The 20 Best Universities in Germany to Study Law in 2026

Preliminary Note: Ranking Methodology

The preparation of this ranking has been based on a combined analysis of different aspects that help us better understand each university and the education it provides. We have examined their curricula, the structure of their programmes and the way each institution organises teaching, paying particular attention to the quality and up-to-date nature of the content, as well as its connection to students’ needs and the challenges facing society.

We have also taken into account the teaching methods, resources and facilities available at each university. These elements help shape the environment in which academic life takes place and can directly influence students’ experiences. In addition, we have reviewed information published on the institutions’ own websites, their news and their presence in the media, as complementary ways to understand their initiatives, development and the image they project.

The analysis has been complemented by exploratory consultations conducted on a random basis among young people and students. The aim was to understand how they perceive the education they receive and what they think of the university they attend. These impressions offer a perspective rooted in students’ everyday experiences and complement the examination of institutional information. We have also considered, as supplementary material, assessments and references produced by other institutions and specialised organisations, without allowing them to replace our own analysis.

The competitiveness of universities and their ability to respond to current academic and professional demands also form part of the assessment. However, we believe that the quality of an institution cannot be measured solely by its market position, resources or international profile. We have therefore chosen to pay particular attention to the human dimension: honesty, a humanistic approach to education, ethics, learning and the transmission of values.

In our view, a university fully fulfils its purpose when, in addition to preparing students for professional practice, it contributes to their personal and civic development. Academic excellence is inseparable from responsibility, respect, critical thinking and the ability to act with integrity. With this approach, the ranking seeks to offer a broad view of universities, considering both the strength of their educational offering and the principles that guide the education they provide.

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich leads the ranking prepared by Impact Lawyers, followed by Humboldt University of Berlin and Heidelberg University.

Editorial selection criteria

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich tops the inaugural Impact Lawyers ranking of the best universities in Germany to study law. Humboldt University of Berlin takes second place, while Heidelberg University completes the top three.

The University of Hamburg and the Free University of Berlin rank fourth and fifth respectively. Cologne, Bucerius Law School, Goethe University Frankfurt, Münster and Freiburg complete the top ten.

The methodology has been adapted to the particular features of the German system. It would not be appropriate to apply directly to Germany the criteria used to rank universities in the United States, France or England.

In Germany, the principal route into the traditional legal professions is not structured around an American Juris Doctor or a British LLB. Those wishing to practise as lawyers, judges, public prosecutors or notaries normally study Rechtswissenschaft at university and complete the Erste Juristische Prüfung, commonly referred to as the First State Examination in Law.

Graduates then enter a period of practical legal training known as the Rechtsreferendariat. This normally lasts approximately two years and includes placements in courts, public prosecutors’ offices, public authorities and law firms.

Passing the Zweite Juristische Staatsprüfung allows candidates to obtain the status of Volljurist and fully access the regulated legal professions.

The quality of a German law faculty cannot therefore be assessed solely through its international reputation. Preparation for the state examinations, programme organisation, student support, specialist fields, links with professional practice and the capacity to assist students throughout a lengthy and particularly demanding educational pathway must also be considered.

This editorial selection considers various educational dimensions, such as the academic track record of Law programs, the teaching environment, the job placement of graduates, and their recognition in the professional sector.

The results have been contrasted with the public information provided by the faculties themselves and with specialized sources on the German university legal system.

Four different perspectives on excellence

Teaching, Research and Internationalisation

An international perspective focused on teaching quality, the research environment and output, institutional collaboration, and internationalisation highlights the academic work of LMU Munich and Humboldt University in the field of Law.

Academic Reputation and Professional Outlook

Academic reputation, employer assessment and the impact of legal research constitute prominent educational elements for 2026. In this context, Humboldt University, LMU Munich and Heidelberg stand out, recognized for the quality of their teaching programs and their projection in the field of Law.

Employer Reputation and Professional Standing

Another relevant perspective considers hiring managers' assessment of graduates' backgrounds. This approach highlights institutions that enjoy solid professional recognition among companies, law firms and legal departments.

LMU and Humboldt are widely recognized in the professional field, together with the Free University of Berlin, Cologne and Frankfurt.

Multidimensional Assessment and Study Conditions

For its part, the assessment of the university environment considers various aspects linked to the academic and educational experience of each faculty.

These aspects include the overall study experience, support at the beginning of the programme, contact with teaching staff, organisation, facilities, research and preparation for examinations.

With regard to the overall study situation and the learning environment, Bucerius Law School stands out alongside universities such as Mannheim, Passau, Bayreuth, Münster, Osnabrück, Potsdam and EBS.

Combining these perspectives ensures that this selection does not depend solely on research output or historical prestige. One institution may stand out internationally, another for student satisfaction and another for its connections with employers.

The Impact Lawyers methodology

The Impact Lawyers classification has been constructed around four principal areas of analysis:

• Academic reputation and national and international research influence.
• Teaching quality, student support and programme organisation.
• Preparation for the First State Examination and the diversity of specialist fields.
• Employability, professional connections and internationalisation.

This editorial selection includes a qualitative review of the curricula and educational models of the selected institutions.

The analysis considered programme structure, compulsory subjects, specialist areas known as Schwerpunktbereiche, university preparation for the state examination, international programmes, dual degrees, mooting competitions, legal clinics, practical opportunities and collaboration with law firms, companies and institutions.

The qualitative review allows each faculty's educational proposal to be examined in detail and avoids out-of-context interpretations of the academic offering.

This precaution is particularly important in Germany. Public universities prepare students for examinations regulated by each federal state, and the available statistics do not always make it possible to attribute results directly to a particular law faculty.

The First Legal Examination combines a state component with a university specialization. Examination models, exam sittings and certain rules also vary between the Länder. It is therefore not appropriate to automatically compare the results of two faculties located in different states.

LMU Munich: legal education and academic profile

1. Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München takes first place in this editorial selection, standing out for its solid educational offering and its academic track record.

In the German professional market, the institution enjoys sustained appreciation among legal employers, who recognise the technical preparation and soundness of its graduates for legal practice.

Its law faculty offers comprehensive training in civil, criminal and public law, accompanied by numerous specialist areas. The strength of its academic community and research output reinforces its reputation in Germany and abroad.

Its location in Munich provides access to major law firms, international companies, public institutions and one of Germany’s principal legal and economic markets.

Its first position therefore reflects a balance between academic tradition, research, business reputation, breadth of offering and professional opportunities.

Humboldt: Academic tradition and legal reach

2. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Humboldt University of Berlin takes second place in this editorial selection. The institution has established academic prestige and broad reach in legal studies in Germany.

The faculty benefits from an extensive legal tradition and its location in Berlin, Germany’s political, institutional and legislative capital.

Students have access to federal ministries, courts, public bodies, law firms, professional associations, international organisations and institutions involved in research and public policy.

Humboldt is particularly strong in public, constitutional, European and international law, although its programme also covers the principal fields of private and criminal law.

Its educational model combines doctrinal rigour and research with close attention to the historical, European and comparative context of the legal system.

Heidelberg completes the top three

3. Universität Heidelberg

Heidelberg University takes third place. Its law faculty is one of the oldest and most prestigious in Germany and enjoys a strong reputation in German, European, international and comparative law.

The institution maintains a prominent presence in the German university landscape and has a notable reach in the study of law on a global scale.

Its programme is characterised by a firm doctrinal foundation and an important research dimension. The university maintains international partnerships and offers opportunities for exchanges and specialisation in areas connected with European and transnational law.

Heidelberg represents one of the most traditional models of German legal education while combining that tradition with significant international reach.

Hamburg and the Free University of Berlin

4. Universität Hamburg

The University of Hamburg ranks fourth in this editorial selection. The institution has recognized strengths in international, European, commercial, maritime and economic law.

Its location in one of Europe’s principal commercial and port cities creates an especially favourable environment for studying international trade, logistics, transport, insurance and maritime law.

The university also has a large research community and offers a diverse range of specialist fields.

5. Freie Universität Berlin

The Free University of Berlin takes fifth place in this editorial selection. Its academic offering stands out for rigorous training and a solid connection to the professional sphere.

Its programme benefits from Berlin’s institutional environment and has a strong international orientation. The university offers opportunities in European, international, comparative, public and business law.

The presence of both Humboldt and the Free University among the top five confirms Berlin’s position as one of Germany’s leading centres for university legal education.

Cologne and the strength of its legal market

6. Universität zu Köln

The University of Cologne takes sixth place. Its faculty is one of the largest in the country and maintains a solid presence in the academic and business spheres.

Cologne stands out for the breadth of its programmes and its connections with one of Germany’s principal legal and economic markets. The city is home to major law firms, businesses, media companies, insurers and public institutions.

The university has an important tradition in business, tax, employment, European and competition law, in addition to covering the fundamental subjects required for the state examination.

In this selection, the university ranks among the top positions. Its offering combines academic breadth, educational diversity and access to professional opportunities.

Bucerius Law School, the benchmark private model

7. Bucerius Law School

Bucerius Law School takes seventh place and is the highest-ranked private institution.

Its educational model differs substantially from that of the large public universities. It offers smaller classes, intensive teaching, a highly structured programme and a strong professional and international orientation.

Bucerius is notable for favourable evaluations regarding the overall study situation and for the high satisfaction expressed by its students regarding the learning environment.

The institution offers preparation for the state examination, training in economics and international subjects, study-abroad opportunities and close links with law firms and companies.

In contrast to larger public universities, Bucerius centres its proposal on the student experience, teaching organisation and employability, establishing itself as a relevant educational benchmark in the country.

Frankfurt and business law

8. Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main

Goethe University Frankfurt takes eighth place. Its location in Germany’s principal financial centre has a decisive influence on its profile.

The university offers a particularly favourable environment for studying banking, finance, commercial, corporate, European and regulatory law.

Frankfurt is home to the European Central Bank, the Bundesbank, financial institutions, major law firms and numerous international companies. This proximity facilitates connections between academic education and professional practice.

The university ranks among Germany's leading institutions and stands out for the favourable reception of its graduates in the professional sphere.

Münster and Freiburg complete the top ten

9. Universität Münster

The University of Münster ranks ninth. Its law faculty is one of the largest and most traditional in Germany.

Münster stands out for its attention to the student experience, alongside a broad range of specialisations and substantial academic infrastructure.

The city provides a strongly university-oriented environment and generally lower costs than Munich, Frankfurt or Hamburg.

10. Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg

The University of Freiburg completes the top ten. Its law faculty combines academic tradition, research and a European and international outlook enhanced by its proximity to France and Switzerland.

Freiburg has particular historical significance in German legal thought and offers a strong education in the fundamental areas of law.

Mannheim: combining law and economics

11. Universität Mannheim

The University of Mannheim takes 11th place. Its programme is particularly notable for connecting law and economics.

The faculty offers a structured legal education that allows students to acquire business and economic knowledge alongside the subjects required for the state examination.

Mannheim stands out for the favourable conditions it offers for the development of studies. Its model is characterised by clear organisation, student support and a strong orientation towards business law.

This combination is especially attractive to students aspiring to work in major law firms, consultancies, businesses or regulated sectors.

Tübingen and Bonn

12. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen

The University of Tübingen ranks twelfth. Its law faculty has a long tradition and stands out for its academic strength, university environment and research.

Tübingen provides a strong general legal education and offers specialist areas in private, public, criminal, international and European law.

13. Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn

The University of Bonn takes 13th place. Its location facilitates links with federal institutions, international organisations and regulatory bodies that remain based in Germany’s former capital.

Bonn is particularly strong in public, international, European and economic law. Its proximity to Cologne further expands the professional opportunities available to students.

Passau and Bayreuth excel in the student experience

14. Universität Passau

The University of Passau takes fourteenth place. Its faculty stands out for its student support and favorable conditions for the development of legal studies.

Passau has developed a particularly international profile through legal language programmes, relationships with foreign universities and a strong focus on European and comparative law.

15. Universität Bayreuth

The University of Bayreuth ranks fifteenth. Its legal education benefits from close links with economics and complementary programmes in business-related subjects.

Bayreuth is noted for its positive student feedback. Its size enables it to provide a more personalised experience than some large metropolitan universities.

Passau and Bayreuth demonstrate that high teaching quality and good programme organisation do not depend solely on international prestige or institutional size.

Göttingen, EBS, Düsseldorf, Erlangen-Nürnberg and Leipzig

16. Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

The University of Göttingen takes 16th place. Its law faculty has a long academic tradition and offers a strong programme in the principal areas of law. It also maintains a recognised research community and a cohesive university environment.

17. EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht

EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht ranks 17th and is the second private institution in the classification. Its approach combines law, business, internationalisation and personalised attention.

EBS stands out for the educational experience of its students and maintains close links with companies and law firms. As with Bucerius, its costs and private model must be considered alongside the advantages of its small size and professional orientation.

18. Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf takes 18th place. Its location in one of Germany’s leading economic regions provides access to businesses, law firms and institutions throughout North Rhine-Westphalia.

19. Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg ranks nineteenth. Its programme combines a strong legal education with opportunities related to economics, technology and interdisciplinary research.

20. Universität Leipzig

Leipzig University completes the top twenty. It has an important historical tradition and has strengthened its offering in German, European and international law.

The city also provides a cultural and university environment with generally lower costs than Germany’s major western and southern centres.

The importance of the state examinations

The ranking must be interpreted in light of the fact that, in Germany, the state examination grade is generally more important for a legal career than the name of the university attended.

The examinations are organised by the federal states and the state-administered papers are marked anonymously. This reduces the direct influence of a university’s brand on the result.

In 2024, a notable proportion of successful candidates in the First Legal Examination achieved a Prädikat, although there are significant differences between federal states and examination sittings.

The Prädikatsexamen grade continues to play an essential role in access to the judiciary, the prosecution service, certain public positions, academic careers and large law firms.

Examination preparation, the availability of university revision courses, the quality of materials and faculty attention may therefore matter more to students than a few places in a general ranking.

Public and private universities

Most of the German law faculties included in the ranking are public universities. Their tuition costs are relatively low, although students must pay semester contributions and cover accommodation and living expenses.

Bucerius Law School and EBS represent a different model. Both are private institutions and charge considerably higher tuition fees, although they offer financing arrangements, scholarships and income-linked repayment options.

Private institutions provide smaller classes, more structured programmes, personalised support and close professional connections. Public universities, by contrast, offer access to high-quality legal education at a much lower academic cost and generally provide a broader research environment.

The choice depends on the student’s profile, financial circumstances, preference for a more or less structured environment and the kind of university experience they are seeking.

No single university is perfect for every student

The position in the ranking is a starting point, but it should not be the only criterion for choosing a faculty.

Students should assess the available specialisations, the organisation of preparation for the exam, class sizes, the quality of libraries, international programmes, practical opportunities and the cost of living in each city.

Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne and Düsseldorf provide access to major legal and business markets but have high accommodation costs.

University cities such as Heidelberg, Münster, Freiburg, Tübingen, Göttingen, Passau and Bayreuth may offer a more concentrated experience and comparatively lower expenses.

Attention should also be paid to the federal state in which the examination is taken, the rules governing the Freiversuch, the digitalisation of assessments and the possibility of obtaining an intermediate bachelor’s qualification before the state examination.

A broad and diverse legal offering

The principal conclusion is that Germany has a broad and diverse group of high-quality law faculties. LMU Munich, Humboldt and Heidelberg lead in academic reputation, research and international recognition.

Hamburg, the Free University of Berlin, Cologne and Frankfurt provide an excellent connection with the main professional markets. Bucerius, Mannheim, Passau and Bayreuth stand out especially for the organisation of their programmes and student evaluations.

Considering the different training models and academic offerings allows The Impact Lawyers to offer a broader, more balanced and useful overview of legal education in Germany.