Course: German Law and Comparative Law LL.M.
- Law
Our one-year LL.M. programme providesinternational lawyers with a sound grounding in German and European law and at the same time systematically introduces them to the methodology of comparative law research. In a closely supervised environment, students develop their own research profile - in line with their individual areas of interest - and are specifically prepared for academic careers in Germany and Europe, work in think tanks and legal work in an international context.
The most important facts at a glance
Program Profile
The programme combines a sound education in German and European law with an in-depth introduction to comparative law methods. The programme combines three central focal points:
- Acquiring in-depth knowledge of German and European law: Students choose courses - according to their individual areas of interest - from the wide range of courses offered by the Faculty of Law at the University of Regensburg. This enables them to acquire in-depth systematic knowledge of German law in precisely those areas that are relevant to their future research or professional orientation. In addition, students have the opportunity to attend free German courses to further improve their language skills.
- Learn comparative law in theory and apply it in practice: In addition, students learn the basics and procedures of comparative law research. This methodology is not only taught in theory, but also practised step by step: In seminars and smaller research formats, students develop their own comparative law questions, present their initial findings and consolidate what they have learnt in seminar papers and assignments. Their own domestic legal system often serves as a starting point.
- Academic specialisation and Master's thesis: To complete the programme, students work on a larger research project of their own: their Master's thesis. To do this, they first learn about the central standards of legal research in Germany - from research techniques and academic argumentation to citation and structuring rules. On this basis, they then realise their project independently and write a Master's thesis that focuses on a comparative law analysis of a legal issue. The thesis forms the professional highlight of the programme and deepens the methodological knowledge of comparative law research.
Is this the right program for me?
This LL.M. degree program is aimed at students who have an interest in German and European law and would like to study a new legal system in depth. It is particularly aimed at people who enjoy analytical work, would like to compare different legal systems and also want to look at legal issues from other perspectives.
The degree program is particularly suitable for students who
- already have a law degree from a university outside Germany,
- would like to deepen their knowledge of German and European law in a targeted and systematic way,
- want to learn the basics and working methods of comparative law research, both theoretically and practically, and
- are considering a further academic qualification, including the possibility of subsequently taking up a doctorate in Germany or Europe.
What makes this program special?
Our LL.M. is aimed specifically at international lawyers and offers a combination that is rarely found in this form:
- Individual specialisation in German and European law
Students put together their own degree programme and choose the areas of law that really interest them - for example, private law, constitutional law, administrative law or european law. In this way, they build up exactly the specialised knowledge they need for their further research or professional future. - Systematic training in comparative law methodology
Students learn from scratch how comparative law research works: theoretically sound and practically practised in seminars, presentations and smaller research formats. - Academic work according to German standards
Students learn how legal research works in Germany: Research, argumentation, citation methods, structure. They apply this knowledge directly in their Master's thesis, in which they examine a comparative law issue and thus realise their own research project. - Small group, close supervision
You study in a small, international cohort and benefit from a direct exchange with lecturers. You will receive feedback, guidance and support in an environment that enables genuine academic development. - No tuition fees & free German courses
The programme is free of charge and students can improve their language skills with free German courses. - Ideal preparation for a doctorate
Through the combination of in-depth subject knowledge, methodological training and your own research project, the programme creates excellent requirements for a later doctorate in Germany or Europe.
What can I do with this degree?
- The LL.M. as a springboard for a doctorate
The programme provides students with the specialist and methodological foundations required for further academic qualifications following the programme. Through an in-depth examination of German and European law and systematic training in comparative law research, students are specifically prepared to take up a doctorate or other advanced research projects at universities in Germany or Europe. - Activities in international or European contexts
A deeper understanding of different legal systems also opens up a wide range of career prospects in international organisations, European institutions, NGOs, think tanks and internationally oriented law firms and companies.
Structure of the Program
Program Structure
The LL.M. German Law and Comparative Law is structured as a one-year full-time programme and combines basic knowledge, methodological training and an independent research project.
At the beginning, students acquire a systematic overview of German law and then specialise in one area of German or European law according to their area of interest. In addition, they receive methodological training in comparative law, which is taught both theoretically and applied practically in smaller formats. In the summer semester, the focus is on the Master's thesis, in which a comparative law issue is independently investigated.
Module Overview
The LL.M. is divided into three modules.
- Module: German Law in Comparative Perspective (20 CP)
The first module offers an introduction to the German legal system and provides an overview of its central structures and areas of law. Building on this, students choose courses from the general programme offered by the Faculty of Law, for example in German civil law, public law, criminal law or european law, according to their individual interests. In this way, they systematically specialise in a selected area of German or European law. The module is rounded off by a comparative law exercise in which students gain their first experience of comparative law work. - Module: Comparative law, legal history and foreign law (20 CP)
This module teaches the methods and theoretical foundations of comparative law research. The methods learnt are directly applied in practice in seminars and smaller research formats. In addition, students take a total of two courses in foreign languages - such as a German course - or introductions to other legal systems in order to either expand their language skills or broaden their comparative law horizons in a targeted manner. - Module: Concluding module - Master's thesis (20 CP)
The concluding module serves to carry out an independent comparative law research project. Students first acquire knowledge of the standards of legal research in Germany and then apply this directly in the preparation of their Master's thesis.
The Master's thesis forms the academic degree of the programme and enables the in-depth investigation of a comparative law issue.
Internationalization
The LL.M. is aimed at international lawyers and is designed to bring together different legal backgrounds. The courses facilitate the introduction to German and European law, build on the students' previous experience and thus create an ideal framework for further academic qualification in an international context.
The international composition of the group promotes a professional exchange that significantly enriches the comparative law approach of the programme. Foreign language courses and courses on other legal systems also support the development of language and intercultural skills.
Student Life & Services
Foto: UR / Julia Dragan Requirements
| Admission Restrictions / Selection Procedure | no |
| Pre-registration procedure | yes |
| Eligibility Test / Aptitude Test | yes |
| Placement Test | no |
| Subject-Specific Language Requirements | yes |
| German Language Certificate for Students with Foreign University Entrance Qualification | yes |
| Other Requirements | no |
Binding information and current information can be found in the brief overview (German version) (opens in a new window). (This PDF is not accessible) of the Registrar's Office or in the examination regulations applicable to you Examination Regulations.
Details Requirements
Note:
If the degree certificate cannot yet be submitted at the time of application, proof of qualification can alternatively be provided by a current certified proof of previous study and examination achievements from the degree program amounting to at least 210 LP; this proof must show the provisional overall examination grade resulting from the previous achievements.
Admission Restrictions / Selection Procedure
Degree in law or equivalent in a country outside Germany with at least eight semesters Standard Period of Study (240 ECTS) with a grade of at least 2.5; conversion is based on the modified Bavarian formula.
Eligibility Test / Aptitude Test Project outline
The submitted project outline of a maximum of 5,000 characters (including spaces) must convince the examination committee. It should outline a project for the design of the Master's programme, including the thematic focus of the Master's thesis, which can be realised at the University of Regensburg, and it should be explained how this project fits into the previous and planned academic and professional development.
Subject-Specific Language Requirements
Applicants who wish to study the Master's degree programme in German and Comparative Law and have not obtained their university entrance qualification at an English-speaking institution must provide proof of sufficient knowledge of English at level C1 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Applicants who have obtained a degree from a German-speaking institution and have already provided the above-mentioned proof of language proficiency in connection with this degree are exempt from this separate requirement. The proof must be submitted at the latest upon enrolment.
Please note: By accepting the study offer, applicants make a declaration in which they undertake to acquire passive knowledge of the Language of Instruction other than the Language of Instruction of the chosen degree program in spoken and written form at a level corresponding to B2 CEFR by the start of studies.
Admission for internationals
Applicants who wish to study the Master's degree programme "German Law and Comparative Law" and have not obtained their university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution must provide separate proof of sufficient German language skills in the form of the German Language Test for University Entrance Qualification (DSH) with an overall result of DSH-2 or an equivalent language certificate. Applicants who have obtained a degree from a German-speaking institution and have already provided the above-mentioned proof of language proficiency in connection with this degree are exempt from this separate proof. The proof must be presented at the latest at the time of enrolment.
Admission, Application and Enrollment
Foto ©iStock.com/mixetto Academic Advising
Course-related information and advice
If you have any questions about the programme content, the subject-specific requirements and the application procedure, as well as the specific structure of the programme, please contact the
General Student Advisory Service
The General Student Advisory Service (ZSB) supports you with all questions relating to your studies - from the decision to study, to the course of study, to successful graduation.
If necessary, the ZSB will refer you to the appropriate contact person.