Gilded figurine of the goddess of law and justice

Law

How are contracts made? What types of contract are there in fact? And at what point does a person’s conduct expose them to criminal liability? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
Gilded figurine of the goddess of law and justice
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Key facts
Degree
state examination
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
10 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
None
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,65
Start of studies
Winter semester, Summer semester
Part-time possible
No
Institutions
Faculty of Law
Law chairs
Application & Deadlines

Programme content

Law students have to learn countless laws off by heart, right? This is the cliché that is often rolled out – and we would like to start by setting matters straight:  it simply isn’t true! While some legal sources will inevitably be etched in your memory after years of work, the ability to interpret and apply legal texts is a far more important aspect of this degree programme. After all, legal practitioners have to work with arguments and standpoints in a structured manner. So it is important that you are interested in constantly training your powers of reasoning and advocacy, language proficiency and analytical thinking skills. By the way, law students are allowed to take their law books into written examinations.

You will learn how the German legal system and its laws work. If you want to get your head around the detail of the law, you will need stamina, keen interest, and dedication. The degree programme focuses on three areas: Civil Law, Public Law, and Criminal Law. There is also an emphasis on qualifications that make graduates more employable. In later semesters, you can specialize in one of the following areas to acquire in-depth knowledge in a subject of your choice:

  • Fundamentals of Law and Legal Studies
  • German and European Business Law
  • German and European Labour and Social Law
  • German and European Public Law
  • Criminology
  • International Law
  • Administration of Civil Justice and Contract Drafting

The following video shows you exactly what you can expect to study during your degree programme:

Screenshot

Screenshot: Sophie Bartholome

Structure

Lecture hall

Lecture hall

Image: Daniel Hofmann

If a course of study involves one or more state examinations, the programme content and examinations are uniformly regulated by state or federal legislation.

The university stage of vocational legal study (with a standard period of study of 10 semesters) consists of foundation studies (Grundstudium) and advanced studies (Hauptstudium) and culminates in the first legal examination. You will then complete a legal traineeship (Referendariat) before taking the second legal examination. The University is not responsible for this part of your education; it will be the responsibility of the federal state where you complete the legal traineeship.

How might your degree programme shape up?

Law education is arranged in the same stages at all universities in Germany. The following section gives an example of how your studies could be structured if you start in the winter semester:

  • Foundation studies (Grundstudium)

    1st semester

    • Civil Code – General Part
    • Study Group – Civil Code – General Part
    • Basic Course in Public Law I
    • Study Group – Basic Course in Public Law I
    • Introduction to Legal Studies
    • Fundamentals of Medieval and Early Modern Legal History
    • Fundamentals of Roman Legal History and the History of European Private Law
    • Introduction to Economics for Law Students
    • Practical Class – Introduction to Economics
    • Legal Methodology

    2nd semester

    • Law of Obligations – General Part
    • Study Group – Law of Obligations – General Part
    • Basic Course in Public Law II
    • Study Group – Basic Course in Public Law II
    • Criminal Law I – General Part
    • Study Group – Criminal Law – General Part
    • Fundamentals of Modern Legal and Constitutional History
    • Fundamentals of Legal Philosophy and Argumentation Theory

    3rd semester

    • Law of Obligations – Special Part I (Contractual Obligations)
    • Law of Obligations – Special Part II (Non-contractual Obligations)
    • Property Law I
    • Study Group – Law of Obligations – Special Part
    • General Administrative Law
    • Study Group – General Administrative Law
    • Criminal Law II – Special Part
    • Criminal Law III – Methodology of Criminal Casework
    • Fundamentals of Legal Theory, Legal Methodology, and Sociology of Law

    You will complete a practical study period after the 3rd semester.

    4th semester

    • Property Law II (Collateral Security Law)
    • Fundamentals of Succession Law
    • Fundamentals of Family Law
    • Fundamentals of the Law on Partnerships and Companies
    • Fundamentals of Commercial Law
    • Employment Law
    • Fundamentals of Administrative Procedure Law
    • Fundamentals of European Union Law
    • Police and Public Order Law

    You will complete a practical study period after the 4th semester.

  • Advanced studies (Hauptstudium)

    5th semester

    • Practical Exercises in Civil Law for Advanced Students
    • German Code of Civil Procedure I (Fundamentals of Civil Procedure)
    • Fundamentals of Construction Law
    • Fundamentals of Local Government Law
    • Fundamentals of International Law
    • Practical Exercises in Criminal Law for Advanced Students
    • Criminal Procedure Law
    • Study in the Area of Specialization

    You will complete a practical study period after the 5th semester.

    6th semester

    • German Code of Civil Procedure II (Fundamentals of Debt Enforcement Law)
    • Practical Exercises in Public Law for Advanced Students
    • Study in the Area of Specialization

    You will complete a practical study period after the 6th semester.

    7th semester

    • Exam Revision Course – Civil Law
    • Exam Revision Course – Commercial and Company Law
    • Exam Revision Course – Public Law
    • Exam Revision Course – Criminal Law
    • Study in the Area of Specialization

    After the 7th semester, you can register for a free attempt at the first legal examination (which is not counted among attempts made if the assessment is failed).
    (Admission requirements: passed intermediate examination, certificate in foundation studies (Grundlagenschein), foreign language certificate, passed advanced practical class in the three areas of law, 13 weeks of internships)

    8th semester

    • Exam Revision Course – Civil Law
    • Exam Revision Course – Labour Law
    • Exam Revision Course – Public Law
    • Exam Revision Course – Criminal Law

    9th / 10th semester

    • Exam preparation

    The first legal examination (state examination) is conducted by the Free State of Thuringia. It consists of several individual examinations. Your overall grade for the first legal examination will be calculated by combining the individual grades achieved in the individual examinations with the grade achieved in your area of specialization.

You can find more detailed information in the Thuringian Lawyers' Training and Examination Regulations, in the recommended study plan de or on the website of the Faculty of Law. 

Why study in Jena?

Dr. Marion Schmidt-Wenzel

Image: Rechtswissenschaftliche Fakultät

Studying law in Jena means not just the chance to enjoy an excellent degree programme taught by a friendly and welcoming Faculty in a city defined by its students. You can look forward to a modern and comprehensive range of annual activities to help you prepare for your examinations, especially in the final phase of your studies. You will benefit from an optimal student-teacher ratio and the extensive experience of our academic staff as examiners in state examinations. We also offer a wide range of courses and materials to enhance your learning, including digital tools.

Dr Marion Schmidt-Wenzel
(Lecturer for the Exam Revision Course
in Civil Law and Public Law)

In studying law I have been fascinated by how complex theory has been brought to life in a captivating way by application to problem cases. I opted for Jena as my place of study above all because of the large library and the student-friendly campus. And when I think about the excellent support I’ve received from the University of Jena throughout my studies, from the intermediate examination right up to my preparation for the final state examination, I don’t regret that decision in the slightest.

Luise Kulling (law student in the final exam stage)

  • Excellent support: As we want our new students to feel comfortable and find their feet right from the start, we provide more information on the organization of studies, as well as the University’s facilities and services during the Study Orientation Days at the Faculty of Law de. Our lecture topics are discussed in smaller groups with a maximum of 40 participants. You will also receive extensive support in tutorials. 
  • Research focus: The professorial chairs housed in the Faculty of Law conduct research in various areas that cover the entire spectrum of legal studies. There is a key focus on historical and philosophical legal subjects, as well as business law. 
  • Outstanding ratings: The Faculty of Law always does well in teaching evaluations. Why’s that? It’s simple: we offer new students excellent support during the induction period de, a good student-teacher ratio and a wide range of facilities.
  • A world of possibilities: Experience our international flair! With its attractive environment for study our University appeals to students and researchers from all over the world and helps to shape Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan city that is fit for the future – the perfect place for international studentsmp4, 57 mb · de.
  • Adventures abroad: You can easily realize your dream of spending a semester abroad de. We have a global network of partner universities.

A look behind the scenes

  • Gebäude der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena am Ernst-Abbe-Platz
    Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
    Welcome!

    The Faculty of Law is based at Ernst-Abbe-Platz – in the heart of the city. A modern building complex houses the administration team and the various professorial chairs and institutes. Most of the lecture theatres and seminar rooms used by the Faculty of Law are also located here.

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What can you do after your studies?

Career opportunities:

Graduate

Image: Designed by diana.grytsku / freepik.com

You will generally be able to work in a wide range of different fields, as legal experts are not only needed as judges, public prosecutors or lawyers, but in all areas of administration and business. If you want to join the civil service or become a notary, however, you will need above-average grades in your examinations.

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

  • Fun in using the German language
  • A good general education
  • An interest in politics, government and society
  • Analytical thinking skills
  • A strong capacity for learning
  • Stamina and dedication

Admission requirements

  • University entrance qualification

    A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

    More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.

  • Language requirements

    Knowledge of Latin is an advantage, but not required.

    Admission and language requirements for applicants of foreign nationality and without German Abitur: www.uni-jena.de/en/study-orientation-international

Contacts

Christiane Fischer (Academic Advisor)

Room 2.50
Carl-Zeiß-Straße 3
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Examinations Office, Faculty of Law

Room 2.41
Carl-Zeiß-Straße 3
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

State Law Examinations Office

Werner-Seelenbinder-Straße 5
99096 Erfurt Google Maps site planExternal link

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link