Doctoral Studies

Studying for a doctorate will involve you undertaking much more detailed research into a specific area you studied as part of your undergraduate course. At the end of the doctorate, you are expected to have made an independent, academic research contribution towards the study of law. A doctorate in law generally lasts three years. During this time, doctoral candidates work systematically and independently on a research topic which is then examined as a doctoral thesis (written dissertation) and a viva voce (presentation and discussion).

The Faculty of Law offers both individual and structured doctoral programmes. Graduates of either programme obtain the title of Dr. iur. (doctor iuris), but the study programmes vary somewhat in their parameters.

The Faculty also offers a series of other Master’s degree and graduate programmes (partly in conjunction with other institutes) for graduates with the German first state examination in law (or a similar course of studies at a university abroad).