Program Overview
The BA in European Law & Governance Studies is offered at the ELGU Athens and ELGU Rome campuses. Applicants may select their preferred campus during the application process. All ELGU academic programs are delivered on premise, unless exceptional circumstances require online attendance. Remote participation is permitted only under specific conditions.
This uniquely designed three year undergraduate degree — also known as the ELGU degree — lies at the core of ELGU’s mission to provide students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the European Union’s legal and governance systems. The program offers a comprehensive exploration of contemporary law and governance, with a strong focus on the EU’s institutional, legal, political, and policy frameworks.
This pioneering program fills a major gap in EU education by offering an integrated approach that enables students to understand the EU’s complex reality and the interconnections between its legal and governance dimensions.
Curriculum & Interdisciplinary Pathways
Every ELGU Bachelor student begins the same way. Year 1 is entirely common, five shared courses each semester, covering the foundations of law, governance and European integration together. At the end of Year 1, students choose their path: the Law path, leading toward the LLB in Law, the Governance path, leading toward the BA in European Governance, or the combined route toward the BA in European Law and Governance Studies, which carries a Major in one direction and a Minor in the other. Year 2 keeps a shared core running alongside this first choice. From Year 3, the Law direction becomes a full two‑semester track of its own, and completing it, on top of the common first two years, leads to the LLB in Law, 180 ECTS in three years.
Through this structured combination of compulsory and elective modules, students unravel the complex process of European legal integration. The elective pool lets students deepen their expertise further, in areas such as EU commercial and competition law, data protection and technology law, or international dispute resolution and taxation.
Academic Network & Opportunities
The program is supported by:
• The ELGU International Faculty Network (100+ scholars and practitioners)
• ELGU Partner Universities across Europe and beyond
• The European Public Law Organization (EPLO)
Students gain access to EPLO events on key themes in EU law and governance and have opportunities to interact with EU leaders, policymakers, and decision makers.
Graduates leave with:
• A strong interdisciplinary foundation in European law and governance
• Practical understanding of how theoretical knowledge applies in real institutions
• A solid professional network to support their career trajectory
Who the Program Is For
This degree is ideal for students who:
• Seek positions in European and international institutions and bodies
• Aim to become national public administrators working at EU or international level
• Wish to pursue careers in public policy, public affairs, civil society organizations, and related sectors
• Are interested in further studies in governance, public policy, politics, or international relations
• Aspire to become legal advisors working in cross border or EU related contexts
Program Benefits
The BA in European Law & Governance Studies provides students with the analytical tools, knowledge, and practical skills needed to understand and navigate the world of public policy, governance, and legal decision making.
Key benefits include:
• Interdisciplinary curriculum combining law, governance, and policy
• International outlook, drawing on developments in the UK, EU, USA, and beyond
• Research informed teaching, reflecting world leading expertise in political science, international relations, law, and policy analysis
• High flexibility and mobility, allowing students to personalize their studies
• Opportunities to specialize further through:
o ELGU’s Master 1–2 pathway, or
o Study abroad at partner universities
