General description

Doctoral candidates learn the essential methodological skills for in-depth and broad-ranging study of legal issues. The general doctorate includes submitting a PhD thesis and attending two colloquia earning at least 12 ECTS credits. The purpose of the colloquia is to enable scientific discussion and analysis of the doctoral thesis. The doctoral thesis must be submitted in the form of a monograph and should make an independent contribution to research.

Admission requirements

The general doctorate is open to graduates who have obtained a Master of Law or Licentiate Degree in Law from the University of Zurich with a summa cum laude or magna cum laude distinction. Graduates who are not awarded a distinction or have obtained a Master of Law or Licentiate Degree in Law from another Swiss University or a law degree from a foreign university recognized as equivalent under § 48 letter b of the Ordinance on Admission to Studies at the University of Zurich, will be admitted, if a Faculty member declares him or herself willing to supervise them. Admission may be tied to conditions or restrictions.
Decisions on admissions will be made by the Admissions Committee.
Admissions are subject to §§ 10 et seq. ordinance for obtaining a doctoral degree.

ECTS credits

12 ECTS Credits
The general doctorate includes submitting a written PHD thesis and the attendance of two colloquia worth at least 12 ECTS credits.

Degree

PhD

Major/minor subject combinations

The degree program does not provide a minor subject. The degree program cannot be studied as a minor subject as part of another degree program.

Examination and assessment regulations

Performance is graded on a „pass“ or „fail“ basis.

Language of instruction

German