Comparative and Global Law (LLM) University of Münster

The LLM programme Comparative and Global Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Münster is a two-semester programme for students who wish to broaden their legal training with a comparative, internationally-oriented perspective. It is taught in English by the faculty's professors, with an internationally composed student cohort.

Substantively, the programme covers a broad range of comparative-law questions. A first focus area is legal history: how legal institutions change across borders and centuries, and what explanatory power historical analysis holds for understanding the law as it currently stands. A second focus area is constitutional law in a comparative perspective, covering separation of powers, federalism, fundamental rights and constitutional adjudication across continental European, Anglo-American and non-European traditions. A third focus area is business law in a comparative perspective, covering company, contract and commercial law as it arises in German, European and Anglo-American law.

Beyond these three core areas, students can deepen their profile in further fields, including private law (e.g. Roman law and comparative property law), public law (e.g. German public law and common-law constitutional traditions) as well as public international law and human rights (e.g. including human-rights protection in global supply chains). This breadth allows students to sharpen an individual profile, while applying comparative methodology to a field of their own choosing.

This offering is complemented by a continuous focus on independent research competence: critical discussion of current research, the basics of research design and academic writing, and the application of these skills in an independent research project. The programme thus combines a broad substantive selection with a clear methodological common thread: a comparative-law and legal-historical perspective on one hand, and the systematic development of academic research skills on the other.

The programme is designed as a consecutive two-semester course of study comprising a total of 60 ECTS, divided equally (30 ECTS each) between the first and second semesters. It is organised into three modules: the Foundation Modules (10 ECTS), the Elective Modules (20 ECTS) and the Research Modules (30 ECTS).

First semester (30 ECTS): In the first semester, students complete two Foundation Modules (5 ECTS each) and two Elective Modules (5 ECTS each). In parallel, the Research Module already begins with the Colloquium (10 ECTS), in which international guest lecturers present their research and invite students into discussion, giving students their first insights into current research and introducing them to academic discussion. The first semester thus serves both to build the methodological foundation and to make an initial substantive choice, while also introducing students to academic research work.

Second semester (30 ECTS): In the second semester, two further Elective Modules follow (5 ECTS each), through which students complete their substantive specialisation. In addition, the Research Module Seminar (5 ECTS) specifically prepares students in the methodology of research work and academic writing. By far the largest share of the second semester is taken up by the Research Module Research Paper — the Master's thesis (15 ECTS), in which students bring together the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme in an independent research project.

The distribution of modules makes clear that the programme's temporal centre of gravity shifts from the first to the second semester: while the first semester is more strongly characterised by building the methodological and substantive foundation, the second semester increasingly concentrates on independent research work, culminating in the thesis. The Research Module itself, unlike the Foundation and Elective Modules, runs continuously through both semesters and thus forms the structural backbone of the entire course of study.

• Applicants must have completed one or more relevant academic degrees with a total duration of at least eight semesters, such as a LLB, a LLM or another professional qualification (e.g. state examination), at a recognised research university. The degree(s) must include a minimum of 240 ECTS credits (or an equivalent).
• Typically, applicants will have completed their degree in law. However, students with degrees in other programmes that demonstrate sufficient legal knowledge are welcome to apply as well. If the first degree is not specifically in law, at least 120 of the required 240 ECTS credits must have been earned in that field.
• Degrees obtained from universities outside the European Union will be assessed for equivalency.
• Applicants who do not fully meet the above criteria, may still be admitted if they have completed a relevant degree programme of at least 180 ECTS and can provide evidence of additional preparatory studies or equivalent credits amounting to 60 ECTS points.

Students must pay a semester contribution fee of approx. 355 EUR per semester. This includes various services for students as well as a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in Münster and all of Germany.

We recommend that students budget at least 1,000 EUR per month to meet personal expenses (accommodation, living, health insurance).

You can find more information here:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/international/en/studierende/general-information/cost-and-funding.html.

Law firms: Münster is home to numerous law firms, organisations and associations, offering opportunities for working student positions or internships alongside the programme.

Law faculty chairs: positions as student/research assistants at the faculty's chairs, including those of professors involved in the LLM programme

Typical student jobs: e.g. hospitality (waiting, bartending), retail, food delivery

• JurStart / LLM Fair Europe: largest German job, information and application fair at a law faculty, held annually at the Faculty of Law in Münster; connects students with law firms, courts, ministries and international employers, including dedicated LLM-focused elements
• Career Service: university-wide service offering seminars, individual counselling and employer contacts on career orientation, applications and job search, open to all students including internationals
• International Office – advising for international students: dedicated advisory team (drop-in hours plus individual appointments) supporting international students with study-related and practical matters, including career-relevant orientation
• Faculty job board (Stellenbörse): listings of positions and student/research assistant vacancies at the Faculty of Law and its institutes

As in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and not easy to find in Münster – but it's not impossible either! Like most German universities, we do not have our own student halls of residence. However, the "Studierendenwerk", a governmental organisation, offers student halls in Münster. You can find additional information on housing options here and here (only in German).

When contacting about private offers, be careful! Please make sure that you never transfer money before you sign the rental contract. Ideally, you should be able to talk personally to the potential landlord, even if you are still abroad (via phone, video call, etc.) If you are not sure whether an offer is real or possibly a fraud, please feel free to contact the team of our International Office and send us the offer.

The University of Münster: Combining tradition & innovation

With some 41,000 students and 5,100 academics, the University of Münster is one of the biggest and oldest universities in Germany and one of the foremost centres of German intellectual life. Fifteen faculties with more than 120 subjects, over 280 degree programmes and some 30 research centres comprise the institutional backbone of the university. Officially founded in 1780, our roots go back to a convent for the education of women founded in 1040, and the establishment of a Jesuit college in 1588.

Today, besides a broad range of academic opportunities – from Bachelor's programmes to in-service continuing education courses, the University of Münster offers a huge and varied number of extracurricular activities and support for its students: Learn a new language at our Language Centre, take part in one of over 150 different sports at our University Sports, sing in a choir or join an orchestra, take part in a university group, act in a play – or sit back and enjoy the performances of other students: with our wide variety of cultural, international, political and religious student societies, initiatives, and sports groups, the University of Münster offers you countless opportunities to spend your free time and make new friends.

We value a close relationship between research and teaching as well as extensive advice and counselling services.

About the city

In Germany, Münster is known as one of THE student cities. Since its official founding in 1780, the University of Münster has grown continuously. Our departments, central institutions and libraries are spread all over the city - well, the city of Münster somehow is our campus! Münster is a beautiful, green, safe and lively city of about 320,000 inhabitants in the north-western part of Germany, and the northern part of its federal state, North-Rhine Westphalia. Münster has a vibrant cultural and nightlife scene - partly due to its over 60,000 students at one of the eight institutions of higher education. Many cafés, bars and cultural institutions in the city offer a wide range of discounts for students. Münster also hosts one of the most important art exhibitions worldwide the sculpture project – every 10 years. What else? Well, Münster has won numerous awards for its high quality of life – and a bicycle is the best way to zoom around!

International Campus

For international and German students, the University of Münster has various offerings for networking, intercultural understanding and encounters, a buddy programme matching international and German students, cultural events, support, and much more.

The International Office is your first point of contact. The team at the International Office advises international incoming students as well as local students, academics and staff who are planning a visit abroad. We answer questions from international prospective students and applicants relating to preparatory programmes, choosing a major, admission requirements, application procedures, visa and residence issues, financial matters and life in Germany / Münster.

If you are an international student, our Language Centre offers study preparatory German language courses. For enrolled students, our Language Centre also offers study-accompanying German language courses as well as courses for almost 20 other languages free of charge.

Münster lies in the heart of the Münsterland region in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and close to the border with the Netherlands. The city of Münster with its 320,000 inhabitants (of which around 62,000 are students) is a vibrant hub with a central location and excellent connectivity. Due to its position, Münster is an ideal starting point for excursions to other major cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, or Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The city is well connected by train, bus, and via Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO). Within Münster itself, the bicycle is the primary mode of transport: Münster is known as Germany's bicycle capital and boasts an extensive network of well-developed cycle paths.

The Münsterland is lined with numerous historical castles, offering glimpses into past times and inviting visitors to exciting excursions. A particular highlight is the Teutoburger Wald, which lies not far from Münster. This forested ridge offers beautiful hiking trails, ideal conditions for walking, and even opportunities for climbing.