Exchange Programs
Exchange Program Opportunities for ND Law Students
Every year, select J.D. students at Notre Dame Law School study law abroad as part of our exchange programs with pre-eminent law schools around the world. Choosing to deepen their knowledge of a particular area of law through comparative legal study and familiarize themselves with transnational legal issues they will encounter later in practice, these J.D. students benefit from the strong partnerships the Law School has formed with institutions in countries and cities around the world. As part of their law studies abroad, students may choose, depending on the host institution, to study for an LL.M. at the host institution or to participate in other unique facets of our exchange agreements, as best embodied by our Honors Scholars Programs.
J.D. students at Notre Dame Law School may study law abroad during their second or third years, depending on the exchange program. Students are encouraged to consider how they would benefit from studying law at a particular host institution and in a particular country, given their wider interests in specific areas of law and their career goals.
Notre Dame Law School maintains partnerships with the following institutions to host exchange programs:
- Brazil: FGV Law in Rio; Insper in São Paulo
- Chile: Pontificia Universidad Católica in Santiago
- China: Peking University Law School in Beijing
- France: Paris-Panthéon-Assas University in Paris
- Germany: Bucerius Law School in Hamburg; Humboldt University Faculty of Law in Berlin
- Ireland: Trinity College Dublin
- Israel: Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv
- Italy: Bocconi University in Milan
- Kenya: Strathmore Law School in Nairobi
- Switzerland: University of Lucerne in Lucerne
- South Africa: University of Cape Town
Click here if you are an exchange student interested in studying at Notre Dame Law School.
How to apply
Students interested in studying law abroad as part of their J.D. studies at the Law School are encouraged to contact the Office of International & Graduate Programs (globalaw@nd.edu) as soon as possible. Each spring semester, the International & Graduate Programs will send an email calling for expressions of interest to study abroad from current 1Ls and 2Ls. As part of this initial expression of interest, students are invited to share the reasons for their interest in an exchange program, including how studying law abroad will further their academic and career goals. Accepted students are then nominated to the partner institution and complete a formal application. After the Law School formally nominates a student through the International and Graduate Programs Office to the host institution, the student may be required to complete a second application provided by the host institution.
To be eligible for foreign exchange, rising 2Ls must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher as of the end of the spring semester of their first year of studies, and rising 3Ls must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher as of the end of spring semester of their second year. In extraordinary circumstances, a student who does not meet the requisite GPA standard and who wishes to study abroad may ask the Dean of the Law School to waive this requirement. Any waiver shall be based on a determination regarding whether there are sufficient grounds to conclude that the student will succeed academically in the program given that student’s previous academic performance in law school. The determination of the Dean of the Law School will be final and not appealable.
Notre Dame J.D. students interested in a semester abroad should apply here by Monday, February 24, 2025.
Study Law in Brazil
FGV Rio Law
Founded in 2002, FGV Rio Law is one of Brazil’s top Law Schools. Students who choose to study at FGV Rio will experience one of Brazil’s most iconic cities, Rio de Janeiro. FGV Rio boasts four research centers that integrate learning and scholarship in pursuit of meaningful social impacts. These centers are devoted to Technology & Society; Law and Economics; Global Law; and Justice & Society.
Students may study for one semester or a full academic year. Although courses vary each year, the areas of study generally include business regulation, digital governance, strategic management, and antitrust law. Please note that while some courses are offered in English, Portuguese is the primary language of instruction. Visit this page for information on FGV Rio Law. Specific information about FGV Rio’s exchange programming can be found here.
Insper São Paulo
The Law School’s partnership with Insper allows J.D. students to study in São Paulo, the business capital of Brazil. Insper has been recognized as one of the top twenty business schools in the world by The Financial Times, making it a premier campus for law students interested in pursuing business law. Insper programs of study include Corporate and Business Law, Financial and Capital Markets Law, and Labor Law. Courses are offered in both Portuguese and English. Students may study for one semester or a full academic year.
Visit this page for information on studying law at Insper São Paulo. Specific information about Insper São Paulo’s exchange programming can be found here in the factsheet under “Study at Insper.” And, for those interested in learning more about São Paulo itself, read Insper’s own words on what makes the city such a great environment for study, work, and play.
Study Law in Chile
Building on their commitment to global engagement and shared Catholic mission, Notre Dame and the Pontificia Universidad Católica (PUC) have founded a strong partnership which provides for student and faculty exchanges, research collaboration, internships, and dual degree programs. This exchange program allows Spanish-speaking J.D. degree-seeking students from Notre Dame to study at PUC Law School. In light of Chile’s current Constitutional Convention and joint research projects on constitutional law between PUC and Notre Dame Law School, exchange student places are particularly prioritized for students with an interest in constitutional law. Visit this page for more information about PUC.
Study Law in China
The two distinct exchange programs in Beijing are with Tsinghua School of Law and Peking University School of Law (PKU). The Tsinghua program allows students to pursue an LL.M. in Chinese Law, providing insight into the history, structure, and cultural context of the Chinese legal system, which is significant in areas such as trade, international finance, intellectual property, and dispute resolution. These programs are complemented by summer internship opportunities at leading Chinese law firms. Students are encouraged to visit the websites of Tsinghua School of Law and of Peking University for more information.
Study Law in France
Select J.D. students at Notre Dame may study law at Paris-Panthéon-Assas in Paris, France. Paris-Panthéon-Assas is renowned for its excellence in private law, criminal science, public law, Roman law, and legal history.
Located in the historic 6th arrondissement, studying at Paris-Panthéon-Assas provides an unparalleled opportunity for law students to explore comparative law in the heart of the French legal academy. Second-year law students participating in this program for a full academic year can also pursue an LL.M., choosing from multiple tracks, with a majority of classes taught in English.
Visit this page for more information on studying law at Paris-Panthéon-Assas and in Paris.
Study Law in Germany
The Law School’s partnership with Bucerius Law School in Hamburg allows students to spend the fall semester there, exploring the unique history of the German legal system and studying German and EU laws relevant to commercial and transnational legal practices. As Germany's third-largest port city and a hub for multinational commerce, Hamburg provides an ideal environment for gaining hands-on experience in international law. Visit this page for more information on Bucerius Law School.
Students can also study at the Humboldt University Faculty of Law in Berlin, known for its focus on business and international law. Students may spend a semester at Humboldt (study for a full academic year is not available). Proficiency in German is not required but strongly recommended. A limited number of classes are taught in English. Visit this page for more information on Humboldt University Faculty of Law.
Study Law in Ireland
Established in 1740, Trinity College is Ireland's oldest and most internationally recognized law school.
The Law School’s exchange program with Trinity College Dublin allows students to study in Dublin for a semester or a full academic year. Participants study alongside LLB students and can opt to pursue an LL.M. at Trinity. First-year law students interested in opportunities in Dublin should also consider the Dublin Honor Scholars Program.
As the leading English-speaking common law jurisdiction in the European Union, Dublin has become a key business hub for technology companies, the oil-and-gas industry, and other sectors. Studying law in Dublin enables students to gain valuable insights into EU law and understand how lawyers in Dublin are shaping transnational legal, economic, and social issues. Visit this page for more information on Trinity College.
Study Law in Israel
Students can study law at Tel Aviv University's Buchmann School of Law for a full academic year or a semester. This opportunity allows Notre Dame law students to attend one of Israel's most prominent law schools and engage in legal workshops, clinics, and public interest programs within the unique cultural and legal context of Israel. Visit this page for further information on studying at TAU and in Tel Aviv.
Study Law in Italy
Students may study law at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, the country’s financial capital. Renowned for its strength in business and economics, Bocconi’s law program allows students to deepen their understanding of business law from an international and comparative perspective while exploring uniquely Italian views on constitutional law and fundamental rights. With a strong emphasis on public and private law, Bocconi also offers a diverse range of interdisciplinary courses. Visit this page for more information on studying law in Bocconi and Milan.
Study Law in Kenya
Students can study law at Strathmore Law School in Nairobi, Kenya. Known for its vibrant environment and reputation for training future leaders in African law practice, Strathmore emphasizes a global and experiential approach to legal education.
The school offers centers of expertise in a various fields, including oil and gas law, policy and innovation, and finance. Students at Strathmore also have access to short courses and tailored visits to courts and other legal institutions in Kenya.
Visit this page for more information on studying law at Strathmore and in Kenya.
Study Law in South Africa
Ranked the top university in South Africa and in the top 3% of universities worldwide, the University of Cape Town is a diverse, global, and democratically-minded institution recognized for its educational opportunities and research impact, both in South Africa and abroad.
The Law School’s partnership with University of Cape Town allows J.D. students to study in the areas of Business/Commercial Law, Private Law, and Public Law. English is one of the primary languages of instruction. Students may study for one semester or a full academic year.
Visit this page for information on studying law at the University of Cape Town.
Study Law in Switzerland
Students at the Law School may study at the University of Lucerne for a full academic year or for a semester. While immersed in Switzerland's legal tradition, students take courses in human rights, international economic law, arbitration, and international litigation. Notre Dame's Program on Law and Market Behavior co-hosts the annual Law and Economics Conference at Lucerne.
Visit this page for further information on studying law at the University of Lucerne.