France is home to many world-class older public research universities offering law degree programs specializing in European law, international law, and Business and Finance law. To obtain a “Licence de Droit” or a law degree in a French university, students must expect to study full-time for three years in an undergraduate law degree program.
Some law schools in France offer joint-degree programs which allow students to experience first-hand training and education in legal practice in an international university. Additionally, students for Master of Laws may choose from a range of specialization subjects which, some are taught in English-medium. Let’s take a look at the top law universities in France.
Best Law Universities in France
1. Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne University
Established in 1971, the Panthéon-Sorbonne University is a major public research university in Paris, France. It offers one of the best law schools in France and has the largest student population studying humanities and social sciences. The university focuses on giving high-quality education in disciplines; Humanities and Arts Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, and Legal and Political Sciences. It is well-known for its excellence in subject areas of Archaeology, History, Law, and Economics which, was ranked 1st in France by the 2019 QS Rankings by Subject. Moreover, being a successor of the elite Sorbonne and the Faculty of Law and Economics of Paris, the Panthéon-Sorbonne University is among the top choices of both domestic and international students as an academic institution to study law.
The Panthéon-Sorbonne University School of Law is one of the leading law universities in France and offers Master of Law courses where students have the opportunity to focus on subjects like European law, French law, international law, and comparative law. Non-french-speaking students with a Master’s degree from a foreign university may enroll in courses taught in English-medium, such as subjects focusing on business-related law. Additionally, students will also experience intensive learning of the French language by undertaking different specialization subjects and visiting government institutions.
2. Panthéon-Assas University Paris II
The Panthéon-Assas University Paris II is a world-class public institution in Paris, France. Established in 1971, it is well-known as the descendant of the University of Paris’ Law School, the second-oldest law school in the world which, began in the early 12th century until it stopped its operations in 1970. University Panthéon-Assas focuses on legal education and economics. Thus, it has inarguably one of the best law schools in Europe. The university comprises five departments specializing in law, political science, economics, journalism and media, and public and private management.
Considered the first university to offer an excellent legal education in France and Europe, Panthéon-Assas University became one of the top law universities in the world. It has numerous partnerships with other international and European law universities to ensure the exchange of knowledge in legal studies and research. Additionally, it is top-leading in subjects like comparative law and international law.
Panthéon-Assas University Paris II offers law courses which include a double-degree in Masters Level 1; and an advanced level in Masters 2 with different specialization subjects such as banking and finance law, business law and taxation, public international law, etc.
3. Sciences Po
Sciences Po is a world-renowned private school founded by Émile Boutmy in 1872. It is well-known for its more than 140 years of excellence in political education and social sciences. It has been educating important political personalities in France. Over the years, the academic institution has added sociology, economics, and law to its offered courses. Even though the university focuses on political science and history, it has proved its excellence in other subjects by topping off the charts of different world academic league tables. The institute came in 2nd among the universities worldwide for its overall performance in Politics and International Studies, according to the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject. Sciences Po is also a member of the elite Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) and the Sorbonne Paris Cité group.
Law School at Sciences Po is among the best law schools in France. It aims to prepare students for legal professions that will make significant contributions to the world of business, economic development and regulations, international and domestic affairs. The university only offers graduate degree programs in law. Available Master’s programs include a two-year Master’s in Economic Law and a two-year Master’s in Legal and Judicial Careers; a three-year joint Master’s in Law and Finance with the university’s School of Management and Innovation; and a one-year LLM degree in Transnational Arbitration and Dispute Settlement. It also offers students to enroll in their 4 joint Master’s degree programs which, they’ll experience studying with some top-leading law universities in the United States. Moreover, the university also offers advanced levels in law studies and research for students pursuing a Ph.D. degree.
4. Universite Jean Moulin Lyon III
Universite Jean Moulin Lyon III is a public university in Lyon, France, and one of the recognized law universities, focusing on providing international standards of education and research in law and social sciences. It was established in 1970 and has been expanding its subject areas to Political Science & International Relations, Francophone studies, Administration, Management, Accounting, Philosophy, Languages, Arts, History, Geography & Planning, and Information & Communication. Jean Moulin is a member of the University of Lyon Association (UdL), the elite Coimbra Group, and the European University Association (EUA).
The university’s Faculty of Law has been educating both international and domestic students for 130 years. It is the largest in the city of Lyon and is well-known for establishing the Law school of Beirut, in Lebanon. Additionally, it ranks among the best in Europe and is 1st in all provincial universities in France. The university offers Masters of Law degree programs in 20 different specialization subjects. Moreover, it is world-renowned for its excellence in legal research for the history of law and family law and overall academic performance in Business Law.
5. Paris Sciences et Lettres University
Paris Sciences et Lettres University is one of the foremost modern public research universities in France. Established in 2010, it has 11 constituent schools and 8 associate colleges offering multidisciplinary education and research in science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, fine art, and performing arts. It is well-known for holding 28 Nobel Prizes, 10 Fields Medals, 3 Abel Prizes, 49 CNRS Gold Medals, 50 César Awards, and 79 Molière Awards among its alumni and staff. The university ranks in the top 44 on the 2022 QS World University Rankings.
Law school at Paris Sciences et Lettres University is one of the best law schools in whole Europe as it focuses on providing an advanced level of graduate programs to its students. Students may choose from a range of subjects like international, European, and comparative law, business law, public, and private law, tax law, estate law, public administration, and 13 different specialization courses for their Master’s degree.
We hope that this article on the best law universities in France was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Law Programs for International Students!
