I chose the Master of Comparative Business Law program at the University of Mannheim because I was looking for a program that would help me pursue a career as international business lawyer. After gathering information about many master's programs, the MCBL program appealed most to me because it seemed to be quite comprehensive, covering both the historical and philosophical aspects of European law and key areas of international business and commercial law. It was a very easy choice in the end.
Even though the program was mainly held online due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Master of Comparative Business Law was an excellent choice for me. It was a very challenging but rewarding one-year experience. We were taught not only by dedicated university professors but also by practicing lawyers as well as legal officials of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Commission. I can highly recommend the MCBL program to anyone who is interested in EU law and international trade law and who is willing to work hard to broaden their horizons and acquire valuable knowledge for their future career.
I’m from Armenia. Apart from the solid curriculum and the opportunity to study at more than one university, the thing I find most notable is the multicultural environment. It gives you the opportunity to meet, and learn from, incredible and inspiring people from all over the world.
I’m from the Dominican Republic, and, since I obtained my first degree outside of Europe, the Master of Comparative Business Law program provided me with valuable insights into European law and the internal market. Additionally, the teaching staff’s profound expertise and the diverse backgrounds of my fellow students gave me the opportunity to see the world from different perspectives.
I would recommend the Master of Comparative Business Law program to people with a keen interest in the European Union, and its legal aspects in particular. People interested in interdisciplinary studies that cover aspects of law might find this program very useful, too. I also think it is a good fit for lawyers striving for an international career, as the courses provide a good overview of the various laws applicable to cross-border litigation.
Program facts and information
Degree: Master of Comparative Business Law (M.C.B.L.)
Standard period of study: 2 semesters (1 year)
ECTS credits: 60
Language of instruction: English
Language requirements: English; for further information on the required proof of language proficiency see “Admission requirements and selection”
Program start: Fall semester (September)
Academic calendarSchool: School of Law and Economics, Department of Law
Semester fee: € 204,30 (further information)
Tuition fee: €8,500 for EU and non-EU citizens alike; the fee covers both semesters. The usual fee of €1,500 for non-EU citizens does not apply.
Program overview
The Master of Comparative Business Law (M.C.B.L.) is a one-year advanced master´s program providing an in-depth understanding of business law aspects of the European single market and the Global market. It has been designed for graduates with a degree in law or with a sufficient background in law, who wish to specialize in business law while taking a comparative perspective.
The M.C.B.L. is a high-level demanding postgraduate program in the fields of European and International business law. Students enrolled in this program will acquire specific knowledge of the legal framework of the European Union as well as the actors in international trade law.
The focus will be on European business law in your first semester and on international business law in your second semester. Additionally, you will have to write a master’s thesis.
The program offers a you a broad range of courses that are taught by law professors from the University of Mannheim, as well as by lawyers, judges, and managers. In addition, you can take part in field trips and visit the European Court of Justice, the World Trade Organization, or the European Parliament, for example.
All courses of the program are taught in English.
Why study Comparative Business Law at the University of Mannheim?
Research and teaching activity at the Department of Law of the University of Mannheim is clearly oriented towards business and economic law. The Department has been ranked highly in various CHE University Rankings. It did especially well with regards to teaching, and received top grades serveral top categories, including “overall study situation”, “organization of studies”, “teacher support”, and “career orientation”.
The M.C.B.L. program offers a unique combination of traditional comparative law studies (legal methodology, legal traditions, and the common/
civil law divide) with studies in business law (e.g., competition law, contract law, company law, and tax law), providing our students with a competitive edge on the labor market. They are particularly sought-after as strategic decision-makers in both the public and the private sector. Career opportunities
Thanks to their expert knowledge in comparative and business law, their language skills, and their international experience, our graduates have a profound foundation for a career at international law firms and companies.
Previous students have, for example, found a job as Global Category Manager at HeidelbergCement, as Junior Lawyer at Kuwait Airways, in the Legal Global Corporate Banking Department of Santander Bank, or as Transaction Support Lawyer at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Apart from that, graduates can also pursue a doctorate and aim for a career in academia.
Required interests and skills
Program structure
Module catalog
The module catalog gives you an overview of the courses and their content.Continuing Education
Certificate programs
Strengthen your potential, deepen your knowledge, find solutions for challenges we will face tomorrow – there are many good reasons to think outside the box, get to know and try out new things even during your studies.At the University of Mannheim, you can do this in the “Studium Oecologicum” which focuses on sustainability. In our certificate program, you will acquire interdisciplinary expert knowledge which can help you to act ethically and to make holistic decisions.
Language courses
Making language learning easier: No matter if you want to learn Japanese, Hebrew, Spanish or Norwegian, take the Graduate Record Examination Test (GRE), The European Language Certificates (telc) or the TOEFL test – each semester, the University of Mannheim offers language courses and language certificates in more than 16 languages for students and non-university members, online and on campus!Doctorates
Successful graduates can earn a doctoral degree from the University of Mannheim at one of the chairs at the Department of Law. In certain cases, it is also possible to pursue a doctorate at the University of Adelaide. Please contact the program managers to seek advice that is tailored to your personal situation.
Doctoral programs and opportunities at the Department of Law
General information on doctoral studies at the University of MannheimAdmission requirements and selection
In our selection process, we take numerous criteria into account. For more details, please check the selection statutes (see below). Be bold!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need advice. We are looking forward to receiving your application!
The Master of Comparative Business Law (M.C.B.L.) program is not selective. All applicants who meet the admission requirements will therefore be sent an official letter of admission.
Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in Law from a university in Germany or abroad or from a state-recognized university of cooperative education (Berufsakademie).
The following requirements must be met:
- The bachelor's degree must correspond to at least 240 ECTS credits or have a standard period of study of at least eight semesters/
four years. In exceptional cases, the admissions committee may allow relevant work experience to be counted towards the required ECTS credits. - A degree in a different field is sufficient if it is recognized as equivalent by the admissions committee and if students have obtained at least 20 ECTS credits in law subjects.
- The admissions committee may waive the requirement of proof of law contents for applicants with a first degree recognized as equivalent if applicants can prove their qualification for the Master of Comparative Business Law – M.C.B.L. by different means.
- A letter of motivation in English must be submitted along with the application.
The following proof of English proficiency is accepted:
- a higher education entrance qualification from a school in a country with English as an official language after at least one year of school,
- the successful completion of a program of study at a higher education institution with English as the language of instruction and examination and a duration of at least one year,
- a certificate of the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) with a score of at least 90 points,
- a certificate of the International English Language Testing System – Academic Test (IELTS) with an overall band score of at least 6.5,
- an equivalent result of a test recognized as comparable. The admissions committee shall decide on the comparability of the test individually.
Conditional admission
If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s program by the application deadline, you may still be admitted to the master’s program as long as you provide proof that you have obtained at least 190 ECTS credits. In this case, your admission to the program is subject to receipt of your degree certificate by a specified point in time (refer to selection statutes).Selection statutes
Under “Admission requirements and selection” we have compiled the most important selection criteria of the program for you. For more detailed explanations of the selection process and the legally binding requirements of the degree program, please refer to the selection statutes.- The bachelor's degree must correspond to at least 240 ECTS credits or have a standard period of study of at least eight semesters/
Application
The University of Mannheim is the most popular university in Germany
In the students' vote on the Studycheck.de platform, the University of Mannheim has reached the top position among all universities. This makes the University of Mannheim the most popular university in Germany.
read more about the award (in German)