Bremen University has adapted all its degree programs to meet the requirements of the Bachelor/Master system. Bachelor’s and Master’s are stepped degrees. On conclusion of Bachelor studies, as a rule a six-semester program, graduates leave the University with the award of a Bachelor Degree, which is both an academic degree as well as a first professional qualification - or they continue studying on a Master Program. These programs have a duration of either 2 or 4 semesters.
Law education in Germany comprises two phases: law studies and a subsequent phase of practical legal training in German courts. The first law exam is sat at the end of 9 semesters of university study. The second law exam is taken following a 24-month period of practical legal training.
The teacher training program at a German university comprises three phases: First, Bachelor studies and building on this Master studies and then a period of practical teacher training in schools. A Master of Education is the equivalent of what was previously known as the first state examination (Staatsexamen). The Master studies are followed by an 18-month period of practical teacher training in schools, which concludes with the second state examination.
After switching to Bachelor and Master programs, it is only possible for students at an advanced stage of studies to sit for the old German Diplom, which is now only offered by very few departments.
