Master of European and International Business, Competition and Regulatory Law (MBL-FU) Freie Universität Berlin

The MBL-FU is a postgraduate Master's programme in law (LLM). It lasts for one academic year. You will obtain in-depth, specialised knowledge on cutting-edge questions of international and European competition and regulatory law.

Our lecturers are high-ranking legal and economic academics as well as practitioners from all around the world – from officials of the European Commission and national authorities to attorneys from international law firms and multinational companies. Their classes cover a wide range of topics, from foundational theoretical and economic questions to all aspects of European and international competition law, and also including intellectual property and other crucial issues driving important sectors of today’s (digital) economy.

Freie Universität Berlin (FU) is one of eleven “Universities of Excellence” in Germany. Its network of libraries holds approximately eight million media units, thereby providing you with the necessary resources for any academic endeavour. FU is one of the largest universities in Germany: around 34,000 students are enrolled in over 170 degree programmes. Its 16 departments and central institutes are spread out through the university campus. The university has over 100 partnerships with scholarly institutions around the world, and 22 percent of its student body come from abroad.

The Master of International and European Business, Competition and Regulatory Law is based on an approach that combines traditional "in-class" teaching with electronic communication via the university's Internet platform and independent study.

You will cover seven modules and write a Master's thesis. Each module consists of in-class lectures, seminars and tutorials. They take place on Fridays and Saturdays and occasionally on Thursdays at the Department of Law. Online study and work components complement and build upon these lectures.

The modules in detail:
Part I: Business Law and Principles of Economics

• European and International Business Law
• Economy and Competition – The Broader View
• European Competition Law
• Advanced Competition Law

Part II: Competition and Regulatory Law

• Intellectual Property
• Regulatory Law –The Fundamentals
• Advanced Regulatory Law

Master's thesis

While internships are not a mandatory part of our curriculum, the MBL-FU team strongly encourages students to gain practical experience in the context of an internship.

Applicants must have obtained a first university degree, preferably in law, of at least 240 ECTS. Additionally, they need at least one year of postgraduate work experience, preferably in competition law, traditional regulated markets, digital markets, data protection and compliance and related fields.
Applications are submitted and processed exclusively via the university's online application portal. Besides degree certificates and academic transcripts, all applicants must submit a tabular CV and motivation letter presenting their educational and professional background as well as their reasons for the application to the programme.

In total, the semester contribution amounts to 358.80 EUR. It includes a fee of 213.80 EUR for the transportation ticket contribution. This allows you to use local public transport in Berlin and nationwide for free. Other costs covered by the semester contribution include a 50 EUR enrolment fee, a 85 EUR semester contribution to the student support service ("studierendenWERK Berlin"), and a 10 EUR contribution to the student union.

Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. However, the cost of living has also risen in Germany in recent years. The prices for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are slightly above the EU average. You will need around 900 to 1,300 EUR each month to cover your living expenses. The biggest expense is monthly rent, which is between 500 and 700 EUR in Berlin (for a room in a shared apartment).

There are many ways of earning money while you study, for example as wait staff, academic assistants, or private tutors. Knowledge of German will improve your chances of finding a part-time job, but it isn’t necessarily required. However, it is important to be aware of the legal regulations.The student support service at the university, called "studierendenWERK Berlin", and the local representative of the "Bundesagentur für Arbeit" (Federal Employment Agency) can provide information about jobs for students.

When searching for a job, look at online job boards, notice boards on campus, and ads in local newspapers.
You can also work on campus. The Freie Universität Berlin regularly offers positions for students in science, teaching support and administration that you can find on our careers portal.

The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship enables students at Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) from all nations and walks of life to fully concentrate on their studies. The programme supports talented students with 300 EUR per month. To apply, you must already be enrolled and be within the standard period of time given to complete your degree during the funding period, or you must have a letter of acceptance to start a degree programme at Freie Universität Berlin.

The Career Service of Freie Universität Berlin aims to support international students at Freie Universität by providing information, advice, and events related to career planning, internships, and job applications.

You have the option to stay in a public/private student dormitory or in a private (shared) apartment. Student dormitories are not administrated by the university itself, so Freie Universität Berlin does not have any on-campus housing. However, it works together with "studierendenWERK Berlin" regarding student accommodation.

If you do not wish to stay in a student dormitory, you can try to find a room or an apartment on the private housing market. Many students in Berlin live in shared apartments ("WGs"). You can find these offers online (e.g. WG-Gesucht or Kleinanzeigen) or on notice boards on campus.

Available rooms/apartments near the university are rare. Therefore, students mostly commute from other parts of the city. The commute via public transportation usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour, which is considered a normal travel time in Berlin due to the size of the city.