Studies & Degrees in Economic Law
Economic Law Study Programs
Economic law covers the legal rules that govern economic activity: companies and contracts, competition, banking and finance, tax, and trade and investment between countries. Universities teach it in two main ways. Some combine a law degree with economics and business subjects, so that graduates can advise companies and public bodies. Others offer postgraduate programmes in international economic law, which deals with the rules on cross-border trade and investment.
Students normally start with the core law subjects and add the economic ones. At the Universidad de Navarra, for example, the Diploma en Business and Economics Program combines the law degree with subjects in economics, business management and financial management; the study plan includes political economy and a subject on business and competition law. At the World Trade Institute (WTI) of the University of Bern, students explore the legal, economic and institutional foundations that govern international trade and investment.
Qualifications and levels
- Bachelor's degree. In Spain a bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits. The Grado en Derecho at the Universidad de Navarra is an official degree of 240 credits and 4 years, taught in Spanish in Pamplona. The same university offers a double degree in Economics and Law that lasts 6 years, has 369 ECTS credits and leads to two official degrees.
- Master's degree. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. In Switzerland, the WTI offers two one-year programmes of 90 ECTS credits. TRAIL+ combines an LL.M. in International Trade and Investment Law with a Diploma of Advanced Studies; applicants need a law degree that entitles them to sit the bar exam or equivalent in their country of origin. MILE, established in 1999, is a Master of Advanced Studies in International Law, Economics and Politics, open to applicants with an undergraduate degree, preferably in law, economics, political science or international relations. The WTI describes TRAIL+ as part of the continuing legal education of the Faculty of Law of the University of Bern, and lists tuition of CHF 21,000 for each programme (checked in October 2026).
- Short and specialised courses. Business schools and law institutes also teach shorter programmes in business law or the law of one country. Ask each school what recognition its qualification has.
A degree in economic law does not by itself give access to the legal profession. In Spain, the title of abogado requires a law degree followed by specialised training and an official assessment, under Ley 34/2006. In the United States, lawyers typically need a law degree and a state licence, which usually requires passing a bar examination, and most states require a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Where to study economic law
SpainExchange lists 7 active schools for economic law: 4 in Spain and 1 each in the United States, Ukraine and Switzerland. In Spain they include the Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, the Universidad de Deusto on its Bilbao campus, and ESADE and UIBS / Barcelona Business School in Barcelona. Outside Spain the list includes the University of Bern, the Lviv Ivan Franko National University School of Law, whose departments include administrative and financial law and intellectual property, information and corporate law, and The Institute for US Law in Washington.
The language of instruction depends on the country and the level. The law degree at the Universidad de Navarra is taught in Spanish, with some subjects of the business diploma in English. The TRAIL+ programme in Bern is taught exclusively in English, and MILE applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English.
When comparing programmes, check whether the qualification is an official degree, whether it gives access to the legal profession in the country where the student wants to work, the balance between law and economics subjects, and the language of instruction.
Careers
Graduates work where law and the economy meet: law firms and company legal departments, banks, regulators, public administration and international organisations. The Universidad de Navarra lists public-sector careers such as state economist, the diplomatic service and the state civil administration for its double degree, together with work as an analyst or as an expert in competition, financial and market regulation. The WTI states that its programmes prepare students for roles in government, international organisations, private practice and industry, and academia.
Official statistics are published per occupation, not per specialisation. In the United States there were 863,700 jobs for lawyers in 2025, and employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, according to the BLS.
Frequently asked questions
Is economic law a degree on its own or part of a law degree?
Both exist. Many universities teach it inside a law degree, as a diploma, a specialisation or a double degree with economics or business, and others offer it as a master's programme, for example in international trade and investment law.
Do I need a law degree to study international economic law at master's level?
It depends on the programme. At the World Trade Institute in Bern, TRAIL+ requires a law degree that gives access to the bar exam, while MILE accepts graduates in law, economics, political science, international relations or a related field.
Can I work as a lawyer with a degree in economic law?
Only if the national requirements are met. In Spain a law degree must be followed by specialised training and an official assessment; in the United States lawyers typically need a law degree and a state licence.