Studying law is divided into the three major legal areas of Public Law, Civil Law and Criminal Law. Students can also choose a legal discipline to specialize in.

The standard duration of study has been 10 semesters since October 2019. There is no longer a maximum duration of studies. The study plan at the School of Law in Erlangen is spread over eight semesters of study (excluding examinations). After students have obtained the First State Examination in Law (Erste Juristische Staatsexamen) and the university part of the State Examination in Law (JUP, Juristische Universitätsprüfung) they are conferred the title of “Diplom-Jurist”.

In the first part of the program (semesters 1-4) students attend fundamental subjects in law, foundation courses and lectures. Examinations must be completed in all subjects and students must pass an intermediate examination.

In the second part of the program (semesters 5 and 6), students complete tutorials for advanced students. Students usually choose their specialization in the fifth semester, which is concluded with the university part of the State Examination in Law (JUP).

In the seventh and eighth semesters, students continue to study their specialization and prepare for the First State Examination in Law, including examination practice and revisiting and deepening material relevant to examinations. The standard duration of study for law has been increased to 10 semesters to allow students more time to prepare for the state examination and manage individual study.

Law students must study three subjects of Civil Law, Public Law und Criminal Law. Students may choose to focus on the following 11 areas (although these subjects comprise a lesser proportion of the curriculum than the core subjects):

• Corporate Law
• Banking and Capital Markets Law
• Tax Law
• Intellectual Property and Competition Law
• International and European Public Law
• Internation Private Law
• Employment and Social Insurance Law
• Foundations of Law
• State and Administration
• Criminal science
• Fundamental and human rights

• Interest in social and political questions
• Oral and written communication skills
• Precision
• Self-discipline and diligence
• Good memory
• Above all: Motivation to study!

• Applied training and key qualifications in rhetoric, negotiation management and communication
• Training in legal practice (Institute of Notary Law and Legal Practice)
• Support for new students (tutorials for new students)
• Courses for optimal State Examination preparation
  

Completing a degree in Law opens up many pathways toward a professional career. Most graduates will become lawyers after completing their law degree. This includes a number of career options from working at a major law firm to practicing law independently. Major law firms usually compensate graduates well but they often demand excellent grades and have high expectations for workload. Law graduates may also be employed in public service and can find positions in courts and other authorities. Graduates can also enter a number of other professional fields beyond traditional legal professions:
Traditional legal professions:

Judge

Prosecutor

Lawyer

Attorney

Civil servant


Professional fields related to law:
Tax advisor

Auditor

Syndicate lawyer

Personnel representative

PA

Policy consultant

Business consultant

International roles

Journalist, editor for a legal publisher

Completing a degree in Law opens up many pathways toward a professional career. Most graduates will become lawyers after completing their law degree. This includes a number of career options from working at a major law firm to practicing law independently. Major law firms usually compensate graduates well but they often demand excellent grades and have high expectations for workload. Law graduates may also be employed in public service and can find positions in courts and other authorities. Graduates can also enter a number of other professional fields beyond traditional legal professions:

Traditional legal professions:

• Judge
  
• Prosecutor
  
• Lawyer
  
• Attorney
  
• Civil servant

Professional fields related to law:

• Tax advisor
  
• Auditor
  
• Syndicate lawyer
  
• Personnel representative
  
• PA
  
• Policy consultant
  
• Business consultant
  
• International roles
  
• Journalist, editor for a legal publisher