This English-taught Master’s program begins with a winter-semester core curriculum that builds a solid foundation in European and German law. Early coursework focuses on legal reasoning and theory, academic writing and jurisprudence, and research perspectives—preparing students for advanced, independent legal study and comparative work across jurisdictions.
In the summer semester students move into one specialised track (or assemble an individual combination of courses). The Justice & Security track examines contemporary global threats to justice and security—war, terrorism, climate change, transitional societies and authoritarianism—exploring existing legal frameworks and how law can respond, with theoretical, historical and practitioner perspectives. The Law & Society track approaches legal problems through an interdisciplinary lens that brings social-science methods to doctrinal research and critically interrogates disciplinary boundaries. The Innovation & Transformation track focuses on the legal dimensions of technological and social change, covering technology law, intellectual property, data protection and related fields. There is also a general option that lets students mix courses across these specialisations for a tailored study path. The programme concludes with a master’s thesis (maximum 100,000 characters, without spaces).
The programme’s complete curriculum — including detailed module descriptions, credit allocation and the rules for assessment — is set out in the programme’s official study and examination regulations. Those regulations are the authoritative source for what you will be taught, how your performance will be assessed, what counts as a passing grade, and the formal requirements for completing the Master’s degree.
Although the full module catalogue and assessment rules are contained in that document, you can expect the curriculum to define a combination of compulsory and elective courses, research supervision for the master’s thesis, and formal learning outcomes. Typical learning outcomes listed in such regulations include advanced subject knowledge, the ability to conduct independent legal research, critical analysis of legal problems, and professional communication of legal findings in written and oral form — all tailored to the programme’s specific area(s) of emphasis.
International students should consult the study and examination regulations early: they explain credit (ECTS) expectations, examination formats and deadlines, language requirements, rules for missed or failed assessments, and the formal steps required to register for and submit a master’s thesis. If anything in the regulations is unclear, contact the programme office or examination board for authoritative clarification well before deadlines.
Key items specified in the study and examination regulations
Practical checklist for international applicants/students
Applicants must hold a law degree that includes substantial instruction in foreign (non‑German) law—specifically, coursework totalling the equivalent of 120 ECTS credits within the law programme. In addition to the academic requirement, candidates need to have completed professional work experience of a minimum of one year. This practical experience must be carried out after receiving the first degree (BA) and must be finished before the application deadline.
For international applicants, make sure your transcripts clearly show the number of ECTS-equivalent credits in non‑German law subjects, and be prepared to document your professional experience (dates and nature of employment) to demonstrate it meets the “qualified” requirement.
Winter Semester (International)
28 February 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
28 February 2026
Graduates are prepared for careers that require advanced comparative and interdisciplinary legal skills, such as positions in international law firms, governmental and intergovernmental organisations, NGOs, policy and regulatory bodies, compliance and legal consultancy, and legal research. The programme’s combination of doctrinal training, interdisciplinary perspectives and practitioner input also supports further academic work or doctoral studies.
The emphasis on English-language instruction and European/German law equips international lawyers to work across jurisdictions or to engage in transnational legal practice and policy work. Practical experience required for admission further signals the programme’s orientation toward professional applicability.
University of Mannheim — Mannheim
University of Hamburg — Hamburg
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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Berlin