Degree course in German-Polish law

The degree course in German-Polish law is a special feature of the Law Faculty at the Europa Universität Viadrina (EUV) and is not offered by any other German or Polish university. It targets German and Polish school-leavers with Abitur (or equivalent) who want to study law while also focusing on German-Polish and European legal relations. This course has been running with great success since 1994 in close collaboration with the Faculty of Law and Administration at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan (UAM). Many students on the degree course in German-Polish law are registered at both the EUV and the UAM and are subject to the course regulations of both faculties and universities. Lectures and seminars on this course are given by German and Polish lecturers in German and Polish; the German-language lectures are held at the Viadrina in Frankfurt/Oder, lectures in Polish at the Collegium Polonicum in neighbouring Slubice.
From the EUV's perspective the German-Polish degree course in law is divided into two consecutive courses, the second being an extension of the first: Bachelor and Master of German and Polish Law. From the UAM's viewpoint, however, it is a single master's degree in law. Thanks to the cooperation between the two faculties, graduates of this course can attain two recognized German academic degrees and one recognized Polish academic degree. This opens up a wide range of opportunities for further study and training both in Germany and Poland – and for immediate launching a career.

Structure and duration

The Bachelor's degree course takes six semesters and covers the historical, philosophical and theoretical principles of law, the core subjects of German and Polish law, as well as European and international law. The study plan consists of 14 modules, each of which offers thematically related lectures and seminars. While the German-speaking modules are distributed over all the semesters, the Polish ones do not begin until the third semester. Students are examined by written or oral coursework during each module. The modules include lectures, seminars, exercises and tutorials on German lectures, and colloquia on Polish lectures.

Final examination and title

The Bachelor's degree course is completed by a written bachelor's dissertation in German in the sixth semester. This examination is a case assignment in one of the three areas of German law – civil law, criminal law or public law – chosen by the candidate. On successfully completing the course, the EUV will award the candidate the degree of Bachelor of German and Polish Law (LL.B. [German and Polish Law]). This is simultaneously the equivalent of a first German academic degree.

Opportunities for continuing study

Graduates can subsequently continue their study of German and Polish law by taking the Master's degree course. This is especially recommended for Polish students who want to do their practical legal training in Poland (e.g. as a solicitor or judge). Another possibility is to continue studying exclusively German law in order to take the First State Examination in Law.

Master of German and Polish Law

Structure and duration

The Master's degree builds on the Bachelor's degree and provides a four-semester, in-depth and specialized course in German and Polish law. Depending on what other fields you are most interested in, you can also specialize in European or international law. In addition, the schedule includes a four-week internship and teaching on "key qualifications" (such as contract drafting, mediation, rhetoric or negotiation management). The study plan is made up of five modules.

Final examination and title

The final examination for the Master's degree consists of a master's dissertation and an oral examination. The master's dissertation, which is written in German or Polish, usually has to be completed in the fourth semester of the master's course. The subject of the dissertation is taken from German, Polish, European or international law. The subject is chosen by your supervisor in consultation with you. Because of the close ties between the Master's course with the Magister course in Polish law at the UAM, if you submit a Master dissertation at the UAM you can simultaneously also submit it as a Magister dissertation at the EUV. The subsequent oral examination covers the legal fields related to the master's dissertation and the elective area chosen by the candidate. The degree of Master of German and Polish Law (LL.M. [German and Polish Law]) is simultaneously the equivalent of a German academic degree. You will also receive the Polish title "Master of Polish Law" at the UAM if you successfully produce a dissertation there. This degree is a regular Polish university law degree and will give you access to Polish practical legal training. This double degree characterizes what is special and unique about the courses on German-Polish law at the Viadrina.

Opportunities for continuing study

It is a good idea to take the German First State Examination in Law and then the "assessor examination" after graduating as a "Master of Polish Law" in order to enhance your career prospects in business and public administration. Since many of the courses you have taken during the Bachelor and Master courses will be credited towards this examination, the amount of addition work required to gain these qualifications is not excessive.