Students learn together

Civil Law

What are the rights and obligations of a tenant? Can an employee be fired because of a criminal offence? And how does a civil lawsuit work? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
Students learn together
Image: Sebastian Reuter
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

Legal issues are far too abstract, right? Think again! If you look at some of the issues that fall under civil law, you soon realize how relevant they are in our everyday lives. For example, have you ever found a bargain on an online auction platform? You paid the purchase price but the goods were never delivered? Those situations are annoying, but you can exercise your rights. Some of the key issues in civil law revolve around claims arising from contracts (e. g. tenancy agreements or contracts of sale) and claims for damages or maintenance. Many consumers only become aware of the potential legal difficulties when complications arise.

In studying law at the University, you will learn how the German legal system and its laws work. In Civil Law, you will mainly grapple with the areas of law covered by the German Civil Code (BGB). In addition to the law of contract, liability for civil wrongs, property law, the law of succession, and family law, your timetable will also include lectures on legal history and philosophy of law. 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

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 Civil Law, we offer Public 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 ‘Civil 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) Law of Obligations – General Part (15 ECTS)        
Civil Code – General Part (9 ECTS)          
Advanced modules1     Required elective module (15 ECTS in total)1 Required elective module (15 ECTS in total)1 Required elective module (15 ECTS in total)1  

Supplementary modules2

  

Supplementary module I – Fundamentals (3 ECTS)

Supplementary module II – Fundamentals (3 ECTS)

    

Supplementary module III – Fundamentals (3 ECTS)
Specialization modules2           Seminar (9 ECTS)3

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

1 The advanced modules include Fundamentals of Family Law and the Law of Succession (6 ECTS credits), Law of Obligations – Special Part (9 ECTS credits), Property Law (6 ECTS credits), Practical Exercises in Civil Law for Advanced Students (up to 15 ECTS credits), and Basic Course in Public Law II (9 ECTS credits).

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: German and European Business Law, German and European Labour and Social Security Law, International Law, or Administration of Civil Justice, or Contract Drafting.

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

  • 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: 

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 Straße 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