Joint master's degree in Business Law with Université Catholique de Lille (Paris Campus)
Master Business Law: Franco-German and European joint degree
In cooperation with the renowned private Université Catholique de Lille, the University of Passau offers a Franco-German Master's programme taught in three languages – German, English and French – in Passau and Paris which specialises in business law and the law of digitalisation. The programme is aimed at all (former) students of German and French law faculties with experience in the law of the respective other country.
Features
- Master's degree (French Master 2) in Franco-German and European Business Law and/or the Law of Digitalisation
- Two semesters in Paris (Issy-les-Moulineaux)
- Lessons taught in three languages: German, English and French
- Part-time programme: work for law firms and companies as part of the study programme
- Tuition fees are paid in full by employers during the course of study
- Duration: four semesters (undergraduates) or two semesters, if you have completed the First State Examination for Jurists (Erste Juristische Prüfung)
- After graduating from this programme you will have the formal admission requirements for the French bar exam (examen du barreau).
About the programme
German students will usually begin the programme after completing the First State Examination for Jurists (Erste Juristische Prüfung) and spend one year studying at the Université Catholique de Lille on its Paris campus (Issy-les-Moulineaux), attending courses taught in three languages. There, they will split their time between attending courses and working at companies or law firms treating in Franco-German or wider European legal matters.
As an alternative entry route, students who have completed their fourth semester of study and have passed the intermediate examination (Zwischenprüfung) can attend courses on German, French and European business law, taught in three languages, together with their French fellow students in Passau and complete compulsory internships at companies or law firms for five months during the semester break. Doing so enables them to proceed with the subsequent academic year in Paris without having completed the State Examination.
Degree awarded
- Master (French Master 2) in Franco-German and European Business Law (awarded by Université Catholique de Lille in cooperation with Université Toulouse 1 Capitole),
- Certificate of Achievement for the academic year in Passau if no First State Examination for Jurists (Erste Juristische Prüfung) has been successfully attempted.
Curriculum and programme structure
You can find a course overview for the programme in Passau here.
You can find a course overview for the programme in Paris here.
Students after the First State Examination for Jurists (Erste Juristische Prüfung) study part-time on the Paris Campus (Issy-les-Moulineaux) of the Université Catholique de Lille, i.e. they have one week of courses followed by two weeks of work.
Students who have not completed the First State Examination complete the first two semesters together with their French fellow students at the University of Passau. During the semester break, they complete compulsory internships totalling five months as part of the study programme.
Tuition Fees and student finance
Tuition fees at the renowned private Université Catholique de Lille are paid in full by the companies or law firms in which the students work as part of their study programme. Furthermore, the companies or law firms pay the students an additional salary during the year in Paris.
Furthermore, it is possible to receive funding via the LL.M. scolarship programme of the DAAD (further information can be found at daad.de/go/stipd50015190), as well as other financial support for abroad study programmes.
Career prospects
Graduates of this Master's programme set themselves apart by their in-depth knowledge of German, French and European business law and/or the law of digitalisation, proven mastery of German, English and French legal terminology and legal professional experience in Germany and France.
The part-time design of the programme ensures early integration into the international labour market with networking opportunities and the best career prospects in Franco-German business transactions. This makes graduates particularly attractive for law firms, companies, international organisations and non-governmental organisations with contacts to or offices in Germany or France. Furthermore, students are supported in their professional integration by the career centres of the law faculties both in Germany and France.
Upon succesful completion of the Master's programme, graduates also meet the formal admission requirements for the French bar exam (examen du barreau).
Overall, the programme opens up excellent career prospects for graduates, especially in Franco-German business and legal relations.
Eligibility and application process
The programme starts in the winter semester (start in Paris is in September, start in Passau is in October). The application deadline for the one-year programme is 15 May for the following winter semester. Please send your application to the chair of Prof. Dr. Thomas Riehm (lehrstuhl.riehm@uni-passau.de). The application is open to all (former) students of German law faculties.
You qualify for the programme if:
- you have passed the First State Examination for Jurists (Erste Juristische Prüfung) (for the one-year programme) or
- you have a passed your intermediate legal examination (Zwischenprüfung) and/or you have a Licence en Droit or a Bachelor of Laws or equivalent (for the two-year programme), as well as
- you have German, French and English language skills (at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and
- you have basic knowledge of French Law (proven, for example, by a stay abroad during your studies or relevant introductory courses at your German home university).
Your application should include:
- a letter of motivation in English (1–2 A4 pages in length),
- a curriculum vitae in table form,
- the certificate of the First State Examination for Jurists (Erste Juristische Prüfung), proof that you have passed the intermediate legal examination (Zwischenprüfung) or a Licence en Droit,
- proof of language proficiency in German, English and French (languages indicated on your Abitur certificate fulfil this requirement) and
- certificates of previous academic achievements.
Grades for the First State Examination can be submitted later, if required. In this case, please include the grades of the "Große Scheine" in your application.
Students who have been offered a place for the two-year programme by the Université Catholique de Lille must register as exchange students with the International Office of the University of Passau by 30 June.
Your contact person for administrative matters is Ms Stefanie Dallmeier and Professor Thomas Riehm for questions regarding the content of your studies.
Ms Stefanie Dallmeier
Room VW 108
Innstrasse 41
Phone: +49 851 509 1161
stefanie.dallmeier@uni-passau.de
Professor Thomas Riehm
Room JUR 310
Innstrasse 39
Phone: +49 851 509 2240
lehrstuhl.riehm@uni-passau.de
Further details on the programme can be found in the infosheet from the Academic Advice Service (German) and on the website of Université Catholique de Lille.