Business Law in an International Context HWR Berlin (Berlin School of Economics and Law)

The programme comprises topics pertinent to corporate law taught in advanced modules specially structured to combine detailed theoretical analysis with an applied approach to current issues. In addition to exploring the areas of corporate law relevant to the work of companies active in the international arena, the programme offers the chance to specialise in either corporate finance or human resources.

Selected students with the finance specialisation can be entered in the double degree programme with ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. The duration of the programme is then extended from three to four semesters.

First semester

• Corporate Management and Governance deals in detail with selected issues of company law (international company law, cross-border company formation and the principles of good company management).
• International Contract Law and Contract Design comprises German and an international debt contract law, the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and questions of prospective conflict management (with a focus on contract design).
• Corporate Employment Law (taught in English) focuses on labour law issues in international companies including personnel decisions, CSR and equalities legislation. The seminar in Current Employment Law extends students’ understanding of labour management regulation, employee participation and collective bargaining law.
• The project and research module provides students with the opportunity to work together with companies to resolve practical problems or conduct research projects.

Second semester

• Corporate Transactions (English-language, elective) focusses on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offering, securitisation, take-overs, leveraged buyouts and project financing.
• Restructuring and Risk Management focusses on risk management, insolvency law, capital measures in company law and restructuring loans.
• Contract Design in Labour Law concentrates on the design of employment contracts and working time and remuneration models.
• European Competition and Intellectual Property focuses on questions of competition control, public procurement law and the protection of intellectual property.

Students can also specialise in Human Resources or Financing in the first two semesters:

• Human Resources: Students take one of the modules in Performance and Reward Management or Training and Development and drop one of the three modules not related to Labour Law in the second semester.
• Financing: Students take the module in Financial Instruments and Markets and drop the module in Labour Law in the first semester.

Third semester

The third semester is dedicated to the preparation and submission of the Master's thesis and the final oral exam (oral defence).

ZHAW Winterthur

Students who acquired less than 210 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) points in their Bachelor's programme must obtain the missing credit points, for example, by way of an integrated period of practical training, for which 30 ECTS points are awarded. Students who have already gained 210 ECTS points in their Bachelor's and completed an internship may do an additional voluntary internship. This internship semester is scheduled in the third semester, after the theoretical phase and before the completion of studies. The content of the internship has to relate to the focus of the Master's studies. Alternatively, the missing 30 ECTS may be gained through studies abroad during the third semester. More information will be given after the start of studies upon request. After enrolment, students can place a request for accreditation of previous work experience or internships.

Students will not have to acquire extra ECTS if their Bachelor's programme was not accredited according to the ECTS point system. This generally holds true for non-EU study programmes.

• An undergraduate law degree (Bachelor's or German Diploma degree) with at least 210 credit points (Applicants with 180 credits will be required to obtain the additional 30 credits, for example, by completing a placement in the third semester – the programme will then last four semesters.) or the first State Examination in Law, or a comparable qualification from an accredited university
• Evidence on having completed undergraduate courses in BGB, Law of Obligation, Property Law, Labour Law, Corporate Law, Constitutional Law (or equivalent topics)
• English language skills on a B2 level or higher proved by a standardised test (details below)
• German language skills (details below)
• Curriculum vitae and letter of motivation (both in English)

Approx. 350 EUR per semester

Between 800 and 1,000 EUR monthly:
Student residence: 400 to 500 EUR
Health insurance: approx. 100 to 150 EUR

There are many job opportunities for students in Berlin. Non-EU students are permitted to work within specified limits.

The German National Association for Student Affairs ("Studierendenwerk") and other institutions currently offer 15,600 rooms in student halls of residence throughout Berlin. Due to waiting lists, it is advised to get in contact with the service early on.

You can also look online for shared flats, e.g. here: www.wg-gesucht.de/en/.