Law and Business

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Deadline: Mar 31, 2026
StudyQA ranking:10048 Duration:

Photos of university / #lawsome.hamburg

The Bucerius Law School offers a comprehensive and rigorous Master of Laws (LL.M.) programme designed to prepare students for distinguished careers in law, business, and international affairs. This programme emphasizes the integration of legal knowledge with practical skills and a global perspective, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to navigate complex legal and regulatory environments worldwide. Throughout the duration of the programme, students have the opportunity to engage with a diverse faculty composed of leading legal scholars, practitioners, and experts from various jurisdictions, fostering an enriching learning environment that promotes critical thinking and innovative problem-solving.

The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of legal disciplines, including constitutional law, corporate law, contract law, international law, and European Union law, providing students with a solid foundation in both national and international legal systems. In addition to core courses, students can tailor their studies through elective modules and specialized seminars, allowing them to focus on areas such as dispute resolution, intellectual property law, or compliance. The programme also emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, encouraging students to understand the intersection of law with economics, politics, and society.

Practical skills are at the heart of the Bucerius LL.M. programme. Students participate in moot courts, legal clinics, and internships that provide hands-on experience and foster professional development. The programme boasts an extensive global network of partner institutions, law firms, and international organizations, which facilitates internships, exchanges, and collaborative projects that enhance practical understanding and build valuable contacts. Additionally, the programme offers opportunities for international mobility, with exchange semesters available at partner universities worldwide, exposing students to different legal cultures and practices.

The Bucerius LL.M. programme is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. It welcomes students from various countries, backgrounds, and legal traditions, enriching classroom discussions and broadening perspectives. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention and close interaction with faculty, promoting a supportive learning atmosphere. Graduates of the programme are well-prepared to take on leadership roles in law firms, multinational corporations, government agencies, and international organizations. They also possess the academic credentials necessary for pursuing doctoral research or academic careers in law.

Overall, the Bucerius Law School's LL.M. programme stands out for its combination of academic excellence, practical relevance, and international orientation. It strives to develop well-rounded legal professionals capable of addressing the challenges of the rapidly changing global legal landscape. Whether you are looking to advance your legal career, specialize in a particular legal domain, or gain a competitive edge in the international job market, this programme offers a unique platform for personal and professional growth, grounded in the tradition of academic rigor and practical relevance that Bucerius Law School is known for.

Educational organisation

The LLM/MLB curriculum combines numerous aspects of international business law with issues of international business and management. All students can study for the Master of Law and Business degree. Depending on the courses they complete, students with a first degree in law can receive an LLM (Law and Business) degree instead. All students in the programme study together, regardless of which degree they will eventually receive.

The programme consists of 11 core and elective modules which link law and business topics, so as to enable students to gain insights into the countless issues that have both legal and business components. The programme takes a comparative law and business approach, allowing students to understand the similarities and differences between legal and business systems. Modules vary in length. Most academic modules consist of five ECTS credits, meaning 50 hours of classroom instruction plus 100 hours of preparation and debriefing.

From August to December, students take the obligatory modules that are structured along the life-cycle of an enterprise. In January and February students can select at least two electives to deepen their knowledge in these specific fields. The mandatory internship takes place in March and April. Upon their return to campus, students take two more obligatory courses in business/legal ethics and negotiation/contract drafting before they begin to write their Master's thesis.

Study abroad unit(s)

No study abroad units are integrated into the programme. However, students can choose to complete their internship or write their Master's thesis abroad.

Internships

Participants complete an eight-week internship at a law firm, corporation or government office. The internship takes place in March and April. Through the internship, participants have the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and see the interface of law and business in practice. Because the internship takes place in the middle rather than at the end of the academic year, participants are able to bring the insights that they have gained from their experience to their summer trimester classes. In addition, the internship provides participants with insights that may be useful for selecting the topic of their Master's thesis. All students are invited to take advantage of the assistance offered by the Career Office in procuring an internship.

Forms of assessment

All courses end with an examination. The examination can be in the form of written in-class exams, written take-home exams and presentations.

Course objectives

In today's global economy, companies, law firms and organisations are regularly confronted with international challenges that require both legal and financial expertise.
Launched in 2006, the interdisciplinary Bucerius Master of Law and Business programme is a one-year, postgraduate degree programme. The Master of Law and Business programme is a response to the increasing need in the global economy for legal and business professionals with a solid knowledge of international business law and international management experience. Alumni easily find permanent employment all around the world. Some alumni continue their studies with PhD or other advanced degrees and research programmes.
For more information about the Master of Law and Business programme, see: http://master.law-school.de.

Language requirements

If English is neither the applicant's native language nor the primary language of instruction of the first degree, an official report of results either from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS, CPE or ILEC has to be provided. Bucerius Law School's institution code for the TOEFL is 7181. Minimum TOEFL requirements are 600 points (paper-based) or 100 points (internet-based). Minimum requirements for the IELTS are 7.0, for the CPE grades A, B, or C and for the ILEC C1 or C1 with merit.

German courses are offered at four different levels for students who wish to learn or improve their German.

Academic requirements

Enrolment is limited to around 55 participants in order to ensure individual attention, allow easy access to course instructors, and encourage intensive discussion.

In order to qualify for admission, students must fulfil the following requirements:
1) First degree of four years' duration (preferably in law or business/economics; graduates of other disciplines can be admitted if they have a demonstrated interest in the fields of law and business)
2) At least one year of postgraduate work experience
3) Superior English language skills
4) Preferably some international experience
5) Extracurricular interests

Students who graduated from shorter Bachelor's programmes should contact the LLM/MLB Office to enquire about possible exceptions.

Enrolment fees

Included in the tuition fee

Costs of living

750 to 1,000 EUR per month in Hamburg

Job opportunities

As the Master of Law and Business programme is very intensive, most participants do not have time to work in order to finance their stay while they are studying. However, many internships are paid by the company, law firm or organisation involved.

Funding opportunities within the university

The Master of Law and Business programme offers some financial aid to selected students in the form of a partial tuition waiver; this includes some regional scholarships.
More detailed information on scholarships and financial aid can be found on the programme's website.
http://www.law-school.de/master/admission/financing/

Arrival support

New students receive an information package with important information about life in Germany and especially in Hamburg after their admission. At that time, they can also apply for merit- and need-based scholarships.
Current and former students are available as contacts for new students. Prior to and after their arrival in Hamburg, the LLM/MLB team actively assists new students with services such as accommodation, health and liability insurance, banking and visa applications. German buddies help foreign students adjust to life in Hamburg and pick them up from the airport if needed.
In order to prepare students for the intensive study year and guarantee very high teaching standards, preliminary courses in law and business are offered prior to the official start of the programme. During an Orientation Week, new students meet alumni, are officially welcomed by the schools, participate in academic advisory sessions, find help in resolving administrative issues and learn how to organise the year.

Services and support for international students

One full-time professor of Law at Bucerius Law School (Dean of the Programme) dedicates 100% of his time to running the programme. Students are actively supported by the LLM/MLB team throughout the programme in administrative, career, curricular and extracurricular questions.

Accommodation

The Master of Law and Business programme has reserved a significant number of rooms in a modern, well-equipped and centrally-located student dormitory. In addition, MLB programme staff help students and their accompanying spouses or families to find suitable accommodation, including subletting rooms from or sharing apartments with Germans. Most students live within a 10- to 30-minute commute of the Bucerius Law School. Rent varies from 250 EUR to 700 EUR, depending on accommodation size and location.
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Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 4.27 k / Semester(s)
Deadline: Jan 15, 2026 StudyQA ranking: 13229