Bachelor
The degree programme “Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – Major in Law” at Leuphana College is embedded in the College study model – unique throughout Germany – which includes the Leuphana Semester and the Complementary Studies.
Through a wide range of Minor programmes, students can expand their knowledge of core areas such as civil law, public law, and criminal law by adding another subject area. This degree programme thus offers an interdisciplinary and customisable alternative to the traditional law degree.
Intermediate examination, § 4 para. 1 no. 1 lit b NJAG
To register for the compulsory subject examination (First State Examination) in Lower Saxony, successful completion of the intermediate examination is required in accordance with § 4 para. 1 no. 1 lit. b NJAG.
This examination is conducted during the law studies at Leuphana University Lüneburg within the Bachelor's degree programme Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – Major in Law, in the form of continuous assessments. The examination components required for obtaining the intermediate examination correspond to the respective assessments within the Bachelor’s degree programme Major in Law.
Students in the Bachelor's programme Major in Law who intend to pursue the Erste Prüfung (First State Examination) can, after successfully completing the intermediate examination requirements, request the issuance of an intermediate examination certificate from the Student Services Office.
The intermediate examination is not required in order to continue or complete the Bachelor's programme.
Click here for full details on the intermediate examination, application process, etc.
Components of the Intermediate Examination
Passing the intermediate examination requires:
- one unsupervised written academic paper (Hausarbeit) in civil law, public law, or criminal law, graded at least “sufficient” (ausreichend)
- one supervised written examination (Klausur) in civil law, graded at least “sufficient”
- one supervised written examination in public law, graded at least “sufficient”
- one supervised written examination in criminal law, graded at least “sufficient”.
Deadline for Intermediate Examination and Extensions
The intermediate examination components must – unless an extension has been granted – be completed within the first four semesters of legal studies. If the examination components are not completed within the first four semesters without good reason, the intermediate examination is deemed permanently failed, cf. § 1a para. 2 sentence 4 NJAG. The four-semester period begins in the winter semester 2024/25 for students already enrolled in the Bachelor’s programme Major in Law or in the Master’s programme in Law. For all other students, the four-semester period begins with the start of their legal studies.
According to § 6 ZwPrO, an extension of the deadline may be granted upon request in the following cases:
a) semesters in which the student was unable to study due to illness or other valid reasons,
b) semesters of leave granted for the fulfilment of compulsory service under § 34 HRG,
c) semesters during which the student made use of the protection periods under the Maternity Protection Act (Mutterschutzgesetz – MuSchG) or took parental leave under the Federal Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act (BEEG) in its current version,
d) up to one semester of legal studies abroad, provided that adequate academic achievement in relation to the foreign legal system can be demonstrated for that semester,
e) up to one semester of service as a member of university committees, student self-administration, or student services organisations.
Practical Training Period as Part of Legal Studies in Lower Saxony, § 4 para. 1 no. 2 NJAG
Registration for the compulsory subject examination (First State Examination) also generally requires the completion of a practical training period, § 4 para. 1 no. 2 NJAG.
This is intended to give students insight into the procedures of court proceedings and the tasks and working methods of public authorities and legal practitioners. The practical training period may not begin until after the end of lectures in the second semester. During the lecture-free periods, a four-week internship must be completed at each of the following:
- a local court (Amtsgericht)
- an administrative authority
- a law firm or the legal department of a company, a trade union, an employers’ association, or a body of economic or professional self-government
Under certain conditions – such as prior vocational training or professional experience – students may be partially or fully exempt from the practical training requirement.