The programme is structured as a two-year Master's degree and aims to develop interdisciplinary competencies that enable students to address the legal challenges associated with innovation and sustainability.

The first year is designed to provide a solid legal foundation. It examines the interaction between law and technological innovation, with particular attention to compliance and data protection issues. Students explore the impact of technology on the workplace and develop legal English skills for use in international contexts. The curriculum also addresses the legal and ethical implications of robotics and artificial intelligence, as well as environmental regulations and sustainability policies. Finally, students investigate the historical roots of European law and their subsequent development.

The second year focuses on advancing legal and economic knowledge applied to sustainability and innovation. Students learn how to communicate and report on corporate sustainability performance and gain an understanding of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) factors. The programme examines the regulatory frameworks governing businesses in relation to sustainability, innovation and competition, as well as private law aspects concerning organisations and third-sector entities.

Elective courses allow students to explore topics such as international cooperation, global tax regulations, sustainable business practices, corporate social responsibility, and environmental and social sustainability strategies. In addition, students can acquire knowledge of digital technologies in the humanities and the principles of Open Science, further enriching their education with a focus on sustainability and innovation.

Throughout the two-year programme, innovative teaching methods, including clinical exercises, cooperative learning, and problem-based learning (PBL), together with courses in Legal English, are specifically designed to strengthen students’ communication skills and their ability to manage and monitor complex processes.

Legal Expert in Innovation and Sustainability in the Private Sector

Functions in the Workplace

Graduates may pursue a variety of professional roles at the intersection of law, innovation, sustainability, and organizational governance, including:

Sustainability Manager: Responsible for developing and implementing corporate sustainability strategies. Key activities include assessing the environmental and social impacts of business operations, promoting responsible and sustainable business practices, and communicating sustainability initiatives and performance to stakeholders.

Compliance Officer: Ensures that the organization complies with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards. Responsibilities may include developing internal policies, conducting compliance audits, monitoring regulatory developments, and training employees on legal and ethical issues.

Public Policy Officer: Manages relationships with governmental bodies and regulatory authorities to monitor and influence the evolving regulatory framework related to sustainable innovation. The role aims to ensure alignment between corporate policies and legislative developments while representing the organization's interests in policy discussions.

Intellectual Property Manager: Oversees the management and protection of the company’s intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. This role is particularly relevant in organizations operating in highly innovative and technology-driven sectors.

Innovation Strategy Consultant: Identifies and supports the implementation of innovative and sustainable business opportunities. Activities may include evaluating emerging technologies, analyzing new business models, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop sustainable solutions.

Environmental and Social Risk Analyst: Assesses the potential environmental and social impacts of business activities and develops strategies to mitigate associated risks.

Specialist in Innovation, Welfare, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Sustainability Management: Provides support in the design and management of innovation processes, corporate welfare initiatives, corporate social responsibility programmes, sustainability strategies, third-sector activities, auditing, and compliance procedures.

Human Resources Specialist: Works either within small and medium-sized enterprises or as an external consultant, focusing on the management of human resources in relation to innovation processes and social sustainability issues.

Impact Assessment and Data Management Specialist: Conducts impact assessments and supports the management, analysis, and governance of organizational data.

Regulatory Officer within Independent Authorities: Works within regulatory bodies in areas such as communications and data protection, or acts as a consultant facilitating relationships between regulatory authorities, businesses, and public and private institutions.

Skills and Competencies

Specialized knowledge of national, European, and international legislation, combined with expertise in specific legal fields such as business law, third-sector law, and information and communication technologies (ICT), enables graduates to undertake positions of responsibility in organizations of various types, including roles such as:

Chief Digital Officer (CDO);
Digital Project Manager;
Chief Security Officer (CSO);
Data Protection Officer (DPO);
Human Resources Manager, with a focus on the effects of innovation and sustainability strategies on employment relations;
Legal Department Officer or Consultant;
Impact Assessment and Data Management Specialist.

The programme also provides knowledge in the management and organization of social and productive systems, legal frameworks, and regulatory principles, enabling graduates to work in:

Innovation design and management;
Project management;
Crisis and emergency management;
Workplace health, safety, and risk prevention.
Career Opportunities

Graduates in Legal Studies for Innovation and Sustainability can pursue a wide range of career opportunities, reflecting the growing integration of legal expertise, sustainability principles, and technological innovation.

Potential career paths include:

Executive and managerial positions within public and private organizations, or external consultancy roles focusing on contractual and regulatory matters;
Managerial or administrative roles in both public and private sectors related to sustainable employment relations and workforce management;
Managerial or regulatory positions in areas such as communications, privacy, data protection, and technological innovation;
Legal Consultancy in Innovative Industries, supporting companies on intellectual property protection, environmental regulation, sustainability compliance, and innovation-related legal issues;
Governmental and International Organizations, including public institutions and international bodies such as the United Nations and the European Union, working on sustainability policies, innovation regulation, and environmental governance;
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profit Organizations, contributing legal expertise to initiatives related to climate change, sustainable development, environmental protection, and social innovation;
Paralegal Roles in law firms specializing in environmental law, intellectual property law, digital law, or emerging technologies;
Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Start-ups, either by founding or joining enterprises focused on sustainable products and services, where legal and regulatory expertise is essential;
Research and Academia, pursuing careers in teaching and research in the fields of innovation law, sustainability law, and regulatory governance;
Public Policy Consulting, providing advice on sustainable innovation policies for public institutions, private organizations, and industry associations;
Corporate Sustainability Policy Development, supporting companies in designing and implementing sustainability policies and practices that comply with current legal and regulatory requirements.

The LM/SG-GIUR Master's Degree Programme is structured over two academic years.

During the first year, the programme aims to develop the profile of a "European and technology-oriented legal professional" by organizing the curriculum to provide students with broad-based training in the key thematic areas of the programme, as well as a solid theoretical foundation in emerging approaches to legal regulation.

The programme seeks to combine a multidisciplinary educational approach, focused on the management of innovation processes within organizations, with the principles and objectives embodied in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

More specifically, the educational objectives of the first year are to provide, through courses selected from legal history and comparative law disciplines, an advanced understanding of:

Legal systems and legal diversity, including the processes of legal change and development over time, incorporating their historical dimension (IUS/18 and IUS/19);
National and supranational regulation of innovation and sustainability, with particular emphasis on the energy transition (IUS/09 and IUS/13);
New labour market dynamics and internal business processes in light of the ecological transition and the increasingly global nature of business activities (IUS/07).

In addition, the core courses aim to:

Provide an advanced understanding of technological developments, particularly those related to data collection, data circulation, and machine learning, equipping students with practical tools for the use of technology and with the intellectual skills needed to develop appropriate strategies for its application across different sectors, including the judiciary, businesses, and public administrations, while safeguarding fundamental human rights;
Develop interdisciplinary competencies in digitalization, technological innovation, and cybersecurity, with particular reference to Big Data Analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain technologies, and digital currencies (IUS/01 and IUS/20);
Develop interdisciplinary competencies in data governance, particularly in relation to innovation and sustainable development (IUS/02).

A dedicated course in Legal English (L-LIN/12) complements students' technical knowledge through the acquisition of specialized legal terminology and professional language skills.

The second year is designed to provide specialized competencies in the management of economic, human, and social resources, always with a focus on the sustainability of innovation processes, particularly within businesses and Third Sector organizations (IUS/01).

The specific educational objectives assigned to the core courses include:

Providing knowledge of business law rules and regulatory frameworks aimed at promoting innovation and competition, with particular attention to intellectual property rights and their relationship with market competitiveness and the sustainability of business activities (IUS/04).

A core course in Business Administration (SECS-P/07) explores sustainability communication, with particular emphasis on the evolving forms of sustainability reporting used to communicate environmental, social, governance, and economic performance to stakeholders.

A two-module course provides specific knowledge concerning:

The fundamental tools for interpreting innovation processes from a sociological perspective, with particular reference to:

Innovation, personality traits, and creativity;
Innovation and its social, political, and cultural context;
Innovation and social networks (SPS/09);

The role of innovation in the evolution of economic systems, with particular attention to ecological and digital transitions (SECS-P/01).

The educational objectives may be further enriched through two elective courses selected by students, which provide interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary insights into areas such as:

Business processes and the management of human resources, diversity, environmental sustainability, and Third Sector organizations;
European Union legal instruments relating to competition and sustainability;
Principles and institutions of environmental law and the role of businesses in environmental protection at both national and European levels.

Throughout the programme, innovative teaching methodologies and Legal English courses are specifically designed to enhance students’ communication skills and their ability to manage and monitor complex processes effectively.

Teaching and Learning Delivery

The programme will be delivered through a blended-learning format, with a maximum overall proportion of 66% of teaching activities conducted online. This approach is intended to facilitate participation by working students and those living far from the university.

Experience gained in previous academic years has shown that Master's programmes are frequently chosen by individuals who are already employed and wish to deepen their expertise in specialized fields. The blended-learning model offers the flexibility and accessibility necessary to balance professional commitments with academic study. It also strengthens students' professional profiles by fostering digital competencies through the use of online learning platforms and technological tools, skills that are increasingly valued in professions related to innovation and sustainability.

In selecting activities to be delivered remotely, priority will be given to traditional lectures, particularly in legal subjects (such as IUS/01, IUS/02, IUS/04, IUS/07, and related disciplines). In-person teaching will be primarily reserved for innovative learning activities, including:

Workshops and laboratories;
Practical exercises;
Group projects;
Case-study discussions.

Each course, including those delivered partly online, will include a number of in-person sessions in order to encourage interaction between students and faculty members and to promote collaborative learning.

For on-campus activities, class schedules will be organized to accommodate working students, for example by offering classes in the late afternoon or, where feasible, on Saturday mornings.

Required Knowledge for Admission

Admission to the Master's Degree Programme in Legal Studies for Innovation and Sustainability requires applicants to hold a Bachelor's degree, a three-year university diploma, or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad and recognized as suitable under current regulations.

Applicants are also expected to possess:

Adequate knowledge of legal disciplines;
Sufficient knowledge of political-economic and business-economic disciplines;
Proficiency in English at a minimum level of B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Curriculum Requirements
a) Automatic Fulfilment of Curriculum Requirements

Curriculum requirements are automatically satisfied for graduates holding degrees belonging to the following classes under Ministerial Decree (DM) 270/2004:

L-14 Legal Services Studies;
LMG/01 Single-Cycle Degree in Law;
L-18 Business Administration and Management;
L-33 Economics;
L-36 Political Science and International Relations;

or the corresponding classes under DM 509/1999:

Class 02 Legal Services Studies;
Class 19 Public Administration Studies;
Class 17 Business Administration and Management Studies;
Class 28 Economics;
Class 15 Political Science and International Relations.

Admission is conditional upon obtaining the qualifying degree by the academic year of enrolment.

b) Admission Subject to Specific Academic Requirements

Graduates from the following degree classes under DM 270/2004:

L-1 Cultural Heritage;
L-5 Philosophy;
L-7 Civil and Environmental Engineering;
L-8 Information Engineering;
L-16 Administration and Organization Sciences;
L-31 Computer Science and Information Technologies;
L-37 Social Sciences for Cooperation, Development and Peace;
L-40 Sociology;

may be admitted provided that they have cumulatively obtained:

30 ECTS credits (CFU) in legal disciplines (IUS sectors), including:
at least 6 ECTS in IUS/01;
at least 6 ECTS in IUS/08 or IUS/09;

and

9 ECTS credits (CFU) in economics disciplines (SECS-P sectors), including:
at least 6 ECTS in SECS-P/01.
c) Applicants from Other Degree Classes

Applicants holding Bachelor's, Master's, Specialist, or Single-Cycle Degrees in classes other than those listed above (sections a and b) may be admitted following an assessment of their individual academic preparation.

This assessment includes:

Verification that the minimum credit requirements specified in section (b) have been satisfied;
Evaluation, based on official academic documentation, of the consistency and adequacy of the content of previously completed courses in relation to the foundational knowledge required for admission to the Master's programme.

The assessment is carried out by a specially appointed academic committee.

Where the committee considers the submitted documentation insufficient for evaluation purposes, applicants may be required to attend an interview.

Upon completion of the assessment, the committee will formally decide whether the candidate is admitted or not admitted to the programme.

Assessment of Individual Preparation

Verification of individual academic preparation requires proof of English language proficiency at a minimum level of B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

This requirement may be demonstrated through:

University-issued certifications;
Qualifications obtained outside the university system, supported by appropriate documentation.

For applicants falling under category (c) above, the assessment of individual preparation will include an evaluation of:

The consistency of prior studies;
The adequacy of the content of completed coursework in relation to the knowledge required by the Master's degree curriculum.

This assessment is conducted by a specially appointed academic committee, which may require the applicant to attend an interview if deemed necessary.

Following the assessment, the committee will decide on admission or non-admission to the programme. Any decision of non-admission must be adequately justified.

When an interview is required, appropriate bibliographic and teaching materials will be made available to the applicant for preparation purposes.

There is no limit on the number of students who may enrol in the programme.

Admission Procedures

To be admitted to the Master's Degree Programme in Legal Studies for Innovation and Sustainability, applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree, a three-year university diploma, or an equivalent foreign qualification recognized under current regulations. They must also possess adequate legal knowledge, sufficient background in political-economic and business-economic disciplines, and English language proficiency at a minimum B1 CEFR level.

Admission is granted according to the curriculum requirements and assessment procedures described above. Depending on the applicant's academic background, admission may be automatic, conditional upon the acquisition of specific credits, or subject to an evaluation of individual preparation and, where necessary, an interview conducted by the designated academic committee.

No enrolment cap is applied to the programme.

Entry Guidance and Orientation

The Degree Programme participates in the university’s entry guidance and orientation activities, which are organized both at the academic area level and at the university-wide level. These initiatives are presented on the dedicated section of the University website, which also provides access to orientation activities specific to each academic area.

Orientation activities are coordinated by a working group composed of:

The Rector’s Delegate for Orientation;
Departmental Orientation Delegates;
Staff members of the dedicated organizational unit responsible for orientation services (U.O.C. Orientation).

The planning and delivery of orientation activities, developed and managed by the U.O.C. Orientation, are certified according to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 quality management standard.

Information on regular activities, news, and updated initiatives is available on the dedicated Orientation webpage.

Ongoing Student Guidance and Support

Tutoring initiatives are organized at the university level in accordance with the Annual Tutoring Plan, which is defined each year by the University Tutoring Committee and approved by the Academic Senate.

The Tutoring Service contributes to ongoing student guidance throughout the degree programme with the objectives of:

Supporting students in their academic progression;
Improving the regularity and successful completion of study programmes;
Identifying and addressing challenges that may contribute to student withdrawal or academic difficulties.

The administrative management of the student tutoring service is certified in accordance with the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 quality standard and is provided through a dedicated organizational unit within the University's student welfare and support services.

For further information, students may consult the dedicated Tutoring service and related resources.

Characteristics of the Final Examination

The final examination consists of the preparation of a Master’s thesis, written in Italian and developed independently and originally by the student under the supervision of a faculty advisor, on a topic related to one of the subjects included in the degree programme curriculum or as the outcome of original experimental research, which may also be conducted through an internship.

With the approval of the supervisor, and based on the student’s academic background and course of study, the thesis may also be written in English, French, Spanish, or German.

The thesis may take one of two forms:

A short literature-based thesis, with an indicative length of approximately 40 pages;
A research thesis, with an indicative length of at least 100 pages.

The final examination is worth 9 ECTS credits (CFU) and is intended to complete the student’s educational pathway by enabling them to further develop and demonstrate:

Advanced knowledge and understanding;
The ability to apply acquired knowledge;
Communication and presentation skills;
Independent judgment and critical thinking.

These competencies are developed in relation to the legal, economic, and technical aspects of the chosen topic and their application in a professional context.

Part of the 9 ECTS credits may be earned abroad, in accordance with the Academic Regulations of the Degree Programme.

Final Examination Procedures

The final examination for the award of the Master’s Degree consists of the public defense of the thesis before an examination committee.

Admission to the final examination requires the successful completion of all credits prescribed by the degree programme regulations, with the exception of the 9 ECTS credits associated with the final examination itself.

Students will be admitted to the final examination only if they have formally completed the procedures relating to the evaluation of teaching activities and course quality assurance processes.

For any additional details, reference should be made to the relevant Academic Regulations.