Studying in Belgium is a mix of French, Dutch, and a few German universities that embraced the Bologna education system. To practice law in Belgium, law professionals should be accepted in the bar association, have studied five years of law, hold a Master’s Degree in Law, and take an oath at the Court of Appeal. Studying law in Belgium is a great opportunity to experience multilingual exposure, low cost of living, and architecturally rich places. Below are some of the best law schools in Belgium.
Best Law Schools in Belgium
1. KU Leuven – Faculty of Law
Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
Language of Instruction: Dutch, English
In 1797, the Faculty of Law was one of the first four faculties of KU Leuven, which first started as the Faculty of Canon Law and Civil Law. KU Leuven Faculty of Law is now considered to be among the top law schools worldwide and the best law school in Belgium. Today, it encompasses over 600 professors and about 4,500 students taking bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees taught in Dutch or English. Among the many programs of the Law School, they conduct a yearly lecture series called Spring Lectures and Autumn Lectures, which are taught by the best international magistrates.
The Bachelor of Laws is a 180-credit, three-year program. Students have the option to study among their three campuses: Campus Leuven, Campus Brussels, and Campus Kulak Kortrijk). Completing the Bachelor of Laws will give students access to their Masters of Law, a one-year program of 60 ECTS taken full-time. Masters students have the opportunity to attend hearings at the Court of Justice. The Faculty of Law also offers a Master of Law Double Degree, either with Waseda University or Zurich University. It is a two-year program taking 60 ECTS from each university.
2. Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) – Faculty of Law and Criminology
Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
Language of Instruction: Dutch, English
It was first named the Faculties of Law and Political and Administrative Sciences in 1834, which eventually changed its name in 1841. It is located in Brussels, Belgium, on the Solbosch Campus of Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). One of the highlights of the faculty is their Law Clinic, where students have the opportunity to handle real court cases and clients. Moreover, they also conduct research and projects such as the G3. The G3 is a collaboration with two other universities: the University of Geneva and the University of Montreal.
The Bachelor in Law is in Dutch and English, depending on the subject. Students learn legal and basic subjects in human sciences. After completing the bachelor’s level, students can begin specialization courses with a master’s degree. Students can focus on three fields: Public and International Law, Civil and Criminal Law, and Economic and Social Law. Lastly, the university offers a Ph.D. in legal sciences and criminology, which can be completed for four years or more. With the University of Grenoble Alpes, students can obtain a double degree in Masters in Law in two years. Graduates obtain two master’s degrees in law in Belgian and in French.
3. Ghent University – Faculty of Law and Criminology
Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
Language of Instruction: Dutch, English
The Ghent University Faculty of Law was established in 1817 in Universiteitstraat, being among the first four faculties of Ghent University and one of the top law school in Belgium. They are known for producing several notable alumni who became prime ministers and members of the Constitutional Court. It currently has three departments, 80 professors and 90 assistants who are professors and researchers, teaching about 4,000 law students. Law students choose from various law courses such as degrees in law, criminology, international and European law, and many more. Most of the degrees are taught in Dutch, however, international students can opt for a master’s or Ph.D. degree in the English curriculum.
The Bachelor of Laws is in Dutch and consists of 180 credits completed in three years, followed by a two-year master program of 120 credits. There are several specializations to choose from, such as LL.M. in Law (Dutch), LL.M. in International and European Law (English), and LL.M. in International Business Law (English), to name a few. For students who wish to pursue a Ph.D., students should apply among the three departments of the faculty and contact the professor for the specific program.
4. UCLouvain – Faculty of Law and Criminology
Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
Language of Instruction: French, English
A long-standing institution, the Faculty of Law and Criminology of UCLouvain is one of the best law schools in Belgium which has existed since 1425. It first started with Roman Law and Canon Law. Today, the faculty consists of over 270 staff, with nine degree programs offered from bachelor to Ph.D. degrees. They also arrange international guest lectures for The Louvain Global College of Law to provide an in-depth teaching experience for students.
The Bachelor of Law is taught in French for 180 credits and is completed in three years. After which, students can pursue a two-year Master of Law in French, with some English subjects for a total of 120 credits. The Master of Law is focused on four subjects: Civil and criminal justice, European law, State and Europe, Company law. The last course to take is the doctoral program and is expanded in four steps: Admission, Confirmation test, Private defense, and Public defense.
5. University of Liège – Faculty of Law, Political Science and Criminology
Degrees offered: LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D.
Language of Instruction: French, English
We end our list of the top law schools in Belgium with the University of Liège Faculty of Law. Located in the heart of Europe, the Faculty of Law of the University of Liège opened its doors in 1817 which first taught public law, civil law, and Roman law. Today, the faculty is at the Sart-Tilman Campus with 1,800 students and 150 professors. It also has a research center called Liege Competition and Innovation Institute that offers a master’s taught in French and English.
The faculty has comprehensive training from bachelors to masters taught in French. The bachelor is a 180-credit three-year program where students also have the option to have language classes in German, English or Dutch. There are five 120-credit master’s degrees offered: Master in Private Law, Master in Economic and Social Law, Master in Public Law, Master in Law Management, and Master in European Competition and Intellectual Property Law (French and English).
I hope that this article on the best law schools in Belgium was helpful.
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