FAQ

Do I need a Latinum to study law?

It is not necessary to have a Latinum to enrol in and study law. Nor is knowledge of Latin relevant if you go on to do a PhD (i.e. to obtain a doctoral degree after completing your degree).

When can I start studying law in Regensburg?

You can begin studying law at our faculty in either the summer or winter semester. There are different study programmes available, which you can find on this page (external link, opens in a new window).

Do I need to apply anywhere to study law in Regensburg?

No! Law has not been subject to nationwide admission restrictions for some time now; you will therefore not be allocated a place via the ZVS/hochschulstart.de, but should contact the Student Registry at the University of Regensburg (external link, opens in a new window) directly. You do not need to submit an application; you simply need to enrol via the SPURe online portal (external link, opens in a new window)during the enrolment period.

And when does the semester start?

You can find the latest dates in the university’s academic calendar (external link, opens in a new window).

Please note: When you commence your studies, your course begins a week before lectures start with the induction days. You can find more information on this under“Start of Studies (external link, opens in a new window)”

Do I have to pay tuition fees in Regensburg?

No. Since the winter semester 2013/14, no tuition fees have been payable. A semester fee (for the Studentenwerk, administration and the RVV ticket) is payable upon enrolment and re-registration.

Where can I find information about my law degree in Regensburg?

The best place to look is on our website, under the ‘Starting your studies’ section (external link, opens in a new window) and the overview of the degree programme (external link, opens in a new window). Our study guide (external link, opens in a new window) provides a very detailed overview, which you can also access on this page.

You will also receive all the necessary information during the induction days held at the start of the semester, where you will be given comprehensive information by the Dean, the Director of Studies, the student representatives, etc.

Do I need to prepare in any way before starting my degree?

No, that isn’t necessary.

However, if you’re keen to do so: please refer to the announcements for the relevant course on the website of the respective department or in the course catalogue (external link, opens in a new window) for recommended reading in the individual areas of law; lecturers will provide detailed recommendations during their classes.

You’ll also find a list on our website of books designed to help you decide whether law is the right subject for you. There are also books on organising and planning your studies, as well as books generally devoted to case analysis, legal writing and methodology.

How do I find out what courses are on offer?

To do this, check the course catalogue (external link, opens in a new window) on the University of Regensburg’s student portal. There you will find all courses under ‘State Examination without Teaching Qualification’ – ‘Law’.

And which of these modules do I need to take in the first semester?

The study plan provides recommendations on which semester each course should be taken in. You can find it here (external link, opens in a new window).

Which exams should I sit in the first semester?

You can always check the study plan (external link, opens in a new window) applicable to you to see when each exam is due.

What exactly is a lecture?

Lectures run throughout the entire degree programme. They are held regularly in the form of a presentation by the lecturer (usually a professor) to an unlimited number of students. Where the subject matter allows, an effort is made to liven up the lecture through dialogue. In many cases, the lecture format stems from the need to convey knowledge intensively to as many students as possible. The smaller the number of students, the greater the opportunities for dialogue and discussion, which should then be utilised.

What are conversation exercises?

Conversation exercises are also referred to as supplementary lectures or colloquia; despite the different terminology, there are no differences in content.

Conversation exercises are intended for beginners. They consist of case discussions and are conducted by teaching assistants in small groups with a limited number of participants. They are generally based on the core lectures in civil, criminal and public law and serve to supplement these, as well as to provide practice in legal case analysis.

All courses in which students practise applying the theoretical knowledge they have acquired to case studies are of great importance: almost all the subject examinations that must be taken during the course of the programme consist of case studies. There are specific rules and techniques for this, which must be learnt and practised repeatedly.

So what exactly are seminars?

There are seminars for beginners and seminars for advanced students; these are usually held by professors with groups of students of any size. In these seminars, too, the method of legal case analysis is taught using practice cases.

In the seminars for beginners, students obtain the beginner’s certificates, which are traditionally known as ‘small certificates’. In the seminars for advanced students, students obtain the advanced certificates, which are also known as ‘large certificates’.

At the beginner stage, the seminars include written assignments and written examinations (some with an integrated mid-term examination); at the advanced stage, only written examinations are held, through which the knowledge acquired is assessed.

Students may only register for a term paper in any of the three areas of law if they can provide evidence of recorded regular attendance at a seminar in the relevant subject area. The written examination, on the other hand, may be taken in advance.

In turn, students may only participate in the advanced seminars if they have already successfully completed the beginner’s seminar in the relevant subject area and passed the corresponding intermediate examination.

Successful completion of the advanced seminars is ultimately a prerequisite for admission to the state examination. It is strongly recommended that students make use of the opportunities offered in the seminars – particularly for writing examination papers – even if the examination is no longer required to obtain the seminar certificate.

What are seminars?

Seminars serve to deepen students’ legal studies and provide guidance on independent academic work. Attendance at two seminars is compulsory as part of the specialisation programme.

In a seminar, students first write a seminar paper on an academic topic as an independent piece of work and then give a presentation on it.

IMPORTANT: You must always write the seminar paper first and only then attend the actual seminar – which essentially consists of students’ presentations on their seminar papers and the associated discussion. In most cases, the seminar paper is completed during the break between semesters and the presentation is delivered in the following semester; the details are determined by the organising department, with the exception of the study project, for which there are specific regulations.

What is REX?

REX is the abbreviation for Regensburg EXamensvertiefung.

REX (external link, opens in a new window) provides comprehensive preparation for the First State Examination in Law; attendance is not recommended until the required credits for the advanced seminars have been obtained.

On specific weekdays, lecturers hold sessions covering all three areas of law. Thematic sections are grouped together into individual blocks. The sessions are structured so that all students can attend them without any overlap. They cover the entire compulsory syllabus for the First State Examination (Section 18 JAPO, as currently in force). In addition, there is the exam essay course, which is offered throughout the year and gives students the opportunity to write their own exam essays on a weekly basis – either at the university under exam-like conditions or, via online access, at home! A mock exam is even offered twice a year!

What is a key competence?

In accordance with Sections 2(1) and 28(1)(1) of the JAPO, a proper course of study also takes into account what are known as key qualifications. This refers to ‘soft skills’, i.e. abilities such as negotiation management, conversational skills, rhetoric, conflict resolution, mediation, interrogation techniques, communication skills and similar. Individual modules on such subjects are offered every semester and can be found in the course catalogue under ‘Key Competencies’. Further courses are offered during the semester break. A certificate of achievement is not compulsory in Bavaria.

How do I find a room, a shared flat or a flat in Regensburg?

See:

Student accommodation provided by the Regensburg Studentenwerk (external link, opens in a new window)

or various private providers...

The following table provides an overview of the marking scheme for the subject of Law. It should be borne in mind that, compared with the marking system used in grammar schools, the marks achievable with an average level of effort in Law differ considerably. For example, the average exam mark in Bavaria is around five points. Grading practices also vary considerably from one federal state to another.

What are conversation exercises?

Conversation exercises are designed for beginners and are conducted by research assistants in small groups. They generally draw on the core lectures in civil, criminal and public law and serve to supplement these, as well as to provide practice in legal case analysis.

Do I have to attend the conversation exercises?

The following applies to all students: in order to submit the term paper as part of the beginners’ seminar, you must have confirmation of regular attendance at the conversation exercises! Attendance registers are circulated during the conversation exercises – only those who have attended regularly will receive the confirmation of attendance.

(You need to have completed the beginner’s seminar to be allowed to take part in the advanced seminar, and you need to have completed the advanced seminar to be able to register for the state examination.)

Do I need to register for the conversation classes anywhere?

Yes. You must register via the course catalogue (external link, opens in a new window) on the SPUR campus portal. You can use this to apply for a place within the registration period. You may specify five preferred dates. Once the registration period has ended, places will be allocated by lottery. During the first two weeks of the term, you will still have the opportunity to opt for any remaining places in other groups.

Is there a deadline for registration?

Yes. Registration can only take place within a period that runs from the start of the semester. The deadline usually runs from the start of the semester (1 April or 1 October) until the Thursday before lectures begin.

The seminar I’d like to attend is already full. Can I still attend it?

No. If the conversation seminar you wish to attend is already full, you must register for a different one instead. Registration outside the Campus Portal is not permitted.

Can I change my conversation seminar once I have registered?

During the first two weeks of lectures, you may register for one of the remaining places. If a place has already been allocated during your initial registration, you must first cancel this booking (at your own risk).

Can the tutor decide on admission?

No. No tutor is authorised to decide on eligibility to participate. Registration takes place exclusively via the Campus Portal. The only exception to this rule applies to international students and those taking part in the early-start programme.

Introductory seminars are offered every semester in Civil Law, Criminal Law and Public Law . In Criminal Law and Civil Law, they are integrated into the lectures. Assessment marks for the introductory seminars can only be obtained if students have attended the seminars regularly. This is checked when registering for the term paper, and the examinations must also be sat in this way. Successful participation in the introductory seminar is – together with the intermediate examination – in turn a prerequisite for participation in the corresponding advanced seminar.

Participation in a beginner’s seminar is deemed successful if you have passed a term paper ( during the lecture-free period) and ( at least) one written examination in the relevant subject. In Civil Law, two separate written examinations are offered for the seminar; in other subject areas, passing the mid-term examinations also counts as a written examination for the seminar.

Students who have not been successful in the introductory seminars should arrange a consultation with the programme co-ordinator at the start of the third semester.

Do I need to register for the exams and term papers?

Registration for the examinations in the introductory seminars takes place automatically in the semester in which the assessment is scheduled according to the study plan. This means that the examination is deemed to have been sat and failed if you do not attend it. Although the exams in the introductory modules can be retaken as often as required, you should be aware that your course of study will be delayed if you fail the exam in the introductory module on multiple occasions.

To take part in the assignments , students must register online via FlexNow . Registration must be completed no later than the day after the assignment is submitted. You cannot register for an assignment until you have successfully booked a place on a conversation seminar in the relevant subject area via FlexNow.

How many times can I retake the beginner’s exercises? Are there any time limits for completing the beginner’s exercises?

You may retake the exams and assignments for the beginner’s exercises as often as you like. Unlike for the intermediate examination, the StPrO does not specify any time limits for completing the beginner’s exercises.

What does the intermediate examination involve?

The intermediate examination takes place alongside your studies; it is therefore integrated into ongoing modules. To pass the intermediate examination, you must successfully complete a partial assessment (written examination) in each of the three subject areas. Intermediate examination papers are offered in the following subjects at the end of each semester:

• in Civil Law as part of the course ‘Introductory Course in the German Civil Code II’
• in Criminal Law as part of the lecture ‘Criminal Law AT II’
• in Public Law every semester as part of the “Beginners’ Seminar”

Do I need to register for the intermediate examination?

No! The dates for the individual partial examinations are announced at least six weeks in advance. You are automatically registered for the partial examinations in the semester specified in the study plan.

If you do not sit the exam, the partial examination is deemed to have been taken and failed.

By when must I have passed the intermediate examination (deadline)?

All three examinations are normally taken by the end of the third academic semester. The study plan specifies which examinations are to be taken in the second and which in the third academic semester.

How many times am I allowed to retake the intermediate examination papers?

A partial examination may be retaken only once if it has been failed or is deemed to have been failed. A second retake is permitted for only one of the three partial examinations (Section 40(1), second sentence, StPrO).

Retake examinations must be taken in the semester following either the sitting of the failed examination or the date on which the examination was deemed to have failed (§ 40(2), first sentence, StPrO).

Anyone who has definitively failed the intermediate examination (i.e. at least one component) will be struck off the register and will no longer be able to study law in Germany. Further details are set out in the Study and Examination Regulations.

What should I do if I am ill on the day of the intermediate examination?

If a student is unable to sit a component examination as part of the intermediate examination due to illness or other reasons beyond their control, they must report this immediately to the Legal Examinations Office (external link, opens in a new window) of the Faculty of Law, Sammelgebäude, Room U 27, and provide evidence of this.

Here’s what to do if you are unable to sit an examination due to illness.

1. Complete the application form for recognition of inability to sit an examination due to illness.
2. You must attach a medical certificate. This also applies to examinations held on Saturdays.
3. Send the application by post (not by email or fax) to the Law Faculty Examinations Office.

The medical certificate must state:

a) which part of the examination (or parts) he or she is to be excused from, and

b) that he/she is generally unable to sit the examination, specifying the period in question; and

c) a specific and comprehensible description of the physical, mental or psychological impairments relevant to the examination, from a medical perspective.

d) the date of treatment and the signature of the attending doctor.

For further details, please refer to the information sheet (external link, opens in a new window) ‘Inability to sit an examination due to illness’.

What happens to my intermediate examination if I wish to transfer from the University of Regensburg to another university?

Unfortunately, the Faculty is unable to verify whether students who have withdrawn from the university are continuing their law degree at another university. If students intend to change their place of study, they should notify the Examinations Office of the Faculty of Law in Regensburg of this after enrolment at the new university, whilst at the same time submitting a certificate of enrolment from the new university and, where applicable, documents regarding the progress of the intermediate examination. Otherwise, students who change their place of study must expect to receive a notification that they have definitively failed the intermediate examination for the law degree programme.

The faculty to which you wish to transfer is solely responsible for recognising your interim examination results (or parts thereof).

What happens to my intermediate examination if I wish to transfer from another university to the University of Regensburg?

If you are changing universities, please note the information below regarding the intermediate examination.

Law students who wish to continue their studies at the University of Regensburg before sitting the intermediate examination are asked to submit an application without delay to the Law Examination Office of the Faculty of Law (external link, opens in a new window) to have their previous examination results recognised as intermediate examination results. In accordance with the Study and Examination Regulations of the Faculty of Law at the University of Regensburg, students transferring from another institution must enclose a statement indicating

- where they have studied to date,

- whether, and if so which, parts of the intermediate examination in the Law degree programme have already been taken at another university, whether successfully or not, and

- whether they have definitively failed the intermediate examination in the Law degree programme or the first state law examination.

As, in accordance with the aforementioned StPrO, failed attempts at an intermediate examination at other universities and equivalent higher education institutions in Germany are also taken into account, students transferring from another institution must submit a certificate from their previous examination office stating the number and titles of the unsuccessful attempts. Certified certificates must be submitted for any partial examinations that have been passed.

Students transferring to the University of Regensburg who have already passed the intermediate examination at the time of transfer are requested to submit their intermediate examination certificate or a corresponding transcript of results to the Examinations Office immediately after enrolment at the University of Regensburg.

In accordance with Section 24(1) of the JAPO, every student must attend one advanced seminar each in civil law, criminal law and public law . The advanced seminars each consist of (several) final examinations coveringspecific lectures.

The examinations cover the material from the respective lecture, including references to previously taught material within the subject area. Passing such an examination constitutes the completion of one part of an advanced seminar. Students who achieve the minimum number of partial achievements have successfully completed the seminar, which is confirmed by a seminar certificate (‘großer Schein’).

When are the advanced seminars offered?

Final examinations, which form part of the ‘großer Schein’, are held in civil law, criminal law and public law every semester.

What do I need to do to complete an advanced seminar?

Firstly, you may only sit the partial assessments for the advanced seminars in the semester following the successful completion of the introductory seminar.

• In Civil Law , a total of eight examinations are currently offered, covering the following lectures: Property Law, Law of Obligations II, Commercial and Company Law, Employment Law, Civil Procedure Law I and II, Credit Security Law, and Family and Inheritance Law. To obtain the certificate, students must pass four examinations in different subjects. The written examinations in the Property Law and Law of Obligations II modules must be passed as compulsory examinations . Students therefore generally have the option – in addition to these two compulsory examinations – to select two further examinations from the remaining five on offer, i.e. to sit and pass them.
• In Public Law , four examinations are offered, namely in the following courses: Administrative Law I (General Administrative Law and Administrative Procedure Law), Administrative Law II (Police and Security Law), European Law and Administrative Law III (Local Government and Planning Law). To pass the advanced seminar, students must pass at least two written examinationsin various lectures and achieve a total of at least 16 marks.
• In Criminal Law , two written examinations are offered, namely in the following lectures: Criminal Law – Special Part I and Criminal Law – Special Part II. To successfully complete the advanced module, students must pass one or both written examinations and also achieve a total of at least eight marks .

Do you have to register for the final exams in the advanced seminars?

Yes. A FlexNow registration is required to sit the final exams. The registration period for this always begins on the Monday of the second week of lectures and must be completed via FlexNow by 1 February at the latest for the winter semester exams, or by 10 July for the summer semester exams. You can withdraw from an exam up until the last working day before the exam. If the exam takes place on a Monday, you can still withdraw up until the Saturday before.

When am I allowed to take part in the advanced seminars?

In accordance with the StPrO, you may only sit partial assessments for advanced seminars in the semester following the successful completion of the beginner’s seminar. You must also have already passed the intermediate examination in the relevant subject.

How many times can I retake the advanced seminars?

You may retake the examinations as often as you like. There is no time limit for the advanced seminars.

Can I have study achievements from abroad recognised towards the major certificates?

The Examinations Office decides on the recognition of academic achievements from abroad. Recognition requires proof of such academic achievements. These may be credited as an ‘advanced seminar’, see Section 24(1) of the JAPO.

As a general rule, urgent marking is not permitted!

In exceptional cases, a request for urgent marking prior to the examination date may be submitted directly to the department, provided there are valid reasons which must be set out in writing and substantiated.

Supporting documents for registration for the state examination:

As a general rule, all supporting documents must be submitted by the registration deadline for a given session.

Anyone who still needs to complete a module in the semester of registration may indicate this on the registration form and submit the mark at a later date. This must be done without delay, but no later than the end of the lecture period for the relevant semester!

You should therefore clarify such a course of action in good time with the relevant departments, the Centre for Language and Communication, etc., and then submit the aforementioned application to the relevant department. Not all lecturers are willing to carry out preliminary marking, as this raises issues regarding the fairness of the examination.

Do I have to prove that I am proficient in a foreign language as part of my degree programme?

Yes, the State Examination programme makes it compulsory to attend a law lecture in a foreign language or a subject-specific foreign language course, in each case with evidence of achievement. The legal basis for this is set out in Section 24(2) of the JAPO:

(2) 1Furthermore, candidates must attend a law course taught in a foreign language or a law-oriented language course and provide evidence of their achievement. 2Bavarian law faculties recognise equivalent qualifications or prior knowledge upon application.

Foreign language courses are offered partly by the Faculty of Law and partly by the Centre for Language and Communication (external link, opens in a new window). Please therefore check the website for language training alongside your studies (external link, opens in a new window) for information on courses and registration deadlines. You can find a complete list of all courses in English here (external link, opens in a new window). Please note that you may need to take a placement test for (external link, opens in a new window)the courses. Courses in other languages can be found in SPUR (external link, opens in a new window) under the heading‘State Examination in Law – Language Courses’ in accordance with Section 24(2) of the JAPO.

Is it advisable, with regard to the ‘Freischuss’ (one-semester exemption), to complete subject-specific foreign language training?

If the subject-specific foreign language training has been undertaken alongside your studies for at least sixteen semester hours per week and has been successfully completed at a German university, the ‘free attempt’ may be postponed by one semester (Section 37(1)(3) JAPO). The ‘Freischuss’ can therefore be taken at the end of the ninth semester. However, the 16 SWS must be taken in addition to the compulsory foreign language module pursuant to Section 24(2) of the JAPO. (A total of 18 SWS of foreign-language courses are therefore required here – 16 SWS to defer the exemption attempt and 2 SWS, which are always required for exam registration). Subject-specific foreign language training must impart an active command of the foreign legal language. If elements of general foreign language training are included, these must not predominate.

You can obtain the certificate of subject-specific foreign language training, which must be submitted when registering for the state examination, from the programme co-ordinator.

What exactly does the supplementary degree programme in Eastern Studies offer me?

The supplementary programme in Eastern European Studies provides an important additional qualification which is of great significance in view of the rapidly growing German-Russian economic relations and the EU’s eastward enlargement. Upon successful completion, the option to take a semester off may be deferred by one semester.

How much time does it take?

The supplementary programme is designed so that it can be undertaken alongside a law degree without placing a significant additional burden on your studies. In total, it comprises 8 SWS of language courses and 8 SWS of subject-specific courses spread over 4 semesters. The language is Russian or another Eastern language. The contact person is Prof. Dr Manssen. His list of subject-specific modules and further information can be found onhis department’s webpage (external link, opens in a new window).

What is the specialisation programme?

During the course of their studies, each student chooses a specialisation within which they deepen their legal knowledge and skills. The specialisation programme comprises 14 hours per week over 14 semesters.

The specialisation programme culminates in the University Law Examination. In this examination, candidates are required to demonstrate that they have deepened their legal knowledge and skills in their chosen specialisation and are capable of conducting academic research in that field. The University Law Examination consists of a term paper and an oral examination.

Where can I find further information on the specialisation programme?

Further details on the specialisation programme will be provided at specific information sessions following an announcement. You can also find information on the Faculty’s website under‘Specialisation Areas’.

Do I need to apply for admission to the specialisation programme as such?

You can apply for admission to your chosen specialisation programme as such. You must declare your specialisation no later than when you register for your term paper.

However, the advantage of being admitted to your chosen specialisation is that this entitles you to sit the examination components (preparatory seminar, dissertation and oral examination) in your chosen specialisation – this eliminates the risk of subsequently being unable to write your dissertation in your chosen specialisation due to overcrowding! However, for capacity reasons, there is no guarantee of a place on specific seminars.

When and where can I apply for admission to the specialisation programme?

Applications for admission to the specialisation programme can be made each semester within a period that always begins with the start of lectures and ends on 31 May in the summer semester and on 30 November in the winter semester. The Law Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window) is responsible for the University Law Examination. Applications must generally be submitted exclusively via the FlexNow examination management system; an exception applies to students studying abroad and those changing their place of study, who should please contact the Examination Office by email within the application period.

What are the eligibility requirements for applying?

In addition to enrolment, the main admission requirement is, in particular, having passed the intermediate examination. Applications for admission can therefore normally be submitted from the fourth academic semester at the earliest and are then valid from the fifth academic semester onwards. Applicants who do not receive a notification to the contrary are deemed to have been admitted.

What happens if the intake capacity for a specialisation area is exceeded due to the large number of applications for admission to that specialisation?

In the event of excess demand, the total mark achieved in the intermediate examination determines admission to a specialisation area. Students who are not admitted to their chosen specialisation area will be informed by the Examinations Office and may, within two weeks of receiving this notification, apply for admission to another specialisation area where places are still available. You are not obliged to make use of this opportunity; you may also try to enrol in the next semester, but this is at your own risk.

Which modules in my specialisation area do I have to attend?

It is easy to find out which modules in a specialisation area are ‘compulsory’. Firstly, under‘Specialisation Areas’, you will find the study plans listing the compulsory modules.

Can I change my specialisation area?

Once you have been admitted to a specialisation area, you may change your choice of specialisation area once by submitting a further application to the Examinations Office when applying for admission to the term paper. This application must be submitted during the relevant registration period.

If you have failed the dissertation, or if it is deemed to have failed or not to have been submitted, a further change is possible.

What academic requirements must I fulfil in my specialisation programme?

Firstly, you must pass an introductory seminar. Assessment in this seminar consists of a seminar paper, an accompanying presentation and active participation in the seminar. Passing the introductory seminar is a prerequisite for admission to the course paper; this accompanies the second seminar, in which you must again give a presentation and participate actively. Only then can you register for the final oral university examination. However, the term paper and the second seminar do not necessarily have to be marked as passed in order to be admitted to the oral examination – after all, a term paper that is ‘below par’ can still be salvaged by a good oral examination!

The term paper and the oral examination together constitute the university law examination – the term paper accounts for two-thirds of the mark and the oral examination for one-third.

Is there a deadline by which I must have completed these assessments?

Yes, and this applies to both the term paper and the oral examination:

The term paper is usually submitted during the break between semesters following the 7th academic semester. You may deviate from this standard schedule by a maximum of four semesters; in other words, the term paper must be submitted no later than during the lecture-free period following the 11th semester. Otherwise, the paper is deemed to have been submitted and, for the first time, failed.

The oral examination is usually taken in the 10th semester. You may deviate from this standard date by a maximum of four semesters; in other words, the oral examination must be taken no later than the 14th semester. Otherwise, the examination is deemed to have been taken and failed on the first attempt.

Do I need to be enrolled to complete these assessment requirements?

You must be enrolled for the entire duration of your specialisation programme, including the associated examinations, i.e. for the entire university examination. Even if you are only attending university in a given semester to sit the oral university examination, enrolment is mandatory!

What exactly do the seminar requirements in the preparatory seminar entail?

According to the StPrO (external link, opens in a new window), the seminar requirements in the preparatory seminar consist of a written paper (first seminar paper) and an oral presentation on the same topic, as well as active participation in the seminar.

Do I have to take the preparatory seminar in my chosen specialisation?

No, the preparatory seminar does not have to be taken in your chosen specialisation.

Do I need to apply for admission to the preparatory seminar?

Yes! In any case – regardless of whether you have applied for admission to a specialisation area – you must register for the preparatory seminar.

When and where can I apply for admission to the preparatory seminar?

You must always apply for admission to the preparatory seminar in the semester preceding the one in which you wish to attend the preparatory seminar.

Applications for admission to the preparatory seminar can be made each semester within a period that always begins at the start of lectures and ends on 31 May in the summer semester and on 30 November in the winter semester. The Legal Examinations Office (external link, opens in a new window) is responsible for the University Law Examination. Applications must generally be submitted exclusively via the FlexNow examination administration system; an exception applies to students studying abroad and those changing their place of study, who should please contact the University Examinations Office within the registration period.

What happens if the capacity of a seminar is exceeded due to the large number of applications for admission to that seminar?

In the event of excess demand, priority is initially given to applicants who are already admitted to the specific subject area covered by the seminar. Otherwise, admission to a seminar is determined by the total marks achieved in the intermediate examination. Students who are not admitted to their chosen seminar will be informed by the Examinations Office and may, within two weeks of receiving this notification, apply for admission to another seminar in which places are still available.

Who assigns me my topic for the first seminar paper, and how long do I have to complete it?

The topics for the first seminar paper are allocated by the seminar organiser. They also set the timeframe for completion. For further information, it is best to contact the secretariat of the relevant department.

What exactly counts towards the assessment in the second seminar?

In the so-called second seminar, only the oral presentation and active participation count towards the seminar assessment, as the written work is covered by the academic research project (second seminar paper), which is assessed separately.

Do I need to apply for admission to the research project?

Yes! In any case – that is, regardless of whether you have applied for admission to a specialisation area – you must register for the research project.

When and where can I apply for admission to the academic project?

The application for admission to the research project must always be submitted in the semester preceding the date on which the assignment is issued.

Applications for admission to the term paper can be made each semester within a period that always begins with the start of lectures and ends on 31 May in the summer semester and on 30 November in the winter semester. The Legal Examinations Office (external link, opens in a new window) is responsible for the University Law Examination. Applications must generally be submitted exclusively via the FlexNow examination management system; an exception applies to students studying abroad and those changing their place of study, who should please contact the University Examinations Office within the registration period.

In addition to enrolment, the main entry requirements are, in particular, a pass in the intermediate examination and a pass in the first seminar.

During the application period, it is still possible to withdraw without giving a reason.

What happens if the capacity for term papers is exceeded due to the large number of applications for admission to term papers in a seminar or an entire specialisation area?

In the event of excess demand, priority will initially be given to applicants who are already admitted to the seminar’s subject area as such, or who have previously failed a term paper in that subject area. Amongst these applicants, the total mark achieved in the intermediate examination determines admission to the desired seminar; the remainder are allocated to other seminars within the same specialisation area; the capacity of these may need to be increased until all applicants admitted to the specialisation area as such have a place. For further details, see Section 58(3) of the StPrO (external link, opens in a new window).

Can I take both the first and second seminars with the same professor?

Yes, you can complete both seminars with the same professor. This is completely irrelevant for the specialisation programme.

Who will assign me my topic for the term paper and how long do I have to complete it?

The topics for the term paper are assigned by the examination board. The deadline for completing the assignment is four weeks and generally falls during the lecture-free period.

What format must a term paper take?

The formal requirements for the term paper are only partially specified: in accordance with the StPrO (external link, opens in a new window), the term paper must be submitted as a hard copy and once in digital form (exception: requirements specified directly by the department!).

The candidate must also provide a written declaration stating that they have completed the term paper independently, have used no sources or resources other than those specified, and have cited the origin of any passages taken verbatim or in substance from written works or case law. The signed declaration must be attached to the term paper. The person setting the assignment may specify further formal requirements.

What does the final oral examination involve?

The final oral examination covers the entire compulsory syllabus of the chosen specialisation and lasts ten to fifteen minutes per candidate; a maximum of four candidates may be examined together. There are two examiners, at least one of whom must be a professor. The professor conducting the oral examination should not be the same as the supervisor of the term paper. A notice period of four weeks applies.

Applications for oral examinations must be submitted via FlexNow; there is a registration deadline in February for oral examinations in May and a registration deadline in August for oral examinations in November.

Although you must have already submitted your academic project to be eligible to register for the oral examination, you do not yet need to know the result.

As soon as the dates for the oral examination have been finalised, the Examinations Office will announce them and send out the invitations.

The university oral examination can be taken either before or after the written state examination. The oral examination is usually taken in the 10th semester. You may deviate from this standard schedule by a maximum of four semesters; in other words, the oral examination must be taken by the 14th semester at the latest. Otherwise, the examination is deemed to have been taken but not passed.

Do I need to apply for admission to the oral examination?

Yes! In any case – regardless of whether you have applied for admission to a specialisation area – you must register for the oral examination.

During the application period, it is still possible to withdraw without giving a reason.

When and where can I apply for admission to the oral examination?

Applications for admission to the oral examination must be submitted in February for the university oral examinations in May/June, and in August for the university oral examinations in November/December. The Law Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window)is responsible for the university law examinations. Applications must generally be submitted exclusively via the FlexNow examination administration system; an exception applies to students studying abroad and those who have changed their place of study, who should please contact the University Examination Office within the registration period.

In addition to enrolment, the admission requirements include, in particular, having passed the intermediate examination, having passed a first seminar, having delivered a presentation on the term paper and having submitted a term paper. ‘Submitted term paper’ means: the term paper does not necessarily have to have been passed, and you do not yet need to know the result!

To what extent can I retake individual modules as part of the specialisation programme?

You may retake the first seminar as often as you like, as it does not constitute an examination requirement under Section 54(1) of the Study Regulations (StPrO). However, you must observe the maximum time limits for examinations, which apply to the term paper and the oral university examination. In accordance with Section 54(2) of the Study Regulations (StPrO), the term paper must generally be completed after the 7th academic semester. The oral examination is usually taken in the 10th semester. Students may deviate from these standard dates for the first attempt by a maximum of four semesters; otherwise, examinations not yet taken will be deemed to have been taken with 0 marks.

The course project, as an examination requirement within the meaning of Section 51(1) of the Study Regulations, may, in accordance with Section 55(1)(1) of the Study Regulations, be retaken only once if it is failed. The same applies to the oral university examination. Application for permission to retake the examination must be made at the earliest possible opportunity following notification of failure. Example: Course paper during the lecture-free period of the 2021 summer semester – 2nd seminar in the 21/22 winter semester - Notification of failure by the first Monday in April at the latest - Registration for the resit in the 2022 summer semester - Completion of the resit assignment during the lecture-free period of the 2022 summer semester. If the deadline is missed, a resit is not permitted. The deadline is not interrupted by a leave of absence or de-registration.

A resit of the oral university examination to improve one’s mark is possible in accordance with Section 67b of the Study Regulations (StPrO).

Further information on this can also be found on the website of the State Examination Office for the Judiciary (external link, opens in a new window) (under ‘Practical Training Period’ (external link, opens in a new window))

Do I have to undertake work placements alongside my studies?

Yes. Students who wish to sit the First State Examination in Law in Bavaria must complete a total of three months of practical study periods. These practical study periods must be undertaken during the lecture-free period. The aim of the practical study periods is to enable students to familiarise themselves with the practical aspects of the administration of justice, public administration and legal advice, and to gain an insight into the duties and activities of legal professionals (see Section 25 JAPO).

The Ministry no longer requires proof of completion as a standard procedure. The relevant information sheet states:

“As a general rule, you do not need to submit certificates of attendance confirming the completion of the practical study periods when registering for the First State Examination in Law. Nevertheless, the completion of the practical study periods in accordance with Section 25 JAPO is a mandatory prerequisite for admission to the First State Examination in Law. The State Examination Office may therefore, on a case-by-case basis, request proof from you that you have completed the practical study period prior to admitting you to the First State Examination in Law.”

When can I start the work placement? Will any work placements I undertook before starting my degree be recognised?

The earliest you can take part is after the end of lectures in the second semester. Internships completed before then cannot therefore be recognised.

Internships following a semester abroad are possible. In the case of a leave of absence from the University of Regensburg, the end of the lecture period for the semester spent abroad there should be taken as the reference point with regard to the lecture-free period. If a new lecture period begins there in the meantime, this is not necessarily a decisive factor. You simply need confirmation that the lecture period during which you were eligible to study there ended before the work placement began.

Do I have to complete the work placement in one go?

The practical study periods may be completed in up to three blocks of at least one month each at one or more placements, or consecutively at a single placement. A period of four full weeks is recognised as one month. A total of twelve weeks is therefore sufficient.

Do I have to cover all three areas of law during my placement, or can I work exclusively in one area?

Neither: the placement must relate to at least two of the following areas: civil law, criminal law and public law. This may involve both domestic and foreign law.

Who can I contact to find an internship placement?

Practical training periods may be undertaken at home or abroad at a court, a public prosecutor’s office, an administrative authority, a law firm, a notary’s office, a commercial enterprise or any other organisation suitable for provide an insight into the practical application of the law and where supervision by a legal professional is provided.

There is no entitlement to a placement at a specific organisation. Students must make their own efforts to secure a placement, i.e. contact the organisation of their choice directly.

Can I also complete my work placement abroad?

Yes. The practical training periods can easily be completed either in this country or abroad at a court, a public prosecutor’s office, an administrative authority, a law firm, a notary’s office, a commercial enterprise or any other organisation that is suitable for provide an insight into the practical application of the law and where supervision by a legal professional is provided.

If you require the University of Regensburg to countersign your employment contract for your internship abroad, please contact the University’s International Office (external link, opens in a new window) in good time.

What else do I need to bear in mind? Are there any special rules that apply to me?

Upon completion of the placement, the host organisation issues students with a certificate of attendance, which includes the name of the host organisation, the duration of the placement and the chosen area of law.

Unless this is evident from the name of the training organisation, the certificate of attendance must include a statement confirming that the training took place under the supervision of a legal professional.

If the certificate of attendance for practical study periods completed abroad is not issued in German, a translation must be attached; this may be prepared by the students themselves.

Upon successful completion of training for the higher judicial service or the higher non-technical administrative service, the State Judicial Examination Office may, upon application, waive two months of the practical study period.

Other training programmes, such as those for the middle civil service, as a banking or insurance clerk, as a legal assistant, or a work placement as part of a university of applied sciences degree, cannot be counted towards the practical study periods.

For further information, please refer to the website of the State Judicial Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window).

What academic requirements must I fulfil during my degree, or what do I absolutely have to do if I study in Regensburg from the start right through to the First Law Examination?

• From the seminar sessions: at least one certificate of attendance in FlexNow for each of the seminar sessions in Civil Law, Criminal Law and Public Law.
• From the introductory seminars: one ‘minor certificate’ from each of the seminars in Civil Law, Criminal Law and Public Law. The minor certificate consists of a passed term paper and a passed written examination.
• Interim examination: one passed interim examination paper for each of the subjects Civil Law, Criminal Law and Public Law.
• From the advanced seminars: one ‘major certificate’ each from the seminars in civil law, criminal law and public law.
  - In Civil Law, eight written examinations are offered, namely in the lectures on Property Law, Law of Obligations II, Commercial and Company Law, Employment Law, Civil Procedure Law I, Civil Procedure Law II, Family and Inheritance Law, and Credit Security Law. Passing the advanced seminar requires passing four written examinations in four different subjects. Property Law and Law of Obligations II are compulsory in this context.
  - In Criminal Law, two written examinations are offered, namely in the lectures on Special Part I of Criminal Law and Special Part II of Criminal Law. To complete the advanced seminar, students must pass one or both written examinations and also achieve a minimum of eight marks. The marks from both subjects are added together, even if one written examination is not passed.
  - The same applies to Public Law, where four written examinations are offered: Administrative Law I, Administrative Law II, Administrative Law III and European Law. Successful completion of the advanced seminar requires passing at least two written examinations in different subjects, with a total of at least 16 marks required.
• From the specialisation programme: successful completion of the 1st seminar, 2nd seminar and the university law examination (= term paper + oral university examination)
• from the subject-specific foreign language course: proof of achievement in a subject-specific foreign language course in accordance with Section 24(2) JAPO.
• Practical training period in accordance with Section 25 of the JAPO
• First State Law Examination: six five-hour written examinations: three in civil law, one in criminal law and two in public law, plus an oral examination

Will I receive written confirmation of my academic achievements?

All academic achievements are recorded in the ‘FlexNow’ examination management system and can be viewed online by students at any time. You can obtain an official confirmation of your academic achievements (for applications, changes of study location or exam registration) from the Examinations Office.

Information on the state examination can be found primarily on the website of the State Examination Office for the Judiciary (external link, opens in a new window)(section: First State Examination in Law (external link, opens in a new window))

What exactly is the First State Law Examination?

The First State Examination in Law consists of:

the First State Examination in Law (70 per cent of the final mark)

and

the University Law Examination (30 per cent of the final mark)

What dates should you bear in mind?

The registration deadline is always one month before the end of lectures in the semester in which the written part of the examination is held. Application for admission to the First State Law Examination must be made in writing to the State Examination Office for Law, see Section 26 of the JAPO.

The written examinations take place in March (e.g. 2017/1) and September (e.g. 2017/2).

The oral examinations for the March sessions usually take place in July and possibly in early August; those for the September sessions take place in January/February and possibly in early March of the following year.

Are there any maximum deadlines for registering for the state examination?

No, maximum registration deadlines for the state examination were abolished in January 2016 following an amendment to the JAPO Bayern.

Are there any maximum time limits for the university examination?

Yes, specifically for the term paper and the oral examination:

The term paper is usually submitted during the lecture-free period following the 7th academic semester. You may deviate from this standard date by a maximum of four semesters; in other words, the term paper must be completed no later than during the lecture-free period following the 11th academic semester. Otherwise, the paper is deemed to have been submitted but not passed.

The oral examination is usually taken in the 10th semester. You may deviate from this standard date by a maximum of four semesters; in other words, the oral examination must be taken no later than the 14th semester. Otherwise, the examination is deemed to have been taken but not passed.

Do I need to be enrolled to sit the First Law Examination?

Under Section 26(4), studies must be continued until admission to the bar is granted. Enrolment is no longer required for the oral state examination.

During the course of study, which, in accordance with Section 5a(1) of the DRiG, generally lasts four years (eight semesters), you must be enrolled, and, specifically for sitting the First State Law Examination as a one-off attempt, for eight consecutive semesters (or nine semesters if the deadline is extended).

You must also be enrolled to sit the University Law Examination. Even if you are only attending university for one semester solely to sit the oral university examination, enrolment is mandatory!

What supporting documents must I submit when registering for the State Examination?

Please refer to the information on the website of the State Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window)!

The following documents are required (only): proof of attendance at advanced seminars in civil law, criminal law and public law (§ 24 I JAPO); proof of successful completion of a subject-specific foreign language course or a subject-specific course taught in a foreign language; and proof of the practical study period (Section 24(2) JAPO) as well as proof of enrolment in the degree programme itself (student record book). As a compulsory foreign-language module, the Centre for Language and Communication offers an ‘Introduction to Anglo-American Law’ (2 SWS) taught in English. – No proof of achievement is required for key competences (see Section 24 JAPO). Please bear in mind, however, that key competences have been taken into account in the (oral) state examinations since 2007!

In most cases, proof of completion of the advanced seminar is provided by a transcript of results from FlexNow, which can be obtained from the Examinations Office.

In cases where the student is following the old system, they must exchange the individual certificates confirming that they have passed the advanced-level examinations at one of the participating departments at the University of Regensburg for a ‘Großer Schein’ (comprehensive certificate) once all the required examinations have been passed.

Proof of having passed the university law examination is not required! Rather, this is typically only completed in parallel with the state examination.

Can I still register for the state examination even if I am still missing one certificate?

In principle, all certificates must be available by the registration deadline for a given sitting. Anyone who still needs to obtain a certificate during the semester of registration may indicate this when registering and submit the certificate at a later date. This must be done without delay, but no later than the end of the lecture period for the respective semester. You should therefore clarify in good time with the relevant departments, the Language Centre, etc., that you urgently require the certificate and will receive it in time. Not all lecturers are willing to carry out preliminary marking, as this can pose problems in terms of the fairness of the examination.

Are academic achievements obtained abroad recognised?

The Dean’s Office (Dr Gril) decides on the recognition of academic achievements obtained abroad. There is an information sheet (external link, opens in a new window) on this subject on the faculty’s website under ‘Studies – Overview of Studies – Studying Abroad’! Recognition requires proof of academic achievements through examinations. Credit may be awarded as a ‘major certificate’, cf. Section 24(1) JAPO. Where the academic achievements documented abroad include courses taught in a foreign language, credit may also be awarded as a ‘language certificate’ in accordance with Section 24(2) JAPO.

Furthermore, a seminar certificate obtained abroad may also be recognised as prior learning in accordance with Section 62(1) StPrO within the framework of the specialisation programme, provided that the certificate is equivalent and no more than three years old. In accordance with Section 62(2) of the StPrO, such an achievement may be recognised as a term paper if it can be assigned to a specialisation area, is no more than two years old and is of equivalent value. Recognition is granted by the Law Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window) (Ms Kindl, Sammelgebäude, Room U 28).

What requirements must I meet to be granted a free attempt (‘Freischuss’)?

Detailed information can be found in the LJPA’s information sheet on the ‘Freischuss’ on its website (external link, opens in a new window).

See Section 37 of the JAPO: in principle, only if you have studied continuously for eight semesters. An extension is possible under Section 37(4) of the JAPO; see the LJPA information sheet.

In what order are the university examination and the state examination taken?

The faculty’s study guidelines provide for the state examination and university examination to be coordinated: the first seminar paper should be written during the holidays between the 5th and 6th semesters, and the term paper during the holidays between the 7th and 8th semesters. The written part of the state examination can then be taken after the 8th semester (or later if necessary), with both oral examinations taking place in the following semester.

In theory, the final oral university examination could be taken earlier, once the term paper has been passed (provided the above-mentioned deadlines are observed). However, this is not advisable, as a year of intensive preparation without any significant interruptions is required to prepare for the state examination. There is a minor interruption anyway, as you still have to deliver the seminar presentation on the topic of your course dissertation in the 7th semester. To prepare for the university oral examination, you would have to interrupt your preparation for the state examination for at least four weeks. This is not sensible and is by no means advisable. After the written state examination, however, you will have time to study for the oral university examination and the oral state examination in succession.

You can also sit the state examination first and then the university examination, provided you have already completed the first seminar. In doing so, you must observe the above-mentioned deadlines for the university examination. You can sit the state examination papers first during the lecture-free period and then submit your term paper by the final deadline. However, this usually results in the loss of a semester, as the marking of the term papers is not completed until after the end of the lecture term and oral examinations do not take place again until the next lecture term. You will not be admitted to the teaching traineeship until you have passed these, so in this case you should consider sitting the state examination after seven semesters! You can try to persuade the relevant professors to mark the papers more quickly, but there is no legal entitlement to this.

What exactly is the ‘free retake’ and what are its benefits?

In principle, the First State Examination in Law may only be retaken once if the candidate fails it (Section 37 JAPO).

However, if a candidate takes the First State Examination in Law after an uninterrupted period of study, no later than at the end of the eighth semester, they may sit the examination a further two times if they fail (freischuss); the failed examination is deemed not to have been taken. The ‘free attempt’ option is designed to encourage students to complete their studies promptly.

I have registered for the ‘free attempt’, but now I do not wish to sit the exam or attend the oral examination after all. Is that simply possible?

In the case of the ‘free attempt’, one may waive the right to continue with the examination procedure up to the start of the oral examination. Failure to attend the oral examination is also deemed to constitute such a waiver, cf. Section 37(5) in conjunction with Section 15(4), sentence 3, of the JAPO (provided you do not object to this presumption within ten days). In such cases, too, the exam is deemed not to have been taken, and you are still allowed to sit it twice more.

I’m planning to sit the ‘free attempt’ ‘on the off chance’, as I’ll still be given two more opportunities to improve my mark – is that correct?

No. PLEASE NOTE: If the free attempt is passed, the first state law examination may not be sat a further two times. The only option remaining is to improve your mark, i.e. you may sit the exam once more; the ‘free attempt’ is only deemed not to have been taken if it was failed.

Are there any circumstances that are not regarded as an interruption to your studies and which therefore – despite taking a break from your studies – do not rule out the one-off attempt?

A leave of absence due to maternity, parental leave or the completion of compulsory military or civilian service is not counted as an interruption to studies. A leave of absence due to illness (with a medical certificate) is not counted towards the period of study relevant to the one-time attempt for up to two semesters. Similarly, a leave of absence for studying abroad is not counted for up to two semesters if the student has studied foreign or international law at a university abroad (evidenced by enrolment/student record) and has provided proof of this each semester. However, leave of absence due to illness or a period spent abroad must not exceed a total of two semesters if the ‘free attempt’ period is to be retained.

When is the grace period extended to nine academic semesters?

If an examinee has, whilst studying in Regensburg, completed the supplementary training in corporate restructuring, the supplementary programme in Eastern European Studies or subject-specific foreign language training amounting to at least 16 SWS whilst studying, they are entitled to a ‘free attempt’ even if they sit the examination for the first time after the ninth semester (see Section 37(4)(1) JAPO). 16 SWS means, for example, 2 hours per week over 8 semesters (1 SWS = 1 hour per week for the duration of a semester). A dual degree programme is not recognised as training within the meaning of Section 37(4) JAPO.

Is it advisable to aim for a free attempt?

In principle, it is possible to have completed exam preparation by the time the ‘free attempt’ becomes available; such a swift course of study looks very good on a CV, opens up earlier earning opportunities and may also facilitate personal life planning. On the other hand, however, it is of course quite time-consuming to prepare for the exam over eight semesters. Therefore, everyone must decide for themselves whether their own self-discipline allows them to take advantage of the opportunity to sit the exam early. You shouldn’t take the ‘Freischuss’ exam just for the sake of it, even if you haven’t yet finished preparing for it.

Under what circumstances is it possible to improve exam marks?

Candidates who have passed a state examination on their first attempt in Bavaria may retake the examination once in order to improve their overall mark. This opportunity to improve one’s mark is available only once – even if the initial pass was achieved on a free attempt!

The opportunity to retake the examination is only available at the next or the following examination session, commencing after the end of the current examination session.

The application for admission must be submitted no later than two months before the start of the examination; if there is a shorter period between sitting the oral examination and the next session, the application must be submitted immediately after the oral examination has been taken.

In this case, the entire examination must be retaken (i.e. both the written and oral state examinations – it is not possible to combine attempt 1 and attempt 2 in any way). However, it is possible to retake only the state examination component to improve one’s marks, without having to retake the university component of the First Law Examination as well.

The examination must be retaken at the same examination centre. Exceptions may be granted in cases of hardship.

Anyone admitted to the state examination to improve their mark may choose not to continue with the examination process until the start of the oral examination. The examination is then deemed not to have been taken; it cannot be retaken. A candidate is deemed to have withdrawn if they fail to attend the written examination, or to complete one or more written tasks, or to attend the oral examination, without a valid excuse; this does not apply if they lodge a written objection with the State Legal Examination Office within ten days of the conclusion of the relevant part of the examination.

Furthermore, students who have made use of the ‘free attempt’ but failed it, and who subsequently passed the state examination on their second attempt, have the option of improving their marks on a ‘third attempt’.

Examinees decide which examination result they wish to accept. If no choice is made within one week of the date of the oral examination, the better result – or, in the event of a tie, the earlier result – shall be deemed to have been chosen.

Can I also retake the university examination for the purpose of improving my mark?

In principle, it is not permitted to retake the university examination for the purpose of improving one’s marks. However, here too there is a provision favouring students who complete their studies promptly, although this applies only to the oral university examination:

Anyone who sits the oral university examination no later than six months after completing the written part of the First State Examination in Law, in which they took part as a non-degree candidate, may retake it once more, including for the purpose of improving their mark. Where necessary, evidence of the requirements must be provided. In accordance with the StPrO, the following applies to applications for admission to a resit examination:

• An application for admission to retake an examination must be submitted by the next possible date following the announcement of the relevant examination result.
• Furthermore, the deadline is not interrupted by a leave of absence or de-registration. If the deadline is missed, a retake is not permitted.

It is possible to retake only this university-level part to improve one’s marks, without having to retake the state-level part of the First Law Examination as well.

The Central Examination Office at the University of Regensburg is responsible for processing applications. However, all applications must be submitted via FlexNow.

If the oral examination is retaken, the better result counts. If the results are the same, the earlier result counts.

Furthermore, retaking an examination to improve one’s mark is not permitted, in particular in the case of the term paper.

I was ill at the time of the mid-term examination. What should I do now?

If a student is unable to sit a part of the mid-term examination due to illness or other reasons beyond their control, they must notify the

Law Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window)

of the Faculty of Law, Sammelgebäude, Room U 27, and provide evidence to support their claim.

The notification of absence can be submitted directly at the Sammelgebäude, Room U 27. A notification to the department or examiner is not sufficient. To ensure that the notification is made without delay, the inability to attend may initially also be reported to the Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window) by telephone (0941/943-2288 – including the answering machine), by fax (0941/943-5573) or by email.

In the event of illness, proof must generally be provided in the form of a medical certificate, which must not, as a rule, have been issued later than the day of the examination or the first day of the period for which the absence is claimed. The claim must not contain any conditions and cannot be withdrawn.

The certificate must be submitted to the relevant Examinations Office immediately, together with the declaration of withdrawal. It is reasonable to post the certificate to the Examinations Office on the day of the medical examination (or by the following day at the latest). Anyone who is bedridden due to illness must submit the certificate as soon as their condition has improved sufficiently to allow this. If sent by post, the postmark will serve as proof of the date of dispatch. It is therefore not necessary to hand it in in person at the examination office!

The medical certificate must state:

a) for which part of the examination (or parts) they are to be excused, and

b) that they are, in principle, unfit to sit the examination, specifying the period in question.

c) a specific and comprehensible description of the physical, mental or psychological impairments relevant to the examination, from a medical perspective.

d) the date of treatment and the signature of the attending doctor.

For further details, please refer to the information sheet (external link, opens in a new window) ‘Inability to sit an examination due to illness’.

I was unable to sit a mock exam due to illness.

The StPrO does not provide for any provisions in the event of being unable to sit a mock exam due to illness. This means that, in principle, there is no provision for reporting illness or for a resit.

However, some lecturers may arrange a resit date upon presentation of a medical certificate. As this is at the discretion of the relevant course organiser, it is advisable to clarify this with the relevant department.

I fell ill whilst working on my term paper. What should I do now?

Should you fall ill whilst working on your term paper, you must immediately (without undue delay) provide written proof of this to the chair of the examination board in the form of a medical certificate. This must not have been issued later than the first day of the period for which you are claiming to be unable to attend. The requirements for the medical certificate are the same as those for withdrawing from the intermediate examination due to illness.

The chair of the examination board will then decide on the validity of the reasons and the duration of any extension of the deadline that may be required as a result; see the Study Regulations (StPrO).

If an excused delay does not exceed three days, the term paper is deemed to have been submitted on time. In all other cases of excused absence, the assessment is deemed not to have been completed. This means that the term paper is not marked as ‘0’ points, but may be resubmitted.

I was ill during the oral university examination.

As a general rule, an oral examination that is missed in whole or in part is marked as ‘0’ marks in accordance with the StPrO.

However, should you fall ill during the oral university examination, you must provide written proof of this to the chair of the examination board without undue delay, in the form of a medical certificate. This certificate must not have been issued later than the day of the examination. The requirements for the medical certificate are the same as those for withdrawing from the intermediate examination due to illness.

The chair of the examination board will then decide whether the reasons are accepted.

I was ill during the oral/written examination. (see Sections 9, 10, 29 JAPO)

If a candidate is unable to sit the written state examination due to illness, the reasons for their absence must be immediately (without culpable delay) reported to and substantiated by the State Judicial Examination Office.

This evidence must be provided in the form of a certificate from a regional court doctor or a public health authority. The certificate must not have been issued later than the day of the examination. If these requirements are not met, the examination shall be deemed to have been sat and marked with ‘0’ points.

In obvious cases, the requirement to submit a certificate may be waived.

In any event, a claim of incapacity is excluded if one month has elapsed since the completion of the part of the examination already taken.

If the examination was already taken whilst the candidate was unable to sit it through no fault of their own, the above requirements apply. In this case, the claim must be made immediately after the submission of the written paper or other records.

I cannot reasonably be expected to sit the state examination for a valid reason. What happens now?

If, for a valid reason, it is unreasonable to expect an examinee to sit all or part of the written or oral part of a state examination (unreasonableness), their absence may be authorised upon application. The above requirements apply in this regard.

In the event of an inability to attend or unreasonableness, the following applies:

• If fewer than four written questions have been answered, the examination is deemed not to have been taken
• if at least four written questions have been answered, the uncompleted written questions must be replaced by corresponding make-up papers within a period to be determined by the chair of the examination board, usually at the next examination session; the requirement to resubmit is void if the examination has not been passed because a mark lower than 4.00 was achieved in more than three of the examination papers already submitted.

I was ill during the oral state examination. What happens now?

If a candidate is unable to attend the oral state examination due to illness, the reasons for the absence must be reported immediately (without culpable delay) to the State Judicial Examination Office and substantiated.

This evidence must be provided in the form of a certificate from a regional court medical officer or a public health authority. The certificate must not have been issued later than the day of the examination. If these requirements are not met, the examination shall be deemed to have been taken and marked with ‘0’ points.

In obvious cases, the requirement to submit a certificate may be waived.

In the event of being unable to attend the oral examination, a claim may not be made after the results of the oral examination have been announced.

If the examination was already taken whilst the candidate was unable to sit it through no fault of their own, the above requirements apply. In this case, the claim must be made immediately after the oral examination has been taken.

An oral examination that has not been taken, or has not been taken in full, must be retaken in its entirety on a date to be determined by the chair of the examination board.

For further details, see Sections 9, 10 and 29 of the JAPO.

What exactly is the legal traineeship?

The legal traineeship is also known as the preparatory legal service. The relevant regulations can be found in the JAPO, in particular in sections 44 et seq. of the JAPO.

You can only undertake the legal traineeship after passing the First State Examination in Law.

The aim of the legal traineeship is to familiarise trainee lawyers with the tasks of the administration of justice and public administration, thereby introducing them to the practical application of the law. By the end of the training, trainee lawyers should be able to work independently in legal practice – following a period of induction where necessary – and to meet the diverse and changing demands of society.

The legal traineeship lasts two years. Trainees are trained within the judiciary (8 months), in public administration (4 months), at a law firm (9 months) and at a placement of their choice, which must, however, meet certain requirements (compulsory elective placement, 3 months).

The final examination is the Second State Law Examination. It consists of a written component (11 written papers, each lasting 5 hours) and an oral component (50 minutes’ total examination time per candidate). In future, the number of written papers will be reduced to 9.

I’d like to transfer to Regensburg – what do I need to bear in mind?

The Student Registry sets the enrolment deadlines for each semester; the Faculty has no involvement in this. There are no entry restrictions for the Law degree at the University of Regensburg. You can therefore simply enrol at the university’s Student Registry (external link, opens in a new window), regardless of whether you are a first-year student or transferring from another institution. On their website, you will find the enrolment deadline (external link, opens in a new window), the required enrolment form (external link, opens in a new window) and the documents needed for enrolment. Please address any technical queries regarding enrolment exclusively to the Student Office.

If you have completed training for the higher judicial service or the higher non-technical administrative service, please note the following regarding credit transfer:

Under Section 22(2), first sentence, of the JAPO, such training may, upon application to the State Judicial Examination Office, be credited towards the university degree programme to the extent of up to two semesters. However, such credit for semesters is not recommended, as this would shorten the total duration of studies. As part of the academic requirements, graduates of the aforementioned training programmes will, upon application after enrolment, be granted a certificate of entry-level status and partial credit towards the intermediate examination. The specific sub-area in which credit is granted depends on the focus of the training programme. The application (external link, opens in a new window) for credit must be submitted, together with certified copies of the final certificates, via the Dean’s Office to (external link, opens in a new window)or Dr Peter Gril (opens your email program) at (opens your email program).

Under Section 22(2), sentence 3 of the JAPO, the practical training period may be waived in whole or in part. As a rule, the State Judicial Examination Office waives up to two months of the required three months’ practical training period.

Will my intermediate examination, passed elsewhere, be recognised? Will partial achievements be recognised, if applicable?

An intermediate examination passed at another German law faculty will be recognised. You will need a certificate confirming this in order to enrol (see the Student Office website, enrolment documents). Anyone who does not yet have a corresponding certificate must obtain one from their previous place of study.

Partial credits towards the intermediate examination are also recognised.

In accordance with the StPrO, recognition must be applied for (external link, opens in a new window) at the Examination Office for the intermediate examination (see the Faculty website – Departments), upon presentation of a certificate from your previous faculty. The certificate must list the modules passed, as well as any (possible) failed attempts as part of the intermediate examination. If there have been no failed attempts, the previous faculty must note this on their certificate.

If the intermediate examination has not yet been fully passed at the previous university, at least one part of the examination must always be sat at the University of Regensburg. This is relevant, for example, if several partial assessments were required at the previous university and, for instance, only one written examination was passed.

Are minor certificates or, where applicable, partial assessments obtained elsewhere recognised for this purpose?

Minor certificates obtained at other universities are recognised, provided they have already been fully awarded in accordance with the regulations of the previous university.

Recognition is granted by the Dean’s Office (Dr Peter Gril) only after the transfer, upon presentation of the relevant certificates or transcripts.

Partial credits are also generally recognised. If a partial credit at the previous university is valid for a specific period, this period is also granted in Regensburg, so that the transfer does not entail any disadvantages. Otherwise, the Regensburg Study and Examination Regulations apply.

If, at the previous university, only partial credits in the form of written examinations have been obtained and no term papers, as defined by the Regensburg Study and Examination Regulations, have yet been completed, these should, if possible, be completed during the lecture-free period prior to the forthcoming transfer. However, the subsequent break between semesters may also be used for this purpose.

If, at the previous university, only partial credits in the form of written assignments have been obtained, these count towards the corresponding seminar for the semester to which the student is transferring or for the seminar in the following semester.

In Regensburg, obtaining a conversation course certificate in the relevant subject area is a prerequisite for admission to beginner’s seminars. This must be submitted to the department when the term paper or examination is completed. Conversation course certificates (study groups) from other universities are recognised for this purpose. Anyone who is unable to present one must make up the relevant conversation seminar in Regensburg. An exception is made for students who have changed their place of study, for whom at least part of the work completed as part of the relevant beginner’s seminar may be recognised.

Are major certificates obtained elsewhere recognised?

Major certificates obtained elsewhere are recognised provided that all partial credits required under the regulations of the previous university have been passed, even if these credits differ from the Regensburg model (Section 24(1), sentence 2, JAPO). Formal registration with the faculty is no longer required.

Are partial credits for major certificates recognised, where applicable?

Only passed examinations are recognised as partial credits, as an advanced term paper is not required in Regensburg. You must always pass at least one examination in Regensburg, even if you have already passed several examination papers at your previous university without having obtained the certificate.

The recognition of partial credits is carried out by the Dean’s Office (Dr Peter Gril) only after the transfer, upon presentation of the relevant certificates/transcripts. A form may be used for the recognition process. The application may also be drafted independently. The recognition of academic achievements completed as part of the advanced seminar is excluded due to the prohibition on double counting if these achievements were already completed at your previous university as entry requirements for the advanced seminars.

I have already passed the university examination in my specialisation at another university. Will this be recognised in Regensburg?

The university examination in the specialisation area, which has been fully completed and passed at another university, does not need to be recognised by the Regensburg Faculty. Students transferring universities at this stage should ensure that they obtain an examination certificate (§ 42 JAPO) from their previous university. This must later be submitted to the State Examination Office so that, following successful completion of the State Examination in accordance with Section 17 JAPO, it can issue the certificate of completion for the First Law Examination. – Please note: Anyone transferring to Regensburg to sit the First State Law Examination here must, in accordance with Section 22(1)(3) JAPO, study here for a further two semesters before the State Examination can be taken.

I would like to transfer to Regensburg at the start of my specialisation studies. Is there anything I need to bear in mind?

Anyone transferring to Regensburg at the start of their specialisation programme may apply for admission to their chosen specialisation. Registration can be completed during the relevant period in the preceding semester (p. 20 ff). Students transferring universities may need to contact the Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window) for the University Law Examination and should do so as early as possible. This is because, as a general rule, registration for seminars and term papers for Semester 2 takes place during Semester 1 via the intranet (FlexNow). However, students transferring between study locations may also register directly via the Examinations Office after the deadline has passed. In the event of late registration, however, the desired specialisation and seminar may already be fully booked.

I would like to transfer to Regensburg whilst studying my specialisation. Is there anything I need to bear in mind?

It has been possible to apply for or gain admission to the individual specialisation areas since the summer semester of 2007, but this is not strictly necessary. However, it is advisable to submit an application for admission to a specific specialisation (see above under ‘Specialisation Studies’, p. 20 ff.). You may, at your own risk, choose not to register for the specialisation and register directly for the preparatory seminar or the term paper (see above under ‘Specialisation Studies’). Students transferring between study locations must, where necessary, contact the Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window) for the University Law Examination directly regarding registration for specialisation areas, seminars and research projects, whilst ensuring they meet the registration deadlines for the respective semester, and should do so as early as possible. This is because, as a general rule, registration for seminars and research projects for Semester 2 takes place during Semester 1 via the intranet (FlexNow). Students transferring from another campus may, however, register directly via the Examinations Office. However, if registration takes place after the deadline has passed, the preferred specialisation and seminar may already be fully booked, meaning that admission is no longer possible.

Within the framework of the specialisation programme, it is also possible to have academic achievements from your previous place of study recognised; see StPrO. The Law Examination Office (external link, opens in a new window) is responsible for this. Recognition as a ‘first seminar’ is straightforward, provided you can present a seminar certificate that is no more than three years old. Recognition as a term paper depends on equivalence, which is determined by the Examination Office; this hinges on compliance with the requirements, which are generally not met at other universities.

I would like to transfer from Regensburg to another university. What do I need to bear in mind?

First and foremost, you should enquire with the new faculty, as we are not familiar with the study regulations of other faculties. Before deciding to transfer, please therefore check with your future faculty to find out which requirements you still need to fulfil in terms of seminars and your specialisation programme. At other faculties, for example, there may still be advanced seminars involving written assignments; in some cases, a certificate in foundational subjects is a prerequisite for the specialisation programme; and there are many other requirements.

Could there be any problems if I haven’t yet fully passed the intermediate examination?

Yes, in that case it is not certain whether, and under what conditions, partial credits from Regensburg will be recognised by the destination faculty. You should contact the destination faculty regarding this.

Please note: another issue regarding the intermediate examination: anyone who leaves the faculty without having passed the intermediate examination and continues their studies at another university should notify the Examinations Office of our faculty of this, providing a certificate of enrolment. Otherwise, they must expect to receive notification of definitive failure of the intermediate examination by the end of the fifth or sixth semester at the latest, as there is a time limit for retaking it (see ‘Intermediate Examination’). This is because the Faculty cannot verify what a student who has not passed the intermediate examination does after deregistering. – If, in the meantime, the intermediate examination has been passed elsewhere and proof of this is provided, the Faculty will, of course, withdraw the notification without further ado.

Do I need any documents for my destination faculty that were not required at the University of Regensburg?

Problems may arise, for example, with regard to course registration forms. These are lists of the modules you have taken in a semester and which used to have to be submitted when re-registering. In Regensburg, course registration forms have been abolished, but this is not yet the case at some other universities. Please draw up your own lists for each of your previous semesters, including the course numbers from the course catalogue, the course titles, the number of weekly contact hours per semester, and, where applicable, the lecturer’s name. The necessary information can be found in the course catalogue and in the study information.

I’m planning to study abroad. When is the best time to go abroad?

The period abroad should, if possible, take place between passing the intermediate examination and the start of the specialisation phase and exam preparation, i.e. generally after the third or fourth academic semester. It would also be possible to undertake it between the first examination and the legal traineeship, for example to complete an LL.M. programme there. However, the University of Regensburg does not arrange this; rather, it requires you to take the initiative yourself. Incidentally, you can also complete a placement abroad during your legal traineeship.

Will the Faculty support me with planning and organising this?

The Faculty of Law runs student exchange programmes with a large number of European universities as part of the ERASMUS programme. In addition, there are also partnerships with universities outside Europe. The University’s International Office (external link, opens in a new window) will assist you with planning, applying and securing funding. You can discuss the planning of your future studies with the programme coordinators. Questions regarding the respective partner universities will be answered by the relevant programme coordinators.

What exactly does a study period abroad involve? What requirements must be met?

The duration of the stay is one or two semesters. You can find experience reports on individual universities in the International Office’s (external link, opens in a new window) information centre. Prerequisites for participation include a good knowledge of the host country’s language and, as a rule, the successful completion of beginner’s language certificates. You can find (external link, opens in a new window) all the information on the application procedure here... (external link, opens in a new window)

Will studying abroad mean I lose my right to one free attempt at the state examination?

Semesters spent abroad do not, in principle, affect your entitlement to a ‘free attempt’ at the state examination:

A leave of absence taken to study abroad will not be counted towards the two-semester limit if the student has studied foreign or international law at a university abroad as part of a law degree programme (evidenced by enrolment/student record) and has provided proof of this each semester.

If it was not possible to obtain a certificate of achievement, recognition of the study abroad period as having been completed in accordance with regulations by a Bavarian law faculty is sufficient.

However, a period spent abroad only extends the grace period under Section 37(4) of the JAPO if it coincides with a leave of absence from the home university. No exceptions are provided for in the JAPO and are therefore not possible. A verifiable absence from the home university alone is irrelevant.

This means that if you have studied abroad for one semester, can provide evidence of this in the form of a certificate of academic achievement, and were on leave of absence from the University of Regensburg during that time, you may sit the ‘Freiversuch’ after the ninth semester.

Can I have examination results I achieved abroad recognised?

With regard to the general recognition of examination results achieved abroad, the following applies:

• Upon application, academic records from a foreign university are recognised as one of the three required assessments (advanced seminars in civil law, criminal law, public law), taking into account the requirements for proper study (see Section 24(1)(2) JAPO). This means that recognition as a ‘major certificate’ may be considered. However, for this to apply, at least two modules in the relevant subject area (Civil Law, Criminal Law, Public Law) must have been completed abroad.
• Where the academic achievements demonstrated abroad include courses taught in a foreign language, recognition as a ‘language certificate’ in accordance with Section 24(2) JAPO is also possible.
• Only academic achievements that have not already been taken into account as part of the university law examination may be recognised (Sections 24(1)(4) and 43 JAPO).
• Furthermore, in accordance with Section 62 StPrO, credits may be recognised as prior learning

The Dean’s Office (external link, opens in a new window) (Dr Peter Gril) or the Examinations Office (external link, opens in a new window) decides on recognition within the framework of the specialisation programme.

I need a BAföG certificate – who is responsible for this?

Please contact Prof. Müller (external link, opens in a new window)! (external link, opens in a new window)

What careers might I consider after completing my law degree?

A rough distinction can be made between the following career fields:

Lawyers in the civil service:

• Administration
• Judiciary: judges, prosecutors
• Solicitors: self-employed/partners
• Notaries
• Lawyers in private-sector employment:
• employed in small, medium-sized or large law firms
• In-house commercial lawyers (also known as corporate lawyers) in companies, banks and insurance firms
• Academia

There are also other career opportunities, some of which, however, only require legal skills in a broader sense or call for additional training, for example at the BND, the Federal Foreign Office, as a chartered accountant or tax adviser, or even in the field of journalism, where a degree is now usually a prerequisite.

What does the work of a lawyer involve?

The legal profession is the traditional career path that the majority (over 80 per cent) of students pursue after passing their second state examination. And with good reason: the legal profession is a particularly broad and dynamic field that has something to suit everyone.

This includes, on the one hand, client care and representing their interests in court, but on the other hand also an ever-increasing range of tasks such as out-of-court conflict management and mediation.

Depending on your career aspirations, you can choose to practise in a large, highly specialised law firm with 30 or more lawyers. There, significantly higher demands are placed on qualifications and personal commitment: for instance, law degrees with top honours, as well as periods spent abroad and, where applicable, a PhD or LL.M, are regarded as particularly advantageous. In return for the very long working hours – 50, 60 or even more hours per week (regularly including weekends) – the earning potential is often many times higher than, for example, in small law firms. The starting salary for salaried lawyers in large law firms is often as high as 90,000 euros or more per year (gross).

In smaller law firms, which cover the full spectrum of legal practice, long working hours are also the norm, but they are significantly shorter than those in a large law firm. However, due to the considerably lower amounts in dispute, earnings here are also significantly lower than in large law firms.

To start a career, it is generally advisable to take up a position in a law firm where one can learn the ropes, as setting up one’s own practice straight away involves considerable costs on the one hand, and the problem of finding clients on the other. According to a study, the average net monthly salary for a sole practitioner is 1,500 euros.

So, for anyone who is willing and able to show commitment and possesses a certain ‘fighting spirit’, a career as a lawyer is certainly more than worth considering.

What is the role of a judge like?

A judge’s work involves, on the one hand, familiarising themselves with cases through a thorough examination of the files and, on the other hand, subsequently presiding over proceedings in court. This involves less debate and more listening to and questioning the parties involved. In this respect, the profession of a judge is characterised primarily by restraint and objectivity. In particular, a judge is expected to act as a conflict manager and mediator.

What makes the profession of a judge unique is the judicial independence guaranteed by the Basic Law, both in professional and personal terms. This means that a judge cannot be transferred, reassigned or dismissed against their will. Nor is there any requirement to serve a fixed term of office. Similarly, there are no superiors whose instructions a judge is bound to follow.

The entry requirements for the judicial profession vary from one federal state to another. In Bavaria, the requirement is generally a second state examination with a mark of 9 or above; there do not appear to be any criteria other than this ‘state examination mark’. Elsewhere, however, one must be prepared to be assessed not only on professional skills but also on personal qualities.

A judge’s starting salary is around 3,500 euros gross (depending on age). Whilst this may sound like little compared to the pay at large law firms, it must be borne in mind that civil servants do not have to pay any social security contributions on their salary. In net terms, therefore, the difference is significantly reduced.

Students interested in a career as a judge should enjoy thinking things through and have a calm and composed nature.

What is the role of a public prosecutor like?

As a public prosecutor, you are a senior civil servant. You conduct investigations in criminal proceedings and bring charges before the court. Unlike the judicial profession, the public prosecution service has a hierarchical structure, which means you must follow the official instructions of your superior. The required examination grades are the same as those for the judicial profession.

What distinguishes a legal officer in the civil service?

Work in the civil service can be varied and diverse. Particularly in local government, which is close to the public, one deals with specific projects, such as the construction of nurseries, etc. In contrast, in ministries and higher authorities, one usually deals with abstract issues, exercises oversight over other authorities and drafts administrative regulations. A distinctive feature is generally a particularly strong hierarchy and a more or less pronounced proximity to politics. With limited opportunities for promotion, the earning potential is similar to that of a judge.

What are a notary’s duties?

The notary acts as an impartial adviser to the parties involved and carries out tasks such as drawing up deeds and certifying signatures. The performance of their duties is subject to state supervision. Career paths are regulated very differently across the various federal states.

What can a student who wishes to pursue a career in academia expect?

For students interested in teaching and research, there is also the option of pursuing a career at universities, universities of applied sciences, revision centres, academies or similar institutions. It should be borne in mind that, in the field of law – unlike in medicine, for example – academic work is predominantly carried out as individual work. Working hours in this profession are also quite long. In addition, there is income from expert reports, lectures, etc.

What other careers are open to graduates after qualifying?

Apart from the traditional roles listed above, career opportunities in politics, management consultancy, insurance, the Federal Intelligence Service and similar fields are also worth considering, although the legal skills acquired during your degree will only be used to a limited extent in these roles.

The following list explains the terms that are repeatedly abbreviated in the text:

Now that the so-called ‘Corona semesters’ are not being counted towards my degree, what deadlines apply to me?

If you have any questions or require clarification regarding registration for the state examination, please contact the Bavarian State Examination Office directly. Your points of contact there are:

Irmgard Loschan-Irber
Room 259, 2nd floor
Tel. 089 / 5597-2590
In person:
Tuesday to Friday
8.30 am – 11.30 am
E-Mail:irmgard.loschan-irber​(at)​stmj.bayern.de (opens your email program)

Katrin Knaus
Room 259, 2nd floor
Tel. 089 / 5597-2604
In person:
Monday to Friday:
8.30 am – 11.30 am
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday:
1.15 pm – 3.00 pm
Email: katrin.knaus@stmj.bayern.de (opens your email program)