Master in Global Governance Law University of Helsinki

How to deal with the challenges of globalizing law?

Globalization has brought about a situation where lawyers are now required to grapple with national, international, European, and transnational laws when they apply norms. In the two-year research-oriented Master's Program in Global Governance Law (GGL), you develop the skills to understand and deal with the challenges of globalizing law.

You study public international law, European Union law, global administrative law, advanced human rights law and examine for example international institutions, decision-making, and governance in the EU. You can also specialize in Russian law, Chinese law or engage in interdisciplinary studies in Global Politics and Communication.

Struc­ture and con­tent

The scope of the Master's Program in Global Governance Law is 120 credits (ECTS) to be completed in two academic years. It comprises compulsory and optional studies, seminars and research work culminating in the production of a Master’s thesis. You can also include an internship and a student exchange period as part of your degree.

The program is aimed at students who have completed a first-cycle degree (e.g., bachelor’s degree) or a second-cycle degree (e.g., Master’s degree) or a postgraduate degree in Finland or abroad.

Year 1 (60 ECTS)

The first semester provides you with theoretical knowledge of global governance and basic knowledge of relevant key fields of law. You are introduced to various aspects of global governance law, starting from its historical and theoretical aspects, and then moving to the broader legal framework consisting of public international law, European Union law, global administrative law, and advanced human rights law. You attend interactive lectures that are supported by small-group tutorials led by post-doctoral researchers and doctoral students. The latter consists of assignments and readings with ample opportunity for discussion.

The second semester will deepen your understanding of global governance law through group work and essay writing. You will examine international institutions, decision-making and governance in the EU, and governance in various specific fields including economic and financial governance, environmental governance, private global governance and security, and transnational crime governance.

Year 2 (60 ECTS)

The second-year involves the Master’s thesis seminar. It consists of a research seminar essay and research seminar (5 ECTS), introductory legal thinking and methodology course (5 ECTS) as well as completing the Master's thesis (30 ECTS).

During this one-year-long project, you participate in seminar meetings, complete seminar assignments, write your Master’s thesis and present your findings in research seminar meetings. You get regular feedback about your work from your supervisor and fellow students. Upon completing the seminar, you will have advanced academic argumentation and writing skills as well as a thorough understanding of your thesis topic.

In addition, you take 20 optional credits choosing one of the following streams:

1. Russian law, including;

• Constitutional Law and Governing Russia
• Human Rights, Global, and Regional Challenges
• Business and Company Law: Governing Economics
• Justice, Law, and Society

2. Chinese law, including;

• Chinese legal system: history and presence
• Business and Company law: governing economics
• China in international organizations – transnational governance
• Corporate social responsibility and fundamental labor rights in China

3. Studies from the Master's Program in Global Politics and Communication at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Please note that you can also include an internship and a student exchange period as part of your degree.

Language of stud­ies

The teaching language of the program is English. At least 75% of the degree must be completed fully in English (e.g. seminars, seminar papers, and similar written work, exams, and the Master’s thesis). However, you can also study in other languages, for example, include a semester abroad or law courses taught in Finnish or Swedish.

Earned de­gree

You will complete the degree of Master of International and Comparative Law (MICL). It provides general eligibility for postgraduate studies and qualifies for positions that require a Master’s level education. However, it does not provide qualifications for positions that specifically require a Finnish Master of Laws (oikeustieteen maisteri, OTM) degree.

Courses and teach­ing

The courses and teaching in the Master's Program in Global Governance Law include the following themes:

• Global Governance Law: History and Theory
• Public international law
• European Union law
• Global administrative law
• Advanced Human Rights law
• International institutions
• Economic & financial, environmental and private global governance
• Security and transnational crime governance
• Russian and Chinese law
• Human Rights, Global, and Regional Challenges
• Business and Company Law: Governing Economics

Mas­ter's thesis

The Master's thesis is an integral part of your degree. You will attend a Master's thesis seminar consisting of a research seminar essay and research seminar (5 ECTS), introductory legal thinking and methodology course (5 ECTS) as well as completing your Master's thesis (30 ECTS).

During this year-long project, you participate in seminar meetings, complete seminar assignments, write your Master’s thesis and present your findings in research seminar meetings. In the seminar meetings, you get regular feedback about your work from your supervisor and fellow students.

Upon completing your Master's thesis, you will have advanced academic argumentation and writing skills, as well as a thorough understanding of your thesis topic.

Doc­toral education

The degree of Master of International and Comparative Law (MICL) provides general eligibility for postgraduate studies and a solid foundation for doctoral studies.

At the University of Helsinki, doctoral education is carried out in four doctoral schools. The Doctoral Program in Law by the Faculty of Law is part of the University of Helsinki’s Doctoral School in Humanities and Social Sciences (HYMY). Some 15–20 doctoral students graduate each year. Doctoral dissertations are mostly written in English.

Why Global Governance Law?

In the Master's Program in Global Governance Law, you will:

• Increase and deepen your knowledge and understanding of global governance law and basic knowledge of the relevant key fields of law, such as legal theory and history relating to your field of study, European Union law, various aspects of public international law and specific fields of global governance law such as finance and the environment.
• Specialize in Russian law, Chinese law or engage in interdisciplinary studies in Global Politics and Communication.
• Further develop your analytical, legal argumentation and communications skills.
• Develop research skills and legal knowledge in order to continue your studies in a Ph.D. program.
• Study in an international and multicultural environment with students and staff from all over the world.
• Complete the degree of Master of International and Comparative Law (MICL).
• Become an internationally-oriented professional well-qualified for a career in international organizations, legal practice, various expert positions in the public sector as well as legal academia both in Finland and abroad.

Please note that this degree (MICL) does not provide qualifications for positions that specifically require a Finnish Master of Laws (oikeustieteen maisteri, OTM) degree.

Ca­reer pro­spects

Building your career begins already during your studies. From the start of your studies until one year after the completion of your degree, Career Services at the University of Helsinki give guidance and support, including career guidance and counseling, courses and events, and facilitation of mentoring groups.

Upon graduation you will become an internationally oriented professional who is well-qualified for careers in international organizations, legal practice (such as law firms and corporate legal departments), various expert positions in the public sector as well as legal academia both in Finland and abroad.

The degree of Master of International and Comparative Law (MICL) provides general eligibility for postgraduate studies and qualifies you for positions that require a master’s level education. However, it does not provide qualifications for positions that specifically require a Finnish Master of Laws (oikeustieteen maisteri, OTM) degree.