Master Transnational Law

The master’s program in Transnational Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Bremen is a one-year degree program comprising of 60 ECTS credits. It is open to students who have completed a four-years undergraduate qualifying degree in law or an equivalent qualification in law. New students are admitted for the winter semester only.

Modern societies are increasingly shaped by social, economic and legal relations that transcend the traditional boundaries of nation states and the forms of inter-state cooperation defined by international law. Markets have outgrown national systems of regulation and international policy coordination. Transnational corporations, cross-border organizations and global networks interact in new patterns and establish new standards of governance. Transnational migration, mobility and IT-driven communication are changing mindsets and public discourse. Financial contagion, climate change and other critical developments reveal the interdependence of modern societies through uncoordinated transnational action and call for new institutional responses. The master’s program in “Transnational Law” examines the phenomenon of transnationalization and its influence on the development of law.

A number of listeners sitting in a row in a lecture hall.

The master’s program comprises three compulsory modules, four compulsory elective modules, and the master’s thesis module, which includes a seminar on writing a master’s thesis, the thesis itself, and an oral defense. The entire program is taught in English, so knowledge of German is not required. However, some compulsory elective modules may also be offered in German to provide additional options for students with German-language skills.

In the first semester (winter semester) the students study three mandatory modules and two compulsory elective module. The compulsory modules are “Transnational Law I: Private Governance and Regulation” by Prof. Dr. Gralf-Peter Calliess, “Transnational Law II: Constitutional Issues” by Prof. Dr. Lars Viellechner, LL.M. (Yale), and “Methodology of Transnational Law” by Dr. Ilaria Di Gioia. Prof. Dr. Calliess and Prof. Dr. Viellechner are well-known experts in the field of transnational law. In the second semester, the master’s thesis module and two further compulsory elective modules must be chosen based on the individual interests.

The master’s graduation module in the second semester includes a seminar on writing a master’s thesis, master’s thesis, and oral defense of the master’s thesis. During the seminar on writing a master’s thesis, the students present the structure of their thesis and discuss it with the lecturer and the fellow students. The oral defense of the master’s thesis must take place no later than mid-September, which means the master’s thesis must be completed by the end of July, as the supervisors will need approx. six weeks to grade the thesis. In any case, it is advised that the subject and supervisors for the master’s thesis are chosen in February or March.

Students of the master program follow three mandatory and four compulsory elective modules of their choice during the mater program. Which seminars are offered in the context of each compulsory elective module is advised prior to each semester via the course catalog of the University of Bremen.

Mandatory modules:

Transnational Law I: Private Governance and Regulation by Prof. Dr. Gralf-Peter Calliess
Transnational Law II (Public law dimension of transnational law) by Prof. Dr. Lars Viellechner, LL.M. (Yale)
Methodology of Transnational Law by Dr. Ilaria Di Gioia

List of compulsory elective modules:

Transnational Economic Law
Transnational Health Law
Transnational Administrative Law
Transnational Labour and Social Law
Transnational Security Law
Transnational Human Rights Law
Transnational Migration Law
Transnational Law of Intellectual Property
Transnational Maritime Law
Transnational IT Law
Transnational Company Law
Transnational Environmental Law
Transnational Tenancy Law
Comparative Law
Transnational Criminal Law
Transnational Moot Court
Transnational Dispute Resolution
Transnational Aspects of European Law
European Labour Law
Transnational Aspects of Legal Theory

Applications are accepted between 1 March and 30 April for the following winter semester (starting in October).

In order to apply, the following academic admission requirements must be fulfilled:

a) Undergraduate degree in law (or equivalent) of at least 240 ECTS CP (four years)

b) proof of English language proficiency at the level C1
(List of accepted certificates and required scores)

c) letter of motivation (maximum 2,000 words)

d) CV

Applications must be submitted online via: https://moin.uni-bremen.de

Both, for European and International students, no tuition fees per semester are required. Students only pay a semester contribution (inter alia to the student association, administrative contribution and for a mandatory ticket for the local transportation) of approximately 430 € per semester. Scholarships from the faculty or University of Bremen are not available.

Please note: It is not possible to apply for the master program, if you have only completed a three-year undergraduate program. Four years of undergraduate university studies are absolutely mandatory prior to application.

Transnational Law (Master) - Formalities

Guidelines for Written Assessments at FB06, Faculty of Law, University of Bremen

(last updated: 19 August 2026)