Law and Technology

The Law and Technology programme at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is a full-time postgraduate programme leading to a Master of Arts in Law (MA). The programme is designed for students who want to develop advanced legal knowledge while understanding the growing relationship between law and technology. It is taught entirely in English and has a nominal duration of 2 years, comprising 120 ECTS.

The programme focuses on the legal challenges created by technological development and provides students with knowledge and skills in areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data protection, intellectual property, digital markets, and digital technologies. Students explore how legal frameworks can be applied to emerging technologies and develop the ability to address legal questions arising in an increasingly digital society.

Law and Technology Specialisation

The programme enables students to specialise in Law and Technology. This specialisation covers key areas of law connected with artificial intelligence, data protection, cybersecurity, and intellectual property. Students develop an understanding of the legal frameworks surrounding new technologies and learn how to apply legal knowledge to technological and digital challenges.

The programme also examines the connections between law and technology through subjects related to the EU digital market, regulation of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital intellectual property, and information technology. Graduates can develop the knowledge required to work with legal challenges associated with technological change.

Programme Structure

The 120-ECTS programme consists of several components covering legal theory, technology-related law, practical experience, elective studies, and independent research.

General Courses – 18 ECTS
These compulsory courses include subjects such as Human Rights, Ethics and Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Law, and Entrepreneurship and Business Planning.

Legal Theory, EU and International Law – 24 ECTS
This component develops knowledge of legal research and European and international legal frameworks. Courses include Legal Research Methodology, selected topics from European Union Personal Data Protection Law, Case Studies of EU Internal Market and Competition Law, and EU and Digital Technologies.

Special Studies Compulsory Courses – 18 ECTS
Students study technology-focused legal subjects including Cyber Security and Law, Legal Protection of Information Technology Products, Software and Database, and Digital Intellectual Property and Law.

Internship – 6 ECTS
Students complete an internship or an alternative practical activity. The internship can be a legal internship, participation in a moot court competition, or completion of the Team-work Project course.

Special Studies Optional Courses – 18 ECTS
Students can select from a range of optional subjects, including Legal Framework of e-Governance, Estonian Language and Culture, Intellectual Property and Competition Law, Medical Law, Rights, Obligations and Liability of Actors on the Internet, Legal Aspects of Cyber Investigations, Legal Aspects of Fintech, Case Studies of International Tax Law in the Area of Digital Economy, Legal Aspects of Digital Business, and Entrepreneurship Project.

Free Choice Courses – 6 ECTS
Students can choose courses from the wider selection offered by the university.

Graduation Thesis – 30 ECTS
The programme concludes with an individual legal research project. Students prepare a graduation thesis on a topic selected by themselves.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification with at least 36 ECTS in law courses. The required law studies must include at least 36 ECTS from areas such as EU Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Civil Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law, and Property Law. Course titles may vary depending on the applicant’s previous study programme, and the content of the courses is evaluated by the faculty.

Applicants are also required to have at least 60% of the highest possible CGPA. If the Bachelor’s average grade is below 60%, the requirement may be considered fulfilled following a programme manager’s proposal if the applicant achieved at least 60% of the maximum possible grade in previous Master’s studies. This principle can only be applied if the Bachelor’s CGPA is not below 50%.

A GRE General Test result must be submitted because it is a preliminary requirement for applying. The source indicates that information about the required threshold score and possible exemptions is available through the programme information page.

English Language Requirement

Applicants must provide adequate proof of English language proficiency. The accepted certificates and required results are specified by Tallinn University of Technology.

English-language proof may only be waived if the applicant completed on-site secondary education, a Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree that was taught fully in English in one of the specified countries: EU/EEA member states, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom.

Applicants who completed studies in English but did not study on-site in one of these countries are required to provide an internationally recognised English language test indicated by the university.

Application Documents and Additional Requirements

Educational qualification documents are accepted in English or Estonian. Applicants must upload official translations together with the original education documents through the online application system.

A motivation letter is also required. Applicants must provide an individual motivation letter for each programme they apply to. The motivation letter must address their interest in law, professional goals, how the degree programme supports their professional profile, their preferred specialisation and reasons for choosing it, as well as their previous education, academic background, knowledge, and skills relevant to the Law programme.

Each question in the motivation letter must contain a maximum of 300 words. Sources used in the motivation letter must be properly cited and referenced. The source specifically states that AI-generated text is not acceptable for the motivation letter because it is intended to demonstrate the applicant’s genuine motivation, and failure to follow these principles can result in disqualification.

An online interview is also part of the application requirements.

Tuition and Application Fee

The tuition fee for the programme is €4,600 per year. In addition, applicants must pay a €100 one-time, non-refundable application fee. The application fee allows an applicant to apply for two programmes.

Scholarship options are available through Tallinn University of Technology.

Career Opportunities

The programme prepares graduates for legal careers involving technology and digital transformation. The source highlights the growing demand for lawyers specialising in technology law as information technology, intellectual property, and digital markets continue to develop.

Graduates can use their knowledge to contribute to discussions and work related to legal frameworks surrounding new technologies. Potential professional environments mentioned in the source include EU and international organisations and institutions, international companies, and law offices. The programme also highlights the opportunity to work as a law-and-technology lawyer in companies or public offices and address legal challenges arising from technological development.

Study Environment

Students study in a multicultural environment under the guidance of highly qualified academics with PhDs and experienced professionals from around the world. Tallinn University of Technology emphasises the connection between its programmes, research, technology, business, and industry.

The university is located in Estonia and highlights its focus on digital practices, entrepreneurship, and technology-related education. The Law and Technology programme reflects this environment by combining legal education with subjects related to emerging technologies and digital society.

Programme Start

The source states that the application period has ended and that studies commence on 31 August.