Comparative Studies of German, European, and Chinese Law – LLM

Symbolbild

Postgraduate study programme which requires a first university degree. Double degree programme (Master of Laws (LLM)) with Tongji University Shanghai.

This double degree programme focuses on international business law and is offered by the University of Konstanz in cooperation with Tongji University Shanghai and Humboldt University Berlin. The consecutive programme is designed for applicants with a basic knowledge of business law as well as a basic knowledge of German or Chinese law and the respective language. The programme offers the opportunity to study abroad in China to complement your knowledge and competencies in the field of German and European law by focussing on aspects of the Chinese legal system.

Participants in China are the renowned Law School at Tongji University in Shanghai together with the Chinese-German School for Graduate Studies (CDHK) in Tongji, and on the German side the Department of Law at the University of Konstanz and the Faculty of Law at the Humboldt University in Berlin. The master’s programme includes an integrated year abroad at Tongji University Shanghai. It is also supported by DAAD scholarships. After successful completion of the programme, graduates will be awarded an LLM degree from both Tongji Universität Shanghai and from the University of Konstanz.

Overview

Degree LLM
Programme start Summer semester
Period of study 4 semesters
Application period 29.11. - 15.1.
Admission restrictions yes
ECTS 120
Number of places 5

Why study Comparative Studies of German, European, and Chinese Law in the University of Konstanz?

After successfully completing the programme you will be awarded the double degree title of LLM from both Tongji University Shanghai and the University of Konstanz. In addition to this you will have acquired extensive skills in the Chinese language, not only in Shanghai. Numerous courses on the German, European and Chinese legal systems will also ensure you are well-equipped for promising professional openings involving relations with the Peoples Republic of China. No tuition fees are charged for the double master’s degree at the University of Konstanz. Similarly, no tuition fees will be charged for the year abroad at Tongji University. Additionally, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for this double degree programme.

Content

Prospects and opportunities

Career prospects

Graduates have a variety of professional opportunities. Typical work areas include:

  • international activities as lawyers
  • work in businesses
  • activities in marketing and management
  • activities in federal or individual state institutions and various research institutions in areas of research, planning and controlling

If you are aiming for an academic career, you can follow up with doctoral studies.

You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.

Programme structure

Programme start

Summer semester

Academic structure

You can find an exemplary course of the study programme in this table.


Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.

Internship and study abroad

Internships

You have the option of replacing various programme modules with a two-month internship in either Germany or China.

Study abroad

The master’s programme includes an integrated year abroad at Tongji University Shanghai.

Impressions from students and lecturers

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

Requirements

What interests and skills should I have?

The double degree master’s programme is mainly designed for applicants with a previous education in law, especially students who have completed the first (German) state examination in law. Interested applicants who are taking the first state examination in the state of Baden-Württemberg in the spring can register for the double master’s degree as second semester students in the winter semester. To do so, you need to attend the courses of the preparatory semester (summer semester) or document that you have completed equivalent coursework.

Language skills

Foreign language skills
You have to document advanced English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, if you are not an English native speaker.

German language skills
International applicants also have to document their German language skills: level DSH-2 or a minimum of 4 points in all 4 areas of the TestDaf or an equivalent language test.

Language(s) of instruction

Teaching languages are German and English.

Admission requirements

  • Completed first state examination in law or a bachelor's examination with the grade "good" or better or equivalent result.
  • Advanced English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, if you are not an English native speaker
  • German language skills, level DSH-2 or a minimum of 4 points in all 4 areas of the TestDaf or an equivalent language test, if you are not a German native speaker.

For details, please see the admission regulations.

Fees

Semester fee

All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Application and application documents

Admission is restricted.

An application is possible during the following period: 29.11. - 15.1. (summer semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website.

Application documents

  • Certificate of the first (state) examination in law completed at a German university, or certificate of a completed bachelor's programme in law, the humanities, social sciences or sinology at a university in Germany or abroad with the grade "good" or better or equivalent result. If you have not received your degree certificate by the end of the application deadline, please attach documentation of all your examination results (relevant for your final degree);
  • Documentation of advanced English language skills (spoken and written English), level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, if you are not an English native speaker.
  • Curriculum vitae in German

International applicants:

  • If your documents are not available in German or English, you will need to have them translated. Please submit a German or English translation of your documents along with the original versions.
  • Documentation of German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent;
  • Applicants from China: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy in Beijing
  • Applicants from Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy in Hanoi
ajaxPopupLoader