Heidelberg University offers a high quality degree programme, which equips students with a good understanding of the legal system and the methodological skills relevant to each of the three core areas of legal dogmatics and other related subject areas. This ensures that students are successful in passing their first law examination. The core subjects have the greatest weighting in the state examination. Students in Heidelberg must therefore attend a small and large practice class in each of the three areas of legal dogmatics, and complete a term paper and a test for each one.

The University also offers a comprehensive exam preparation programme (“HeidelPräp!”) which ensures a smooth transition from study to a commercial position at the end of the degree programme.

Students of other degree programmes offered by the faculty also benefit from the focus on the three core areas of legal dogmatics. Students of law who have previously studied abroad for example, or students who have no previous experience of law, benefit from the focus on the totality of the German legal system.

Heidelberg University offers students a unique opportunity to study course elements which are particularly relevant to the work of a lawyer. This entails additional courses and lectures (working groups, courses focussing on key qualifications, moot courts) and specific units of study which are integrated into the degree programme and focus on the skills required by lawyers. Such courses and lectures are taught by highly qualified, experienced lawyers.

The course at Heidelberg University also covers international law. Students are encouraged to spend a period of study abroad. As well as the ERASMUS programme, students might take advantage of the University’s agreements with universities in Cambridge and Fribourg. Teams from Heidelberg University regularly participate in international moot courts and receive coaching from lecturers in the Faculty to do so. There is one area of specialism which requires that students complete half in Germany and half in Luxembourg. Academic work completed abroad may also be recognised for other areas of specialism. There is a comprehensive range of courses and lectures focussing on law in countries other than Germany, and on alternative legal terminology.