Smartphone display shows an excerpt of the Civil Code

Public Law

Why do we have fundamental rights? How exactly do the bodies of the German state work? And are court decisions mutually recognized in the EU? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
Smartphone display shows an excerpt of the Civil Code
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Key facts
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Supplement to degree
minor in a multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Admission restriction
without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration
6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS
60
Teaching language
German
Tuition fee
None
Semester contribution
€ 272,65
Start of studies
Winter semester
Part-time possible
Yes
Institution
Faculty of Law
Application & Deadlines

Programme content

If you had to sum up Public Law in one word, you could say… ‘variety’! The focus is on the relationships between the state (at federal, state and local level) and its citizens – but also on the relationships between individual institutions of government. You will also gain an insight into international law, constitutional law, administrative law and European Union law. Hmmm… and what does that mean exactly? Here are two everyday examples to illustrate: planning permission can only be granted by a planning authority, and cars parked incorrectly in public places can only be towed away by authority of the police in its role as the law enforcement agency empowered by the state to maintain public order. As a rule, this cannot be done by individual citizens. 

In studying law at the University, you will learn how the German legal system and its laws work. If you specialize in Public Law, you will acquire basic knowledge and learn to solve simple legal cases on your own. Tackling legal issues is a brilliant way to sharpen your analytical thinking skills. By practising this way of thinking, you will be well prepared for the world of work and able to follow a broader range of career paths.

Structure

Multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Picture: Sophie Bartholome

A bachelor’s degree is the first professional qualification that can be obtained at a university. The standard length of the programme is six semesters, and different types of courses are offered for each module (e.g. seminars, lectures or practical classes).

A multi-subject bachelor’s programme consists of a major subject worth 120 ECTS credits (1 ECTS credit = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations) and a minor subject worth 60 ECTS credits.

This degree programme focuses on just one area of law, but it does include some modules from other areas of law to broaden your basic legal knowledge. You can choose one of three areas of law as your focus: in addition to Public Law, we offer Civil Law and Criminal Law as minor subjects.

How might your degree programme shape up?

The following table shows the possible structure of your degree programme with ‘Public Law’ as your minor subject:

  1st semester 2nd semester 3rd semester 4th semester 5th semester 6th semester
Basic modules Introduction to Legal Studies (3 ECTS) Basic Course in Public Law II (9 ECTS)        
Basic Course in Public Law I (3 ECTS)          
Advanced modules1   European Law (3 ECTS) General Administrative Law (9 ECTS) Practical Exercises in Public Law for Advanced Students (up to 15 ECTS) Fundamentals of International Law (3 ECTS)  
Supplementary modules2       Supplementary module I – Fundamentals (3 ECTS) Supplementary module II – Fundamentals (3 ECTS) Supplementary module III – Fundamentals (3 ECTS)
Specialization modules           Seminar3 (9 ECTS)

Abbreviations: ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (credit points)

1 The advanced modules (15 ECTS credits in total) include Fundamentals of European Union Law, Fundamentals of International Law, General Administrative Law, and Practical Exercises in Public Law for Advanced Students.

2 This includes the following courses: Fundamentals of Medieval and Early Modern Legal History, Fundamentals of Roman Legal History and the History of European Private Law, Fundamentals of Modern Legal and Constitutional History, Fundamentals of Legal Philosophy and Argumentation Theory, and Fundamentals of Legal Theory, Legal Methodology, and Sociology of Law.

3 You can choose one of the following seminars (9 ECTS credits in total): German and European Public Law, International Law, or Fundamentals of Law and Legal Studies.

You can find more detailed information in the module catalogue for the degree programmeExternal link.

Why study in Jena?

  • 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.
  • 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. We have a global network of partner universities.

A look behind the scenes

Image: Daniel Hofmann
Justizzentrum Jena
Higher power!
By the way, the Higher Regional Court of Thuringia (Thüringer Oberlandesgericht) is also based in Jena. This is the highest ordinary court at federal state level. It is responsible for civil, family and criminal proceedings, as well as matters of non-contentious jurisdiction. It’s the perfect place for an internship.

What can you do after your studies?

Career opportunities: 

Graduates in conversation
Graduates in conversation
Image: Designed by gpointstudio / freepik.com

By practising legal modes of thinking, familiarizing yourself with the concepts and content of the discipline of law, and learning how to solve legal cases by applying law to problem scenarios, you will broaden your range of career paths. However, graduating in the minor subject will not qualify you to work in purely legal fields. Your career opportunities will depend on your major subject.

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

  • An interest in legal issues
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Strong self-motivation

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

    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-Str. 3
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Examinations Office, Faculty of Law

Room 2.41
Carl-Zeiß-Str. 3
07743 Jena 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: Zoom – Video chat 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

Additional services