Milan, locally known as Università degli Studi di Milano, was established in 1924. The institution offers many undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and specialization degree programs across a wide range of fields, including law, political science, economics, and social sciences.
As a prestigious research-intensive school, UniMi is recognized as a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and is the only Italian higher education institution in the organization. It focuses on providing quality and inclusive education for students from diverse backgrounds.
Its Law and Sustainable Development program is a two-year, 120-ECTS English-taught master’s program in Milan. The university also offers a single-cycle Master’s Degree in Law, a five-year, 300-ECTS program taught in Italian. These programs can prepare students for legal careers and roles in institutions, companies, public administration, and further postgraduate study.
Aside from study grants and student services, some of the benefits of enrolling in UniMi include opportunities to study at partner universities abroad and pursue internships with law firms, companies, public bodies, and institutions.
5. LUISS University
LUISS University, locally known as Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali, is one of the best private universities in Rome, Italy. It was founded between 1974 and 1978. It has four departments: Economics and Finance, Business and Management, Law, and Political Science. The institution’s academic ecosystem includes the Luiss Business School, the School of Government, and the School of Law.
Through an innovative approach to learning, LUISS University trains young people to be flexible and become masters of their future. This top law school in Italy offers programs such as the Bachelor’s in Global Law, the single-cycle Master’s Degree in Law, and a Ph.D. in Law and Business. Its law curriculum covers areas such as civil, criminal, administrative, commercial, international, and labor law, while Global Law focuses on preparing students for legal work in global and cross-border contexts.
International students can gain experience studying law at renowned Italian universities because they can dynamically explore legal systems’ traditional and modern influence on society. Moreover, engaging with Italy’s rich legal history and experiencing European Union law firsthand can provide a unique and valuable perspective for future legal professionals. Consider the law schools above if you want to pursue this degree in Italy!
We hope this article on the best universities for law in Italy was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, make sure to check out our Italy Page and some of the Available Programs for International Students in Europe.
