Bachelors in Law Programs in Germany: Top 16

1 Bachelor Rechtswissenschaft

Friedrich-Schiller Universität Jena

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations5,692,049

Rechtswissenschaft at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena. This is Germany's traditional law course, and it ends in the first state examination rather than in a bachelor's degree.

After that examination comes the Referendariat, a period of practical training, and then the second state examination. Only then can you work as a lawyer, judge or prosecutor in Germany. Teaching is in German.

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2 Rechtswissenschaft (Erste juristische Prüfung / Bachelor of Laws)

U Universität Bremen

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations3,653,580

The clearest title here: Rechtswissenschaft at the University of Bremen, named with both the first state examination and the Bachelor of Laws.

Some German universities now award a bachelor's alongside the examination route, as a safety net if you leave before finishing. The examination is what counts professionally. Teaching is in German.

Jobs graduates go into

• Legal Advisor within NGOs

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3 Bachelor Deutsches und Europäisches Wirtschaftsrecht

Universität Siegen

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations2,227,334

German and European business law at the University of Siegen. This is an LL.B., a normal bachelor's degree, rather than the state examination route.

It covers commercial law with European coverage built in. Entry asks for a recognised school diploma, good marks in law and social science subjects, and IELTS 6.5 or higher — which suggests some teaching is in English.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

• A recognized secondary school diploma or equivalent qualification.
• Strong academic performance, particularly in subjects related to law and social sciences.
• Motivation and aptitude for legal studies and research.
• An IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.
• A TOEFL score of 90 or above.

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4 Bachelor of Laws

Universität Osnabrück

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration6 Semester
• StartsWintersemester
• Research citations1,198,595

A Bachelor of Laws at the University of Osnabrück, listed at six semesters with a winter semester start.

Its entry rules explain German admission simply. The Abitur gives you the right to start an undergraduate course. Applicants with foreign certificates must show enough German, and different application conditions apply to them.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

• Die allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur) berechtigt uneingeschränkt zum grundständigen Studium an der Universität Osnabrück.
• Studienbewerberinnen und -bewerber mit internationalen Zeugnissen müssen über ausreichende Deutschkenntnisse verfügen.
• Deutsche und internationale Bewerberinnen und Bewerber mit deutschen Zeugnissen können sich direkt für diesen zulassungsfreien Studiengang einschreiben.
• Für Bewerberinnen und Bewerber mit ausländischen Zeugnissen gelten zum Teil abweichende Bewerbungskonditionen und Fristen.

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5 Bachelor Law

Leuphana Universität Lüneburg

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations637,410

Law at Leuphana University Lüneburg, a university known for an unusual undergraduate structure in which a major is combined with broader study.

Because the university organises its degrees differently from most German institutions, its own page is the place to see whether this is the state examination route or an LL.B.

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6 Bachelor Legal Tech

U Universität Passau

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4 years
• StartsWiSe
• Research citations258,466

Legal Tech at the University of Passau — the newest kind of law degree here. It combines law with the technology and process design now used to deliver legal services.

That suits someone interested in how legal work is produced rather than in arguing cases. It points towards in-house legal operations and legal software. The start is winter semester.

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7 Bachelor of Laws

Fernuniversität Gesamthochschule Hagen

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration6 semesters in full-time; part-time indi
• StartsSummer semester (1 April) or winter semester (1 October)
• Research citations209,487

A Bachelor of Laws from the FernUniversität in Hagen, Germany's distance-teaching university. This is the flexible option here.

It runs six semesters full time, with part-time study arranged to suit the student. Entry is either in the summer semester from 1 April or the winter semester from 1 October.

Jobs graduates go into

• Paralegal in Rechtsanwaltskanzleien
• Support roles alongside teams of Wirtschaftsprüfern or Steuerberatern
• Work in companies, associations, or administration in Human Resources, law, or compliance
• Assistant roles with development potential, e.g., assistance to management
• Particularly qualified clerical work, e.g., in banks, insurance, or administration

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8 Bachelor Staatswissenschaften – Rechtswissenschaft

Universität Erfurt

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration6 semesters
• StartsWintersemester
• Research citations138,721

State sciences with law at the University of Erfurt, which puts legal study alongside the study of the state and its institutions.

This points towards public administration and policy work. It is a bachelor's degree rather than the state examination route, so it does not lead to the bar.

Also named for this programme

• Rechtsberatung von Unternehmen und Verbänden (z. B. als Unternehmensjuristin oder Beraterin)
• öffentliche Verwaltung (z. B. in Ministerien, Kommunen)
• nationale und internationale Nichtregierungsorganisationen (z. B. als Berater*in für rechtliche Fragen)
• Rechtswissenschaftliche Forschung (z. B. an Universitäten oder Forschungsinstituten)
• Management privatwirtschaftlicher Unternehmen (z. B. in Compliance-Abteilungen oder rechtlichen Verwaltungsbereichen)

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9 Recht und Politik/Politik und Recht (LL.B./B.A.)

E Europa-Universität Viadrina

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration6 semesters
• StartsWinter Semester
• Research citations84,802

Law and politics together at the European University Viadrina, on the German-Polish border, awarded as either an LL.B. or a BA.

The university has a strong European and cross-border focus. Which of the two awards you receive may depend on the modules you choose.

Jobs graduates go into

• International Relations Specialist
• Government Affairs Manager
• Researcher in Political Science

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10 Bachelor Jurastudium

EBS Universität

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4 years
• StartsSommer- und Wintersemester
• Research citations58,789

A Jurastudium at EBS Universität, a private business-focused university. That usually means the traditional law course taught in a commercial setting, with smaller groups and higher fees.

It records both summer and winter semester entry, which is unusual for the state examination route. As a private university, it charges tuition rather than only a semester contribution.

Jobs graduates go into

• International Relations Consultant

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11 Bachelor of Laws

Fachhochschule für Oekonomie und Management (FOM)

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• StartsWintersemester
• Research citations36,622

A Bachelor of Laws at a university of applied sciences built around working professionals, with a winter semester start.

Universities of applied sciences teach for practice rather than research. Their law degrees point towards compliance, administration and in-house legal work. This is not the state examination route and does not lead to the bar.

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12 Bachelor Rechtliche Betreuung

Hochschule Wismar, Fachhochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Gestaltung

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations25,299

Rechtliche Betreuung — legal guardianship — at Hochschule Wismar. This is the most specific qualification here: training to represent people who cannot manage their own affairs.

It is a job-focused degree for socially important work rather than a general law qualification.

Jobs graduates go into

• Legal Advisor in Nonprofits
• Advocate in Family Courts

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13 Bachelor Wirtschaftsrecht

D DIPLOMA-Fachhochschule Ölsnitz/Vogtland

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration7 Semester
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations3,046

Wirtschaftsrecht — business law — at a private university of applied sciences, listed at seven semesters. Seven semesters is normal at this kind of institution because a practical semester is included.

It is the only course here with a fee on record: $177, with no period stated. German public universities usually charge a semester contribution rather than tuition, while private ones charge fees.

Jobs graduates go into

• Risk Management Specialist

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14 Bachelor Steuerrecht

R Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations2,340

Steuerrecht — tax law — at Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln. Tax advice in Germany has its own professional qualification, separate from the legal profession.

That makes this a direct route into tax work: tax advisory firms, company tax departments and the tax authorities.

Jobs graduates go into

• Legal Advisor in Taxation
• Accountant specialized in Taxation

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15 Bachelor Steuerrecht

Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Duration4 years
• StartsFall, Spring
• Research citations2,257

The second tax law degree here, at Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft, a business-focused university of applied sciences.

Two institutions teaching the same specialism is a sign of real demand. Tax is one of the few legal fields in Germany with a professional route that does not run through the state examinations.

Jobs graduates go into

• Regulatory Compliance Officer
• Financial Analyst specializing in Tax
• Legal Advisor for Taxation Issues

Full programme details →

16 Bachelor of Laws

Deutsch-Ordens Fachhochschule Riedlingen, Hochschule für Wirtschaft

• DeliveryOn campus
• Study modeFull time
• Durationseven to eight semesters
• Research citations1,013

A Bachelor of Laws listed at seven to eight semesters, and the one course here that explains the route most people miss: study without the Abitur.

Its entry note says this is possible in certain cases where professional knowledge can be shown, and names certified business administrators, Fachwirte and Bilanzbuchhalter as having good prospects. Trade training plus several years of work can also support admission, sometimes with an aptitude test or an interview.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

• “Auch ohne Abitur ist in bestimmten Fällen ein Studium möglich. In diesem Fall sind Fachkenntnisse nachzuweisen.”
• Examples given for good chances: “geprüfte Betriebswirte, Fachwirte und Bilanzbuchhalter.”
• “Ebenso kann eine Berufsausbildung und eine anschließende mehrjährige Berufstätigkeit für eine Zulassung zum Studium ausreichen.”
• Some higher education institutions carry out “Eignungsprüfungen.” Some also invite applicants to a “persönlichen Gespräch.”
• “Auch ein Sprachtest ist bei einigen Studienanbietern Pflicht.”

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