The Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein (UFL, Private Universität im Fürstentum Liechtenstein) is an independent university in Triesen that offers part-time doctoral programmes in law (Dr. iur.) and medical sciences (Dr. scient. med.).[1][2] It opened on 3 October 2000.[1] It offers no bachelor’s or master’s programmes on the pages we read, and we could not confirm a position in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
The law doctorate costs CHF 29,750 in total (CHF 1,250 enrolment fee and CHF 28,500 for six semesters), invoiced each semester; the page names no study year.[3] The medical doctorate page gives the same total but describes the CHF 28,500 once as covering eight semesters, an inconsistency we explain below.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | Private Universität im Fürstentum Liechtenstein (UFL)[1] |
| Location | Dorfstrasse 24, 9495 Triesen, Liechtenstein[2] |
| Type | Independent (private) university offering part-time doctoral programmes[1] |
| Opened | 3 October 2000 as “Universität für Humanwissenschaften im Fürstentum Liechtenstein”; renamed to the current name (approved 2 April 2008)[1] |
| State recognition | Granted by the government on 4 April 2003 after a peer review (the university says this was recognition, not formal accreditation)[1] |
| Faculties | Medical Sciences; Law[1] |
| Research institutes | Laboratory Medicine (ILM); Translational Medicine (ITM); Liechtenstein Law and Legal Theory (ILRR); European and International Law (IEIL)[1] |
| Degrees | Dr. iur. (Doctor of Law); Dr. scient. med. (Doctor of Medical Sciences)[1] |
| Students | Roughly 250 (Wikipedia; the university does not state a number on the pages we read)[5] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not confirmed |
| Law doctorate fees (no year given) | CHF 29,750 in total: CHF 1,250 registration fee + CHF 28,500 for six semesters[3] |
| Medical doctorate fees (no year given) | CHF 29,750 for the minimum period of six semesters; page also says “CHF 28,500 for eight semesters”[4] |
| Official website | ufl.li |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About the Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein
UFL received its authorisation to operate on 29 August 2000 and opened on 3 October 2000 as the “University of Human Sciences in the Principality of Liechtenstein”. In summer 2004 its earlier psychology and philosophy subjects were replaced by medicine, natural sciences and law. The government granted state recognition on 4 April 2003 after a peer review; the university describes this as recognition of its achievements, not as formal accreditation. The first Doctor of Medical Sciences and Doctor of Law programmes started in 2005 and 2007, and the change to the current name was approved on 2 April 2008.[1]
The university is in Triesen and works part-time: its doctorates are designed so that students can study while working.[2] It has a Faculty of Medical Sciences and a Faculty of Law, four research institutes and the UFL International Center for Intellectual Property and Innovation Law.[1] The site names no student number; Wikipedia gives roughly 250 students and partnerships with more than 20 institutions.[5]
How is UFL ranked?
We could not confirm a position for UFL in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026). QS blocks automated access to its own site, and no source we could read names a position, so we do not give one. Our Liechtenstein table shows “Not confirmed”.
The university states that its doctorate in law “has already been accredited several times” by the agency ACQUIN.[7] That is a quality-assurance statement, not a ranking. Rankings differ by publisher and year. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at UFL?
UFL offers two doctoral programmes and further-education courses; the pages we read list no bachelor’s or master’s programmes.[2]
- Doctorate in Law (Dr. iur.): part-time, with a monograph as doctoral thesis; at least three years (six semesters), starting in early October.[3][7]
- Doctorate in Medical Sciences (Dr. scient. med.): a structured programme with a standard period of four years and a minimum of three; the dissertation can be submitted at the earliest in the sixth semester; start at the end of September or beginning of October.[4]
- UFL Academy: further education in areas such as data protection, law and medical sciences.[2]
On the law doctorate page, 65 doctoral theses had been produced at the Faculty of Law; of the current students 37% are women, 70% are aged 30 to 50 and 87% come from German-speaking countries.[7]
How much does UFL cost?
| Programme | Total as stated | Breakdown on the page |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. iur. (law) | CHF 29,750 | CHF 1,250 registration fee + CHF 28,500 for six semesters |
| Dr. scient. med. (medical sciences) | CHF 29,750 for the minimum period of six semesters | CHF 1,250 enrolment fee + CHF 28,500, described as “for eight semesters” |
Both pages say that invoices are issued semester by semester and neither names a study year or intake for the fees.[3][4] The medical page is inconsistent: it gives the CHF 29,750 total for a minimum of six semesters but describes the CHF 28,500 part as covering eight semesters. We do not know which figure is correct, so ask the university which semester count the fee covers.[4] The pages state fees for the doctorates only and no separate fees for non-EU applicants.
Tuition is only part of the cost. For living costs in Liechtenstein, see our Liechtenstein guide.
How do you apply to UFL?
Both doctorates use a written application with the application form, a letter of motivation, a CV with passport photo, proof of academic qualifications and a copy of a passport or ID card.[3][4]
- Law (Dr. iur.): admission requires at least four years of university law studies (for example a law diploma or master’s) or, in the other listed routes, four years of law studies at a university of applied sciences with proof of aptitude and an interview, or in special cases a non-law degree of at least four years or 300 ECTS plus at least two years of legal training and an interview. A selection committee appointed by the dean assesses suitability and may invite applicants to an interview; the head of the faculty decides. Foreign degrees are checked for equivalence under the Lisbon Convention. There is no entitlement to admission.[3]
- Medical sciences (Dr. scient. med.): open to graduates with a diploma or master’s in human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, natural sciences, nursing science or a health-sciences-focused programme; special cases may be admitted with an equivalent qualification plus relevant experience. Applicants must pass an interview, and foreign degrees are checked for equivalence. Credit transfer needs a separate application.[4]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year. The law doctorate page names October 2027 as its next study start; check both pages for the current registration window.[7]
Which language level do you need?
The pages we read do not state the language of instruction or of the dissertation, and they name no language certificate or level. The only language reference is that the selection interview for the medical doctorate can be held in German or English.[4] The website is available in German and English.[2] On the law doctorate page, 87% of current students come from German-speaking countries.[7] Ask the university which language your dissertation may be written in before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a doctorate at UFL cost?
Is UFL the same as the University of Liechtenstein?
No. UFL is the Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein in Triesen, with doctorates in law and medical sciences.[2] The University of Liechtenstein is a separate institution in Vaduz.[6]
Does UFL offer bachelor’s or master’s degrees?
Not on the pages we read: they list part-time doctoral programmes in law and medical sciences and further-education courses.[2]
What do you need to be admitted to the law doctorate?
Usually at least four years of university law studies, a written application and a selection procedure that may include an interview. There is no entitlement to admission.[3]
How is UFL ranked?
We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position. The university says its law doctorate has been accredited several times by ACQUIN.[7]
More about studying in Liechtenstein
- Liechtenstein: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Liechtenstein
Sources
[1] UFL: University (history, faculties, institutes) (page without a date)
[2] UFL: Home page (page without a date)
[3] UFL: Doctorate in Law, information (page without a date or study year)
[4] UFL: Doctorate in Medical Sciences, information (page without a date or study year; fee wording inconsistent)
[5] Wikipedia: Private University in the Principality of Liechtenstein (secondary source; student number and partnerships)
[6] Wikipedia: List of universities in Liechtenstein (redirect page) (secondary source; page last edited 6 Nov 2026)
[7] UFL: Doctorate in Law (page without a date; names October 2027 as next study start)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.