The 20 Best Universities in Central and Eastern Europe (Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Moldova) to Study Law in 2026

Charles University leads the ranking compiled by Impact Lawyers, followed by Masaryk University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

How the ranking was compiled

Charles University tops the first edition of the Impact Lawyers ranking of the best universities in Central and Eastern Europe to study Law. Masaryk University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv occupy second and third place, respectively, while Eötvös Loránd University, Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University and Comenius University complete the top six.

The ranking jointly analyses universities in Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine and Moldova. These countries share a continental European legal tradition and a history shaped by the constitutional and economic transformations that followed 1989 and 1991, but they maintain different educational systems, languages and professional qualification pathways.

In preparing the classification, Impact Lawyers combined the available data from the QS World University Rankings by Subject in Law and Legal Studies, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject in Law and the SCImago Institutions Rankings.

The 2026 SCImago ranking for Eastern Europe places Charles University and Masaryk University among the region’s leading legal institutions. Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University and Comenius University also achieve significant positions.

This comparison was supplemented by a review of the universities’ programmes, curricula, research centres, legal clinics, international provision, professional preparation and institutional connections.

A methodology shaped by data availability

The three rankings do not publish positions for every institution. When a university appears within a band, the midpoint is used. When it does not appear, a proportionate penalty is applied instead of automatically equating an absence of data with an absence of quality.

In principle, each classification accounts for one-third of the quantitative assessment. The result is supplemented by five qualitative dimensions:

• National and international academic reputation.
• Legal research and doctrinal influence.
• Quality and breadth of the national legal qualification.
• Professional preparation, clinics and employability.
• Internationalisation, languages and connections with European Law.

The methodology excludes universities that publish research related to regulation or public policy but do not provide a complete legal qualification.

A necessary note on Ukraine

The war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 inevitably affects the interpretation of Ukrainian data.

Some universities have experienced displacement, damage to infrastructure, interruptions, transitions towards hybrid or distance learning and reduced international mobility. These circumstances may adversely affect their indicators without reflecting an equivalent decline in their historical academic quality.

The review considered continuity of teaching, available research output and published institutional information. Students must nevertheless verify the current operating circumstances of each programme before enrolling.

Including Ukrainian universities does not mean overlooking these difficulties. It recognises their tradition, resilience and importance in educating professionals involved in institutional reconstruction, European integration and the protection of human rights.

Charles University, the most balanced institution

Charles University occupies first place. Founded in Prague in 1348, it is one of Europe’s oldest universities and Czechia’s principal legal institution.

Its Faculty of Law has a central influence on the Czech judiciary, public administration, academia and legal profession. It is particularly prominent in constitutional, European, international, civil and criminal law and jurisprudence.

Prague contains the country’s principal courts, government ministries, law firms and offices of international companies. This location strengthens internship and employment opportunities.

Charles University also leads the regional legal research indicators among the countries included. Its combination of tradition, reputation, research and access to the professional market explains its first position.

Masaryk, innovation and legal technology

Masaryk University occupies second place. Its Faculty of Law in Brno has established itself as one of Central Europe’s most dynamic legal institutions.

The university is particularly strong in information technology law, intellectual property, data protection, European, constitutional and environmental law.

Brno is home to major Czech judicial bodies, including the Constitutional Court, and has a growing technology and business ecosystem.

Masaryk combines modern teaching methods, international research and institutional connections. Its second position reflects an academic standard close to that of Charles University.

Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s leading institution

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv occupies third place and ranks as the leading Ukrainian university.

Its legal education has historically influenced public administration, the judiciary, diplomacy and academia. The university is particularly prominent in constitutional, international, civil, criminal and European law.

SCImago places it among Eastern Europe’s leading institutions for legal research in 2026.

Its location in Kyiv facilitates connections with national institutions, courts, international organisations and reform projects. The war affects the university experience but has also increased the importance of humanitarian law, human rights, reconstruction and accession to the European Union.

ELTE and the Hungarian legal tradition

Eötvös Loránd University occupies fourth place and leads the classification among Hungarian universities.

Its Faculty of Law is one of Hungary’s oldest and most influential legal institutions. It has educated numerous judges, lawyers, public officials and academics.

The university is particularly strong in civil, constitutional, criminal, European, international and Roman law. Its location in Budapest provides access to the country’s principal courts, government bodies, companies and law firms.

ELTE combines national Hungarian-language education with international programmes and mobility opportunities.

Yaroslav Mudryi, a specialist law university

Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University occupies fifth place. Based in Kharkiv, it is one of Eastern Europe’s leading specialist legal universities.

Unlike large multidisciplinary institutions, it concentrates its resources on legal education and research. Its influence is especially notable within the Ukrainian judiciary, prosecution service, public administration and legal profession.

It is particularly prominent in constitutional, criminal, civil, administrative and international law. Its location in a city severely affected by the war makes it essential to verify current teaching and mobility conditions.

Its position recognises both its specialisation and substantial legal output without concealing the operational difficulties caused by the conflict.

Comenius, Slovakia’s leading law school

Comenius University Bratislava occupies sixth place and ranks as Slovakia’s leading institution.

Its Faculty of Law has a long tradition and maintains close relationships with the courts, ministries, authorities and law firms of Bratislava.

The university is particularly prominent in constitutional, European, civil, criminal, commercial and international law.

Its location in the capital and proximity to Vienna provide a favourable environment for European Law, cross-border transactions and Central European cooperation.

Szeged and its academic strength

The University of Szeged occupies seventh place. Its Faculty of Law and Political Sciences is one of Hungary’s principal legal institutions.

The university conducts strong work in international, European, constitutional, employment and political law.

Szeged provides a particularly intensive university environment and generally lower living costs than Budapest. Its proximity to Serbia and Romania supports the study of cross-border cooperation and minority rights.

Kyiv-Mohyla and its reform-oriented model

The National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy occupies eighth place. Its Law School is characterised by a selective, international and reform-oriented approach.

The institution pays particular attention to the rule of law, human rights, anti-corruption, international law and European integration.

It is smaller than Taras Shevchenko, but this may support a more cohesive academic community and participatory teaching methods.

Its inclusion reflects a level of institutional and social influence that rankings based on publication volume do not always capture.

Palacký and the university environment of Olomouc

Palacký University Olomouc occupies ninth place. Its Faculty of Law offers complete legal education and has a significant presence in European research and clinical training.

The university is particularly prominent in European, international and constitutional law and human rights.

Olomouc provides a more manageable university environment than Prague or Brno. Its emphasis on legal clinics and practical skills strengthens its educational model.

Karazin and Kharkiv’s academic tradition

V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University occupies tenth place. It is one of Ukraine’s most important historic universities.

Its legal activity forms part of a multidisciplinary institution with a strong research tradition. It is particularly prominent in international, constitutional, economic and public law.

The war has deeply affected Kharkiv. Its position recognises the university’s history and scholarly output, but students must verify the current format and safety of the available education.

Debrecen and Pécs

The University of Debrecen occupies 11th place. Its Faculty of Law combines national education, research and a growing international offering.

It is particularly strong in European, commercial, administrative and agricultural law. Debrecen is one of eastern Hungary’s principal university centres.

The University of Pécs occupies 13th place. It has one of the country’s oldest university traditions and a recognised Faculty of Law.

Pécs is especially attractive because of its international environment, foreign-language programmes and education in European and comparative law.

Ivan Franko and Lviv’s European connections

Ivan Franko National University of Lviv occupies 12th place. Its Faculty of Law has a long Central European tradition and plays an important role in western Ukraine.

The university is particularly strong in constitutional, civil, international and European law. Its proximity to Poland strengthens academic cooperation and its orientation towards European integration.

Lviv has operated as an important academic and logistics centre during the war, although it remains exposed to risks and disruption.

Pavol Jozef Šafárik and Sumy

Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice occupies 14th place. Its Faculty of Law is one of Slovakia’s principal alternatives to Bratislava.

The university provides education in Slovak, European, international, public and private law and has a strong regional presence.

Sumy State University occupies 15th place. SCImago places it among the Ukrainian institutions with significant Law-related research output.

Its interdisciplinary profile connects regulation, economics, public policy and technology. Its proximity to the Russian border and the impact of the war require its position to be interpreted with particular caution.

Miskolc and Chernivtsi

The University of Miskolc occupies 16th place. Its Faculty of Law is located in a historically industrial region and focuses on employment, commercial, European and administrative law.

Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University occupies 17th place. Its history reflects the different legal traditions of Central and Eastern Europe.

The university is particularly prominent in public, international, European and minority law. Its proximity to Romania and Moldova reinforces its cross-border character.

Matej Bel and Trnava

Matej Bel University occupies 18th place. Its Faculty of Law in Banská Bystrica provides education in Slovak, European and international law within a manageable academic community.

Trnava University occupies 19th place. Its Faculty of Law has a strong academic identity and focuses on legal history, canon, civil, constitutional and European law.

Both institutions provide strong regional alternatives to Comenius, although they have less international visibility and access to a smaller professional market.

Moldova State University completes the ranking

Moldova State University occupies 20th place and ranks as Moldova’s leading institution.

Its Faculty of Law is the country’s principal academic and professional legal reference. It educates lawyers, judges, public officials and specialists involved in institutional reform and Moldova’s movement towards the European Union.

The university is particularly prominent in constitutional, civil, criminal, international and European law. Education is conducted primarily in Romanian, although Russian and other languages remain present in certain contexts.

Its final position reflects the lower international visibility of the Moldovan system rather than an absence of national importance.

How Law is studied across the region

Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia use long legal programmes or integrated structures leading to a master’s-level qualification required for the traditional legal professions.

Ukraine and Moldova generally use bachelor’s and master’s structures, although requirements vary according to the profession.

Obtaining a university qualification does not automatically grant access to legal practice. The countries require internships, professional examinations, supervised experience or specific admission processes.

Separate pathways also exist for the judiciary, prosecution service and notarial profession.

Language determines professional access

Most national qualifying degrees are taught in Czech, Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian or Romanian.

English-language programmes and master’s degrees are available, particularly in European, international and business law and human rights. These programmes do not usually replace the national qualification required for practice.

Students must be able to interpret legislation, judgments, legal scholarship and procedural documents in the relevant language.

European integration and legal transformation

Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia are members of the European Union. Ukraine and Moldova are candidate countries engaged in aligning their legal systems with the EU acquis.

This situation increases the importance of European Union law, competition, public procurement, data protection, anti-corruption and judicial reform.

The universities of Kyiv, Lviv, Chernivtsi and Chișinău may play an especially significant role in these transformations.

There is no perfect university for every student

Charles University offers the strongest balance of reputation, research and professional market. Masaryk stands out in innovation and technology. ELTE provides access to Hungary’s principal legal market, while Comenius fulfils that role in Slovakia.

Taras Shevchenko, Kyiv-Mohyla and Yaroslav Mudryi are fundamental to understanding Ukrainian Law and institutional transformation, although the war creates risks that must be assessed individually.

The decision should take into account the country in which the student intends to practise, language, specialisation, cost, safety, teaching format and professional recognition of the qualification.

A legally diverse region in transformation

The principal conclusion is that Central and Eastern Europe does not constitute a uniform university bloc.

Charles University leads because of its academic and institutional balance. Masaryk represents an innovative model, while Taras Shevchenko retains extraordinary influence despite Ukraine’s circumstances.

ELTE, Comenius, Szeged and Palacký confirm the strength of the legal education systems within the European Union. Ukrainian universities stand out for their resilience and increasing orientation towards European Law.

Combining academic rankings with a review of university programmes provides a more critical and useful overview than a purely automatic classification.