Law

It is possible to study in our law programme in Tallinn. In Tallinn, the courses are scheduled on weekdays. The nominal time to complete the programme is six semesters. The programme is composed of compulsory law courses, module-specific courses, and law electives. Further, the programme includes compulsory practical training – giving students an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom by working under the direction of a practicing legal professional. In the final year of study, students participate in an interdisciplinary project.  

Study programme

Our faculty is international, with members from Estonia, Finland, Germany, Poland, Italy and the United States. Further, among our faculty are past and current lawmakers (members of parliament), judges, lawyers, government experts and well-known legal scholars.

Mart Susi

Mart Susi has MA degree in Sociology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA) and doctor iuris degree from University of Tartu (Estonia). He has held senior positions in several academic institutions. He is Professor of Human Rights Law. Mart Susi has initiated and is leading several research and development projects funded by the European Commission and the Nordic Council of Ministers. He has edited and is currently editing several research books on the topics of new human rights, the digital dimension of human rights and the controversy around the meaning of human rights. He is developing the Internet Balancing Formula and has lectured on the topic at various universities in Europe and South America. He is also involved as an expert for the European Commission and non-governmental organisations.

Lehte Roots

Professor Lehte Roots has been working at Tallinn University since 2020. He holds a Doctorate in Law from the European University Institute, Florence, Italy. He also holds two master's degrees. Master's degree in Public Management from the University of Potsdam, Germany, and a Master in Research from the European University Institute, Italy. Prof. Roots is member the scientific committees or editorial boards of several journals, International Journal of Law and Society, Athens Journal of Mediterranean Studies etc. and Editor-in-Chief of the Athens Journal of Demography & Anthropology. Furthermore she provides evaluation reports for European Commission Marie Curie applications and COST action projects. He has also been invited to evaluate Kristjan Jaak Scholarship applications. She cooperates with the European Citizens Action Service and the European Parliament and prepares various legal analyses. Her research area includes European Union law, migration, asylum, citizenship, AI etc.

Karolina Aksamitowska

Lecturer of International Law. Her academic degrees: LL.B. Law (University of Southampton, UK); LL.M. Legal Research Master (Utrecht University, the Netherlands); PhD thesis defended at Swansea University, UK. Other positions: Member of the Center for Research on International Criminal Law at the Institute of Law Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Research areas: International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law. 

Samuli Miettinen

Associate Professor of Transnational Law. Academic degrees: Doctor of Laws, Master of Laws, Bachelor of Laws. Other positions: Chief specialist at the competition unit, Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Research areas: Current interests primarily in EU state aid and competition law and policy, EU internal market law, EU criminal law, the application of EU law in Finland.

Igor Gräzin

Visiting Lecturer. Academic Degrees: Candidate of Sciences (Law), Associate Professor (Philosophy), Doctor of Sciences (Legal Philosophy), Professor (Theory of State and Law). Research Fields: Norm Semiotics, Transition Economy, Law-Adjacent Literature and Art.

Aare Kruuser

Senior Lecturer of Private Law. Academic degrees: Officially certified qualification corresponding to the Master's degree in the field of law (Tartu University, Faculty of Law, 1984, cum laude). Research areas: Culture and Society; Law Juridical sciences; Labour law; Industrial and commercial law; Administrative law Legal Regulation of Risk Management – Theory and Practice; Labour Law; Legal and Ethical Issues in Entrepreneurship; Insolvency; Legal basis for the formation, functioning and development of the education system

Massimo La Torre

Visiting Professor of European Law. Academic degrees: Dott.Giur., Dott.Sc.Pol., Ph.D. Research areas: Philosophy of Law, Legal Ethics, European Law

Phillip Webb Graves

General requirements

• Completed Secondary Education or the equivalent.
• Proof of English Proficiency
• Please see the complete overview of admission and application requirements for Bachelor's level applicants.

Entrance exams

• The entrance exam consists of a written assignment and an interview, both in English. The maximum number of points is 100 (50% written assignment, 50% interview).
• Applicants receiving at least 30 points for the written part are allowed to the interview.
• Applicants must receive at least 30 points in the interview.
• Minimum programme enrollment threshold: 65 points out of 100.

Written assignment

Letter of motivation (750-850 words) that gives insight into the reasons for applying and answers to the questions concerning the motivation and desire to study at the programme. The motivation letter must include answers to the following questions:

• The choice of the study programme: Why Tallinn University? Why this specific programme? What interests you about the law? What kinds of courses and fields are you most interested in and why?
• Previous experience and studies: What have you done before applying here? Where and what have you studied? What kind of previous work or volunteer experience do you have?
• Your plans after BA studies: What do you plan to do after your BA? How will this degree help with your career and future studies? Discuss your plans in as much detail as possible.
• Knowledge of the field: What area of law interests you the most and why? What are the biggest global issues in the field of law today? How would you solve them if they are solvable? 
• Describe yourself as a student, what are your strengths and weaknesses?
• How do you plan to finance your studies?

NB! Plagiarised motivation letters are not accepted in any form and will receive 0 points.

Admission interview

The interview will be carried out via Zoom and for the purposes of identity verification, the admission committee has the right to record the interview. The applicant must show an identification document (passport or ID card) at the beginning of the interview.

The interview is conducted based on the candidate’s application and letter of motivation. There are no additional materials that need to be studied to prepare for the interview. The interview questions vary depending on the candidate and the interviewer. The purpose of the interview is to find out the candidate's motivation and willingness to study, knowledge of the chosen programme and the field of study.

Assessment of the candidates

In the motivation letter, the assessment entails:

• the candidate`s capacity to explain the choice of the programme and university;
• motivation and interest in law and respective courses;
• previous work and study experience, as well as voluntary activities;
• in addition, the assessment considers language proficiency and writing skills.

At the interview, the assessment entails:

• the candidate`s interest in the programme and motivation to study in the field by applying common study methods in social sciences;
• capacity to contextualise previous work, study and voluntary activity experience in the frames of the chosen programme;
• in addition, the assessment also considers the general background and field-related knowledge, language proficiency and the ability to engage in analytical discussions.

Required Documents

MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION ON THE ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE*:

• Motivation letter in English
• Copy of Secondary Education Certificate/Diploma (an official translation is requested if the document is not in English); 
• Transcript of Records/Academic Transcript (translation is requested if the document is not in English);
• Proof of English language Proficiency;
• Copy of the identification page of the passport;
• Specific documents required for the programme you are applying to;

• Copy of a Sworn Affidavit to Confirmation of Name if the applicant's name stated in his/her passport differs from the name on any of the other required documents;

• Applicants applying for adjustments to be made during the admission exams due to his/her physical or psycho-social special need must submit a copy of medical proof of this special need to the Counsellor for Students with special needs - Kai Rannastu (kai.rannastu@tlu.ee).

The Tallinn University’s Mooting Society is a dynamic community dedicated to promoting the art of moot court competitions among law students at TLU. These competitions simulate real court proceedings, allowing students to test their legal knowledge and advocacy skills in a practical setting. Recently formed by experienced mooties who saw the need for a supportive network, the Society helps future competitors navigate the challenges of mooting by providing resources, organising training sessions, and managing logistics.

Currently, the Society comprises around 15 members, including a President, Vice President, and Media Manager, working alongside faculty coaches who lend invaluable expertise to the teams. Our members have had the privilege to participate in prestigious competitions, including the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot, Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court, Telders International Law Moot Court, and the competition hosted by the Estonian Moot Court Society. This academic year, our team will proudly represent the university at the International Criminal Court Moot, and we are actively seeking sponsors to support the team’s journey.

Membership is open to any law student who is a Mooting Alumnus or actively participating in a competition. Open to both Estonian and international law students, the Society invites anyone interested in mooting to reach out for updates and opportunities as we are in the process of creating social media pages. Nonetheless, if you would like to join our contact list, please do not hesitate to get in touch. By fostering a supportive mooting culture, we aim to give more students the opportunity to engage in legal argumentation and courtroom procedures.

For more information, contact us at tlu.mooting@gmail.com.

Laura Hiekkanen (Finland)

Law student Laura Hiekkanen shares her experience as an exchange student in Japan

Law Student Experience - semester abroad in Japan

Kristiina Airi (Finland)
“It gives many opportunities, especially because the law studies at SOGOLAS are international, and you can count on an international career instead of only working in Finland,” tells Kristiina. She is not sure about her future yet, but she is prepared to live and work abroad since she loves warm countries. She has been thinking about Italy, Spain and also Germany. “International law and environment is the strength of SOGOLAS – we have lecturers from the USA, China, Germany, Estonia and Finland and they bring along their knowledge and study methods from their own countries,” she explains. 

Auri Lomperi (Denmark)
“I never really thought about studying law until I heard about the possibility to study law in English. I have always been keen on studying in English, and this possibility seemed interesting. When the studies eventually started, I knew that I was at the right place and I wanted to become a lawyer,” says Auri. In her opinion, the strength of SOGOLAS is its international teachers and a good variety of courses. She also emphasizes that “The amount of discussions within the courses was very good and gave variability to classes. In my Bachelor's thesis, I wrote about transportation law, and I hope to work within that field in the future. I am also interested in alternative dispute resolution and diplomacy. I have many good memories from SOGOLAS. I thoroughly enjoyed my studies there. I would highly recommend SOGOLAS to others. An international degree separates you from the others, and might open doors to other countries,” says Auri.

Law encompasses the rules and regulations that govern our daily lives. Studying law develops one's understanding of the levers of power in society, from the local to the national, to the international level. Our program is designed to meet the challenges of a globalized world by giving students a classical legal education while developing persuasive problem-solving skills, and addressing topical legal issues such as the migrant crisis and climate change. Studying law at Tallinn University combines the theory with the practice - learning how to use and apply the law and pondering the timeless question of 'what law is and what law ought to be'. Studying law develops one's skills to become a lawyer by learning to think like a lawyer, which involves developing and refining problem-solving skills, and learning - in a legal case - how to identify the issue, research the law, and apply the law. Learning to become a lawyer is not easy; it is a challenge. Our students are equipped with a skill set that is applicable for a career in the legal profession, and in a host of other professions in an increasingly globalized world - where mastering the rules is essential for success.

• Size means variety – Tallinn University School of Governance, Law and Society (SOGOLAS) is the largest academic unit in Tallinn University with ca. 1800 students, 26 different study programmes and ca. 100 staff members. This means the students can choose from a large set of subjects from all of the major fields of social sciences.
• Opportunities to continue studies with us – the institute also has one English MA programme in the law field (Human Rights in the Digital Society).
• Technologically advanced – all course materials can be accessed online, so you do not have to spend extra on coursebooks and copies.
• Small study groups – most of our English courses are relatively small, normally hosting around 30 students, which allows a more interactive teaching style.
• Vibrant student life – SOGOLAS has an active student union Civitas. Additionally, you can join the international club of the university.
• Students have an excellent opportunity to use the Erasmus programme possibilities and receive the Erasmus scholarship. The Erasmus programme includes different mobility options in Europe as well as outside of Europe such as long-term and short-term exchange studies and traineeship. For exchange studies, we have a large selection of partner universities and the credits can be easily transferred. 

Extracurricular Activities

Tallinn University has many opportunities for students to have an active social life, such as choir singing, gym practice, and the chance to become involved in numerous student organizations and social clubs. SOGOLAS’s students have a student representation organisation, Civitas that takes care of students’ educational and social needs. And further, Law students have organization that support the academic and professional side of law studies and balance that out with recreational and social activities; the International Law Guild for students in Tallinn. Organizations arrange visits to law firms and legal institutions, host social gatherings and speaker events, and trips abroad. Furthermore, SOGOLAS organizes conferences and special events every year, open to students and researchers, as well as many public lecturers. 

Civitas is the student body for students of Tallinn University in Tallinn who actively participates in SOGOLAS student life.

Environment

Tallinn University has a modern urban campus located in the center of the city. The airport, train and bus stations are just a few minutes away by public transport. The beautiful view of the harbour is a constant reminder that students studying at Tallinn University are in the center of a major European hub. Our students have access to physical and online libraries, computer labs, cafeterias and cafes. Further, the university has all the facilities necessary for a productive learning environment and ample opportunities for leisure, sports, and social activities, all leading to an exciting and well-balanced student life.

Our Law programme is taught entirely in the English language by competent legal professionals and legal scholars. Our student body is international, with students from many countries in Europe, as well as students from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Day-to-day student life is always international at Tallinn University, as our program is closely connected with other English language programmes and among your classmates, you will frequently find Erasmus students who have come to visit.

Take a walk around our campus via the virtual tour!

Resources

Following are the two major projects the Law direction is coordinating:

The project “HURMUR: Human rights – mutually raising excellence” is a European Commission Project funded under the first TWINNING call of Horizon 2020 (Project No. 692143). The project will decisively expand the world-class research area of human rights in Europe. Tallinn University Law School will develop research excellence of human rights and become involved in global research and regional dissemination networks through specific activities of an outstanding consortium, where two other partners are premier global academic institutions in the field of human rights – the Danish Institute for Human Rights and Walther Schücking Institute of International Law (Kiel University, Germany).
www.hur-mur.eu 

LAWMEDIA NETWORK will bring together scholars and specialists from law and media to explore the factors involved and suggest solutions for protecting the right to expression and the right to privacy in the new media environment. Participants will define and discuss the role of various significant actors – such as the media enterprises, media users, governments and civil organizations – in achieving the task of maintaining the core values of the modern world. Dialogue between various stakeholders enables the project participants to assess which standards of good faith and accountable journalism can be realized in the Internet and whether there is a need for developing common new standards on the basis of voluntary acknowledgement by new media enterprises. International discussion with interdisciplinary focus may be the most reliable way to achieve meaningful and realizable results for building the foundations for maintaining the freedom of expression and right to privacy in the realm of new media realities.
LAWMEDIA NETWORK hosts this year for the second time the summer school LAW and Media in Saaremaa / Estonia.  Participation of 25 students from 4 partners universities and relevant stakeholders are expected.

Below is a select list of bachelor's theses from some recent graduates of our Law programme:

• The Legal and Political Effects of the OECD’s Beps Initiative - Samir Abdoune, 2015
   
• Legal Base of Internet and Domain Name System - Who Controls the Internet? - Tuomas Martti Edvard Hauvala, 2016
   
• Mens Rea Doctrine in International Criminal Law - Emmi Emilia Heino, 2016
   
• The Importance of Intellectual Property Rights in Start-up Companies - Jukka Pekka Hilmola, 2016
   
• Trending Payment Solutions and EU Electronic Payment Directives - Oladeji Michael IwalehinIkuesan, 2016
   
• United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals - Jessica Esteri James, 2016

• Specific questions regarding the programme should be directed to the School of Governance, Law and Society: 

• For additional guidelines regarding the application procedure please contact the International Admission Office: