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The program is unique in that it gives its students the opportunity to study law from a comparative perspective at both a German and an Australian university. In doing so, students gain first-hand experience of the different approaches to problem-solving and legal thinking adopted by a traditional European legislation on the one hand and by a common-law country on the other. The admission period always starts on March 15 and ends on May 31. The admissions process requires an online application and documents that need to be sent to the University of Mannheim.
Students who have obtained a four-year law degree (at least 240 ECTS credits or equivalent – work experience can be counted towards the required 240 ECTS credits when a notarized employer's letter of recommendation is submitted) from a foreign university or who have a degree in a related discipline (e.g., business, economics, social and political sciences) if at least 20 ECTS credits or equivalent were obtained in law classes (or similar classes which prove the ability to study law).
Starting in 1998, the law schools of the University of Mannheim (Germany) and the University of Adelaide (Australia) have joined forces to provide first-class legal education in comparative law.
In accordance with their excellent reputation in business law, the universities decided to restructure their well-known Master of Comparative Law (M.C.L.) program in 2014 and turn it into a business law oriented program to be called „Master of Comparative Business Law (M.C.B.L.)“. The restructured program focuses on European and international business law while keeping up the comparative perspective.
The University of Adelaide was founded in 1874 and is South Australia's oldest university. It enjoys an outstanding national and international reputation in both teaching and research in many fields of study.
Among the university's many distinguished graduates are Nobel laureates Lord Florey and Dame Roma Mitchell, a graduate of the Law School, Australia's first female QC, judge, University Chancellor, and Governor of South Australia.
With a student population of around 16,000, including more than 2,000 students from 70 countries, the University of Adelaide consists of four campuses. The main campus includes the Law School, along with most teaching departments and other central services, and is located in the cultural, intellectual, and commercial heart of the city of Adelaide. It is adjacent to the State Library, South Australian Museum, South Australian Art Gallery, Festival Theatre, Zoological Gardens, and Botanical Gardens, which are all located in the parklands surrounding the city's commercial and shopping district.
The courses in Mannheim are distributed among compulsory, intensive, and elective modules. The courses' topics are chosen carefully. They have been put in a logical order, which ensures the development of both academic and professional competences. The compulsory modules have a clearly defined focus on comparative legal methodology and legal sources, actors, and means of action. Whereas these subjects related to the fields of European and international law are indispensable for business lawyers and thereby mandatory, students can tailor the program to suit their own interests by choosing certain intensive and elective modules, which cover all main areas of business law. These modules allow for depth of study in the chosen fields and ensure coherence of the competences gained. Without neglecting academic approaches, the program pays specific attention to practical application, particularly through its teaching methods and assignments. To serve this purpose, the program strongly relies on a combination of theory and in-depth study and analysis of cases, thus taking advantage of an outstanding and well-developed feature of German legal education.
Fall Semester | ||
Compulsory Module: Introduction to Comparative European Law (all students participate in all of these courses) | Intensive Module: The Internal Market
(students may choose 2 of the following courses) | Elective Module: European Business Law
(students may choose 2 of the following courses) |
Comparative Law I - European Legal Traditions | European Market Freedoms | E-Commerce & Internet |
Introduction to European Business Law | European Competition Law | EU Fundamental Rights |
European Union Law - Institutional Aspects | European Private Law | Introduction to German Private Law* |
| International Arbitration | Adelaide Guest Lecture (Due to COVID-19 not offered this year) |
* Only students who have obtained their first degree outside of Germany can choose this course.
The University of Adelaide offers a variety of law courses. For more information on the courses offered and course outlines, please have a look at its website. Please note that the University of Adelaide does not offer all courses in one calendar year and that they can be subject to change without prior notice.
During their stay in Adelaide, students have to complete 12 units in total corresponding to 20 ECTS credits in Mannheim. In general, this means that they have to register for 4 courses as the majority of courses in Adelaide have 3 units.
All students have to complete 16 courses (8 courses/20 ECTS credits per semester) in total and are required to pass an examination at the end of each course. With regard to intensive and elective modules, they are also expected to make regular contributions throughout the courses and are required to prepare oral and written presentations. In addition, a master's thesis (20 ECTS credits) on a topic of their choice is required.
All international students may reserve temporary accommodation for their first few weeks in Adelaide, as long as it is booked in advance of their arrival. There are a number of residential colleges that are affiliated with the university. Kathleen Lumley College caters primarily to postgraduate and mature-age students. Rental accommodation is also widely available – you can either rent a room only, share a house with other students, or stay with a family. All forms of housing arrangements, including rental accommodation, can be made through the University's Student Housing Officer upon arrival in Adelaide.
The core services provided by the Student Life Counselling Support are individual, relationship and family consultations, and professional assistance with problems of studying and other anxieties. Male and female counsellors are available for consultation. All appointments are completely confidential.
Adelaide University Sport supports more than 40 clubs, providing a wide range of competitive and recreational sporting activities catering to all levels of ability and interest. Activities range from gliding to tai chi to skiing, and instructional classes are run in cooperation with the University's Centre for Physical Health.
The comprehensive facilities of the Parklands Medical Practice include confidential medical consultations, vaccinations, referral to specialists, sexual counselling, contraceptive advice, and liaison with other welfare services and university staff.
The Union brings the student community together by providing essential non-academic services that make university life enjoyable. Services range from entertainment to clubs and counselling.
All postgraduate students automatically become members of the PGSA upon enrollment. The PGSA organizes a range of activities (including social activities) for its members. It plays an active role in the decision-making processes at the university through its representation in the various levels of the university committee hierarchy, from the School Board to the Board of Graduate Studies, Academic Board, and the University Council. It also plays an active role in providing advocacy for its members.
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