Law studies in Helsinki
Tallinn University School of Governance, Law and Society has initiated a Bachelor’s programme in law, taught in Helsinki, to provide the students with the most relevant and highest quality programme in order to meet the needs of our rapidly changing and globalizing world.
A successful lawyer must be well grounded in three basic areas of law – international law, European law, and comparative law.
To engage in cross-border legal practice, a lawyer has to be aware of the existence and impact of international law. You cannot play the game if you do not know the rules – understanding international law is vital.
To work with lawyers from other countries and legal cultures you have to understand the heritage of legal systems of both European civil law tradition and the Anglo-American common law tradition. Hence, the role of comparative legal studies.
European law has an immense impact on legal practice and business within the EU member states. European Union law is a specific and complex legal system, and to effectively practice law within the EU its thorough understanding is a must.
Lectures are held in a cyclical study form which means they are carried out from Thursday to Saturday. 50% of the lectures will take place online.
Location: Helsinki, Itämerenkatu 14, Meeting Park OASIS - Ruoholahti.
Who are we looking for?
The Law programme is ideal for students who want to become lawyers, lawmakers, prosecutors, judges, advocates, diplomats as well as students who desire a career in business or the public sector.
Our law bachelor programme comprises a diverse mix of students coming from all over the world, with different life experiences and backgrounds. Some of them include students who already obtained other academic degrees (bachelor’s or
master’s) but also students who recently graduated from high school.
Why study with us?
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 and 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 theory with 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.
Course outline
It is possible to study in our law programme either in Tallinn or in Helsinki. In Tallinn, the courses are scheduled on weekdays and in Helsinki, on weekends (Thursday to Saturday). The nominal time to complete the programme is six semesters. The programme is composed of compulsory law courses, module-specific courses, and law electives. The programme offers a choice of two modules - "European and International Law" and "Finnish Law" (offered only in Helsinki). 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 and have an option to take "Advanced Legal Writing and Research", a course in which students produce a scholarly research paper - similar to a thesis - on a topical legal issue. At the end of the programme, students must successfully defend the final thesis.
Law Studies in Helsinki
Tallinn University opened a law affiliate in Helsinki 2012. Our staff is international - the professors, alongside guest lecturers, travel from Tallinn to Helsinki to teach and supervise the students. Our students get good knowledge and practical skills in international, European, and Finnish law and have great opportunities to do their Master's degree wherever in the world. All students who hold an EU passport can apply to our Law program in Helsinki.
Study form: cyclical study – classes are being held from Thursday to Saturday.
Location: Helsinki, Itämerenkatu 14, Meeting Park OASIS - Ruoholahti.
Your support team in Helsinki and in Tallinn
In the School of Governance, Law and Society we have besides the professors also a support team who are next to the students whether they need guidance with the admission process, study programme or any other issues; also with extracurricular activities such as conferences, seminars and other events. We have study counsellors who go to Helsinki every week when the studies take place. The head of law studies in Helsinki is lecturer Karolina Aksamitowska who is also teaching there.
The feedback from our students in Helsinki:
Alan Haji
Due to the worsening political situation in Syria, it was impossible for me to complete my academic studies and was forced to leave the country. I then moved to live in Finland where I found a new home. Upon arriving in Finland, I began searching for study options at Finnish universities with the hope that I would be finally able to pursue an academic degree in the field of law which has always been of my passionate interest.
Unfortunately, all bachelor level programs offered by the Finnish traditional universities were taught only in Finnish and an advanced to native level of understanding was required of the Finnish language, a level of which I had not yet attained.
As such, I was left with no options other than to seek an opportunity in another European country. Searching for study options in some of the neighbouring countries on the internet, I come across a Bachelor’s degree program of law that was entirely taught in English. The program was provided by Tallinn University, and to my pleasant surprise, the program was also offered in the university campus in Helsinki.
It is a fascinating and dynamic program. The first year was foundational, aimed at creating a solid ground and providing the students with all the necessary tools and instruments that will help them throughout their studies as well as in their professional lives. The program comprised of introductory courses covering different areas of law, history, philosophy, logic, politics and international relations. The second and third years courses switch focus to three areas of law – Finnish law, European law and International law. Students are free to choose whichever module they prefer as a major and as a minor. I chose International law as my major and European law as my minor. The fact that we have international professors coming from different legal systems and cultures adds great value and richness to the learning experience.
We live in a world that is becoming more and more interconnected, where concepts and ideas are relentlessly developing and evolving. Markets, cultures and ideologies grow and expand beyond political borders, And hence, the need is bigger for jurists and lawyers that can extend their knowledge beyond the limits of a single legal system, and are better equipped to cope with the future challenges of such a complex world. In conclusion, I truly believe that it is not only what the university can offer, but also what we as individuals are willing to strive to achieve from our time at university. The university is indeed a state of mind and it is on us to honour that experience.
Maj-Lis Pelli
It is very good that the Law program is in English – none of the Finnish universities offers law studies in English. That is what makes Tallinn University really special. I wish to do my masters abroad, so the studies here give me excellent ground – I am focusing on European law which gives me very good opportunities for my future. I appreciate Tallinn University because it has a different approach to studies compared to Finnish universities. It is easier to get into Tallinn University but there are demands that need to be fulfilled in order to stay in the university. It is good because the grade average keeps high and almost all of those that graduate, graduate on time.
Lecturers here are interactive, we have lots of group works and discussions on how to take the knowledge and put it into a practical situation. It is quite intensive but I like it! The university is in the Meeting Park, right in the middle of Helsinki’s old town, so the access to the transit is very good. I am working at the same time and quick transit is very important to me because the travel distances are not too long.
Dan Rainer Nyberg
I decided to come to study law later in my life, so I am a bit older than most of the other students here. I have many experiences in life and I can say that Tallinn University gives more personal studies than some other universities. Lecturers in Tallinn University are really good – lawyers really need that deep critical thinking and that’s what the lecturers here are teaching us. They also try to guide us in the right direction. I am glad that we can discuss everything – lecturers are very dedicated to their topics. They have a fire in themselves! I appreciate the material they share with us. I feel that there is personal contact between students and lecturers – that is great!
Academic Staff
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.
Massimo La Torre
Mart Susi
Tiina Pajuste
Lehte Roots
Karolina Aksamitowska
Samuli Miettinen
Igor Gräzin
Meelis Eerik
Norman Aas
Steffen Schlinker
Ilmar Selge
Phillip Webb Graves
Aare Kruuser
Mare Merimaa
Peeter Järvelaid
Tanel Kalmet
Admission Requirements
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.
NB! Only students who hold an EU passport can apply to the Law programme in Helsinki.
Entrance exams
- The entrance exam consists of a written assignment and an interview. 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.
- 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 also 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 interest 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 applicant must show an identification document (passport or ID card) at the beginning of the interview. With international applicants, 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 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.
Post-graduate destinations
Examples of the year 2015 graduates from the Helsinki section of our BA law programme:
Matti Aulaskari is enrolled at the Catholica Global School of Law, Lisbon Portugal. Program: LLM in International Business Law.
Lauri Suhonen is enrolled at Tilburg University Law School, Netherlands.
Program: LLM in International Business Taxation
Julia Hyvärinen is enrolled at Tilburg University Law School, Netherlands.
Program: LLM in International Business Taxation
Johan Granqvist is enrolled at King's College Law School, UK.
Sini Männistö is enrolled at King's College Law School, UK.
Mikko Tolsa is enrolled at the University of Amsterdam Law School, Netherlands.
Joonas Tervo is enrolled at Leiden University Law School, Netherlands.
Jessica Jokivirta is enrolled at the Institute for Law and Finance at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany.
Program: LLM in Banking and Finance Law.
Jyri Poutala is enrolled at the University of Helsinki Law School, Finland.
Program: LLM in public law
Samir Abdoune is enrolled at the University of Helsinki Law School, Finland.
Program: LLM in public law.
Asta Salo is enrolled at the University of Helsinki Law School, Finland.
Program: LLM in public law.
Jesse Urjansson is enrolled at the University of Helsinki Law School, Finland.
Program: LLM in public law.
Examples of the year 2015 graduates from the Tallinn section of our BA law programme:
Ozgur Baykara is enrolled at the University of Helsinki Law School, Finland.
Program: LLM in international business law.
Anu Annikki Vihervaara is enrolled at the University of Helsinki Law School, Finland.
Program: LLM in international business law.
Lauri Pajunoja is enrolled at the University of Helsinki Law School, Finland.
Program: LLM in public law.
2014 graduates from the Tallinn section of Tallinn University English language BA law program:
Carsten Wulff was accepted at KU Leuven University, Belgium, Master's Program in European Studies. He completed his studies and graduated in 2015.
Tuomas Huokuna was accepted at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, Master's program in International Commercial Law. He completed his studies and graduated in 2015.
Jana Guzanova was accepted at the Estonian School of Diplomacy, Estonia, International Relations and European Integration program. She completed her studies in 2015.
Jusso Turtiainen was accepted at University College London, England, LL.M program. He completed his studies and graduated in 2015.
Heikki Selin was accepted at Copenhagen University, Denmark, LL.M program. He is currently enrolled and in the process of completing his studies.
Vilma Jussila was accepted at Queen Mary University of London, England, LL.M program. She is currently enrolled and in the process of completing her studies.
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.
Why School of Governance, Law and Society?
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 and 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 theory with 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.
- 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.
- 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 two organizations 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, and Primus Collegium for students in Helsinki. Both 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.
Primus is the student body for students of Tallinn University in Helsinki who actively participates in SOGOLAS student life.
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 acknowledgment 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 the 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 partner universities and relevant stakeholders is 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
Contact us
- Specific questions regarding the programme should be directed to the School of Governance, Law and Society:
E-mailyti@tlu.ee
- For additional guidelines regarding the application procedure please contact the International Admission Office:
E-MAiladmissions@tlu.ee
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