German and French Law (LL.M.)

Exceptional legal education: “German-French Law” opens up limitless possibilities. Full degrees, international demand. Three semesters in Rennes, cultural exchange. Joint studies with French, six exciting semesters.

Fact Sheet

Degree
Master of Law
Admission
Qualification assessment
Duration of studies
10 semesters
Teaching language
in German and in the languages of the respective core subjects
Faculty
Faculty of Business, Economics, and Law
Start of degree program
Winter semester
Number of students
1-50
Special ways to study
International degree program, Double degree program
Special features

The stay abroad in Rennes is supported by a mobility grant of 300 € per month from the German-French University DFH. An internship in France is also planned.

Program overview

What is the degree program about?

The integrated degree program “German-French Law” aims to train lawyers who are not only proficient in both languages, but who are also familiar with both legal systems. Graduates receive both a regular German law degree, and a degree that is fully recognized in France.
For this purpose, a three-semester course of study is planned at the partner university Rennes. Special emphasis is placed on the cultural and professional exchange with the French fellow students, in that German and French students of one year group study together for a total of six semesters. In addition, students study European and international law in depth.

The degree program consists of 10 semesters, three of which take place in Rennes. Within the first four semesters, which take place in Erlangen, you not only take general courses in the context of law studies, you also participate in a dedicated tutorial and in preparatory courses in specialized languages, such as:

  • Français juridique I : droit constitutionnel
  • Français juridique II : droit des contrats
  • Français juridique III: droit de la responsabilité civile
  • Français juridique IV: régime des obligations
  • Semesters 5 to 7 take place in Rennes. Here, you can create your individual study program profile based on a variety of different electives.

From semester 8 to 10/11, the studies are completed in Erlangen. Here, law studies are continued “normally”, there are joint events with French students and there are courses for exam preparation.

  • Interest in studying law
  • Desire for a longer stay in France
  • Good knowledge of written and spoken French

  • The program is designed for German and French students to study together for a total of six semesters starting in the 5th semester (first semester in France). This promotes a particularly intensive exchange between students from both countries.
  • There are special courses and tutorials for participants of the integrated study program “German-French Law”, which prepare them for their studies in France.
  • The partner city Rennes is a great city in Brittany, close to the sea. The partner university Rennes 1 is known in France for its outstanding law faculty.
  • Graduates receive a total of three degrees:
    • First law exam (Germany) – at the same time: Diplom-Jurist (univ.)
    • License en droit – juriste franco-allemand (French Bachelor)
    • Master droit européen – specialité juriste franco-allemand (French Master 2)

A German-French double degree offers many advantages. The intensive economic and political relations between the two countries require lawyers who can easily navigate both legal systems and languages. Thus, there are specialized Franco-German law firms, for instance in business law, labor law, corporate law, tax law, but also in inheritance and family law. Likewise, many companies are interested in attracting employees who have international experience and are sensitive to intercultural issues. Public authorities or institutions are also looking for employees with a German-French background. In the European Union, the working language is mainly French, in addition to English and German. If you want to pursue a career as a lawyer there, you should make sure you acquire the necessary skills early on.

In addition, students in Rennes learn subjects that are directly or indirectly related to European and international law, so that these areas of law will already be familiar to them in Germany when they work on them themselves. Moreover, there is hardly any area of law that is not at least influenced by the legislation of the European Union. Knowledge in this area is therefore never a miss.

Application for a Degree Program

Application for internationalsOverview of admission requirements, deadlines, and application procedures

Admission Requirements and Application

Admission

  • Master: Qualification assessment

Application deadline

  • Winter semester: 15.07.
  • Summer semester: nicht möglich

Language skills

Content related master requirements

The application procedure for the study program German-French Law at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg is two-step:

Details and notes

Application Documents:

  • Completed application form
  • Application folder consisting of (please make sure to follow the given order!):
  • Curriculum vitae with photo
  • Lettre de motivation (in French)
  • Baccalaureate certificate (certified copy) – You may submit your application without the Baccalaureate certificate if you have not received it by the application deadline. Include your baccalaureate grade in your application if it is already known or fill in the last status of your mid-year transcript. You can then submit your Abitur certificate at a later date.
  • Information and proof of language skills, stays abroad and internships with a legal connection to France, as well as other documents that demonstrate your suitability for the degree program. It is not mandatory that you be able to provide proof for each of these aspects in order to apply for the degree program. However, the aforementioned evidence will give you the opportunity to stand out positively in the field of applicants and convince the admissions committee to select you for the program.

The application must be submitted in two forms:

  • once in written form to the degree program officer

Prof. Dr. Robert Freitag

Department of Law

Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Schillerstr. 1

91054 Erlangen

When completing the application form, please follow the instructions for submitting application documents.

  • Once in electronic form by e-mail to juradfr@fau.de (subject: „Application for the study program German-French Law“).

Interviews will be held for suitable candidates. The dates for 2024 can be found here.

Apply now for a degree programThe first step towards your studies begins with the online application.

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