| Degree awarded: | Erste Juristische Prüfung (First Examination in Law) |
|---|---|
| Duration: | 10 semesters |
| Starts in | Winter semester |
| Language of instruction: | German |
Would you like to study law at a university with an excellent reputation? Then the University of Passau is the right place for you: it regularly performs very well in rankings.
The law programme teaches you how the German legal system works and what influence it has on people's day-to-day lives. The aim of this programme – which is taught in terms of the three broad areas of civil, public and criminal law – is to provide students with a thorough understanding of how law works and to give them the ability to analyse practical problems and solve legal cases.
Studying law is particularly fun if you are enthusiastic about logic and systematic thinking, the German language and our society and current affairs. This law programme is highly relevant to everyday life. Studying law does not mean merely engaging with abstract theory; law as a discipline is always in tune with the times.
You can find detailed information in our infosheet on the programme [German content].
We offer you many opportunities to (voluntarily) give your studies an international dimension:
The Erste Juristische Prüfung is followed by a two-year civil-service traineeship at a court of law, administrative authority or other official body. This stage of your training concludes with the Zweite Juristische Prüfung (Second State Examination in Law).
Following that, you will be qualified for legal careers in the civil service (as a public prosecutor, judge or administrative lawyer), as legal counsel (as a solicitor/lawyer or barrister). You will also be qualified to work in an official certifying capacity as a civil notary or in business organisations (insurance companies, legal departments, advisory staff) and in associations.
The basic study stage is designed to lead you to an intensive study of the law and to critical thinking. In addition to foundational courses, the focus is on basic courses in private law, constitutional law and criminal law. By learning the general principles, you are introduced to the various areas of law, such as constitutional law, fundamental rights, contract law or general criminal law. You will apply the knowledge you gained in the lectures in small groups by practising on real-world cases in the exercise courses, which are offered in conjunction with the lectures. At the end of the basic study stage you will sit an intermediate examination ("Zwischenprüfung") .
In the main study programme you will deepen your knowledge gained in the basic study stage. The focus is on studying specific areas of law, such as special administrative law (building, police and municipal law), liability law, civil and criminal procedural law and special criminal law. This will familiarise you with specific areas of the law and provide an overview of the entire legal system in a national and international context. The main study stage is also where specialisation area begins, which gives you free choice of 29 different areas. This is where you have the opportunity to shape your study profile to suit your interests.
At the final study stage, you will revise and consolidate what you learned in the previous stages, interlinking your knowledge acquired during the preceding basic and main study stages. The University of Passau has won multiple awards for its free exam preparation course with mock exams and individual coaching sessions, which come into play at this stage of the programme. You will conclude the programme when you sit the First (State) Examination in Law ("Erste Juristische Prüfung"). This examination actually consists of two parts: one set by the University (the university law examination or "Juristische Staatsprüfung" in German), in which you are tested on your chosen specialisation, and the other is the First State Examination in Law, or "Erste Juristische Staatsprüfung".
You can find detailed information in our infosheet on the programme [German content].
This degree programme starts in the October (winter semester) each year.
Prospective students with a higher education entrance qualification from Germany or the EEA region (e.g. German Abitur or the Austrian Matura) can enrol directly for this degree programme during the enrolment period.
You will need German language skills at level C1 CEFR or higher to study this degree programme, as that is the main language of instruction for this programme. Therefore, you will have to provide a recognised German language certificate such as DSH-2 or TestDaF 4×4 with your application, unless German was the language of instruction for your secondary school education (e.g. Abitur at a German international school).
If you are interested in technology and laws, these degree programmes might also be worth checking out:
The Academic Advice Service is the first port of call for all enquiries related to studying at the University!
Drop us a line: advice@uni-passau.de
