Structure of the DFM Law Program
The DFM law degree program not only offers three valuable degrees in five years, but also promotes exchange between two central nations in Europe. On this page you will find information about the courses, the course contents and the financial support during the studies.
First and second year: University of Cologne
The DFM law program starts at the University of Cologne in the winter semester. Studies begin in mid-September or early October. A terminology course is held before lectures begin in order to facilitate the start of studies. Early on, the respective cohort forms a close group that supports each other and spends time together in the lecture as well as after the courses. It is not uncommon that friendships for life will be formed in the DFM law program. However, because DFM law students attend all of the same lectures as students in the regular state examination program, contacts are also made beyond their own group.
Each cohort elects two spokespersons who address the concerns of the group in contact with the study office. The study office is the contact in Cologne for all matters and also coordinates the examinations of the DFM law students. Joint events are organized by the student association J.D.F.R.e.V. in cooperation with the student associations of the German-Turkish and German-Italian study programs. In addition, the J.D.F.R.e.V. often sets up exclusive events with partner law firms. Participants in the DFM law program are also offered the opportunity to obtain an additional certificate in U.S. law (CUSL) and to compete in moot courts.
Third and fourth year: Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Once all exams and assignments have been passed, students transfer to Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne for the third and fourth years of study. There, participants in the DFM law program experience many of the benefits of a leading French university that stands for global excellence and most recently ranked 18th in the law category in the 2022 QS World University Rankings. At the Sorbonne, participants experience a special learning program tailored to the international focus of the program. Particularly at the end of their stay, DFM law students have access to a variety of legal specializations. (e.g. french labor, tax and international economic law)
Participants are offered the opportunity to look beyond their own cultural and professional horizons - as they study together in a community with other binational students. The Sorbonne also offers - in addition to the local DFM law program - a French-Spanish, a French-Italian as well as a French-American law cooperative program, with whose participants the DFM law students meet and with whom many joint (extracurricular) activities take place. Binational students are in close contact through social events as well as various collaborations of the French student associations (JPC).
Study modules and schedule
The course of studies in Cologne and Paris offers various possibilities for independence. Below you will therefore find sample study plans for orientation purposes, but not mandatory, as well as a list of all modules to be completed (e.g. lectures or study groups):
(Module overview)
Financial support
Although the DFM law degree program does not involve any tuition costs apart from the usual semester fees, some expenses may be incurred. Participants in the DFM law program therefore have various options for financial support.
In order to organize the stay at the partner university (e.g. relocation costs, transitional rent payment for two apartments, etc.) DFM law students are supported with a mobility grant of 6,000 euros by the Franco-German University (DFH). In addition, DFM law students have in the past won the DFH's Excellence Award, which comes with prize money. Finally, the DFH also supports individual measures, e.g. paid visits to schools or joint events.
Participants in the DFM law program also benefit from a two-semester mobility grant of between 3,000 and 4,500 euros provided by the European Union's Erasmus+ program for education, youth and sport. These funds also serve to compensate for the additional expenses incurred due to the change of residence as well as to be able to mitigate the higher cost of living that often occurs when moving from Cologne to Paris.
Finally, many participants in the DFM law program have the opportunity to be supported by one of the recognized party-affiliated, denominational or other scholarships for talented students. DFM law students are popular candidates for scholarships - also due to their generally very good A-level grades as well as their strong academic performance, as experience has shown - and the program officers are happy to support them in the application process by providing the relevant expert recommendation letters.