Frequently asked questions: DFM-law program
Questions about the application process, course of study and the degrees can be found on these pages. Please always keep in mind that the questions and answers listed here do not take individual cases into account and can therefore only provide you with clues for assessing your situation.
During the application process
How does the day of the determination procedure work?
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.
How can I prepare for the assessment procedure?
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.
What steps will I have to take after a successful application?
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.
Before start of study
What tips do you have for finding an apartment in Cologne?
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: www.facebook.com/groups/2000528093529599/
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: 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
What is the German-French University (DFH) and how does the enrollment/registration work?
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.
What is the amount of DFH mobility grant?
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
Is it possible to receive the DFH Mobility Grant in addition to the Erasmus+ Mobility Grant?
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.
Are there tuition fees for the Franco-German program?
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.
Im Studienverlauf
Welche Klausuren müssen in der Zeit in Köln bestanden werden?
Die Modulübersicht im Anhang der Prüfungsordnung zählt die zu bestehenden Prüfungen auf.
Gibt es einen Studienverlaufsplan?
Die Zeitleiste dient als Orientierungshilfe und Empfehlung der Belegung der einzelnen Klausuren. Sie finden Sie über den hier verlinkten Pfad.
Muss ich mich an den vorgegebenen Zeitplan halten?
Nein, der vorgegebene Zeitplan beinhaltet lediglich eine Empfehlung, in welcher Reihenfolge eine Belegung der Kurse sinnvoll ist. Nichtsdestotrotz kann in jedem Semester jede Klausur, die angeboten wird geschrieben werden.
Wie gestaltet sich das Studium integrale?
Insgesamt müssen im Rahmen des deutsch-französischen Studienganges 12 Credit Points im Rahmen des Studium integrales angeboten werden. Das Studium Integrale erfasst fachfremde Veranstaltung für einen Blick über den Tellerrand.
Welche Tipps gibt es zur Wohnungssuche in Paris?
1. Cité Universitaire de Paris
Die Cité Universitaire de Paris (CIUP) stellt nach erfolgreicher Bewerbung Wohnheimsplätze für ausländische (z.B. deutsche) Studierende. Die Tatsache, dass unsere Studierenden gleichzeitig im Studiengang Rechtswissenschaften 1.Prüfung eingeschrieben sind erfüllt die Bewerbungsvoraussetzung an ein Masterstudium. Notwendige Empfehlungsschreiben für unsere Studierende können ausgestellt werden. Der Link dazu lautet: https://www.ciup.fr
2. CROUS
CROUS bietet ebenfalls Wohnheimsplätze anhand. Informationen dazu entnehmen Sie biete : https://www.crous-paris.fr/logements/demander-logement-crous/
3. andere Studierende
Durch den ständigen Wechsel der Studierenden zwischen Köln und Paris werden viele Wohnungen bereits seit Generationen innerhalb des DFMs vermittelt.
Welche Betreuung genießen die Studierenden des deutsch-französischen Studienganges?
Das DFM-Büro ist zuständig für die Anliegen unserer Studierenden. Bei Problemen ist das Studienbüro des DFM die erste Anlaufstelle.
Überdies werden, soweit es geht, besondere Crashkurse durch das Studienbüro vor den Semesterabschlussklausuren für die Studierenden angeboten. Den Studierenden wird hier unmittelbar vor den Klausuren ein Anleitung zur relevanten Fallübung an die Hand gegeben.
Welche Abschlüsse werden nach dem deutsch-französischen Jurastudium verliehen?
Nach erfolgreichem Abschluss wird den Absolventen ein Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) von der Universität zu Köln und eine Maîtrise en droit von der Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1) verliehen.
Die Inhalte des Studiums in Köln im deutsch-französischen Bachelorstudiengang decken sich mit dem Grundstudium des Studienganges Rechtswissenschaften erste Prüfung. Die Zwischenprüfung ist eine Zulassungsvoraussetzung zur Anmeldung zum Staatsexamen.
Kann ich über den Bachelorabschluss hinaus BAföG beziehen?
Nein, BAföG wird zum ersten Abschluss ausgezahlt. Wenn dies der Bachelor ist, ist die Konsequenz, dass zur Weiterführung im Studiengang 1. Staatsexamen kein BAföG mehr bezogen werden kann.
After the study
In which fields do graduates of the Franco-German law program work?
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.
Is the bachelor's degree creditable as an area of concentration for the state exam?
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.
How can I become a lawyer with the degree I have earned?
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)
How does the path to becoming a fully qualified lawyer work?
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.