Composition of the Study Programme
Duration of Studies
10 Semesters
The law degree programme leading to the "First State Examination" can essentially be divided into four sections.
1. Intermediate Examination:
For the intermediate examination, you must write eight written examinations in key areas of law during the first three or four semesters, six of which you must have passed by the end of the 6th semester.
The intermediate examination comprises a total of eight written examinations:
- from private law, the areas of introduction to private law, law of obligations with a focus on statutory obligations and law of obligations with a focus on contractual obligations,
- from public law, fundamental rights, state organisation law and the general part of administrative law as well as
- Criminal Law Special Part I and II.
2. Practical courses for advanced students:
The focus of the following study phase - apart from classes covering several subareas - lies on comprehensive tutorials for advanced students covering private law, public law, and criminal law. law.
3.Specialisation area:
During the following study phase students have to select a thematic major (focus area). The field of study chosen can vary from university to university. The major covers about 10% of the whole course of study. At JLU Giessen the following majors can be chosen:
- fundamentals of law;
- industrial law and social legislation;
- commercial law;
- International and foreign civil- and procedural law
- Constitution and society (advanced public law)
- European law and international law;
- Criminology
At the same time classes covering further areas of law have to be attended. The programme is complemented by basic and introductory courses, classes on methodology and key qualifications as well as classes taught in a foreign language. Additionally, three placements with a duration of one month each have to be successfully completed at a court and two other institutions.
Legal Engish:
JLU offers a three-semester course in "Legal English" for students of this course of study.
4. Preparation for the First law examination:
The concluding preparation phase for the final exams (UniRep) is intended as an intensive repetition phase in preparation of the first law examination.
First law examination:
If all necessary proofs of academic achievement have been gained in the course of study, students can register for the first law examination. It consists of the state examination in the compulsory subjects, comprising 70% of the overall grade, and the university examination in the major subject area, which comprises 30% of the overall grade.
The state examination in the compulsory subjects comprises:
- two exams in the area of private law
- two exams in the areas of public law
- one exam in the area of criminal law
- one exam in the area of industrial, commercial or company law
- one oral exam consisting of the three parts private law, public law, and criminal law
The examination in the major subject area comprises:
- a thesis and
- an oral exam
Composition of degree programme, examinations
The exact composition of the degree programme can be seen in the information sheet.