The MLB is an English-language program consisting of several components that, when taken together, add up to a unique program that offers strong professional instruction, a substantial master’s thesis, an internship, language-skills training for participants who speak a native language other than English, and a “Studium Generale.” As a general rule, all students participate in all elements of the program, thus providing them with both depth and breadth of experience.

Instruction is internationally and comparatively oriented. Because international lawyers and managers are problem-solvers whose experience transcends national boundaries, participants learn to assess issues from European, North American, and other perspectives. In fall term the coursework is designed to insure that all students have an understanding of the fundamentals of both international business law and international business concepts. Spring and summer term courses address a wide range of topics from both a legal and a business perspective. Many courses in international business law are closely coordinated with courses in international management. Exercises and case studies are used to enable students to apply the concepts, frameworks, and techniques learned within the courses.

The Degree of Master of Law and Business ("MLB") is conferred upon students who have been awarded 60 ECTS credits for the successful completion of at least 22 MLB law and business courses, the Studium Generale and a master’s thesis, and who successfully complete an internship. Half of the 22 law and business courses must be law courses, the other half must be business courses. Each law or business course consists of approximately 15 hours of class instruction and counts for two ECTS credits.

The MLB courses are ordered in six separate modules. Students must successfully complete the minimum number of credits in each module and in the Studium Generale, as indicated in the table below. The Studium Generale consists of approximately two classroom hours per two-week interval in the fall, spring and summer trimesters. An approved eight-week internship in a law firm, corporation, government office or other organization is also part of the Program. With the approval of the MLB program, the internship may be replaced, in exceptional cases only, by additional coursework or an additional research paper. 

All modules offer a choice of courses so as to enable participants to tailor their course selections pursuant to their own academic background and professional interests. Most courses are taught at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg.

Law courses and business courses taught within the framework of modules 1 – 4 in fall term cover the most essential aspects of international business law and international management. 

In spring and summer term courses are taken from modules 5 and 6. In module 5 participants choose law and business subjects that complement each other, thereby examining international issues from both a legal as well as a business perspective. Module 6 allows participants to deepen their knowledge in selected areas of law and business, particularly in those areas that might be of relevance for the writing of the participant’s master’s thesis.