Bucerius Law School

Bucerius Law School, founded in 2000 by the ZEIT Foundation, was Germany's first private law school — and still positions itself as the compact, selective alternative to the country's often overcrowded public law faculties. Based in Hamburg, it focuses on business law and international legal studies, with close ties to firms across Germany's second-largest legal market, home to international law firms, maritime law specialists, and commercial courts.

The core German-language LL.B. runs an accelerated three years of coursework followed by a year preparing for the First State Examination, noticeably faster than the typical five-year path at public universities. Bucerius also offers English-taught master's programs, including the Master of Laws and Business, International Business Law, and International Dispute Resolution.