New Bachelor's degree programme in European law

09/20/2023

Starting in the winter semester, law students at the University of Würzburg will have an alternative to traditional law studies: a professionally qualifying Bachelor's degree programme in European Law.

The Old University Building in the centre of Würzburg is home to the Faculty of Law. (Image: Robert Emmerich / Universität Würzburg)

The Faculty of Law at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) is offering another law degree programme, a Bachelor's degree in European Law, starting in the winter semester 2023/24. This fulfils students' desire for a professionally qualifying degree even before they take the demanding first law state examination. This offers a certain degree of security, which takes some of the pressure off the sometimes stressful preparation for the first legal examination.

Another point is even more important: the new degree programme provides a thorough grounding in European law, which is of great and increasing importance in professional practice.

Today, there is hardly any area of law that is not characterised by European regulations or directives. The faculty thus gives law students the opportunity to stand out from other applicants on the labour market with their special qualification in European law. This is also made visible by the title "Bachelor of Laws" (LL.B.), which is awarded to graduates.

What Career Opportunities the Bachelor's Degree Programme Offers

As an independent undergraduate degree programme, the new Bachelor's degree opens up career and further training opportunities beyond the traditional route to becoming a fully qualified lawyer, which involves passing two state examinations.

The LL.B. degree therefore does not qualify graduates for the traditional legal professions in notary's offices and courts or in the state and legal profession. Instead, it opens up access to many professions in the private sector or public administration in Germany and abroad. Large law firms now also employ so-called project lawyers, who work in teams with lawyers on larger projects. It is also possible to use the LL.B. to begin an in-depth Master's programme at a faculty in Germany or abroad.

Recommendation: Bachelor's Degree Parallel to the Traditional Law Degree Programme

The Bachelor's degree programme accommodates various interests of students. It is of course possible to concentrate on the LL.B. degree and then seek employment, for example as a corporate lawyer.

"However, our recommendation is that students who take the traditional route to the first law exam should enrol for the LL.B. at the same time," says Professor Florian Bien, head of the degree programme. In this case, the Bachelor's degree is an attractive additional qualification. Due to some overlaps in content, the double degree programme can be completed without any loss of time if students concentrate on their studies.

Finally, there is another path open to students: Successful LL.B. graduates who enjoy studying law can then continue with the traditional law degree programme up to the two state examinations.

A Speciality in Germany

Individual law faculties in Germany also offer LL.B. degree programmes, each with a different focus. Some combine a law degree with training in economics, others with information technology.

"The introduction of the LL.B. at the University of Würzburg is the first time in Germany that a Bachelor's degree programme in law with a focus on European law has been offered," says Florian Bien. Comparable programmes have so far only existed abroad, particularly in the Netherlands.

Enrol Now for the Winter Semester

The admission-free Bachelor's degree programme in European Law starts in the winter semester. Enrolments for 2023/24 are possible until the start of the lecture period on 16 October 2023. Students who are already enrolled can apply for a double degree until 16 November 2023.

The Bachelor's degree programme is designed for seven semesters and comprises 210 ECTS credits. Some of the modules to be completed overlap with the courses that students studying for the state examination must also take. These include, for example, the basic courses in civil, public and criminal law.

There are also courses relating to European law, such as the main features of European law, internal market law and European human rights protection. Other lectures relating to European law can be freely chosen, such as European Antitrust Law I or European Company Law.

Other Degree Programmes at the Faculty of Law

In addition to the main degree programme in law leading to the state examination and the new Bachelor's degree programme in European Law, the Faculty of Law at JMU offers further degree programmes. These include an accompanying and a postgraduate programme in European Law. Students from other faculties can study the 60-ECTS-point Bachelor's degree programmes in Public Law and Private Law as minor subjects.