Studies in the Chosen Field of Specialisiation

In accordance with § 11 sect. 2 Study Regulations you will be admitted to studies in the field of specialisation if you have passed

• the intermediate examination (§ 22 Examination Regulations)

• the main course modules (§ 25 sect. 1 Examination Regulations) Civil Law II and III, Public Law II and III and Criminal Law II and III

• the required English examination (§ 26 Examination Regulations)

If your study data proves that you have fulfilled these requirements you can apply via PABO for your chosen field of specialisation.You are required to enter a first as well as second choice. The application deadline will be in the last two weeks of March (for the summer semester) and in the last two weeks of September (for the winter semester). The exact dates can be found here. Please choose your field of specialisation in accordance with your personal interests and not on the basis of rumours about the grades awarded.

If you have completed coursework or an examination that has not been graded yet, you will be provisionally admitted to studies in the field of specialisation. In this case, you won't be able to register yourself via PABO, however, you can register directly at the Examination Office (a formal application is not required). The provisional admission will be confirmed once you have received a passing grade for your coursework, and revoked if you have failed. A new application for admission will not be possible before you are able submit the required passing grade (§ 11 para. 3 Study Regulations).

Only in exceptional cases (e.g. studies cannot be continued due to termination of BAf?G grant), admission to studies in the field of specialisation may be granted although the requirements under § 11 Study Regulations have not been fulfilled. Applications have to be submitted in writing to the Examination Office with detailed explanations and appropriate documentation before expiry of the deadline. The decision will be made by the Dean of Studies.

Each field of specialisation is limited to 40 participants; the number of new admissions depends on the number of places that have become available. If there are more applicants than places, participants will be selected by drawing lots. If you can supply evidence of special study or other achievements related to the field of specialisation, you may be allocated independently of this procedure. Applications for such an allocation have to be addressed to the Examination Office. The decision will be made by the Dean of Studies.

Up to four weeks after courses have started, you can apply to the Dean of Studies - via the Examination Office - for a change of the chosen field of specialisation (the respective deadlines can be found here). A change is only possible if there are places available.

2. Studies in the Chosen Field of Specialisation

Studies in the chosen field of specialisation comprise 16 hours a week per semester over two semesters (according to Appendix 2 of Study Regulations). Each field of specialisation includes compulsory modules to the extent of 8 hours a week per semester (according to Appendix 2 of Study Regulations). In addition, there are several compulsory elective modules on offer each semester, of which at least 8 hours a week per semester have to be completed.

According to § 31 para. 2 Examination Regulations, studies in the field of specialisation include :

•  a seminar certificate (written assignment and oral presentation) in the field Foundations of Law (§ 31 para. 2 no. 1 Examination Regulations), 

•  a seminar certificate (written assignment and oral presentation) in the compulsory part of the chosen field of specialisation (§ 31 para. 2 no. 2 Examinations Regulations; this seminar certificate does not have to be acquired in one of the compulsory courses as long as the course catalogue provides this certificate for the respective course).

• a further written oral assignment as a a prerequisite for the examination in the compulsory part of the chosen field of specialisation as specified by the lecturer (§ 31 para. 2 no. 3 Examination Regulations)

• a further written oral assignment as a a prerequisite for the examination in the compulsory elective part of the chosen field of specialisation as specified by the lecturer (§ 31 para. 2 no. 4 Examination Regulations)

• a key qualification different from the qualification required by § 27 (§ 31 para. 2 no. 5 Examination Regulations)

Which assignment can be completed in which course will be specified in the  course catalogue.

The requirements of § 31 para. 2 no. 1 (Foundations of Law certificate), no. 4 (assignment as a a prerequisite for the examination in a compulsory elective subject) and no. 5 (key qualifcation) can be fulfilled before you are admitted to studies in the field of specialisation. They will be credited subsequently. In order to receive credits in accordance with § 31 para. 2 no. 4.  (for technical purposes) this form (/zpa/formulare/ ) must be completed and submitted.

Studies in the chosen field of specialisation prepare for the written assignment in the final examination and promote the academic specialisation of students in the chosen fields in accordance with § 4 para. 1 JAPG in conjunction with § 31 Examination Regulations and § 11 Study Regulations (revised version). They take two semesters and include the successful completion of a written assignment in accordance with § 32 Examination Regulations and an oral examination in accordance with § 33 Examination Regulations (cf. § 34 Examination Regulations).