What Is a Law Degree in Estonia?

Estonia's law degree is the "Oigusteaduse Bakalaureusekraad", which is similar to a Bachelor of Law degree. This is considered the entry-level degree for any legal profession. Students can also pursue the "Oigusteaduse Magister", which is similar to the Master of Law degree.

Law Higher Education in Estonia

The first level degree in Estonia takes four years to complete, while the master's program requires five years of study. Both are rigorous and provide a solid foundation for future legal and diplomatic work. Many universities choose to teach the majority of their legal courses in English, making the coursework attainable to many international students who do not know the local language.

Students who graduate with an Estonian legal degree are able to find legal and research employment both in Estonia and abroad. Because the legal system mirrors that of many European countries, opportunities to pursue further training elsewhere or to pursue a job in a European country are abundant.

International students who pursue a degree program in Estonia will find that the cost varies largely based on the program and the University studied.

Estonia allows people from Great Britain, the United States, Australia and Canada to enter their country without a visa. This has caused more international students to consider the country for their legal studies.

The Estonian academic year begins in September. It is broken into two semesters. The first ends in February, and the second semester starts in February and runs until June. A summer break from June to September is customary, although some schools will offer summer school options.

Estonia is a country with a rigorous legal training program that welcomes international students. This makes it appealing to some who wish to pursue a legal degree within Europe.

Introduction to Estonia

The Republic of Estonia sits on the northeastern edge of the European Union, along the borders of Russia and Latvia and just 80 kilometers away from Finland, which sits across the sea. The country has its own language, which closely resembles Finnish and is unique to the country, but most people speak English, German and other languages as well.

Estonia is known for its rich culture, and in fact Tallinn, the country's medieval capital, was once called the European Capital of Culture. Everywhere you look in Estonia, beautiful cathedrals and other architecturally significant buildings await, and the influence of Germans, Swedes and Russians can be seen in the architecture and culture of the country. Tartu, another major city, is known as a university town, and is often where students will find themselves. The country also boasts over 1,500 islands, and over half of the land is made up of beautiful forests. The rich culture and natural beauty of the country draw many international students.

What Is the Law System in Estonia?

The legal system of Estonia gives the people the supreme power, which they handle through elections. Estonia's legal framework is based on the Continental European civil law model, with detailed codifications that drive legal matters. The legal system has a strong German influence. Because of the level of detail, legal education is quite complex in Estonia. Students can study private or public law. Private law is divided into civil and commercial law, while public law is divided into international, constitutional, administrative, criminal, financial and procedural law.