Law (Examen)
Study law at HU Berlin: practice-oriented, internationally focused, and research-driven. With exchange programmes, diverse areas of specialization, and clear career prospects leading to the First State Examination in Law.
Table of Contents
At a glance
Course structure and content
The programme will provide you with the essential competencies and knowledge required to practice the legal professions. You will learn how to engage in scholarly work, critical thinking and responsible action in a free, democratic and social state based on the rule of law. This includes technical knowledge in basic and core legal subjects as well as techniques of case resolution, argumentation and presentation as well as linguistic skills.
In particular you will learn how to answer legal questions in a European and global context, to identify the political, social, historical and cultural contexts of the law and to explore new developments independently.
The course is divided into modules. A total of 270 credit points (CP) are required. One credit point equals a workload of 25-30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at classes.
Mandatory modules (214 CP)
Core curriculum
- Foundations of law, 12 CP
- Civil law I, 19 CP
- Criminal law I, 15 CP
- Public law I, 15 CP
- Jurisprudential casework, 12 CP
Advanced curriculum
- Civil law II, 13 CP
- Civil law III, 11 CP
- Criminal law II, 12 CP
- Public law II, 15 CP
- Public law III, 10 CP
- Specialized studies
- Specialization, 50 CP
Mandatory elective modules (56 CP)
Focus studies
(select one module, each 32 CP):
- Contemporary history and theory of law
- Legislation and legal policy
- Civil law consultation and the formation of law
- Europeanization and internationalization of private and economic law with the following independent sub-focuses (of equal rank with the other focus subjects):
- Intellectual property rights
- Legislation and digital transformation
- Business and corporate law
- State and administration in transformation
- International law and European law
- German and international criminal justice
- Foreign law / offers from foreign partner universities
Additional professional qualifications, 24 CP
- BZQ I, 4 CP
- BZQ II, 5 CP
- BZQ III, 15 CP
State Examination (10th semester)
The examination is administered by the Joint Legal Examination Authority for the States of Berlin and Brandenburg (GJPA) and consists of a written section and an oral section.
Mandatory elective modules for other degree programmes
- ?WP 1: Foundations of law (5 CP)
- ?WP 2: Basic knowledge of civil law and commercial or corporate law (5 CP)
- ?WP 3: Basic knowledge of public law, especially basic rights (5 CP)
Special features
The course has a strong focus on European and international perspectives. One special emphasis of research and teaching is the analysis of contemporary legal history. The faculty also emphasizes the perspective of legal counsel and legislation. For this reason, a substantial portion of classes are taught by lawyers and other representatives of the legal professions, which is intended to give students an early introduction to the various legal careers. With a well-organized schedule, students can complete the course within nine semesters.
You should be proficient in spoken and written German, enjoy logical thinking and be interested in the critical analysis of social issues and problems.
Subject-specific admission and enrolment rules
Subject-specific admission and enrolment rules
Subject-specific admission and enrolment rules
Career opportunities & prospects
After passing the First or Second State Examination, and with professional experience, further studies could be an option for you, for example, to become a specialist lawyer in a particular field.
The LL.M. in International Dispute Resolution at Humboldt-Universit?t is one such advanced Master's programme. However, most Master of Laws programmes at HU are aimed at applicants with a non-German legal degree.
Find out more in the list of HU study programmes or via the database Hochschulkompass nationwide.
The degree opens up diverse career opportunities. Successful completion of the First State Examination in law grants access to positions in academia, business, politics, culture, and civil society. The degree also qualifies graduates for the legal traineeship, which culminates in the second state examination in law.
This traditional path leads to state-regulated legal professions: as a lawyer, judge, or civil servant in the higher-level non-technical administrative service.
Furthermore, exciting prospects exist in many other areas:
- Companies, particularly in legal and human resources departments
- Associations, trade unions, and NGOs
- National and international organizations
- Positions in politics and administration
- Academic research and teaching
The degree programme not only imparts the fundamental legal knowledge but also analytical, linguistic, and methodological skills that are valued in a wide range of professions. Thus, the degree opens up both traditional legal career paths and attractive alternatives in other fields of social activity.
More information on career prospects and alternatives can be found in the Berufenet database.
Contact information for the faculty
Faculty of Law
Kommode, Bebelplatz 2, 10117 Berlin