Joint Degree Master’s Program

The concentrations offered in the previous Master’s degree program (Business Law, Public Law) will not be continued. Spring Semester 2020 was the last semester in which students were able to begin study programs with a concentration.

The new framework ordinance was enacted, but the new joint study regulations are not yet approved by both parter faculties. Therefore, minor changes cannot be ruled out as the reform process proceeds.

The following offering of modules is planned: 

*depending on wether the Master's thesis is beeing written at the UZH or at the UNIL

A maximum of six failed attempts applies to the modules to be completed at the Faculty of Law at the University of Zurich. Seven or more failed attempts will result in a definitive exclusion from studies. The Master's thesis UZH as well as the module Zivilprozessrecht can each be repeated twice. The other modules of the Zurich Faculty can be repeated as often as desired, as long as the maximum number of failed attempts is not exceeded. Failed core elective modules can be replaced by other core elective modules of the same module group, failed elective modules by any elective modules of the faculty.

For the modules of the University of Lausanne, the repetition regulation of the Lausanne faculty applies, which refers to the exam series. It will be evident in the study regulations.

Who is Affected?

The transitional regulations apply to students matriculated in a study program of one of the partner faculties in in Spring Semester 2021 and have successfully completed at least one module of the Joint Degree Master's Program by the end of Spring Semester 2021 (Master's Thesis excluded). Starting in Fall Semester 2021, students will be transferred to the Master’s degree program based on the new regulations. The previous modules will then no longer be offered if they are not continued in the new degree program.

Bachelor’s students who fulfill the following prerequisites as of the end of Spring Semester 2021 are also subject to the transitional provisions of the Master’s degree program:

• At least 162 ECTS credits completed toward the Bachelor of Law UZH and
• At least one Master’s degree module completed in advance at the Faculty of Law

What Needs to be Kept in Mind?

Master’s degree modules that were completed successfully before the changeover will be credited toward the revised Master’s degree program on the basis of the number of ECTS credits received in accordance with the provisions of the old program regulations. ECTS credits that have already been earned for Master’s degree modules in specialized core elective pools or compulsory modules from a Master’s degree program with a concentration will be credited as elective modules during the transitional period. Ninety ECTS credits are required for the degree.

Students must earn one Common Subjects module (6 ECTS credits) and write a Master’s thesis worth at least 12 ECTS credits. For the remaining required ECTS credits, students may choose the courses they want to complete as before, whereby at least 36 ECTS credits must be earned through UNIL modules and at least 30 ECTS credits through UZH modules. Modules of the new joint module group with core elective modules can be completed on a voluntary basis.

Failed attempts taken up to and including Spring Semester 2021 at the Faculty of Law at the University of Zurich will not be taken into account, provided that they have not already led to the student’s exclusion from the degree program.

Spring Semester 2020 was the last semester in which students were able to begin study programs with a concentration.

Transition Table

*This applies up to and including Spring Semester 2024 for students matriculated at the University of Zurich who

• are enrolled in a Master’s degree program in Spring Semester 2021 and have successfully completed at least one Master’s degree module at the Faculty of Law by the end of Spring Semester 2021 or
• are enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in Spring Semester 2021 and who, by the start of Fall Semester 2021, have completed 162 ECTS credits toward the degree and
• have successfully completed at least one Master’s degree module in advance at the Faculty of Law.