• Your broad, highly-recognized education in law includes corresponding profession-specific training and practical experience, allowing you to pursue a career as a judge, public prosecutor, lawyer, notary, or take up one of many legal professions in public administration.
• The Diploma degree program in Law is more flexible in terms of time than the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs. You have the option and flexibility to choose your subject areas and time frame to complete your degree. Students who work can also complete the program part-time.
• At the JKU, studying law is divided into two sections: an initial "first part of studies" and a longer "second part of studies". This gives you an opportunity to get to know your fellow students from the start of the program and get an overview of the "basics" in law. When you start the second section, you can choose your own subject area sequence.
• You get to know your professors - and they know who you are, too! You will study together with renowned researchers who are often also actively involved in legal practice - as judges (for example, at the Constitutional Court), as legal experts, or senior administrative staff. The beautiful JKU campus is characterized by its short distances - to your classmates, professors and as well as to other degree programs. Expect an excellent mentoring relationship in a familiar academic atmosphere.

1. FIRST PART OF STUDIES

As part of the first part of studies, students must successfully complete 44 ECTS credits in the following subject areas:

• Private Law I
• Public Law I
• Criminal Law I
• Austrian and European Legal History
• Romanistic Foundations of the European Dogma of Civil Law

2. SECOND PART OF STUDIES

As part of the second part of studies, students must successfully complete 196 ECTS credits in the following subject areas:

• Civil Law
• Constitutional Law
• Administrative Law
• Business Law
• Labor and Social Law
• Civil Procedural Law
• Criminal Law II
• Public International Law
• European Law
• Tax Law
• Legal Gender Studies and Anti-Discrimination Law
• Foundations in the Philosophy of Law
• Business and Economics for Law Students
• Core subjects
• Diploma degree thesis, with a Diploma thesis colloquium and Diploma degree thesis seminar
• Autonomous coursework

Studies Introduction and Orientation Phase (StEOP)

After enrolling in the Diploma degree program, you will be required to complete the StEOP requirements. The StEOP requirements consists of certain courses that are outlined in the curriculum. Before completing the StEOP courses, you can only get limited academic credit when you take additional courses.

Along with comprehensive legal education during the second part of your studies, the program allows you to intensively study a selected subject area, giving you the opportunity to earn additional qualifications for a specific profession.

Is helping to secure the natural foundations for life one of your heart's desires? You can focus on studying "Environmental Law" to learn just how. Have you always wanted to study abroad and learn more about rules of cohabitation? Academic credit for a semester abroad as an area of specialization makes it possible! Focus on "Corporate Law" to learn more about business in order to pursue a career in the private sector. Focusing on "Public Administration" will give you a chance to acquire initial real-world experience in the public sector, giving you an opportunity for a high-quality, three-month internship. Study "Criminal Law" and expand your skills in the field of criminal law if you aim to become a judge, prosecutor or defense lawyer.

Is the area of focus you want available? See the areas of specialization.

Let students, faculty members, and alumni share their insight into studying law at the JKU.

The Diploma program in law provides you with methodological skills and real-world knowledge, building on a wide range of theoretical legal knowledge. This is what you can expect: 

• Comprehensive legal education in all areas of law: Constitutional law, administrative law, civil law, civil procedure law, criminal law and criminal procedure law, European law, public international law, corporate law, tax law, labor and social law, legal gender studies and anti-discrimination law, Roman law and history of law. The program conveys central legal foundations and structures.
• Legal Skills: Complex issues require experts who can differentiate between the issues and communicate them to the outside world. The right kind of argumentation and challenging discourse need your creative input: A "new" way of thinking and networking of content will help you make high-quality, convincing arguments and solutions.
• Specialization and individual focus according to your personal interests: Twelve different areas of focus allow you to individually supplement your expertise.
•  Base-Knowledge Education in Business: An understanding of business and economic processes and how they effect public budgets, a company's balance sheet, etc., are essential for today's legal expert. 

Interested in learning more about business and economics? Combine your Diploma degree in Law with a Bachelor's degree in Business Law, earn two academic degrees (Mag., LL.B.), academic credit will transfer to the Diploma degree program.

After successfully completing the Diploma degree program in law you can pursue a vareity of legal professions, in particular

• Attorney at Law
• Judge
• Public Prosecutor
• Notary
• Public administration lawyer

As the program's curriculum is broad, your education and expertise in law allows you to also pursue a career in business (such as a company lawyer, tax consultant or in human resources), in politics, or with interest groups and NGOs.

As a legal expert, you possess a high level of analytical skills, problem-solving skills, and your rhetoric skills. Many non-legal professions require your extensive knowledge and background of the law.

On average, graduates in this field find a job 2 months after completing the program. After 3 years on the job, their average monthly gross salary is € 3.135.

After completing your Diploma degree, you can continue your education by pursuing an advanced degree:

These academic degree programs may also be of interest: