Study Law at the University of Mannheim

Mathematics skills
We recommend having a solid foundation in mathematics. 

Possible master’s programs

• First state examination (phase two of the program)
• Master of Laws program (LL.M.)
• Master’s program in Competition Law and Regulation (LL.M.)
• Mannheim Master in Management (M.Sc.)
• Mannheim Master in Finance, Accounting and Taxation (M.Sc.)
• Mannheim Master in Operations and Supply Chain Management (M.Sc.)
• Master of Accounting and Taxation (MBA)

The Integrated LL.B. and State Examination Program in Law at the University of Mannheim trains students to become lawyers who are qualified in Business Administration and Economics. Moreover, the integrated bachelor’s program in Business Law (LL.B.) provides you with a first professional qualification.

During the first phase of the program, the bachelor’s program in Business Law, the focus is placed upon Law, namely on civil law, business law, and economic law. Modules in Law represent approximately 60 percent of the integrated program and also cover material that is mandatory for the state examination. Modules in Business Administration and Economics account for a further 30 percent of the program, with focus being placed on Business Administration. For this part of the program, you can choose between specializing in Tax and Accounting, or Human Resources. You will also attend courses on soft skills such as presentation techniques, and negotiation management.

A different approach to studying Law: The first state examination in two stages
Phase 1: As part of your bachelor’s degree, you will take the written examinations in private law that form part of the first state examination (zivilrechtliche Staatsexamensklausuren) after your sixth semester. This so-called Abschichtung, the option to sit the first state examination in two stages, is unique in Germany. After earning your bachelor’s degree in Business Law (LL.B.), you can decide whether to remain enrolled in the program and complete the first state examination. 

Phase 2: If you decide to continue your studies, you will spend an additional four semesters in the second phase of the program. During this phase, you will cover the remaining material in public law and criminal law that is mandatory for the first state examination . After the tenth semester, you will take the remaining three written examinations of the first state examination. You will also complete the oral examination, thereby finishing the first state examination. Upon completion of phase one, the bachelor’s degree in Business Law (LL.B.), you will be automatically admitted to phase two, the first state examination, without having to take part in an admissions process again.

Excellent education in two disciplines
Studying the Integrated LL.B. and State Examination Program in Law at the University of Mannheim trains you to a high standard in Law, and also qualifies you in Business Administration and Economics. Research and teaching activity at the Department of Law is clearly oriented towards business and economic law. The University of Mannheim has, once again, been ranked highly in the latest university ranking of the Centre for Higher Education (CHE). It was well ranked especially in regards to teaching, and received top scores in eleven of the 19 categories, including “overall study situation”, “teacher support” and “career orientation”. The Business School and the Department of Economics, where you complete the modules in Business Administration and Economics, also are leading institutions in Germany.

Professional qualification after six semesters
The integrated bachelor’s program in Business Law (LL.B.) provides you with the unique opportunity to acquire your first professional qualification after just six semesters. As an alternative to the state examination, you may go on to pursue a law-related master’s program and, under certain conditions, also a master’s program in Business Administration.

With a bachelor’s degree in Business Law (LL.B.) from the University of Mannheim, with which you are also qualified in Business Administration and Economics, you already have a lot of professional options: Our graduates work, for example, in legal and human resources departments, and in tax consultancy, controlling, auditing, purchasing, and sales teams.

The first state examination in Law, which you can pursue after completing the bachelor’s degree and take after an additional four semesters, is the first step toward qualifying as a fully qualified lawyer: Afterwards, you can begin the Rechtsreferendariat, i.e., working as a trainee lawyer. The Referendariat concludes with the second state examination in Law, which qualifies you for legal professions such as judge, public prosecutor, or attorney-at-law. Administrative departments in authorities and ministries, and many legal departments in organizations, require their legal staff to have passed both state examinations.

Studying abroad
The Department of Law has a large and comprehensive network of partner universities around the world, and can advise you on planning a period of study abroad. Spending a year abroad is not mandatory in the Integrated LL.B. and State Examination Program in Law. If you would like to spend a year abroad, the ideal time to do so is after the sixth semester and before beginning the second phase of the program. Studying abroad at an earlier point in time is also possible. Our exchange coordinators are happy to advise you.

Internships
According to the examination regulations, you need to complete a one-month mandatory internship during phase one of the program, the bachelor’s degree in Business Law. Ideally, you do this internship during the semester break after the fourth semester. It may have a legal and/or a business focus. The department’s website contains further information on the mandatory internship to be completed during phase one of the program, the bachelor's degree. As part of the second phase of the program, you must complete an additional two months of legal internship training before taking the second part of the first state examination.

If you wish to study the Integrated LL.B. and State Examination Program in Law, you should 

• be interested in economic and socio-political issues,
• possess strong analytical skills,
• take an interest in sound argumentation,
• work independently and in a structured manner, and
• demonstrate a high level of motivation and self-discipline.

Because of the additional qualification in Business Administration and Economics, an interest in economic relationships is important. You should also not be intimidated by mathematics.

The examinations taken during phase one, the bachelor’s degree in Business Law (LL.B.), are challenging. This enables you to prepare for the state examination from day one of the program.

The Integrated LL.B. and State Examination Program in Law is currently selective. The following selection criteria are taken into account:

• grade average achieved in your university entrance qualification as well as
• extracurricular activities relating to the field of law, such as vocational training, work experience, and internships.