phd in law in german universities

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Doctoral Studies

Desk of a Doctoral Student at the Library Image Credit: Julia Oesterreich

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The Department of Law offers German and international graduates the opportunity to earn a doctoral degree in law.

In order to get admitted for doctoral studies, candidates need a 4 years' law degree or a law degree which is considered as equivalent to the German first legal State Examination. In addition to that, they must have passed their degree with a grade which is equivalent to the German "Vollbefriedigend / Fully Satisfactory". If that degree is from a country other than Germany, applicants will be required to take two courses in German private law, criminal law, and/or public law and to pass a written final examination in these subjects. The two courses in German private law, criminal law, and/or public law may be replaced by a German LL.M. degree with a grade of 2,5 or better.

In exceptional circumstances, an admission with a university degree other than law is possible, if the overall grade of that non-law degree equals the German grade "Vollbefriedigend / Fully Satisfactory". In addition, candidates with a non-legal background are required to pass two courses in German private law, two courses in German criminal law, and two courses in German public law and a paper in either private law, criminal law, or public law.

Furthermore, each candidate must show a written agreement of a professor of this Law Department that s/he is willing to supervise his/her dissertation. In order to obtain such an agreement, applicants are required to contact a professor with the same research interests. A few professors have published their individual requirements on their websites. In general, professors accept applications on a rolling basis with a letter of motivation, a CV, a project proposal, and a transcript and degree certificate.

All doctoral students at the Law Department are expected to submit their dissertations in German. Only in very exceptional circumstances, if the topic of the doctoral thesis requires the use of a foreign language, dissertations can be written in a language other than German.

Doctoral studies at the Law Department are free from tuition. PhD students only have to pay the regular student fees and contributions .

Related Links

• Article about the Doctorate in Germany on academics.com
• DAAD Brocure "Doing a PhD" (in Germany)
• Contact Person for Admission
• Doctoral Regulations
• Enrollment as a Doctoral Student

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Professors at the faculty offer the possibility to do postgraduate doctoral studies with the aim to be awarded a „Doctor juris“ (Dr. jur., equivalent to Ph.D.). According tot he Doctoral Regulations, there is a general possibility to undertake such studies for lawyers who have not completed their studies in Germany. However, there are certain formal requirements that you should be aware of. In particular, it is not possible to register individually for doctoral studies without the approval and support of a supervisor, who must be one of the professors of the Faculty. We advise you to get in touch with professors if you are interested in pursuing a German Dr. jur. programme to see whether they have the capacity and interest to supervise you.

Inform yourself here about the possibilities regarding the PhD-Programs (available only in German).

The Faculty offers two German languaged LL.M. programmes to enhance knowledge in specific areas. One is in intellectual property law, the other in medical law. You may find further information here  (available only in german).

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Research, Conferences and Presentations

Get information regarding Research, Conferences and Presentations at the Faculty of Law!

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International Programmes 2023/2024

Public International Law: Human Rights – International Economic and Environmental Law – International Criminal Law Public International Law

University of göttingen • göttingen.

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The course selection is free. Courses in English and German are available. It is possible to select courses that are only conducted in English in order to fulfil the criteria for earning credits.

All applicants: 30 March for the following winter semester 

The Faculty of Law at the University of Göttingen welcomes the application of students pursuing a doctorate degree in the fields of international law, European law, and comparative law and intending to write their doctoral theses in English.

The objective of the six-semester programme is to prepare students for a successful legal career in academia and international practice. By providing courses for academic research and additional skills, the programme will help students to gain an in-depth understanding of international law in general and their field of specialisation in particular. The University of Göttingen and the Institute of International and European Law have a strong tradition in international law which dates back to 1737. Today, the institute covers research in many fields of international law, such as general international law, human rights law, international economic and environmental law, European law, and international criminal law. The doctoral candidates will be fully integrated into the academic life of the Institute of International and European Law and will benefit from and contribute to the intellectual exchange there.

While conducting their research studies, doctoral students can rely on guidance offered by the dedicated and experienced members of the programme committee, who are involved both in theory and practice in their respective fields. A structured approach which includes constant feedback through discussions, evaluation of preliminary conclusions and presentations will help doctoral students on their way to accomplish their research project and ensure profound academic results.

Additionally, the programme is part of the Göttingen Graduate School of Social Sciences (GGG) which is a unique platform to explore methodological and interdisciplinary approaches and to develop managing and organisational skills invaluable for the future professional life of the doctoral candidates. Moreover, it offers the doctoral students a variety of professional courses for the development of academic skills such as writing and publishing in English. Further information about the graduate school is available on the  GGG website .

Module A Courses for doctoral students (10 credits) The doctoral students will take part regularly in a doctoral colloquium and report on their plans and the results of their research. Presentations related to their doctoral projects given at institute seminars may be awarded credits. The main supervisor must receive a progress report every six months. Following completion of two semesters, the doctoral students will evaluate and take stock of their work so far within the context of the doctoral seminar.

• Doctoral Colloquium: current developments of Public International Law (Human Rights – International Economic and Environmental Law – International Criminal Law)
• Seminar for Doctoral Students (each semester)
• Discussion groups

Module B Courses in Public International Law (6 credits) The doctoral candidates will take part in international law classes offered in English. Doctoral students whose native language is not German may instead take part in the course "Introduction to German Legal Terminology and Legal Methodology for Foreign Students" ("Einführung in die deutsche Rechtssprache und juristische Arbeitsmethoden für ausländische Studierende") or similar courses. They choose their coursework (6 credits) among the following courses:

• Cases and Developments in Public International Law (summer, winter)
• Cases and Developments in International Criminal Law (summer)
• Cases and Developments in International Economic Law (summer)
• Public International Law II (summer)
• Individuals in Public International Law (winter)
• Einführung in die deutsche Rechtssprache und juristische Arbeitsmethoden für ausländische Studierende

Module C Academic skills (3 credits) Doctoral students will attend courses that develop and enhance their methodological skills. Also, doctoral candidates will take part in the GGG's methodology week. They choose their coursework (3 credits) among the following courses:

• Project Management in International Contexts
• Motivation and Success: Mastering Difficult Situations with More Ease
• Academic Writing: Effective Strategies for Publishing in English
• Slide Writing – Optimise Your Own Academic Presentation
• "Gute wissenschaftliche Praxis" (Good Scientific Practice)
• Interdisciplinary Methodological Week

Module D Key qualification and academic communication (5 credits) Doctoral candidates will take part in courses that aim to improve and enhance their presentation techniques or in courses on didactics or rhetoric. They can take language courses, give an academic paper at a conference or publish in a specialist legal journal. They choose their coursework (3 credits) from the following courses:

• Academic Presentations
• Teaching Skills
• Rhetoric Skills
• German language course for non-native speakers (up to C2)
• Academic English courses (Applied Writing Skills [3 credits], Academic Writing)
• Foreign language courses
• Alternatively, presenting at a national or international conference or publishing in a legal journal
• Specialist literature in other languages
• International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
• International guest lecturers
• Language training provided
• Training in intercultural skills

Fees amount to around 400 EUR per semester. The fees include a prepaid semester ticket that entitles students to use regional trains (in Lower Saxony and Bremen) and city buses in Göttingen free of charge. Students receive discounts for cultural events. Meals and drinks are also available at reduced prices at all university canteens. Fees: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/fee Semester ticket: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/16432.html

The average cost of living in Göttingen is modest compared to other major university cities in Germany. Currently, expenses for accommodation, food, health insurance and books are about 850 EUR per month. Please note that fees for health insurance may vary according to age. For further information, please see the following link: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/54664.html .

Admission requirements

• A successfully completed university degree in Law (LLB and LLM)
• Satisfactory English skills
• Written confirmation of supervision by two members of the programme committee, based upon a research proposal produced by the candidate and an interview with at least one of these two members of the programme committee
• Recommendation of the programme committee

Application process

The following documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the link provided in the call for applications ( https://uni-goettingen.de/de/registration/513496.html ). If the original document is not in English, please add a translation.

• An up-to-date CV
• A personal statement explaining the applicant's achievements and interest in the programme (one to two pages)
• Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts accompanied by an English translation if necessary (qualifications must have been gained within three years of the candidate's application to the doctoral degree programme).
• Proof of satisfactory English skills (details below)
• A research proposal (10 pages)
• A list of publications (if available): books, book chapters, and research papers published in journals and reviews
• Other relevant documents and certificates that support the application (if available)

After careful consideration by the programme committee, the results of the application process will be communicated to applicants by e-mail in due course. Only the selected applicants will receive a recommendation from the programme committee and a written confirmation of supervision.

Proof of satisfactory English skills in accordance with § 2 (3) of the degree regulations: 

Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of satisfactory skills in English. Evidence of satisfactory English skills can be provided via the minimum results in the following internationally recognised tests or other comparable results:

a) International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic), minimum band score 6.5 b) Paper-based test "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL-PBT), minimum 577 points c) Internet-based test "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL-iBT), minimum 90 points d) Evidence of C1 qualification according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages e) UNIcert Level III

Applicants who have spent at least two years in an English-speaking country for study or work purposes within three years prior to applying to the programme as well as applicants who have completed a degree from a programme conducted in English are exempt from the requirement to provide test results.

The application process is completely online. To apply, you must fill an online form and upload several documents in PDF format. 

The link to the online application form is provided in the call for applications, which is published on our website:  https://uni-goettingen.de/de/registration/513496.html .

Part-time employment is possible under special circumstances.

The university supports students in finding part-time jobs in local industries and businesses. A number of student jobs are also available at the university. They are announced on the following website: www.stellenwerk-goettingen.de . Please note that restrictions may apply with your scholarship or work contract.

Foreign applicants should note that it is not easy to find a job to finance their studies, as German students are also searching for jobs. Some proficiency in German may be indispensable to find a job. Non-EU students are permitted to work a maximum of 120 full days (240 half days) per year.

The programme coordinator supports accepted candidates while searching for accommodation.

The Accommodation Service of the International Office supports international students who are enrolled at the University of Göttingen in finding accommodation and serves as a point of contact for related queries. The Accommodation Service also publishes suitable offers from private landlords in Göttingen and collaborates with the Student Services ("Studentenwerk"). As the number of available accommodation options in Göttingen is limited, it is highly recommended to contact the Accommodation Service as early as possible. For further information, please see the following link: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/617883.html .

Please note: For doctoral students, accommodation services are only available if you have a low income.

The Career Service of the University of Göttingen offers individual support to facilitate your successful transition from the academic to the professional world — whether you want to work in Germany or abroad. Especially for international students aiming for a career entry in Germany, the Career Service provides topic-specific "Career Impulse Sessions", workshops, online learning modules, and a qualification programme in “Building International Careers” as well as digital career tools and a virtual community for international employment opportunities: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/292.html .

• Buddy programme
• Specialist counselling

The International Office provides a complimentary pick-up service ("Buddy Exchange Service") from the Göttingen railway station to the accommodation. German students help newly arrived students to adapt to the university and the city during their first weeks. http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/49307.html

There is also an orientation week for new international students, which provides valuable information about Göttingen and the university. http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/196392.html

Study Buddy programme ( https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/112395.html ) as a part of the Integration and Diversity project at Göttingen University (InDiGU) https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/108275.html

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Doctoral Studies

Studying for a doctorate will involve you undertaking much more detailed research into a specific area you studied as part of your undergraduate course. At the end of the doctorate, you are expected to have made an independent, academic research contribution towards the study of law. A doctorate in law generally lasts three years. During this time, doctoral candidates work systematically and independently on a research topic which is then examined as a doctoral thesis (written dissertation) and a viva voce (presentation and discussion).

The Faculty of Law offers both individual and structured doctoral programmes. Graduates of either programme obtain the title of Dr. iur. (doctor iuris), but the study programmes vary somewhat in their parameters.

Please note that as of July 24, 2023, applications for admission to doctoral studies can only be submitted via the online tool Docata for doctoral studies at the University of Hamburg.

This also means for the further course of your doctoral procedure that you will have with Docata:

• secure online access to all information and documents for your doctoral procedure in the future.
• the ability to submit changed contact details and new information about your doctorate online.
• the ability to upload documents directly to Docata.
• the ability to receive important information about your doctoral procedure in Docata.
• the ability to submit the application for the opening of the doctoral procedure online.

  https://docata.uni-hamburg.de  

• For further information on the admission as well as the entire doctoral procedure in Docata please visit Individual doctorate : Law : Universität Hamburg (uni-hamburg.de)  and https://www.faq-docata.uni-hamburg.de/allgemein.html .

The Faculty also offers a series of other Master’s degree and graduate programmes (partly in conjunction with other institutes) for graduates with the German first state examination in law (or a similar course of studies at a university abroad).

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• General Information
• Tuition fees

Application & Admission

Language requirements, program features.

• List of Universities

2723 Study programs

Study Law in Germany: 84 Universities with 116 English Study Programs

All important info for international students in germany (2024/2025).

Looking for an English-language degree in legal studies in Germany will lead you to various Master’s programs that pursue comparative studies or focus on internationalized aspects of law, such as European Law, Law and Business, or International Law. Studying law abroad and in a cosmopolitan classroom setting will allow you to contrast and better understand various legal norms.

Students who study the regular track of law in Germany usually receive training that is very specific to the German context and graduate with the state examination. The international English-language Master programs are slightly different: They are easily transferable to other international degrees and qualify students for careers in various organizations throughout the world. The degree awarded is often an LLM, which is internationally recognized.

Study Programs in English

Universities

Universities in International Rankings

€ 0 (51 programs for EU citizens, 43 programs for Non-EU citizens)

€ 18,250 per semester (1 program for EU citizens/Non-EU)

Winter Semester

between April 15 and April 01

Summer Semester

between April 30 and March 15

Top-ranked German Universities in Law

private (state-approved) University of Applied Sciences

No. of Students: approx. 100,000 students

Program Fees: € 3,336 - € 4,650 (per semester)

public University

No. of Students: approx. 28,000 students

Program Fees: € 6,000 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 36,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 38,000 students

Program Fees: € 4,750 (per semester)

No. of Students: approx. 37,000 students

Program Fees: € 0 - € 1,500 (per semester)

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Tuition Fees

3 english degree programs for law in germany.

Berlin Professional School Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin · Berlin

Master business management – green energy and climate finance.

Leuphana University Lüneburg Lüneburg

International economic law.

Ruhr-Universität Bochum Bochum

European culture and economy (ecue).

Application Deadlines

Winter Semester 2024/2025

Summer Semester 2024

Winter Semester 2025/2026

Open Programs

112 programs

117 programs

Application Requirements

Master degrees in Law are open to students who gained a first academic degree in similar fields, depending on the program’s specialization, students from other backgrounds than Law, such as Political Science, Business or Economics may be accepted, as well. For most programs, entrance tests or interviews are not part of the admission process, you only have to hand in standard certificates (your first degree certificate and a transcript of records). These typically include your CV and a letter of motivation. Additionally, you will have to demonstrate excellent English language abilities with a language certificate, usually around a C1 level.

Application Modes

Application process.

Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg Sankt Augustin / Rheinbach

Corporate social responsibility & non-governmental organisations management (mba).

University of Potsdam / Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf / Erich Pommer Institut - EPI Potsdam

European film business and law (mba).

Willy Brandt School of Public Policy University of Erfurt · Erfurt

Public policy.

TOEFL Scores

Cambridge Levels

5 (3 programs )

61 (1 program )

B2 First (FCE) (25 programs )

7 (23 programs )

100 (9 programs )

C2 Proficiency (CPE) (24 programs )

European Film Business and Law (LL.M.)

Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences - Hochschule Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel Wolfenbüttel

Sustainability & risk management.

WINGS Professional Studies Hochschule Wismar - University of Applied Sciences, Technology, Business and Design · Wismar

Mba international logistics & trade.

2-24 semesters

→ View all programs with online courses

Master of Laws

Master of Business Administration

Master of Science

Master of Arts

Master of Business Law

Master of Public Administration

Master of Law and Business

Master of Public Policy

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Laws

Master of Engineering

Winter intake

Summer intake

Winter & Summer intake

List of all German Universities offering English-taught Study Programs in Law

accadis Hochschule Bad Homburg - University of Applied Sciences

Program Fees: € 5,700

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin

Program Fees: € 1,250 - € 2,640

Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

Program Fees: € 1,500

MBA (Master of Business Administration)

Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences

Program Fees: € 0

bbw University of Applied Sciences

Program Fees: € 3,840

M.Sc. (Master of Science)

News & Articles

Tuition-free Universities in Germany in English

Master's Requirements in Germany

Scholarships for international students (2022/23)

Uni-assist: A guide for international students (2024)

How Much Does it Cost to Live in Germany?

Germany in University Rankings

DAAD Scholarships: Guide

Engineering Universities in Germany: A Guide (2022/23)

Structured Doctoral Programs

Each of our structured doctoral programs offers a comprehensive and cross-disciplinary curriculum designed to help you realize your full potential and prepare for a successful career. The programs include innovative, personalized advising with regular progress checks, as well as extensive opportunities to broaden your research network and connect with peers in your field.

The University of Bonn offers a wide range of funding opportunities, which have been summarized for you on this page, divided into the following categories:

Bonn International Graduate Schools (BIGS)

Phd programs within our cluster of excellence.

• Structured Doctoral Programs by Discipline 

Third-Party Funded Programs

Doctoral education at the highest level: BIGS enable doctoral studies in outstanding research contexts with attractive international collaborations and a qualification program tailored to the needs of graduate students.

Located at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics and supported by Germany’s Excellence Initiative, BIGS-M  is home to all of the University’s doctoral candidates in mathematics and contributes to Bonn’s excellent international reputation in the field.

BGSE offers a structured program that is tailored to the needs of doctoral candidates, including an internationally recognized research network.

Supported by Germany’s Excellence Initiative and jointly administered by the renowned Physics Institutes at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne, BCGS  offers doctoral studies through an integrated honors program.

Home to an international community of talented biomedical scientists, BIGS DrugS 6 6 is the hub for doctoral candidates from pharma research institutes within the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

BIGS-OAS offers a wide range of courses within a research context, focused on the cultures and societies of Asia and Asia Minor.

BIGS Neuroscience provides a top-level, internationally competitive program in this rapidly growing field.

BIGS CPS's interdisciplinary approach combines medical, agricultural and pharmaceutical research.

BIGS Chemistry 10 doctoral candidates enjoy an exceptional and ambitious program covering all fields of chemistry.

This three-year doctoral program  is offered in conjunction with the University’s ImmunoSensation Cluster, which is funded by Germany’s Excellence Initiative.

Part of the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research, BIGS-DR   trains students for an international career in development cooperation, policy or research through a combination of academic study and intensive tutorship.

The BIGS Land and Food combines the research at the agricultural Faculty with an interdisciplinary study program.

Clusters of Excellence stand for international and interdisciplinary elite research and offer young scientists excellent funding and career conditions. The University of Bonn currently has six clusters of excellence, more than any other university in Germany, and thus opens up a broad spectrum of possible research topics to doctoral candidates. Here you will find an overview of the university's clusters of excellence.

PhD Programs within our Excellence Cluster

The goal of the Hausdorff Center of Mathmatics is to identify and address mathematical challenges of the 21st century, to advance groundbreaking fundamental mathematical research worldwide, and to develop the mathematical methods and tools required by science and society.

Part of the Hausdorff Center is also a graduate school: The Bonn International Graduate School of Mathematics (BIGS-M) hosts all doctoral students of mathematics and contributes to the outstanding international reputation of the university in this field. The duration of the program is usually 3 years, and the doctorate (Dr. rer nat.) can be earned as a degree.

More information: https://www.bigs-math.uni-bonn.de/de/studies/ 14 15 15

ImmunoSensation2 aims to continue the success story of the existing ImmunoSensation cluster. While the emphasis so far has been on fundamental research in particular of the innate immune system, now the mechanisms of immune intelligence are to be uncovered, i.e. the question of how the body succeeds in adapting immune responses to specific situations and then remembers this in order to be optimally prepared for similar challenges in the future. The cluster's graduate school, the Bonn International Graduate School Immunosciences and Infection offers a structured, three-year doctoral program.

You can find further information about this program here: 

https://www.immunosensation.de/opportunities/young-scientists

Until today, dependency studies has almost exclusively dealt with slavery on the American continent or in antiquity. The Cluster of Excellence "Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS)" aims to broaden this perspective in terms of content, space and time. Within the framework of the cluster, a structured doctoral program with a duration of 4 years is offered.

Further information can be found at:  https://www.dependency.uni-bonn.de/en 15 16

Over the last few decades, computer hardware has become smaller and smaller, but their technology remains more or less the same. Slowly, this development is reaching its limits.Thus, we need new technologies that satisfy our growing hunger for even more powerful hardware.

Quantum physics could be a solution.

Together with the University of Cologne and the RWTH Aachen, Bonn researchers want to work on making this new technology usable. To achieve this, quantum bits or even qubits - the quantum counterpart to our previous bits - quantum communication channels that build networks and error correction methods have to be explored from the ground up. As part of the Excellence Initiative, the Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy (BCGS) offers a doctoral program with an integrated honors program.

Further information can be found at:  http://www.gradschool.physics.uni-bonn.de/. 4 4

The ECONtribute researches the functioning of markets as well as reasons for their failure. In doing so, the cluster goes beyond traditional analyses by systematically combining model-based theoretical approaches and behavioral explanatory models while incorporating legal and political frameworks. Within the cluster, the Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) offers doctoral students a tailored structured doctoral program that includes an internationally recognized research network.

Further information can be found at:  https://www.bgse.uni-bonn.de. 3 3

Increasing agricultural production despite limited land while reducing the ecological footprint of agriculture - this is one of the challenges of our time. For this reason, the University of Bonn and Forschungszentrum Jülich are jointly developing methods and new technologies to observe, analyze, better understand and more specifically treat plants. The cluster's graduate school, the Theodor Brinkmann Graduate School, offers an interdisciplinary study program to master's students and doctoral candidates at the Faculty of Agriculture.

More information: https://www.phenorob.de/ .

The Third-Party Funded Programs at the University of Bonn offer structured doctoral studies on selected research topics. They enable close networking among doctoral students conducting research on related topics.

Bonn International Graduate School of Mathematics (BIGS-M) 2 17 18 18 Located at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics, BIGS-M provides an umbrella for all Bonn PhD students in mathematics. Thus, the BIGS-M contributes to the excellent national and international reputation of mathematics at Bonn.

Bonn International Graduate School Immunosciences and Infection The BIGS Immunosciences and Infection is a structured 3-year PhD program in conjunction with the ImmunoSensation Cluster/Bonn. The ImmunoSensation Cluster is part of the Excellence Strategy.

DFG Research Training Group "Gegenwart/Literatur. Geschichte, Theorie und Praxeologie eines Verhältnisses" (GRK 2291) [only in German]

The Research Training group supported by the DFG  aims at the exploration and analysis of the constitutive dimensions of the concept of contemporary literature.  

DFG international Research Training Group "Myeloid antigen presenting cells and the induction of adaptive immunity" GRK (2168) 19 19 19 19 The DFG-funded project is a cooperation of the University of Bonn and the University of Melbourne. The principal research focus is the intersection between innate and adaptive immunity in the context of infection.

DFG Research Training Group  "The Macroeconomics of Inequality"  ( GRK 2281) 20 20 20 20 The research program focuses on the macroeconomic aspects of inequality, an aspect of first-order importance for society. 

DFG Research Training Group "Template-designed Organic Electronics (TIDE)" (GRK 2591) 21 21 21 The Graduate Program 'Template-Designed Optoelectronic Devices' (TIDE) aims to provide comprehensive doctoral education in the field of Organic Electronics (OE) to meet the requirements of highly qualified and multidisciplinary professionals. 

DFG Research Training Group "Tools and Drugs of the Future - Innovative Methods and New Modalities in Medicinal Chemistry" (GRK 2873)

The goal of the RTG " Tools and Drugs of the Future" is to modernize medicinal chemistry and train a new generation of medicinal chemists and researchers at the interface with interconnected disciplines. In addition, the projects are intended to contribute to the development of new drug substances.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease" (SFB 1089) 22 22 27 27 Located at the newly inaugurated SFB 1089 on neuronal networks, the Integrated Research Training Group offers a structured graduate program for all doctoral researchers at the Centre.

Integrated Research Training Group at theDFG Collaborative Research Centre "Future Rural Africa" (SFB/TR 228) The integrated research group is investigating the relationship between land use change and shaping the future in rural africa in a total of 14 subprojects.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Open System Control of Atomic and Photonic Matter" (SFB/TR 185) 24 The collaborative research centre Oscar will explore the physics of open systems.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Aortic Diseases" (SFB/TR 259) 25 The aim of this research initiative is to better understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of resident and non-resident cells in aortic diseases.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Regional Climate Change: Disentangling the Role of Land Use and Water Management" (SFB 1502) The SFB combines the strengths of the University of Bonn and its project partners to answer one of the most difficult questions in understanding climate change.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Brown and Beige Fat - Organ Crosstalk, Signaling and Energetics (BATenergy)" (SFB/TRR 333) The CRC investigates metabolism/diabetes and focusses on brown adipose tissue. 

One Health and Urban Transformation

The NRW Forschungskolleg One Health and Urban Transforming is a transdisciplinary graduate school that aims to find interventions to achieve optimal health for humans, animals, plants and the environment with a special focus on developments in NRW, Saõ Paulo, Accra and Ahmedabad.

International Max Planck Research School Moduli Spaces 27 27 In cooperation with the University of Bonn, the renowned Bonn Max-Planck-Institute for Mathematics offers a PhD program with a special focus on the study of moduli.

International Max Planck Research School for Astronomy and Astrophysics 28 28 In cooperation between the Max-Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and the Universities of Bonn and of Cologne, the Research School facilitates 3 years of PhD studies with a curriculum tailored to the individual student.

International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior 29 The IMPRS for Brain & Behavior is a cooperation between the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, the University of Bonn and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn

International Max Planck Research School - Recharge IMPRS-RECHARGE focuses on interdisciplinary research between chemistry and physics with an emphasis on catalytic mechanisms, physical-chemical analysis and energy topics. Scientific challenges shall be looked at from different angles. Furthermore the combination of theory and practice is a vital aim of the IMPRS-RECHARGE.

Marie Curie Innovative Training Network "Macro and Microplastic in Agricultural Soil Systems“ (SOPLAS) The SOPLAS project will assemble a multidisciplinary team to study the nexus of plastic–agriculture–soil. It will also train a new generation of leading experts. The project aims to identify the plastic cycle within agricultural soil systems and support the development of environmental policies related to mitigating the impact of plastics. The findings will advance our knowledge about the sustainable use of plastics in European agriculture.

Marie Curie Innovative Training Network "Early Stage Researchers EDUCational Program on Factor VIII Immunogenicity“ (EDUC8 ) 32 37 The EDUC8 program is a multidisciplinary training program with exposure of the enrolled ESRs to a core common educational package and development of individual PhD researchprojects dedicated to decreasing the societal burden associated with the development of anti-FVIII antibodies in Europe.

Marie Curie Innovative Training Network "Research and Training in Early Life Nutrition to Prevent Disease" (GROWTH)

GROWTH is an Innovative Training Network that aims to train young business-oriented researchers in developing pathological insights, biomarker diagnostics and personalized nutritional interventions for intestinal failure in neonates and preterm infants.

Tools4Teams - "Research Training to Design and Implement Tools Supporting Safe Teamwork in Healthcare"

The Tools4Teams research project will prepare the next generation of teamwork experts to contribute new insights and smart technologies for safe and effective care. Tools4Teams brings together expertise from social and technical sciences, human-centered design, education, and clinical specialties.

Trinational Graduate College "Mass and Integration in Antique Societies" [in German/French] Supported by the Deutsch-Französische Hochschule since 2011, the tri-national Graduate School in Ancient History offers curriculum events in Bonn, Berne, and Strasbourg.

Structured Doctoral Programs by Discipline

Find the right structured doctoral program at the University of Bonn in your discipline here:

• Cross-Disciplinary Options
• Medicine and Life Sciences
• Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Agriculture

Faculties at the University of Bonn work together to design interdisciplinary programs that combine key perspectives and offer unique insights.

Cross-Disciplinary Programs

Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) 42 Unique in Europe, BIGS-DR links perspectives from the Faculties of Philosophy, Agriculture, and Law and Economics – with an international focus.

Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience) 8 8 A collaboration between the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, as well as external partners, BIGS Neuroscience offers a medical program alongside five research areas in medicine.

SciMed Doctoral College 43 42 The Doctoral College offers scientific training for students in medicine and dental medicine, leading to a dual Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. degree.

Researchers at the University of Bonn explore a wide variety of issues in economics, including game theory, applied microeconomics, monetary and international macroeconomics, contract theory, labor economics and finance.

Economics Programs

Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) BGSE offers a structured program that is tailored to the needs of doctoral candidates, including an internationally recognized research network.

DFG Research Training Group "Die Macroeconomics of Inequality" (GRK 2281) The research program focuses on the macroeconomic aspects of inequality, an aspect of first-order importance for society. 

Law Programs

Graduate School of Law and Political Science Department of Law The Graduate School of the Faculty of Law and Political Science was founded in the summer semester of 2018 and supports the doctoral students in preparing their doctoral studies.

The University of Bonn’s Faculty of Medicine offers doctoral programs in medical biochemistry, neurosciences and pharmacology. With the exception of the SciMed Doctoral College, all programs are administered in cooperation with the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Cross-Disciplinary Program

SciMed Doctoral College The Doctoral College offers scientific training for students in medicine and dental medicine, leading to a dual Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. degree.

Neuroscience

Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience) BIGS Neuroscience provides a top-level, internationally competitive program in this rapidly growing field.

Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease (SFB 1089) Supported by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – DFG) collaborative research centers, this integrated research training group works to identify fundamental rules that govern neuronal behavior at the network level and translate network dynamics to mammalian and human behavior.

International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior A joint venture of the University of Bonn, the Max-Planck-associated Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, and Florida Atlantic University, this graduate school offers a complete doctoral and research program in the neurosciences.

Marie Curie Initial Training Network "modelling and pRedicting Human decision-making Using Measures of subconscious Brain processes through mixed reality interfaces and biOmetric signals" (RHUMBO) RHUMBO proposes using measures of subconscious brain processes through the use of mixed reality technologies (MRT) and advanced biometric signals processing as a new paradigm to improve the knowledge that implicit brain processes have in human decision-making.

Pharma Research

Bonn International Graduate School of Drug Sciences (BIGS DrugS) Home to an international community of talented biomedical scientists, BIGS DrugS is the hub for doctoral candidates from pharma research institutes within the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

Pharmacology of 7TM-Receptors and Downstream Signaling Pathways (GRK 1873) Supported by DFG, this group combines expertise in the areas of pharmacology and pharmacy.

Bonn International Graduate School of Immunosciences and Infection

This three-year doctoral program is offered in conjunction with the University's ImmunoSensation Cluster , which is funded by Germany’s Excellence Initiative.

DFG Research Training Group "Myeloid antigen presenting cells and the induction of adaptive immunity" GRK (2168) The DFG-funded project is a cooperation of the University of Bonn and the University of Melbourne.

At the University of Bonn’s Faculty of Arts, you’ll find a highly international environment with students and researchers in a wide range of fields.

German Studies, Comparative Literature and Culture 

Structured Doctoral Program in German Studies (SPP) [website in German] Taught in German, the SPP supports doctoral candidates’ initiatives within the Institute for German, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies.

German-Italian Doctoral College [website in German] Taught in German, this three-year grant program provides structured doctoral studies for researchers in German and Italian, with time in both Bonn and Florence.

History and Ancient History 

Mass and Integration in Antique Societies [website in German and French] Supported by Franco-German University and taught in German and French, this trinational doctoral program includes study in Bonn; Berne, Switzerland; and Strasbourg, France.

Oriental and Asian Studies Bonn

International Graduate School of Oriental and Asian Studies (BIGS-OAS) BIGS-OAS offers a wide range of courses within a research context, focused on the cultures and societies of Asia and Asia Minor.

Romance Studies

Italian Studies [website in German and Italian] Offered in cooperation with the Universities of Florence and Paris-Sorbonne IV, this trinational doctoral program is taught in German and Italian.

Structured DPhil program at the Faculty of Arts The program supports qualified doctoral candidates from all disciplines in their doctoral projects. It provides the opportunity for networking, interdisciplinary exchange in diverse social sciences and humanities subjects, progress monitoring and financial support for travel, workshops or research funding as part of the doctorate.

European Founding Myths in Literature, Arts and Music [website in German, French and Italian] This trinational program is jointly organized by the Universities of Bonn, Florence and Paris-Sorbonne IV and taught in German, French and Italian.

Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) Part of the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research, BIGS-DR trains students for an international career in development cooperation, policy or research through a combination of academic study and intensive tutorship.

The University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences offers numerous externally funded doctoral programs in areas including mathematics and informatics, physics, biology, pharmacology and molecular biomedicine.

Programs in neuroscience, pharma research, immunoscience, and infection and molecular biomedicine are offered in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine.

Mathematics

Bonn International Graduate School of Mathematics (BIGS-M) 2 2 Located at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics, BIGS-M is home to all of the University’s doctoral candidates in mathematics and contributes to Bonn’s excellent international reputation in the field.

International Max Planck Research School on Moduli Spaces 53 53 This program includes courses, seminars and activities focused on the geometric spaces whose points represent fixed algebro-geometric objects (or isomorphism classes of such objects).

Physics und Astronomy

Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy (BCGS) 4 4 Supported by Germany’s Excellence Initiative and jointly administered by the renowned Physics Institutes at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne, BCGS offers doctoral studies through an integrated honors program.

International Max Planck Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics 55 55 This program offers a broad spectrum of topics in observational and theoretical galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, observational and theoretical cosmology, and fundamental physics – using astronomical tools and instrumentation.

Leibniz Graduate School on Genomic Biodiversity Research Based at Bonn’s Alexander Koenig Research Museum, this school is focused primarily on insect genome evolution.

Bonn International Graduate School of Chemistry (BIGS Chemistry) 57 57 BIGS Chemistry offers an internationally competitive doctoral program and opportunities to perform cutting-edge research.

Neurosciences

Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience) 8 8 BIGS Neuroscience provides a top-level, internationally competitive program in this rapidly growing field.

Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease (SFB 1089) 22 22 Supported by DFG collaborative research centers, this integrated research training group works to identify fundamental rules that govern neuronal behavior at the network level and translate network dynamics to mammalian and human behavior.

International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior 29 29 The IMPRS for Brain & Behavior is a cooperation between the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, the University of Bonn and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn.

Bonn International Graduate School of Drug Sciences (BIGS DrugS) 6 6 Home to an international community of talented biomedical scientists, BIGS DrugS is the hub for doctoral candidates from pharma research institutes within the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

Pharmacology of 7TM-Receptors and Downstream Signaling Pathways (GRK 1873) 18 18 Supported by DFG, this group combines expertise in the areas of pharmacology and pharmacy.

BIGS Immunoscience and Infection A structured, three-year doctoral program, IITB is offered in conjunction with the ImmunoSensation Cluster at the University of Bonn.

Doctoral candidates in the field of agriculture may choose to study through the Faculty of Agriculture’s Theodor Brinkmann Graduate School or earn their degree through the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research.

Agriculture Programs

Bonn International Graduate School for Land and Food (BIGS Land and Food)  Founded in 2008, the Brinkmann School is home to master's and doctoral candidates in the Faculty of Agriculture, combining research with an interdisciplinary study program.

Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) 12 Part of the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research 59 , BIGS-DR trains researchers for an international career in development cooperation, policy or research through a combination of academic study and intensive tutorship.

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Faculty of Law

International

Faculty members, welcome to the faculty of law.

The faculty of Law at Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University is one of the largest Law Faculties in Germany with at present 34 professorships and 4.098 students. Within the framework of the "Hessischen Juristenausbildungsgesetz" the legal education in Frankfurt is characterized by emphasizing the foundations of Law as well as interdisciplinary exchange.

From Frankfurt am Main into the world and the world as a guest in Frankfurt at the Faculty of Law.

The teaching and research focuses are in the areas of "Principles of Law", "Europeanization and Globalization", "Economic, Labor and Social Law". They are formed from the following established institutes: Institute for civil and ecomonic law, Institute for criminology and philosophy of law, Institute for public law, Institute for history of law, Institute for international and european private law and comparative law. 

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Information about the Faculty Members.

More informations for students and interested parties here .

The main research areas are „Principles of Law“, “Europeanization and Globalization of Law” and “Economic, Labor and Social Law”.

More information about graduate studies, including the Masters programme, doctoral studies and habilitations may be found on our graduate pages.

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PhD Studies & Research

Science and research in Germany are characterised by a distinguished infrastructure, a wide variety of disciplines, well-equipped research facilities and competent staff. Germany offers various career opportunities for international PhD students and researchers.

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PhD Law programs in Germany

Law and finance.

Goethe University Frankfurt

Sport science.

Technical University of Munich

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is the only global university performance table to judge research-intensive universities across all of their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

Business Administration General Management (With and Without Business Background)

Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg

Euroin law and economics (emle).

University of Hamburg

Peace and security studies, law and business.

Bucerius Law School

Intercultural communication and european studies (iceus).

Fulda University of Applied Sciences

Erasmus and european legal practice (cle).

Leibniz University Hannover

European legal practice integrated studies (elpis ii), eulisp: european legal informatics study programme, economics and management science (mems).

Humboldt University Berlin

Global change management (gcm).

University of Applied Sciences Eberswalde

European culture and economy.

Ruhr University of Bochum

University of Justus Liebig Giessen

International management and intercultural communication and global business administration.

University of Applied Sciences Cologne

University of Magdeburg

Business administration international business in developing and emerging markets (ibdem).

Freiberg Mining Academy

University of Munster

Public policy.

Hertie School of Management

Public economics, law and politics.

Leuphana University Luneburg

International business administration.

European University Viadrina

Business law in an international context.

Berlin School of Economics and Law

International business studies (mibs).

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

Business and engineering.

Wurzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences

Comparative business law.

University of Mannheim

Kiel University

Programme ethics — economics, law and politics, life science economics and policy (mlsep), social and economic data analysis (seda).

University of Konstanz

Business sciences (double degree).

Bamberg University

International wine business (iwb).

Geisenheim University

Chinese law and comparative law and ma.

University of Gottingen

International legal theory (with european academy of legal theory), china-europe executive business marketing.

Free University of Berlin

Energy management.

Berlin University of Technology

International business administration and entrepreneurship, international dispute resolution laws, business and organisational psychology.

Steinbeis University

Tax policy and tax administration, human rights studies in politcs, law and society, deadline information, best universities with law in germany.

Bachelor Law programs in Germany

Master Law programs in Germany

Most Popular Law programs in Germany

PhD Law programs in Germany

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Faculty of Law Law

Students of law work methodically to build solid knowledge of current law (legal dogmatics), and learn how to apply this to legal cases. The degree programme in law equips students with skills required to work systematically and conceptually to understand and apply legal concepts. The course also covers the relevant historical, philosophical and theoretical foundations of law.

A differentiation is generally made within legal dogmatics between civil law, criminal law and public law. The degree programme focusses on each area of material law, and students are also given an overview of relevant procedural law throughout the course. Alongside these three core areas of legal dogmatics, the degree programme also covers other so-called foundational subjects which are fundamental to students’ understanding of law. These include the history of law, the philosophy of law, legal methodology, political science, sociology of law, and comparative law. 

Special Features and Characteristics

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.

• Faculty of Law (DE)

The nine institutes within the Faculty of Law employ a total of 23 professors who manage and conduct academic research and offer lectures and courses based on their research findings. The names of the nine institutes indicate their varied research foci: 

• Institute for History of Law  
• Institute for Civil Law, Industrial Law and Insolvency Law  
• Institute for Comparative Law, Conflicts of Law and International Business Law  
• Institute for German and European Company and Economic Law  
• Institute for German, European and International Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law  
• Institute of Criminology  
• Institute for Constitutional Law, Constitutional Theory and the Philosophy of Law  
• Institute for German and European Administrative Law  
• Institute for Financial and Tax Law 

Research is also conducted at the Institute for German, European and International Medical Law, Health Law and Bioethics (IMGB), which is recognised as an institute of the Faculty of Law at Heidelberg University and the Law Department at Mannheim University.  

For many years, the Faculty of Law has also collaborated with the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law.

Occupational Areas

Graduates of law may work in a range of fields: Traditional legal professions such as the post of judge, positions in public prosecution, in public administration or as a lawyer generally require that students train to be a judge (§ 5 German Judiciary Act), and successfully pass the first law examination and complete in-service training, followed by a second state examination. Beyond such regulated positions, a law degree might enable students to work in business, for associations, non-governmental organisations, in human resources, journalism, business or political consultancy.

Degree variants

Legum Magister (LL.M.)

State Examination

I found it quite difficult to choose between the huge range of degree programmes after graduating from school. Graduating with a degree in Law has so many potential future career options! And that is something I really like about the programme.

Mareike Bayer, 20, Law, 3rd semester State Examination

Further Interesting Subjects

Corporate Restructuring / LL.M.

International Law (Santiago de Chile)

Political Science

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Doctoral Studies At The Faculty Of Law

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PhD in Law Germany in English: Programs, Requirements & Opportunities

Phd in law germany in english: programs, requirements & opportunities, unlocking your potential: pursuing a phd in law in germany in english.

Embarking on a journey to pursue a PhD in Law in Germany in English is a bold and exciting endeavor. The rich legal history and scholarly environment in Germany make it an ideal destination for those seeking advanced legal education. As someone who has personally experienced the academic rigor and cultural immersion of pursuing a PhD in Law in Germany, I am eager to share insights and valuable information on this topic.

The Appeal of PhD in Law in Germany in English

Germany is renowned for its prestigious universities and cutting-edge research facilities. The country`s commitment to academic excellence and innovation makes it an attractive choice for aspiring legal scholars. In addition, the opportunity to pursue a PhD in English opens doors for international students who are eager to engage with Germany`s legal landscape.

Competitive Academic Environment

Germany`s legal academia is known for its rigorous standards and intellectual diversity. According to statistics from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), over 30,000 international students are currently enrolled in doctoral programs across various disciplines in Germany. This diversity fosters a dynamic and competitive academic environment that challenges students to excel in their research and scholarly pursuits.

Case Studies and Research Opportunities

One of the most compelling aspects of pursuing a PhD in Law in Germany in English is the abundance of research opportunities and access to real-world case studies. German universities often collaborate with legal institutions and industry partners to provide students with hands-on experience and the chance to contribute to groundbreaking legal research.

Table: Top Universities in Germany for PhD in Law

How to make the most of your phd experience.

As embark PhD journey Germany, crucial immerse academic cultural offerings country. From attending legal seminars and conferences to exploring the historical landmarks and vibrant cities, embracing the full spectrum of experiences will enrich your doctoral experience and broaden your perspective.

Pursuing a PhD in Law in Germany in English is a transformative and intellectually stimulating venture that holds immense potential for personal and professional growth. By leveraging the resources and opportunities available in Germany, you can position yourself as a leading authority in the global legal landscape.

PhD in Law Germany in English: 10 Popular Legal Questions Answered

Phd in law contract for germany.

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Prospective PhD candidates TILT

TILT is interested in recruiting talented PhD-candidates. We warmly invite PhD-candidates for internal positions, external PhD-candidates and scholarship PhD-candidates to inquire about the possibilities of doing a PhD at TILT. All TILT PhD candidates are expected to conduct research within one or more areas identified by TILT’s research program.

The Netherlands is one of the few countries in Europe, and the world, where PhD candidates are employees of the university. In most countries, they are treated as students, or have to pay for their time as PhD students through a scholarship.

Importantly, doing a PhD in the Netherlands means that you can start any time, there’s no enrolment tied to the academic year. A first year assessment will decide whether your contract will be prolonged.

Candidates with their own funding

Candidates with their own funding (scholarships, own funds, etc.) are invited to submit applications and declarations of interest throughout the academic year. Please see the application section on how to apply.

Candidates without funding

High-quality candidates without funding are regularly recruited via PhD vacancy announcements on the TILT website and academic vacancies websites to conduct research on TILT projects with a funded PhD position. This can either by a PhD position that is being funded by a grant or a position funded by Tilburg Law School (a so-called TIRO-position). Regarding the latter, please see  this website for more information. Finally, if there are no vacancies, you might consider writing a research proposal that fits the TILT-themes and contact us. Please see the application section on how to apply.

Find more information on the website of the Tilburg Graduate Law School (TGLS) 

Application procedure

If you are interested in pursuing a PhD at TILT, submit your portfolio to  [email protected] . Please include the following information:

• What kind of PhD track you want to pursue (employed PhD researcher, external PhD, PhD researcher with a grant/scholarship, other possibilities)
• a 2-page research proposal;
• a CV, including a list of publications and
• proposed supervisor(s) and why you want to opt for these supervisor(s)

PhD at TILT

At the start of your PhD-trajectory you’ll have an intake interview and start writing a Doctorate Training and Supervision Plan. You’ll receive supervision (promotor and co-promotor) on a daily basis.

More information about the PhD vacancies at Tilburg GraduateLaw School .

Also interesting

Tilburg graduate law school (tgls).

Are you looking for a personal and intellectual challenge in an ambitious and stimulating academic environment? Tilburg Graduate Law School offers various programs to researchers wishing to obtain a PhD in Law.

Research by TILT

We are one of the leading research groups in Europe at the intersection of law, technology, and society. It is premised on the multidisciplinary study of socio-technical change, aiming at understanding the interaction of technology and social and normative practices, in order to clarify how regulatory challenges of socio-technical change can be addressed.

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LL.M. Grad Maria Viveiros: Bridging Technology and Law in Cybersecurity

Maria Viveiros ‘23, an inspiring cybersecurity and data privacy figure, is a recent graduate from Albany Law School's online LL.M. program. Her journey in the program has been nothing short of transformative, aiding her drive to prepare the insurance industry for the future of artificial intelligence (AI). While working in the insurance industry, Viveiros recognized the increasing prevalence of cybersecurity regulations impacting her field. This realization propelled her to deepen her understanding of cybersecurity, leading her to the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy LL.M. program in Albany Law School’s Online Graduate Programs . Here, she found the perfect balance of non-technical, legal-focused education that she sought. Viveiros embarked on an ambitious topic for her thesis – developing a governance framework for artificial intelligence in insurance underwriting. The thesis is broken down into two sections, the first of which is research, followed by the written component. Viveiros was able to utilize academic and legal databases and support provided by The Schaffer Law Library to gain access to otherwise difficult to find information. She comments on currently evolving AI governance: "These regulations are specifically looking to the insurance industry regarding whether or not we are vulnerable to unconscious bias in our underwriting process." She continues to stress that machine learning is only as smart as the data fed into it. As humans, there is an inherent bias. She addresses the need for multifaceted approaches in regulation and policy, extending far beyond technical aspects. Viveiros's thesis heavily emphasized that frameworks must also encompass legal requirements, consumer rights, data protection, and transparency. When asked if she would carry her project forward into her work, Viveiros commented that this was a significant part of why she chose this topic for her thesis. She commented on the current regulations, noting Colorado-specific laws, the AI Bill of Rights, EU governance, and the National Association of Insurance Companies' new model law being shared with states wishing to adopt AI regulation.   

Viveiros noted the importance of her company developing a framework and continues on to state, "I wanted to make sure that I had the knowledge so that I could contribute to that conversation and assist in developing that framework and again making sure that we're looking at it from a multivariate perspective."  Throughout her time in the program, Viveiros appreciated the continuity in learning across various courses. She credits the program with significantly enhancing her knowledge and finding value in each class's diverse perspectives while continuously building on the most important topics currently facing professionals in the industry. She feels equipped to contribute to the governance framework more effectively in her organization. “The degree is more than this piece of paper you're getting. You can actually use that knowledge,” she said. Viveiros's journey in the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy program highlights the crucial role of legal professionals in navigating the technological landscape, particularly in fields like insurance.  Viveiros exemplifies how the program equips students to be the critical bridge between the rapidly changing landscape of technology and law, ensuring they are well-prepared to address the challenges of tomorrow.  

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UCL LLM graduate, Dheemanth Vangimalla, wins an international research essay prize

3 April 2024

UCL Laws LLM graduate, Dheemanth Vangimalla, wins the top award in the 4iP Council Research Awards 2023 for a paper based on his LLM research dissertation.

We are delighted to announce that Dheemanth Vangimalla, a recent UCL Laws graduate of the LLM in Intellectual Property Law has received the top award in the prestigious 4iP Council Research Awards for 2023 for his paper entitled ‘Plausibility and the flotilla: have the English courts drifted from the commodore’s approach to the evidential requirement for patent validity, and if so, is this divergence justified?’

The 4iP Council Research Award is an international research competition for European University students studying at Masters and PhD levels. It seeks to promote new ideas on topics pertinent to the interplay between intellectual property rights and innovation. Submissions, based on a student’s Masters or PhD research, are assessed by 4iP Council’s Research Award Jury made up of intellectual property experts from academia, government and industry. The papers are evaluated based on criteria including:

• Original thinking that broadens the debate on the chosen topic;
• High quality written expression; and
• Relevance to current IP problems and debate

and up to three prizes are awarded (winner and two runners-up).

In his winning paper, Dheemanth considered the origins of ‘plausibility’ and explored the evidential requirement that the term represents. His research revealed that there is divergence between the EPO and English courts in the evidential standard applied by the two decision-making bodies when assessing patent validity. He argues that the English courts adopting a higher standard lacks cogent justification as the standard neither reflects a balance between the competing objectives of the patent system nor limits a plausibility assessment to its targeted mischief. 

This paper was based on Dheemanth’s dissertation for his LLM in Intellectual Property Law, which was also recently awarded the IBIL Prize for Top Performance in an IP-related Research Essay on the LLM . During his LLM, Dheemanth was supervised by our IBIL scholarship PhD researcher, Joshua Bradley .

As part of the prize, the winning essay has been published on 4iP Council’s website , which will be accompanied by a podcast interview with the winners in due course.

Having completed his LLM in the summer of 2023, Dheemanth has been working as a Research Assistant at the UCL Institute of Brand and Innovation Law  (IBIL), while also completing his bar exams. He will join Three New Square Chambers in the autumn as a pupil barrister.

• Read Dheemanth’s paper here .
• Find out more about the 4iP Council Research Awards .