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Facts and Data

  • Duration: 2 semesters
  • Degree Award: Master of Laws
  • Language: English
  • admission limited
  • Special admission requirements

Transnational Law - Master's Programme

Orientation and Goals

The master’s programme „Transnational Law“ (Hanse Law School) is intended for students having obtained a prior academic degree in Law Studies in Germany or abroad. The concept of transnational law permits the discussion of the melange of regulatory conditions of the world-society from a private as well as a public law perspective and to analyse new patterns of legal systems. The orientation towards transnational law builds on the current field of research of the University of Bremen and the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg. At the end of the master’s programme each student receives the degree Master of Laws (LL.M.) “Transnational Law” (Hanse Law School) that is awarded jointly by the University of Bremen and the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg.

Study Design and Contents

Study track
The master’s programme consists of obligatory modules, compulsory elective modules and the master’s graduation module (seminar on writing a master’s thesis, master’s thesis and oral presentation of the master’s thesis). The exact form of the programme differs according to the selected study track.

  • Study track A (opt. dual degree)

Study track A offers the possibility to spend the first semester at a foreign university. The programme therefore starts in another country and has to be planned accordingly. During the second semester the remaining number of compulsory elective modules has to be studied. The exact number of modules depends on the choice made during the first semester. In total four compulsory elective modules have to be studied during the course of the programme. The second semester also includes the master’s graduation module (seminar on writing a master’s thesis, master’s thesis and oral presentation of the master’s thesis). The oral presentation of the master’s thesis has to take place mid-September at the latest, which means the master’s thesis has to be handed in by the end of July, as the supervisors will need approx. six weeks to grade the thesis, unless a shorter period has expressly been fixed. In any case the subject and supervisors for the master’s thesis should be chosen in February and March at the latest, so that writing of the thesis can commence in April.

  • Study track B

Study track B does not include a study abroad and has a stronger focus on the phenomena transnationalization of law. During the first semester two obligatory modules “Methodology of Transnational Law” and “Transnational Law I” have to be studied in Bremen, with a third obligatory module “Transnational Law II” taking place in Oldenburg. Additionally at least two compulsory elective modules have to be chosen out of the courses offered in Bremen and Oldenburg. We advise students to take at least one more, i.e. in total three, compulsory elective modules during the first semester in order to focus on the master’s thesis during the next semester. During the second semester the remaining number of compulsory elective modules has to be studied. The exact number of modules depends on the choice made during the first semester. In total four compulsory elective modules have to be studied during the course of the programme. The second semester also includes the master’s graduation module (seminar on writing a master’s thesis, master’s thesis and oral presentation of the master’s thesis). The oral presentation of the master’s thesis has to take place mid-September at the latest, which means the master’s thesis has to be handed in by the end of July, as the supervisors will need approx. six weeks to grade the thesis, unless a shorter period has expressly been fixed. In any case the subject and supervisors for the master’s thesis should be chosen in February and March at the latest, so that writing of the thesis can commence in April.

Specialty areas / Modules for advanced specialisation
A large part of the study programme is compulsory elective, so that students can place their emphasis on different legal subjects. During study track A two compulsory elective modules with 6 CP each have to be selected. During study track B four compulsory elective modules with 6 CP each have to be selected. The courses that can be used to fill those compulsory elective modules in Bremen can be found online in the university calendar. The courses are sorted under thematic headings so that a student can easier decide on which legal area to focus. However, those thematic headings are not binding, courses can be mixed. The following headings exist:

  • Labour and social law in transnational context
  • Information and Health law in their transnational dimension
  • Transnationalization of Economic Law
  • Transnationalization of Public Law
  • Transnationalization of Private Law
  • Transnationalization of Criminal and Security law

Teaching and Learning

During the first semester of study track A courses in the obligatory module take place in the form and style of the respective study abroad university. During the first and second semester of study track B and during the second semester of study track A courses in the compulsory elective modules in Bremen and Oldenburg take place as lectures or seminars, but mostly as seminars and often as bloc seminars in groups of 10 to 20 students so to encourage active discussion between students and lecturers.

Reasons for Studying

Modern societies are increasingly formed by social, economic and legal relations that dissolve the traditional boundaries of nation states. Markets have outgrown systems of national regulation and international policy coordination. Transnational corporations and other cross-border organizations and networks interact in new patterns and set new standards of governance. Transnational migration, mobility and IT-driven communication change mindsets and public discourses. Contagion in financial crises, climate change and other critical developments reveal an interdependence of modern societies through uncoordinated transnational action that requires new institutional responses. This master’s programme engages the phenomenon of transnationalization and its influence on the development of the law.

Foreign Language Skills

German language skills are not required for admission.

In order to study this course at the University of Oldenburg, you need an adequate knowledge of English.

English Language Proficiency see admissions regulations
  • Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level C1
  • if applicants are native speaker or they have university entrance qualification or a university degree obtained in English

The proof of language proficiency must be presented for the enrolment. For other proof possiblities see: 
Language requirements 

Careers and Areas of Employment

At the end of the master’s programme each students receives the degree Master of Laws (LL.M.) “Transnational Law” (Hanse Law School) that is awarded jointly by the University of Bremen and the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg. This accredited master’s degree forms a valuable addition to the undergraduate degree previously obtained. Students who complete our master’s programme work among others as legal counsel or consultant in companies, organizations or administrations. Other job opportunities include scientific services with or without the possibility of receiving a PhD at academia, administrations or companies.

Find out more about the professional field of Business Administration, Economics and Law (in German).

Target Group/Admission Requirements

Joint study programme of the University of Oldenburg and the University of Bremen – application and enrolment at the University of Bremen

The programme is limited to 35 students per cycle and has the following admission requirements:
  1. Evidence of having obtained a prior academic degree (e. g. a Bachelor’s degree with 240 ECTS credit points or equivalent) in Law Studies, or another degree in an appropriately related field of study. In the event that you may not have qualified for a first degree before the application deadline, you may still submit your application: In this case, please provide evidence that you have already obtained a minimum of 210 ECTS credit points (or equivalent);
  2. German and English language proficiency at B2 level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) proven by an accepted certificate. One or both language requirements may be waived if an applicant obtained their university entrance qualification or prior academic degree in the respective language or successfully sat for examinations (at B2 level) in the respective language during their prior academic degree;
  3. A Letter of Motivation (max. 200 words, preferable one page)

Application/Admission Procedures

Application is only possible for winter terms.
The deadline is always May 31st of the respective year. Application has to be done online.

International and applicants from EU apply online through uni-assist e.V.
(Changed: 21 Mar 2024)  | 
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