University
The University of Geneva was founded by Jean Calvin in 1559. It has always attracted both students from Switzerland and from many other countries in the world. It is the ideal place for discovering new horizons, new people, and participating in an internationally-minded community. At least 40% of our students come from foreign countries. In addition, if combined with the Graduate Institute Geneva, we house no less than 25 professors specialized in international law (private, public or criminal).
The former students and alumni of the University and the Graduate Institute include high-profile personalities such as M. Manuel Barroso (current president of the European Commission), M. Kofi Annan (seventh Secretary General of the United Nations), Ms Carla del Ponte (chief prosecutor of two United Nations international criminal law tribunals), and M. Hans Gert Pöttering (president of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2009).
The Law Faculty of the University of Geneva is located on the left bank of the river Rhone, just a 10 minute walk from the historic city centre. The majority of the courses are taught in the modern ‘Uni Mail’ building. As for optional courses at the Graduate Institute, they are given in the recently inaugurated building ‘Maison de la Paix’ on the right bank of the Rhone – close to the United Nations buildings, and easily accessible from Uni Mail by tram or bike. As such, students combine academic life with a vivid and urban experience in the heart of Geneva.
In the 2014 Times Higher Education Ranking, the University of Geneva was ranked second most international university worldwide. The Faculty of Law counts among its international partners the prestigious Harvard Law School and the law school of Renmin (People's) University of China. Regarding innovative research (in general), according to the 2016 Global Innovation Index, Switzerland is currently ranked the most innovative country in the world.
For information on current events (in English and French), go to the homepage of the Faculty of Law (in French).