International and Comparative Law
Bachelor's Degree in Geneva & Moscow
Intensive Language Training
Fundamental Education
Practice-Oriented Program

Students have the opportunity to form professional thinking in an intercultural environment, gaining the skills to work with graduates of Western European law schools, which is, nowadays, necessary in order to be able to compete in the international legal services market.

The «International and Comparative Law» Program provides many more opportunities than any other program.

If you want to not only get a degree in international law field, but a broad understanding and analytical thinking to the field of your future profession, there is no better program to choose. I assure you that you will not regret it.

Gennadii TOLSTOPIATENKO

The Program Scientific Director

About the Program

The legal profession is one of the most prestigious and in-demand.

With globalization, interstate and corporate disputes, the need for highly qualified international lawyers naturally increases every year.

Students studying in Geneva have a unique opportunity to be immersed in an international environment, to know the European mentality, to gain invaluable experience of multicultural communication and learn the profession in the traditions of the European law school.

Leading specialists from Russia, Switzerland, and Europe, practicing lawyers, employees of international organizations, top managers and entrepreneurs are involved in teaching. Every day students acquire knowledge and communicate with outstanding specialists in law who are highly qualified and have vast practical experience.

 

Upon successful completion of the Program and the curriculum, graduates receive two diplomas.

Advantages

The «International and Comparative Law» Program offers:

1
+
Lectures by leading professors of Swiss and European universities, experienced practicing lawyers, representatives of international organizations, non-profit and private sectors
2
+
8 teaching hours per week of English and 8 teaching hours per week of French by native speaking language teachers up to the final level B2 / C1 / C2 and the possibility of continuous practice by immersion
3
+
Internships with international organizations, non-profit sector, law firms and multinationals
4
+
An individual approach to each student and career guidance
5
+
A unique opportunity to live and study in the Lake Geneva region with an exceptional quality of life and a high density of global governance actors
6
+
Regular educational trips to Lausanne, Fribourg, Bern, Zurich, Paris, Vienna, etc.
7
+
Access to professionally-oriented courses developed by experts in the field of language training for international lawyers: Legal English and Français Juridique

Curriculum

The curriculum is organized on a modular basis with a study of a subject for a few weeks followed by a pass/fail or exam. Simultaneously with core courses, English and French | German are taught intensively by native speaking teachers.

Starting from the third year in Geneva, the teaching of core courses in English is introduced, including lectures and seminars by guests lecturers, representatives of international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the World Trade Organization, as well as practicing lawyers from Julius Baer banks, Credit Suisse and law firm partners.

*The curriculum is subject to modifications. Below are some examples of courses.

Introduction to Swiss Law
Swiss Commercial and Banking Law
Law of Treaties
International Trading Law
Law of International Organizations
Sanctions Regulations
Intellectual Property Law
International Trade Law and Trade Restrictions

Foreign Languages

An integral part of the professional training of any modern specialist is the study of foreign languages.

Foreign languages ​​are taught according to the system adopted at MGIMO, which combines both the best traditions accumulated by the Soviet and Russian schools and new approaches developed by leading European experts.

Alongside with the core courses, students study intensively English and French taught in Geneva by native speaking instructors.

The training system allows students to take international certification exams without additional preparation.

Our classrooms are kept small — with 6-8 students – to ensure an individual approach to each student and provide the best conditions for high-quality language training.

 

English
Up to C1 / C2 Level
8 hours per week
IELTS Preparation

Throughout their studies in Geneva, students study English intensively using methods developed by experts in the field of language training for international lawyers, leading professors of MGIMO and Swiss School, reaching the final C1 / C2 level. Students with initially high language level have the opportunity to study with native speakers in C1 / C2 groups.

Legal English
Upon Reaching the B2 Level
240 hours
Access to the Online Platform
Including Business Correspondence Course

Students take a unique, professionally-oriented course that includes legal concepts and categories, as well as the theory and practice of interpretation and translation, and a business correspondence course. The course lays the foundation of knowledge of public and private international law and basic terminology of international conventions and treaties for future professional activities.

Français
Up to the B2 / C1 Level
8 hours per week
Preparation for DELF / DALF / FIDE

French is a must for anyone who wants to get involved in international law, because French is an official language of the United Nations, the European Union, and most international organizations.

Français Juridique
Upon Reaching the B1 Level
240 hours
Preparing for DFP

Once students reach B1 level, classes in French law and basic translation (Français Juridique) are introduced. The programs focus on international law, Swiss and French law, etc.

Deutsch
Up to the B2 / C1 Level
8 hours per week
Preparing for DAF
Language of Choice

The German Chair has extensive experience and tradition in training international specialists with a professional command of German. Students study using modern textbooks that preserve the achievements of the Soviet school but reflect new trends.

Professional and Personal Development
Preparation of CVs, Letters, etc.
32 hours
Access to the Online Platform

The main purpose of this course is to teach you how to write the basic documents needed to find an internship or job (resume, cover letter), how to go through the various stages of the interview, the process of analyzing a potential employer.

Accommodation in Switzerland

Variety of options available in the center of Geneva, as well as in the area of ​​​​international organizations: on campuses or in studios and apartments.

The Henri Dunant campus is located in the center of Geneva, a 7-minute walk from the Premises. The building houses a laundry, as well as a grocery store.

CityPop Apartments are 2 minutes from the Premises.

Tuition Fees

The education process is carried out on a contractual basis.

Two separate contracts for the provision of paid educational services are concluded: one with MGIMO University and the other with Swiss School for International Relations with tuition fees in accordance with each contract.

Visa Support and Residence Permit

To stay in Switzerland for studies lasting more than 90 days, a student non-resident of the EU is required to obtain an entry national study visa.

The presence of an entry study visa entitles the student to obtain a residence permit in Switzerland once in Geneva. 

Swiss School staff will assist you with paperwork regarding your visa request and book for you an appointment at the Swiss Embassy. 

Internships

Internships are part of the curriculum and offer a hands-on training permitting the transfer of the knowledge acquired in the classroom in professional activities. Our students have a unique opportunity to undertake internships not only in Russia, but also in Switzerland and the Europe.

During their studies, students meet with practicing lawyers, visit numerous international organizations in Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich and the «Capitals of International Law».

Our students have a unique opportunity to do internships in Russia, in Switzerland and Europe in international organizations, law firms, multinationals and non-profit institutions. 

Students learn to understand negotiation dynamics in international setting, including mastering a foreign language, to plan and accompany various international projects, to defend their point of view and resolve differences, to be able to work in a team and to take a leading position.

 

 

Admission

The education process is carried out on a contractual basis.

The enrollment to the «International and Comparative Law» Program is decided, as a separate selective process, on the basis of the results of the Unified State Examination (USE): 

  • English (60 points),
  • Social Sciences (60 points),
  • Russian (60 points).

No additional entrance examinations. 

 

More information about the Admission Rules you can find here.

 

 

Contact

For more information about the Program, please contact us or fill out the form:

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Nikita MOLCHAKOV
Dean of the MGIMO International Law School
n.molchakov@inno.mgimo.ru
Nataliya PONOMAREVA
Director of Educational Programs
Swiss School for International Relations
welcome@ssir.swiss
© Swiss School for International Relations 2016–2024
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