International & Comparative Law

UC Hastings is a distinctly international law school with global academics, study abroad and a campus culture enriched by international students and visiting scholars.

UC Hastings is home to a thriving international law community. From our home in diverse San Francisco, we have built strong ties with universities across East Asia and in global capitals worldwide. Through our outbound exchange program, UC Hastings students can experience a semester or year-long immersion in international law and culture. At the same time, we welcome hundreds of international students and practitioners to UC Hastings to earn an LL.M. in U.S. law, conduct research as a visiting scholar, and enrich the campus conversation about international issues like human rights, international trade, and the complex legal implications of globalization.

International Opportunities for UC Hastings Students

As hard as it is to leave San Francisco, we encourage all UC Hastings students to take advantage of study abroad and summer research opportunities around the globe:

International Law Concentration for Hastings J.D. students 

• As a J.D. student, you can choose to concentrate in International and Comparative Law, which gives you the option of pursuing a broad comparative study of the law in different countries and cultures, or digging deep into a specific international issue like human rights or international trade and business. Whatever path you take, you will choose from dozens of eye-opening electives in subjects like Chinese law, Islamic law, military law, refugee law and international environmental law. Enrich your international law education by spending a semester or full year abroad.

Study Abroad and Outbound Domestic Exchange Programs

• UC Hastings enjoys formal exchange relationships with law schools in Argentina, Australia, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. 2L or 3L students can earn up to 12 credits toward graduation while immersing themselves in a new legal culture. In most cases, tuition is paid directly to UC Hastings.

Independent Study Abroad

• Under special circumstances, a second or third year J.D. student may submit a proposal for an independent study abroad program.  Independent study programs require more scrutiny than our formal exchange programs, but once approved, you can transfer up to 12 credits. Application deadlines are June 1 for fall study abroad and November 1 for spring study abroad.

International Internship Stipend

• receive stipend toward travel and living expenses while working a summer internship in a foreign country.

Opportunities for Foreign Students & Scholars

UC Hastings is a prime destination for visiting foreign students and scholars. We have particularly strong ties with universities across East Asia. We invite interested law students and practicing attorneys to join our diverse international community:

LL.M. in United States Legal Studies

This one-year program is designed for foreign attorneys who want to practice in the United States or simply expand their understanding of U.S. law. Candidates can pursue a general LL.M. degree or specialize in one of the following areas:

• International Law and Human Rights
• Science, Technology and Intellectual Property
• International Business and Trade
• Dispute Resolution and Legal Process
• Taxation
• Family Law

Incoming Exchange Students

Law students from the following universities are invited to study at UC Hastings for a semester or full academic year:

• Austral University
• Bocconi University
• Bucerius Law School
• Copenhagen University
• Deusto University
• Freie University
• IE (Instituto de Empresa)
• International University College of Turin
• Leiden University
• Peking University
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• Tel Aviv University
• University of New South Wales
• University of Paris II
• Vermont Law School
• Waseda Law School