find your perfect LLM program
Search our Database of over 2500 Courses
Studying an LLM (Master of Laws) Program in Germany
Find LLM programs in GermanyGermany’s distinctive history and central position in Europe sets it apart from its European counterparts. It shares borders with many European countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, France and the Netherlands.
Today, it has gained a reputation of excellence in the areas of education and law, spanning a range of fields and is considered to be one of the largest investors in research and development in Europe. This is one of the reasons for the high quality of educational institutions found here. It has been home to Nobel Prize winners dating back to 1901 and has produced some of the greatest scholars of all time including Albert Einstein.
The educational and technical institutes in Germany are highly reputed globally and open an array of opportunities in Europe, as well as worldwide, as a result many international students find themselves attracted to Germany to pursue a masters degree.
Reasons to study your LLM in Germany
Germany is considered the powerhouse of the European economy and is an attractive country to live and work in – here are some of the reasons why you should study your LLM program in Germany.
Excellent academics – Germany has some world-renowned institutions whcih are home to excellent law schools, with Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich being one of the best. A number of other universities, such as the Institute for Law and Finance, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main and and Leibniz University Hannover also offer great LLM courses.
Employment opportunities – Germany has one of the largest national economies in Europe and is a world leader in engineering with products such as automobiles, machinery, metals, chemical goods, etc. We are all familiar with brands such as Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, T-Mobile, Puma, Adidas – and they are all German. Because of its successful economy, a large number of multinational corporations, banks and international law firms have offices in Germany. Hence, alongside studies students have good chances of securing internship placements as well as employment opportunities after graduation.
European perspective – with the EU changing and developing over time, understanding the relationship between the institutions of the German government, the German people and the EU will stand you in good stead for a future career advising on EU matters or working in the EU. Broadening your knowledge and understanding of the differing personal and political relationships between different nations and the EU could lead to a very rewarding career.
Networking opportunities – the students that you meet during your LLM studies are likely to become colleagues of the future. Other international students will probably have similar career paths in mind to yourself, so it's a great idea to work on your networking skills while studying your LLM in Germany. Your LLM year is a unique chance to take advantage of the connections of your tutors, lecturers and your law school, so you should take every opportunity to meet with those already working in fields that interest you.
Learn about another culture – living in another country will make you more aware of the similarities and differences between nations and people. If you think you would like to work for international organisations like the institutions of the UN, EU or the International Courts, then truly understanding the experience of those who live in another country will help you.
Language skills – being fluent in a second language is a huge benefit to most careers, and being fluent in legal German is especially sought after for UK-based companies doing business in German and German companies doing business in the UK.
Where to study your LLM program in Germany
There are many highly regarded law schools in different locations throughout Germany although they don't all offer an LLM course.
Here is a table showing law schools that feature in world rankings for studying law, it also states whether they offer their LLM programs in English.
|
German University |
World Ranking for Law |
Is an LLM Offered? |
|
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin |
41 |
Yes |
|
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München |
46 |
Yes |
|
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg |
62 |
Yes |
|
Freie Universitaet Berlin |
89 |
No |
|
Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg |
101–150 |
No |
|
Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main |
101–150 |
Yes |
|
Universität Hamburg |
101–150 |
Yes |
|
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen |
151–200 |
No |
|
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn |
201–250 |
No |
|
University of Cologne |
201–250 |
Yes |
Once you find a course or university that appeals to you, make sure you consult the prospectus to familiarise yourself with the course requirements and specifications. Location and LLM program suitability will depend on your personal preferences – here are some institutions that you might want to consider:
- Institute for Law and Finance
- Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
- University of Bonn
- University of Cologne
- Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin)
- University of Mannheim
- University of Siegen
- Bielefeld University
- University of Tübingen
- Saarland University
- Munich Intellectual Property Law Center
There are various LLM specialisations offered at these institutions, including intellectual property law, business and economic law, tax law, European law, international law, corporate law, media law, IT law and German law.
LLM programs at German law schools
Here are some examples of LLM programs available to study at law schools in Germany.
LLM in International Dispute Resolution at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Tuition fees: €6,450 per semester and €12,900 in total for all students.
Duration: One year full time.
What you will study: This course is open to students from anywhere in the world who have gained an international law degree. Modules include topics such as Private International Law, Investment Arbitration and International Commercial Arbitration. The law school only accepts around 25 to 30 students each year to this LLM course.
Tuition fees: €4,750 per semester and €9,500 total cost for all students. In addition to the tuition fees, the university charges general semester fees.
Duration: One year full time.
What you will study: This course combines both traditional law school lectures with online learning, giving students an in-depth understanding of the regulations and bodies involved in European and International trade and business. It is open to all law graduates.
LLM in International Finance at the Universität Frankfurt am Main
Tuition fees: €18,000 for all students. In addition, all enrolled students are required to pay the semester enrolment fees of approximately €400 per semester (ie every six months).
Duration: One year full time.
What you will study: This LLM program is designed for law graduates from Asia and builds on their education and experience in Financial Law in Asia. Only 30 students are accepted each year and students benefit from the easy access to the organisations and businesses involved with the European finical markets based in Frankfurt.
LLM in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law at the University of Göttingen
Tuition fees: €3,900 per semester, €7,800 total cost for all students. Early applicants total cost is €7,200.
Duration: One year full time.
What you will study: Most students on this LLM are international law graduates, however, the course also welcomes students from other backgrounds who feel they would benefit from a greater understanding of the subject. Modules include the Economic Foundations of IP and IT Law, Unfair Competition Law, and the Fundamentals of Information Technology Law.
LLM in Business and Law at the Universität Mannheim
Tuition fees: €194.30 per semester for EU or German students / €1,500 per semester for international students / €650 per semester for second degree German students
Duration: Two years full time.
What you will study: This LLM in Business and Law is taught in English and German, so you have to be able to prove your English and German skills during the application process. It is not designed for international students to gain the knowledge to pass the German Bar Exam. However, you can structure the modules you take to focus on international courses that are taught in English. There are also opportunities to undertake internships for significant periods during the LLM course.
Entry requirements for a master of laws in Germany
Admission may be gained into an LLM program in Germany by providing proof of prior foreign degree in law equivalent to a German undergraduate degree, meeting the specified academic requirement of the institution of your choice. Additionally, proficiency in English and/or German may be required to fulfill the course requirements.
Tuition fees and living costs
The cost of studying for an LLM in Germany is generally lower than those associated with studying a Master of Laws in the UK and USA. On average the tuition fees ranges from €15,000 to €20,000, however, it is difficult to quote a definite amount as this differs from institution to institution.
The cost of living largely depends on whereabouts in Germany you choose to live, and the differences between cities and other areas can be significant. For example, Berlin is more expensive to live than other cities in Germany. Student living costs will also depend on personal lifestyle – factors include whether you live in student halls, shared accommodation, eat out or cook for yourself, and what social activities you particpate in. On average a student will require approximately €1,000 per month for their living costs – this is broken down in this table of living expenses for students in Germany.
|
Student Expenses |
Monthly Cost |
|
Accommodation |
€500 |
|
Food |
€250 |
|
Personal Expenses |
€150 |
|
Insurance |
€120 |
|
Total |
€1,020 |
Ways to fund your LLM in Germany
There are lots of funding options for those choosing a German law school for their studies, and if you are an international student, you should check funding opportunities within your home country as well. Many international organisations and charities sponsor international students to study LLM programs in Germany and a little bit of research into funding while you research courses could make a big difference to your finances.
And don't forget that if you do get accepted onto an LLM or postgraduate law program in Germany you are eligible to apply for one of our Global LLM Study Bursaries worth £500 each specifically for postgraduate law students – here are some other funding options:
German law school funding – most law schools in Germany offer a selection of scholarships and low cost loan options to help international and German students finance their LLM studies. Some of these scholarships will be included in the application process for the LLM program, whilst other scholarships will involve an additional application process often including a personal statement along with maintaining excellent grades. Most law schools – for example Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, Germany – have good scholarships and funding options available on their websites.
Government bursaries and loans – the German government and different regional governments offer student loans and bursaries to German resident students. These are often not available for students from other EU countries or from outside the EU who have just arrived in Germany. The cost of these loans is usually very low, maybe close to 0% interest, which makes them a good financing option that many LLM students in Germany use. There is also the public-private partnership of the Deutschlandstipendium, which sponsors talented students from all over the world to study in Germany from donations by private companies that are administered by the German government.
Work opportunities – for EU and German students, working part time while studying is a helpful way to fund their LLM studies. Working whilst studying will also add to your experience for your post-graduation career. International students from outside of the EU can work up to 120 days a year with a German student visa. Most German students work and study at the same time and during the holidays exemptions can be made for some international students to work more days. For international students, working part time or full time and studying part time may not be an option due to visa restrictions, but it is an excellent way to study an LLM program for domestic German or EU students to gain an LLM without leaving their current jobs.
Visa and immigration
EU Citizens
EU citizens do not require a visa to study in Germany.
Non EU Citizens
All non-EU citizens must obtain a study visa to study an LLM in Germany. Students must consult the German embassy/consulate in their home country to obtain information regarding visa requirements. You can find the address of the German consulate in your home country here. In order to obtain the visa proof must be provided of admission into a German institution, as well as the ability to maintain yourself during the course. In order to ensure that you get the visa in time it is highly recommended that you apply at least eight weeks before the start of your course date.
What to do in Germany when you aren’t studying
Germany is an exciting place to live and has a vast range of activities available depending on the area you choose to live in while you are studying. Transport within Germany is highly developed and sophisticated, making it easy to plan trips within Germany during your free time. This provides an excellent opportunity to explore different facets of the German culture including food, markets, culture, language etc. If your budget is larger this can be expanded to travelling outside Germany to other places in the European continent which are all very accessible thanks to Germany’s central location. In fact, one of the greatest attractions of studying in Europe is the simplicity with which upi can travel, hoping on and off an inter-Europe train!
Germany is also one of the safest places in the world and offers an excellent standard of living in a safe and secure environment, which is welcoming to international students.
Other European LLM study destinations
Are you interested in studying your Master of Laws program in another European destination? If so we have a great selection of LLM destination study guides, including:
PLEASE NOTE: As a result of Brexit, from Autumn 2021 postgraduate students from the European Union studying at a UK university will be charged the same tuition fees as international students. UK students studying their postgraduate course at a European university are also likely to incur higher tuition fees than their EU counterparts. It is advisable to check with the individual universities in the UK and Europe for up-to-date information on tuition fees for all postgraduate programs.
Find your PERFECT LLM PROGRAM