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Private universities in Germany offer over 30 law and business law programmes – from the state examination (Staatsexamen) at the Bucerius Law School in Hamburg to an LL.B. in Business Law online from €112/month.
All programmes are accredited, government-recognised and follow the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Campus programmes are available in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Goettingen and other cities. Even at private institutions, tuition is a fraction of what you would pay in the US, UK or Australia.
- Overview of all Courses
- How much does it cost to study law at a private university in Germany?
- Which law programmes in Germany are taught in English?
- What qualifications do I need as an international student?
- Staatsexamen vs. LL.B. Business Law: Which path suits international students?
- Student visa, health insurance and working in Germany
- What career opportunities are available after graduation?
- Frequently asked questions about studying law in Germany
- Related programmes at private universities in Germany
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 32 courses in the field of Legal Sciences. The first 20 top courses are displayed. Use the filter function or our search to discover more courses in the field.
Business Law
- European Distance Learning University Hamburg
- 6 Semester
- online
- from 279 € monthly
- German
Business Law
- RH Cologne – University of Applied Science
- 6 Semester
- Cologne
- from 549 € monthly
- German
Business Law
- SRH University
- 6 Semester
- Heidelberg
- from 670 € monthly
- German
Business Law
- DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences
- 7 Semester
- from 177 € monthly
- German
Law studies
- EBS University for Business and Law
- 8 Semester
- Oestrich-Winkel
- German
Master of Law and Business
- Bucerius Law School
- 2 Semester
- Hamburg
- English
Business Law
- FOM University of Applied Sciences
- 7 Semester
- Essen
- from 345 € monthly
- German
International Business and Corporate Law
- SRH University
- 4 Semester
- Heidelberg
- from 690 € monthly
- German
Business Law
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- Hamburg, Munich
- from 850 € monthly
- German
Compliance and Corporate Security
- RH Cologne – University of Applied Science
- 3 Semester
- Cologne
- from 579 € monthly
- German and English
Legal Psychology
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 4 Semester
- Munich, Cologne
- from 850 € monthly
- German
Business Law
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- online
- from 259 € monthly
- German
Business Law
- PFH Private University of Applied Sciences
- 4 Semester
- Göttingen
- German
Business Law Online
- Hamburger Fern-Hochschule
- 4 Semester
- online
- from 234 € monthly
- German
Contract Law
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 2 Semester
- online
- from 449 € monthly
- German
Business Law
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 4 Semester
- online
- from 299 € monthly
- German
Business Law with International Aspects
- DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences
- 5 Semester
- from 207 € monthly
- German
How much does it cost to study law at a private university in Germany?
Tuition fees for law and business law at private German universities range from €112/month (LL.B. distance learning at HFH Hamburg) to €64,780 total (Staatsexamen at EBS University). For business law programmes – the most accessible option for international students – the full cost of a bachelor’s degree starts at €7,695.
| Programme type | Monthly tuition | Total cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| LL.B. Business Law (distance) | €112–279 | €7,695–15,063 | 6–8 semesters |
| LL.B. Business Law (campus) | €549–850 | €19,764–31,295 | 6–7 semesters |
| LL.M. / Master | €234–690 | €6,048–25,000 | 2–5 semesters |
| Staatsexamen (full law degree) | €1,050+ | €50,400–64,780 | 8–12 semesters |
Tuition compared: Germany vs. the US, UK and Australia
Even at a private university, studying law in Germany is significantly cheaper than in most English-speaking countries. Here is how total tuition for a bachelor’s degree compares:
| Country | Degree | Total tuition (approx.) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (private) | LL.B. Business Law | €7,695–31,295 | 3–3.5 years |
| Germany (public) | Staatsexamen only | €600–1,800 (admin fees only) | 4.5–6 years |
| United Kingdom | LLB | £28,000–105,000 (€32,000–120,000) | 3 years |
| United States | JD (Juris Doctor) | $135,000–210,000 (€125,000–195,000) | 3 years (after bachelor’s) |
| Australia | LLB | AUD 90,000–180,000 (€55,000–110,000) | 3–4 years |
At €7,695 for a full LL.B. at the HFH Hamburg, Germany’s cheapest private business law programme costs less than a single semester at most UK or US law schools. Even the premium Staatsexamen at Bucerius Law School (€51,600) is below the annual tuition at many American law schools.
Which law programmes in Germany are taught in English?
Most law and business law programmes at private German universities are taught in German. Only three programmes in this category are available fully or partly in English:
| Course | University | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance and Corporate Security, Master of Laws On-campus program | RH Cologne – University of Applied Science | 3 Semester | from 10422 € total from 579 € monthly | |
| Master of Law and Business, Master of Laws On-campus program | Bucerius Law School | 2 Semester | from 25000 € total | |
| Law, Politics and Economics, Bachelor of Arts On-campus program | EBS University for Business and Law | 6 Semester | from 54480 € total |
- RH Cologne – Compliance and Corporate Security (M.A.): Taught in German and English, based in Cologne. Tuition: €579/month. A practice-oriented master’s for compliance professionals.
- Bucerius Law School – Master of Law and Business (LL.M.): Fully English-taught, based in Hamburg. Tuition: €25,000 for 2 semesters. One of Germany’s most prestigious law programmes, with a strong international cohort.
- EBS University – Law, Politics and Economics (B.A.): Fully English-taught, based near Wiesbaden. Tuition: €54,480. An interdisciplinary bachelor’s combining law, political science and economics.
For all other programmes, you will need German language proficiency – typically B2 or C1 level, certified through DSH, TestDaF or a Goethe-Institut certificate. If you are considering studying in Germany long-term, investing in German language skills opens up significantly more options and better career prospects.
What qualifications do I need as an international student?
Admission to a private German university does not require a specific grade point average – all programmes listed here are NC-free (no numerus clausus). However, your foreign qualifications must be recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur or a first degree.
Recognition of foreign qualifications
Germany uses the anabin database (maintained by the KMK) to evaluate international school-leaving certificates and degrees. Your qualification falls into one of three categories:
- Direct access (H+): Your certificate is equivalent to the German Abitur. You can apply directly to bachelor’s programmes.
- Conditional access (H+/−): Your certificate is partially recognised. You may need to complete a Studienkolleg (foundation year) or pass an assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung).
- Not sufficient (H−): Your certificate is not recognised. A Studienkolleg is required before you can apply.
For master’s programmes (LL.M.), you need a completed bachelor’s degree – typically in law, business law or a related field. The Bucerius LL.M. requires at least a first state examination or an equivalent law degree.
Language requirements
| Programme language | Required certificate | Level |
|---|---|---|
| German-taught | DSH-2, TestDaF 4×4, Goethe C1, or telc C1 Hochschule | C1 (some accept B2) |
| English-taught | IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–90 | B2–C1 |
| Bilingual | Both German (B2+) and English (B2+) certificates | B2 minimum each |
Application process
Private universities manage their own admissions – you apply directly to the university, not through uni-assist (although some universities use uni-assist for document verification). The typical process:
- Online application with scanned documents (transcripts, language certificates, CV, passport copy)
- Document review – the university checks your qualifications (1–4 weeks)
- Interview or aptitude test (for competitive programmes like Bucerius Law School)
- Admission letter – needed for your visa application
Application deadlines vary: most campus programmes start in September/October (winter semester), with deadlines between May and August. Distance learning programmes at IU and HFH allow enrolment throughout the year.
Staatsexamen vs. LL.B. Business Law: Which path suits international students?
The German legal system offers two fundamentally different study paths. For most international students, only one of them is practical.
| Staatsexamen (full law degree) | LL.B. Business Law | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Become a judge, prosecutor or licensed attorney (Rechtsanwalt) in Germany | Work in compliance, contract management, legal departments or consulting |
| Language | 100% German (C2 level effectively required) | German (some programmes in English) |
| Duration | 8–12 semesters + 2 years Referendariat | 6–7 semesters |
| Tuition | €50,400–64,780 | €7,695–31,295 |
| For international students? | Only if you plan to practise German law long-term | Yes – internationally applicable, ECTS-based, shorter |
The Staatsexamen is a state examination specific to the German legal system. You study German civil law, criminal law and public law, then sit an exam administered by the state – not the university. The entire programme is in German, and the legal content is exclusively German law. The three private law schools offering the Staatsexamen are in Berlin (BSP), Hamburg (Bucerius) and near Wiesbaden (EBS). This path makes sense only if you intend to build a legal career in Germany and have near-native German proficiency.
The LL.B. Business Law (Wirtschaftsrecht) combines legal fundamentals with business administration. It follows the Bologna system with ECTS credits, making it transferable across the EU and internationally recognised. You cannot become a Rechtsanwalt (licensed attorney) with this degree, but you can build a career in compliance, corporate law departments, legal tech or consulting – in Germany or internationally.
Student visa, health insurance and working in Germany
If you are from outside the EU/EEA, you will need a student visa (Visum zu Studienzwecken) to study in Germany. EU/EEA citizens can enrol without a visa.
Visa requirements
- Blocked account (Sperrkonto): You must prove you can cover living expenses – currently €11,904/year (€992/month) deposited in a blocked account at a German bank (e.g. Expatrio, Fintiba or Deutsche Bank).
- Health insurance: Mandatory. Public health insurance for students costs approximately €110/month and is available from providers like TK, AOK or Barmer. You must have proof of insurance before you can enrol.
- Admission letter: You need an official admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) from your university to apply for the visa.
- Processing time: Apply at the German embassy in your home country. Processing takes 4–12 weeks depending on the country.
Working while studying
On a student visa, you are allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a separate work permit. Student assistant (HiWi) positions at your university do not count towards this limit. Many business law students complete internships at law firms, compliance departments or Big Four companies during their studies – this is both legally permitted and strongly encouraged by the universities.
After graduation, you can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Arbeitsplatzsuche), giving you time to find employment in Germany. Once employed, this converts to a regular work permit.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?
Business law graduates from German private universities earn between €48,000 and €130,000 gross per year, depending on specialisation, employer and experience. Germany’s strong economy and growing demand for compliance professionals create favourable conditions for international graduates.
Career paths for LL.B./LL.M. graduates
| Career path | Entry salary/year | After 5 years | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance Officer (GDPR, ESG) | €58,000 | €85,000 | EU regulations, risk management |
| Legal Counsel / In-house | €55,000 | €80,000 | Contract law, corporate governance |
| Contract Management / Legal Tech | €48,000 | €70,000 | AI tools, process automation |
| Auditing / Consulting (Big Four) | €50,000 | €75,000 | Financial regulations, tax law |
Sources: gehalt.de, StepStone Salary Report, Glassdoor (2025/26). Salaries vary by region and company size. Munich and Frankfurt typically pay 10–15% above the national average.
Compliance is the fastest-growing field: the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz) and ESG reporting requirements are driving demand for legal professionals who understand both law and business. Multilingual graduates with international experience are particularly sought after – your background as an international student becomes a career advantage.
Frequently asked questions about studying law in Germany
For most programmes, yes. Only three law-related programmes at private universities are currently taught (fully or partly) in English: the Bucerius LL.M. Law and Business, EBS Law, Politics and Economics (B.A.) and the Compliance and Corporate Security master at RH Cologne. All other LL.B. and LL.M. programmes require German at B2 or C1 level. If you plan to build a legal career in Germany, German proficiency is essential regardless of the programme language.
Not as a Rechtsanwalt (licensed attorney) – that requires the Staatsexamen and Referendariat, which is a separate career path. However, a business law degree (LL.B./LL.M.) qualifies you for legal roles in companies: compliance officer, in-house legal counsel, contract manager, legal tech specialist or consultant. Many German companies hire business law graduates for positions that do not require bar admission. In large corporations, business law graduates and Volljuristen often work side by side in the same legal departments.
Yes. All accredited private universities in Germany are recognised by the state (staatlich anerkannt) and accredited by agencies like FIBAA, AQAS or the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat). Degrees follow the Bologna system with ECTS credits, making them transferable across the European Higher Education Area (48 countries). For recognition outside Europe, Germany’s reputation as an education hub generally ensures strong acceptance – though you should check specific requirements in your home country via the ENIC-NARIC network.
Yes. Non-EU students on a student visa may work 120 full days or 240 half days per year without additional permits. Student assistant positions at the university (HiWi jobs) are exempt from this limit. Many students work as interns at law firms, consulting companies or corporate legal departments during semester breaks – this is both allowed and common practice. After graduation, you receive an 18-month job-seeking visa to find employment in Germany.
To obtain a German student visa, you must deposit €11,904 per year (€992/month) into a blocked account (Sperrkonto) at a German bank. You can only withdraw a fixed amount each month, proving you can cover living expenses. Providers like Expatrio and Fintiba offer online account setup from abroad. This amount covers basic living costs – tuition fees are separate. If you receive a scholarship that covers living expenses, you may be exempt from the blocked account requirement.
Several options exist. The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers scholarships specifically for international students, though competition is strong. Individual universities also offer funding: Bucerius Law School has its own scholarship programme, and EBS University offers merit-based tuition reductions. The Deutschlandstipendium (€300/month, funded 50/50 by the government and private sponsors) is available to both German and international students at participating universities. Additionally, foundations like the Heinrich Böll Foundation and Friedrich Ebert Foundation fund international students.
Related programmes at private universities in Germany
Depending on your career goals, these related fields might also be relevant:
- Economics – Business administration, management and finance with optional legal electives
- Social Sciences – Political science, sociology and criminology
- Health Sciences – Health management and medical law as specialisations
- English-taught bachelor programmes – All bachelor programmes available in English across all fields
About the Author Christian Wolf
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