FAQ area
The so-called course system must first be completed, and the intermediate examination must be taken as part of these basic courses. The examination results of the course system are automatically credited towards the intermediate examination. In addition, a single examination in the field of economics or social sciences must be completed ("WiSo-Schein"). Furthermore, the so-called advanced exercises must be completed, but these can be started and taken even if not all of the basic coursework has been completed. All of these sections together are in turn a prerequisite for admission to the (state) First State Examination in Law, formerly known as the 1st State Examination. See exemplary study planning. (PDF, 329 kB)
Phases of law studies
The law degree program is divided into three main phases:
- 1st phase: "Grundstudium" course system (1st - 4th semester) This first phase, which comprises semesters 1 to 4, is organized as a "Grundstudium" course system. An intermediate examination is integrated within this phase, which must be taken in semester 4 at the latest.
- 2nd phase: specialization and exam preparation (5th - 8th semester) The second phase covers semesters 5 to 8 and is dedicated to specialization (over 2 semesters). During this time, students must acquire the certificates of achievement required for admission to the compulsory subject examination and the specialization area examination (§§4, 4a NJAG, §12 para. 1 SBPO). This phase also includes exam preparation (OsnaRep).
- 3rd phase: First examination (7th - 9th semester) The third phase, which extends from semesters 7 to 9, is the "first examination" in the sense of the standard period of study in accordance with §1 para. 1 NJAG. This examination consists of:
- The specialization examination (30% of the overall grade)
- The compulsory subject examination (70% of the overall grade)
As part of the degree course, students must obtain a basic certificate (e.g. History of Law, Constitutional History, General Constitutional Studies) and a foreign language certificate. These also qualify students for admission to the course work as well as the compulsory subject examination as part of the 1st law examination.
- European and international private law and its historical foundations
- German and European corporate law
- German and European competition and intellectual property law
- Digital law - law in the digital society
- State, economy, Europe
- German and European tax law
- German and European commercial criminal law
For details on the specialization areas, please refer to the specialization area examination regulations (SB-PO).
As part of the specialization areas, students must attend courses amounting to 16 semester hours per week (SWS). These must consist of compulsory elective courses as well as elective courses and a maximum of 3 SWS may be allocated to key qualifications. On average, the specialization is designed for 2 semesters, whereby an additional semester may have to be taken into account for the examination phase (presentation of the thesis and oral examination), but it can - if necessary - be spread over any number of semesters.
The specialization examination consists of a research paper and an oral examination. The order in which the examination parts are completed is up to you.
The following requirements must be met in order to be admitted to the coursework:
- Successful participation in the school's basic courses in civil law, public law and criminal law.
- Fulfillment of the admission requirements for registration for the compulsory subject examination within the meaning of § 4 I No.1, III, V NJAG
- Admission at the time of application in the relevant area of specialization and at the time of submission of the student research project admitted for at least two semesters in the relevant area of specialization
- Successful participation in a seminar or an equivalent course
Admission to the oral examination in the area of specialization requires that students have been admitted to the area of specialization and have attended at least 16 semester hours of courses in the area of specialization.
The grade for the specialization area is made up of half the grade for the coursework and half the grade for the oral examination.
Details on the course of study for the specialization area can be found in the specialization area examination regulations (SB-PO).
Focus area examination as part of the first examination (30% of the first examination, Section 12 (3) NJAG 2009)
The specialization area examination consists of two equally weighted parts: a research paper and an oral examination, each of which accounts for 50% of the overall grade of the specialization area examination.
1. student research project (50%) in accordance with §13 SPO
The student research project is divided into two components:
- 80% elaboration:
- This is a law-related paper from the area of compulsory elective courses and the elective courses of a specialization area, including the associated compulsory subjects.
- Four weeks are set aside for completion.
- The paper is usually written as part of a seminar.
- 20% presentation on the thesis:
- This is a lecture presenting the content of the coursework.
2. oral examination (50%) according to §14 SPO
The oral examination consists of two interviews, each of which accounts for 50% of the oral examination grade:
- 1st examination interview (50%) - approx. 12 minutes:
- The subject of this first examination interview is the elective courses of the specialization, including their references to the compulsory subjects.
- 2nd examination interview (50%) - approx. 12 minutes:
- The subject of this second examination interview will be two elective courses from the curriculum as determined by the student, again including references to the required and elective courses.
Oral SP examination: four times a year
1st date: end of January/beginning of February
2nd date: March
3rd date: end of June/July
4th date: September
Registration is possible at any time within the corresponding registration periods if the admission requirements are met.
Study work: Twice a year with two special collection dates
1.Deadline: Lecture-free period between WS and SS (February/March)
Special collection option (for those who take part in the B compulsory subject examination in April
): May
2. Deadline: Lecture-free period between SS and WS (July-September)
Special pick-up option (for those who take part in the D compulsory subject examination in October
): November
Registration is possible at any time within the corresponding registration periods if the admission requirements are met.
Further information is always published on the website of the Examination Office.
The examination phase is always in the first two weeks of the semester break.
The interval between the publication of the dates by the lecture planning department and the actual examinations is usually 4-5 weeks.
The repeat examinations generally take place in the first two weeks of the following semester; the exact dates will be announced in good time.
The state examination (first examination) consists of two main parts: a 70% compulsory subject examination and a 30% focus area.
1st compulsory subject examination (70%)
The compulsory subject examination is further divided into written examinations and an oral examination:
- Written examinations (64% of the compulsory subject examination): A total of 6 written examinations are written, divided as follows:
- 3 written examinations in civil law
- 2 written examinations in public law
- 1 written exam in criminal law
- Oral examination (36% of the compulsory examination): The oral examination covers the legal fields of civil law, public law and criminal law.
2nd specialization (30%)
The specialization area consists of a student research project and an oral examination:
- Student research project (50% of the area of specialization): The student research project consists of:
- Elaboration (80% of the coursework)
- Presentation (20% of the coursework)
- Oral examination (50% of the specialization): This is an oral examination in the chosen area of specialization.
- According to § 18 NJAG, the so-called free attempt (also: "Freischuss") requires that the student registers (at the latest) for the examination round that follows the eighth semester, i.e. at the beginning of the examinations one is in the ninth semester. In order to meet the deadlines for this, the NJAG allows students to complete the university specialization course after the compulsory subject examination.
- The same applies to the alternative of so-called layering. In this case, the 6 examinations of the state part can be taken in separate blocks, e.g. only the 3 civil law examinations can be taken first, followed 3 months later by the other 3 examinations in criminal and public law (see § 4 II NJAG).
- Both options have advantages and disadvantages that each student must weigh up for themselves: if the specialization area is postponed, the duration of studies can be extended by 2-3 semesters, which is particularly problematic for students who are dependent on BAföG benefits (maximum funding period - standard period of study!). On the other hand, the preparation time for the compulsory subject examination can be extended. Another argument against reversing the planned order of study is that it may still be too early to start preparing for the exam immediately after the advanced exercises. In addition to the advanced exercises, the focus areas in particular offer the option of deepening existing knowledge and repeating the first subjects for the state compulsory examination at the same time. Most focus areas are closely related to the compulsory subject matter of the state examination. Regardless of the focus area you choose, you have the opportunity to gain not only a better overview of your studies in general, but also of the exam situations and to gain exam experience - an advantage that should not be underestimated in the exam.
For binding information, please contact the LJPA.
Such a change is possible in principle, but only until the binding registration for the student research project. There is no entitlement to be assigned to a specific area of specialization. The forms for registration/re-registration are available online for download and can then be completed and submitted to the Examinations Office together with the certificates.
Please note: A change is only possible within the respective registration period in which you can generally register for the specialization area.
In accordance with § 4 NJAG, the following achievements/certificates must have been completed:
- a foundation course in accordance with § 4 I No. 1a)
- the intermediate examination in accordance with § 4 I No. 1b)
- one advanced exercise each (ZR/ÖR/SR) in accordance with § 4 I no. 1c)
- one foreign language law course/language course in accordance with § 4 I no. 1d)
- a course in economics and social sciences in accordance with § 4 I no. 1e)
- one key qualification in accordance with § 4 I no. 1f)
- Proof of internship (3 x 4 weeks each at AmtsG/LandG, RA, Vwg authority) according to § 4 I No. 2
- Enrolment at a university in Lower Saxony in accordance with § 4 I No. 3
If you have any questions about the internship, please contact the competent LJPA.
Overview of services from the course system
Private Law
3 written exams:
- Civil Law I - BGB AT/Schuldrecht AT I
- Civil Law II - Law of Obligations AT II/BT I
- Civil Law III/A and III (Contractual/Legal Obligations)
or Civil Law III/B - Property Law
Public Law
3 written exams:
- Public Law I - State Organization Law
- Public Law II/A - Fundamental Rights
- Public Law II/B - European Law
or Public Law III - General Administrative Law
Criminal Law
3 written exams:
- Criminal Law I - General Part
- Criminal Law II - Special Part (non-property offenses)
- Criminal Law III - Special Part (property offenses)
2 term papers from two different subject areas
Basic law course (1 written examination) within the meaning of Section 4 (1) no. 1 a) NJAG
Key qualification within the meaning of § 4 para. 1 no. 1 f) NJAG
Foreign-language law course (1 written examination) within the meaning of Section 4 (1) no. 1 d) NJAG
Course in economics and social sciences § 4 para. 1 no. 1 e) NJAG
Information on changing your place of study and the certificates/credits required for this can be found at the Student Advisory Service.
Whether and to what extent credits from other degree programs can be transferred to the law degree program at the UOs must be decided on a case-by-case basis. Please arrange a personal appointment/telephone call with the Student Advisory Service in this regard.
Here are some examples of realistic voices of former and current students of the School of Law, which have been adopted without comment and without additions/omissions: to the testimonials
You can find more detailed information in the current version of the study guide.
Information on offers and online courses can be found on the University Library website.