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The programme is in cycle study form, which means that lectures and seminars mostly take place during weekdays evenings (starting 16:15) and the nominal time to complete the programme is four semesters. The programme is composed of compulsory law courses (54 ECTS), elective law courses (24 ECTS), open elective courses (6 ECTS), the master’s thesis (24 ECTS) and a mandatory internship (6 ECTS). During the internship, you will put your knowledge into practice under the guidance of a working legal professional and gain real-world insight into digital-rights work. The curriculum blends human-rights law, digital-regulation subjects, and continuous research-skills development, ensuring you graduate with deep legal competence, strong analytical capabilities, and practical experience rooted in real digital-governance context.

Our faculty is international, with members from Estonia, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium and Australia. Further, among our faculty are past and current lawmakers (members of parliament), judges, lawyers, and well known legal scholars, which combines to make a well balanced legal education from the theoretical and practical viewpoints.

Mart Susi is the Professor of Human Rights at Tallinn University. Professor Susi is active in publishing articles and commentaries on human rights, with special focus on new human rights. Research areas are new human rights, digital human rights, philosophy of law. Mart Susi has MA degree in Sociology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA) and doctor iuris degree from University of Tartu (Estonia). He has held senior positions in several academic institutions. Mart Susi has initiated and is leading several research and development projects funded by the European Commission and the Nordic Council of Ministers. He has edited several research books on the topics of new human rights, the digital dimension of human rights and the controversy around the meaning of human rights. He is developing the Internet Balancing Formula and has lectured on the topic at various universities in Europe, Asia and South America. He is also involved as an expert for the European Commission and non-governmental organisations.

Lehte Roots, PhD, Visiting Professor of EU Law. She obtained her PHD from from European University Institute, Florence, Italy. She also has a Master degree in Public Management from Potsdam University, Germany and Master in Research degree from European University Institute, Florence, Italy. Prof. Roots is Member of the Scientific Committee of two journals and Member of the editorial of one journal. She has widely published in international journals and edited volumes published for example by Springer Verlag. Prof. Roots has lectured in Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, Tartu University and Tallinn University of Technology and also outside of Estonia in University of Miami, USA, Vietnam, Moldova, Cambodia etc. She has very good competence in leading international projects and more than 11 years of experience of leading a non-governmental organization. She is involved as an expert for European Commission and European Parliament research and assessment activities.

Samuli Miettinen is associate professor of transnational law at Tallinn University and holds the title of docent (adjunct professor/hablitation) in European law at the universities of Helsinki and Lapland He has taught a wide range of international and EU law subjects at European universities and is currently working on issues in EU public and criminal law. Miettinen is the author of The Political Constitution of EU Criminal Law (Hart, forthcoming 2017), The Europeanization of Criminal Law (Helsinki, 2015), Criminal Law and Policy in the European Union (Routledge, 2012) and The Sporting Exception in European Union Law (Asser/Cambridge, 2008, with Richard Parrish), some 40 longer articles or book chapters, and is co-editor of Data Protection, Privacy and European Regulation in the Digital Age (Forum Iuris, 2016, with Tobias Bräutigam). Miettinen was FIDE national rapporteur for Finland in 2016 (Competence) and 2014 (Citizenship), and is also contact point for Finland in the European Criminal Law Academic Network.

Karolina Aksamitowska

Lecturer of International Law. Her academic degrees: LL.B. Law (University of Southampton, UK); LL.M. Legal Research Master (Utrecht University, the Netherlands); PhD thesis defended at Swansea University, UK. Other positions: Member of the Center for Research on International Criminal Law at the Institute of Law Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Research areas: International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law. 

Walter Rech

General requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences or equivalent educational level.

• Proof of English Proficiency
• Please see the complete overview of admission and application requirements for Master's level applicants.

Admission exam

1. Exam procedure:

• The admission exam consists of an interview. Maximum points for the interview are 100. The minimum admissions score is 70 points;
• The interview will be 20 minutes long and centres on the CV  (incl. educational background, work experience, other relevant experience i.e any internships, part-time jobs, volunteering, or leadership roles that relate to the study programme), motivation of the applicant and study programme related articles/topics that serve as an input for the exam;
• The admission committee consists of at least two members;
• The interview begins with the identification. At the beginning of the interview the candidate shows their ID and for the purposes of identity verification, the admission committee has the right to record the online interview;
• There is an expectation that the candidate is able to express themselves at least at English level B2 (language proficiency).

2. Evaluation criteria of the interview:

• The candidate`s interest in the programme and motivation to study in the field applying common study methods in social sciences; 
• Capacity to understand the focal arguments of the interview input (eg article) and provide their viewpoints into the discussion; 
• General background and field-related knowledge, language proficiency and the ability to engage in analytical discussions; 
• Capacity to contextualise previous work, study and voluntary activity experience in the frames of the chosen programme.

3. Grading scales

Required Documents

The following documents MUST BE SUBMITTED with the APPLICATION via the online application system before the APPLICATION DEADLINE*:

• CV in English
• Copy of earned Bachelor’s Diploma (an official translation is requested if the document is not in English);
• Transcript of Records/Academic Transcript (an official translation is requested if the document is not in English);
• Proof of English language Proficiency;
• Copy of the identification page of the passport;
• Specific documents required for the programme you are applying to;
• A copy of a Sworn Affidavit to Confirmation of Name if the applicant's name stated in his/her passport differs from the name on any of the other required documents.

NB!  Applicants applying for adjustments to be made during the admission exams due to his/her physical or psycho-social special need must submit a copy of medical proof of this special need to the Counsellor for Students with special needs - Kai Rannastu (kai.rannastu@tlu.ee).

EU/EEA applicants 

Application procedure for the citizens of the member countries of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) can be found here.

Non-EU/EEA applicants

Application procedure for the international applicants from Non-EU/EEA countries can be found here.

Estonian citizens and holders of a long-term residence permit

Application procedure for Estonian citizens or for holders of an Estonian long-term residence permit can be found in Estonian here and in English here.

By the end of the programme, you’ll be equipped to step confidently into roles that require digital legal expertise – roles that organisations across Europe are struggling to fill. Graduates typically work in:

• Technology companies – responsible AI roles, data-protection and compliance teams, sustainable innovation, policy and governance units.
• Public institutions and EU bodies – digital-governance units, regulatory agencies, policy advisory roles.
• Human-rights and civil-society organisations – digital-rights advocacy, strategic litigation, accountability projects.
• International organisations – digital policy, rights monitoring, and regulatory frameworks.
• Media companies – balancing freedom of expression with the right to privacy, data protection, ethical AI use.

You’ll graduate with a clear professional edge: the legal skills to make sense of digital transformation and the competence to help organisations design, regulate, or audit digital systems responsibly.

• Study flexibly in evening classes, allowing you to keep working while you grow professionally.
• Build practical skills through small group seminars (students groups are usually around 15-20 students) and close supervision.
• The lecturers have international networks (eg Global Digital Human Rights Network) that make it possible to arrange exciting international events that students can participate in.
• Our alumni have been very successful in finding jobs. They include members of tech legal advisors, public officials, data protection officers, staff of international organisations, attorneys, etc.
• Modern study environment – SOGOLAS is located in the new science building of Tallinn University – Astra – that has great conditions for study and leisure. There is a library with a study room that is open 24h, a student cafe and a cosy atrium. E-study opportunities are widely used as courses incorporate online materials, video lectures, tests, etc.
• Students have an excellent opportunity to use the Erasmus programme possibilities and receive the Erasmus scholarship. The Erasmus programme includes different mobility options in Europe as well as outside of Europe such as long-term and short-term exchange studies and traineeship. For exchange studies, we have a large selection of partner universities and the credits can be easily transferred. 

You'll graduate ready to turn legal questions into policy, regulation, and corporate responsibility – shaping fairer digital societies in Europe and beyond.

Extracurricular Activities

Tallinn University offers a wide range of opportunities for an active student life, from choir singing and gym training to participation in various student organizations and social clubs. Students of SOGOLAS are represented by Civitas , a student body that supports both academic and social interests.

Law students benefit from two dedicated organizations that enrich their studies and help create a balanced university experience: the Tallinn University Mooting Society and Primus Collegium.

The Mooting Society is a dynamic community that introduces students to moot court competitions, where they can practise legal reasoning and advocacy in simulated courtroom settings.

Primus Collegium supports students throughout their studies, fosters a strong sense of community, and offers opportunities for academic growth and professional networking.

These student bodies arrange visits to law firms and legal institutions, organize social events and speaker sessions, and lead study trips abroad.

In addition, SOGOLAS hosts annual conferences, special events, and public lectures open to students and researchers across the university.

Environment

Tallinn University has a modern urban campus located in the center of the city. The airport, train and bus stations are just a few minutes away by public transport. The beautiful view of the harbour is a constant reminder that students studying at Tallinn University are in the center of a major European hub. Our students have access to physical and online libraries, computer labs, cafeterias and cafes. Further, the university has all the facilities necessary for a productive learning environment and ample opportunities for leisure, sports, and social activities, all leading to an exciting and well-balanced student life. Take a walk around our campus via the   !

Our law programme is taught entirely in the English language by competent legal professionals and legal scholars. Our student body is international, with students from many countries in Europe, as well as students from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Day-to-day student life is always international at Tallinn University, as our program is closely connected with other English language programmes and among your classmates, you will frequently find Erasmus students who have come to visit.

• Specific questions regarding the programme should be directed to the School of Governance, Law and Society: 

• For additional guidelines regarding the application procedure please contact the International Admission Office: