The assessment procedure in May each year consists of two examination blocks. A preceding "general part" only has to be passed by applicants who do not have proof of  French level B2. Taking the advanced French course at school is also sufficient. The general part tests the general language level. This means that applicants will not be at a disadvantage if they are unable to provide proof of proficiency.

The "Special Part" consists of three tests.

In the first test, a summary in French of a text delivered in German is required. The recorded text is played twice. Notes may be taken during the test.

The second test requires a summary in French of a text reproduced in French.

The third test requires an argumentative-structured statement in French on a controversial topic. This does not necessarily have to be related to Germany or France.

Each part has a test duration of about one hour. There will be a break of half an hour between each test.

It is not important to speak French at a native level. It is also not necessary to know the specific legal terminology. What is helpful, besides a solid knowledge of the French language, is to have a quick grasp and the ability to process information under time pressure (especially in the first two parts).

Likewise, the ability to express oneself, a good reasoning ability and also creativity are important in the third part.

We generally advise to deal with daily political topics in French. Newspaper reading, as well as television discussions, can improve the general level of language and argumentation skills.

The place numbers of the successful applicants will be published on our website under News as soon as the results of the assessment procedure have been evaluated. Successful participants who take part in the assessment procedure abroad will also be included in the list with the name of the respective location. The official offer of a study place will be sent to the successful participants' e-mail address.

The housing market in Cologne is tight. Nevertheless, the following tips are listed to facilitate the housing search for DFM students.

1. The Facebook group (" DFMler-Wohnungen Köln-Paris ") serves as an apartment exchange platform between DFM students and alumni. The link to it is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2000528093529599/?ref=br_tf

2. Kölner Studierendenwerk

Especially foreign students are given special consideration by the Kölner Studierendenwerk in the allocation of student dormitory places. Furthermore, a call here can speed up the allocation of a place in a hall of residence. 

The link to this is: https://www.kstw.de/wohnen

3. housing request in the newsletter of the J.D.F.R.e.V.

Future students of the DFM are welcome to contact the J.D.F.R.e.V. at: jdfrmastercologneparis.info. 

4. contact with the promo moving to Paris

Often students who move out can suggest a successor to their landlord (or to the Cologne Student Union). For this reason, it may be useful to contact the promo moving to Paris. 

5. relevant websites

http://www.wg-gesucht.de

http://www.kalaydo.de/anzeigen/immobilien

http://www.studenten-wohnung.de

http://www.unibrett.net

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/stadt/koeln

The Franco-German University is not a proper university, but an organization that supports Franco-German university programs, such as the DFM.

In order to receive mobility assistance from the DFH, DFM students must register with the DFH for the first semester and re-register each semester. German students receive mobility assistance during the two years in Paris, while French students receive mobility assistance during the two years in Cologne. There are no separate tuition fees when enrolling with the DFH.

The amount of mobility assistance is published on the DFH website. The link to this is: https://www.dfh-ufa.org/informationen-fuer/studierende/einschreibung-und-rueckmeldung

Yes, the DFH mobility grant and the Erasmus + program mobility grant are not mutually exclusive and are both paid to students during their studies abroad.

Although there are no tuition fees, this is not the same as the semester fee of the Universität zu Köln. Every enrolled student must transfer this amount to the semester.

According to the current examination regulations of the Franco-German Bachelor's program, the following written examinations and term papers must be passed:

Civil Law

BGB AT and law of obligations AT

Contractual obligations

Legal obligations

Property law

Labor law

Commercial and company law

Criminal Law

Criminal Law I

Criminal Law II

Criminal Law III

Public Law

Basic rights (constitutional law I)

Law of State Organization (Constitutional Law II)

European and International Law (Constitutional Law III)

Administrative Law AT

Administrative procedural law

Fundamentals of Law

The following examinations are offered, one must be passed: History of Roman Law, General Theory of the State, Theory of Law

homework

Small legal paper

Major legal paper

Bachelor thesis

Die folgende Zeitleiste dient als Orientierungshilfe und Empfehlung der Belegung der einzelnen Klausuren:

No, the given schedule only serves as a recommendation in which order it makes sense to take the courses. Nevertheless, every exam that is offered can be written in every semester.

The bachelor thesis can be written either (1) based on a topic of the internship, (2) as a seminar paper or (3) as an advanced term paper. Further information can be found in the examination regulations.

A total of 9 credit points must be accumulated within the framework of the Franco-German course of study as part of the Studium integrale. Up to six credit points can each be earned through linguistic or philosophical courses.

1. the Facebook group (" DFMler apartments Cologne-Paris ") serves as an apartment exchange platform between DFM students and alumni. The link to it is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2000528093529599/?ref=br_tf

2. Cité Universitaire de Paris

The Cité Universitaire de Paris (CIUP) provides dormitory places for foreign (e.g. German) students after a successful application. The fact that our students are simultaneously enrolled in the first state exam program fulfills the application requirement to a Master's program. Necessary letters of recommendation for our students can be issued. The link to this is: https://www.ciup.fr

3. CROUS

CROUS also offers dormitories. For more information please see: https://www.crous-paris.fr/logements/demander-logement-crous/

The DFM office is responsible for the concerns of our students. In case of problems, the DFM study office is the first point of contact.

Furthermore, as far as possible, special crash courses are offered by the study office for students before the end-of-semester exams. Here, students are given a guide to the relevant case exercise right before the exams.

Upon successful completion, graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Cologne and a Maîtrise en droit from the Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1).

The contents of the studies in Cologne in the German-French Bachelor of Laws program coincide with the basic studies of the Laws First Examination program. The intermediate examination is an admission requirement for registration for the state examination.

Most graduates of the Franco-German bachelor's program return to Germany to continue their studies here. The data collected represent both students who have already completed the 1st state examination and those who have decided to take the state examination. Students who are pursuing a Master's degree in law in Germany (e.g. Business Law, Franco-German Master's program Cologne/Paris1) are also included.
Other students continue their studies in France (Master 2, Ecole de barreau, Ecole de la magistrature...) or in a third country (USA, Canada, Scandinavia...). The statistics for continuing the studies can be found here. Upon completion of the entire program, most graduates of the Franco-German bachelor's program work as lawyers. Academic research is also a major focus - in the form of a doctorate or post-doctorate or in research institutions in the legal field. Likewise, a large proportion of graduates go on to the legal preparatory service for the 2nd state examination (clerkship) after their university studies (1st state examination) and work in international organizations. The statistics on the fields of work of the graduates can be found here.

The final grade of the Bachelor of Laws would be included in the final grade of the state examination at 30% in the case of credit transfer.

According to §50, paragraph 1, sentence 1 of the study and examination regulations for the course of studies in law leading to the first examination of the Faculty of Law of the University of Cologne: "Students who have completed a joint undergraduate course of studies in law of the Faculty with a foreign university with the degree Bachelor of Laws or Baccalaureus legum (LL.B.) may, upon application, have the work performed within the framework of this course of studies credited as examination work within the meaning of §46, paragraph 1 in the focus area "Joint courses of studies of the Faculty with foreign universities".

However, only the examination office can provide binding information.

The degrees obtained do not qualify the holder directly to practice as a lawyer or judge in Germany or France. The maîtrise is the entrance requirement for the bar or judge school in France. In Germany, the two state law examinations must be passed (§112a DRiG)

A large number of the German participants take the state law examinations after completing the course in Germany, since without these examinations access to the "classic" legal professions is not possible. After returning from Paris, depending on the current examination regulations, examinations must still be taken at the university before the preparation for the examinations can begin. This should take no more than one semester. Exam preparation takes two to three semesters and can be done in parallel with the acquisition of university credits. If you continue your studies in Cologne, 30% of the final Bachelor's grade (overall average of the 4 years) can be included in the exam grade (as a so-called focus grade "Schwerpunkt"). The first state exam is followed by the two-year legal traineeship (Referendariat), which ends with the second state exam. The difference in the duration of studies compared to the state examination course without any time spent abroad is a maximum of 2 semesters. As compensation, however, there are two additional degrees and the opportunity to live and study in the center of Paris for two years.