MA in Law
Tallinn, Estonia
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request the earliest start date
TUITION FEES
EUR 3,600 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EU citizens; 1 June - citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland
** for EU/EEA and non-EU citizens
Introduction
Our law program enables you to specialize either in business law or law and technology. Business law covers the main areas of law related to business and the economy with a focus on digital market issues and regulations such as Fintech, Global Trade and Transnational Law, Online Commercial Law, Competition Law, and Labour Law.
The Law and Technology specialization covers the key areas of law related to artificial intelligence, data protection, cyber security, and intellectual property. This specialization will enable graduates to navigate the legal framework surrounding new technologies in their careers.
Study law at Taltech in Estonia - one of the world’s most digitized nations - and prosper as a highly qualified lawyer providing profound legal advice regarding the challenges of today’s technology-driven society in business, ICT, intellectual property or cybersecurity.
- The Program gives you a thorough understanding of the connections between law, business, and technology. You will learn to discuss the issues of the EU digital market, regulating artificial intelligence and cyber security
- After graduating with a business law specialization with, you can work as a business lawyer or an in-house counsel who helps companies design and build organizations that are prepared for the future, or as a public official dealing with the digital market
- Learning in a multicultural environment is guided by highly qualified academics with PhDs and experienced professionals from all around the world.
Why Study Law in Taltech?
- TalTech, a technological university at the forefront of developing the technologies of tomorrow, provides inside knowledge on the challenges and solutions of legally regulating new technologies
- Our department's main research areas are artificial intelligence & law, e-governance, international cyber diplomacy, EU law, the digital single market, and intellectual property. Our Estonian partners are ministries, the Estonian Lawyers Association, the Estonian Prosecutor’s Office, Estonian Bar Association. Partners abroad include the European Commission, Centre for International Legal Studies, European Law Faculties Association, European Patent Office, Aalto University, Nottingham Law School, Caucasus Law School, University of Essex, University of Dresden, and National University of Singapore
- Upon graduation, you will be an expert in law and technology or legal counseling for digital-oriented businesses. Our research-based teaching provides knowledge and skills to pursue doctoral studies
- Small groups encourage student-led teaching and classroom discussions. The international classroom provides insight into different cultures and legal regulations
- Õigus, our student association helps students with academic and personal matters, also organizes events, and cooperates with different organizations
- Partaking in a legal internship puts into practice the skills gained at the university and provides additional legal experience
- The Erasmus Student Exchange Program and participation in international moot court competitions further expand your international practice.
Admissions
Curriculum
The Program includes two specialties:
- Law and Technology– provides you with profound knowledge and skills in regulating and applying the norms related to different fields of technology such as intellectual property, cyber security, and artificial intelligence
- Business Law– enables you to become an expert in regulating and applying the law related to digital business and finance
Courses are delivered by profound experts of law and technology from Estonia and all around the world, including:
- Professor Tanel Kerikmäe, who has solid experience in assessing legal and ethical risks of different ecosystems and capacity building, including artificial intelligence
- Professor Thomas Hoffmann's, research focuses on comparative private law, especially insolvency law, private international law, contracts in digital environments, and consumer law. He provides comprehensive research on Estonian, German, and international law to various stakeholders within numerous EC tenders
- Adjunct professor Katrin Nyman-Metcalf, who specializes primarily in the area of information and communication technology law including freedom of expression, as well as e-governance
- Adjunct professor Ondrej Hamulak, who focuses his research on the relations and interactions between EU law and national law, the theoretical impact of membership in the EU on state sovereignty, and the legitimacy and rule of law within the EU, in particular system of protection of fundamental rights at supranational level.
Law and Technology (120 ECT)
- General Courses (18 ECT credits) - covers compulsory courses such as Human Rights, Ethics and Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Law, Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
- Legal Theory, EU and International Law (24 ECT) – covers compulsory courses such as Legal Research Methodology, Selected Actual Topics from European Union Personal Data Protection Law, Case Studies of EU Internal Market and Competition Law, and Technology Law
- Special Studies Compulsory Courses (18 ECT) – covers courses such as Cyber Security and Law, Legal Protection of Information Technology Products, Software and Database, Digital Intellectual Property and Law
- Internship (6 ECT) – can be either legal internship participation in a moot court competition or taking the Team-work Project course
- Special studies optional courses (18 ECT) – covers courses such as Legal Framework of e-Governance, Estonian Language and Culture, Intellectual Property and Competition Law, Medical Law, Rights, Obligations and Liability of Actors on the Internet, Biotechnology and Intellectual Property, Legal Aspects of Cyber Investigations
- Free choice courses (6 ECT) – students can choose from a wide variety of courses offered at the university
- Graduation thesis (30 ECT) – individual legal research on a topic chosen by the student
Semester 1
- Legal Research Methodology, HOX7002, 6 ECT
- Selected Actual Topics from European Union Personal Data Protection, Law MOL5030, 6 ECT
- Case Studies of EU Internal Market and Competition Law, MOL5040, 6 ECT
- Human Rights, Ethics and Technology, MOT5010, 6 ECT
- Entrepreneurship and Business Planning, TMJ3300, 6 ECT
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Cyber security and law, HOE7150, 6 ECT
- Legal Protection of Information Technology Products, Software and Database, MOT5040, 6 ECT
- Artificial Intelligence and Law, MOT5060, 6 ECT
- Technology Law, MOT5070, 6 ECT
Optional Courses
- Team-work Project, IDU0450, 6 ECT
- Medical Law, MOE5090, 6 ECT
- Rights, Obligations, and Liability of Actors on the Internet, MOT5020, 6 ECT
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Digital Intellectual Property and Law, MOT5110, 6 ECT
Elective Courses
- Legal Framework of e-Governance, HOE7210, 6 ECT
- Legal Internship (Internship), HOX7007, 6 ECT Estonian Language and Culture MLE0010 6 ECT
- Intellectual Property and Competition Law, MOE5080, 6 ECT
- Moot Court for master’s students, MOI5020, 6 ECT
- Biotechnology and Intellectual Property, MOT5030, 6 ECT
- Legal Aspects of Cyber Investigations, MOT5120, 6 ECT
Semester 4
- Graduation thesis, 30 ECT
Business law (120 ECT)
- General Courses (18 ECT credits)- covers compulsory courses such as Human Rights, Ethics and Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Law, Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
- Legal Theory, EU and International Law (24 ECT)– covers compulsory courses such as Legal Research Methodology, selected actual topics from European Union Personal Data Protection Law, case studies of EU Internal Market and Competition Law, and Technology Law
- Special Studies Compulsory Courses (18 ECT)– covers courses such as Global Trade and Transnational Law, Online Commercial Law, and Legal Aspects of Fintech
- Internship (6 ECT)– can be either a legal internship participation in a moot court competition or taking the Team-work Project course
- Special Studies Optional Courses (18 ECT)– covers courses such as Cyber Security and Law, Estonian Language and Culture, International Business, Development Trends in Business Environment, Procurement Law, Intellectual Property and Competition Law, Case Studies of International Tax Law, International Labour Law.
- Free choice courses (6 ECT)– students can choose from a wide variety of courses offered at the university
- Graduation thesis (30 ECT)– individual legal research on the topic chosen by a student
Gallery
Program Outcome
Aims and Objectives
- To provide a thorough knowledge of the field of law and to teach the application of the principles and norms of law in the context of European legal culture with a focus on Estonian Law, European Union and International law, business law, or the law and technology
- To develop the skills of logical reasoning, legal interpretation and analysis, and awareness of a lawyer's professional ethics
- To develop the knowledge, skills and values that form the specific education of legal scholars and the acquisition of which serves as a prerequisite for pursuing a doctoral degree or legal careers that require a master's degree in Law, such as a judge, sworn attorney, prosecutor, bailiff, notary, bankruptcy administrator, company lawyer, legal advisor, lecturer, and also the positions that require a full understanding of International law, including a government and local government official, EU or international institution official, diplomatic officer
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the curriculum, the graduate.
- Explains the theoretical basis of law and jurisprudence
- Applies the principles of law and legal norms and has specialized in Estonian law, EU and International Law, Business Law, or Law Technology
- Demonstrates the skills of legal argumentation upon making decisions on defining and solving legal problems, and adheres to the standards of a lawyer's professional ethics
- Is qualified to pursue a doctoral degree and work in positions that require a master's degree in Law.
Graduates of this programme will be awarded a Master of Arts in Law (MA).
Scholarships and Funding
Students can apply for performance scholarships. The amount of the scholarship is 100 € (euros) per month. First-year students can apply from the second semester. For more information, please contact the university.
Career Opportunities
The demand for lawyers specializing in technology law is on the rise. The digital world is developing at a rapid pace and the regulation of information technology and intellectual property in or digital market is becoming increasingly more important. Consequently, seize the opportunity to become a modern, technologically savvy lawyer - by choosing our law program, technological changes will bring you new opportunities. After graduating, your knowledge will enable you to contribute to the discussions on the development of the legal frameworks surrounding new technologies. Do not be a bystander. Be a part of the change!
Our graduates are qualified to work in EU and international organizations and institutions, international companies, and different law offices.