The ideal time depends on the program you choose. Typical recommendations:
- After the intermediate exam —e.g., Erasmus+
- After the major practice classes —such as international specialization tracks or the LL.M. in Glasgow
- After completing one’s program of study (regardless of the university) – e.g., an LL.M. or an elective internship abroad
You can find a current list of partner universities for the Erasmus+ Law Program here: Erasmus+ Program of Study: Information and Application | JGU International
Applications are submitted through the Law School’s International Office. The documents are then forwarded to the International Office.
Application deadline for 2027/2028: September 1, 2026–January 31, 2027
Requirements vary depending on the partner university. Check in advance whether courses are taught in the local language or in English, and which language certificates are required.
As part of the Erasmus+ program, fellowships are available to cover the additional costs of studying abroad. For more details, please contact the JGU International Office.
In addition, there are the DAAD and the Peregrinus Foundation.
- To be eligible for the Erasmus+ fellowship, students must earn at least 15 European Credit Transfer System credits per semester.
- A maximum of two semesters abroad are permitted (12 European Credit Transfer System credits each / 8 SWS of law courses).
- Basic language certificates and language proficiency certificates may be recognized (see the handout/instructions for internships and study abroad).
- If you have any further questions regarding credit recognition, please contact the student advising office for law | faculty 03
The Jura International Office does not provide direct assistance with finding housing. Once you have been nominated by the host university, you will receive information from them, including instructions about student housing.
Many host universities organize orientation events and recreational activities to help Erasmus students settle in. These events usually begin before the actual lecture period starts.
You’ll still have to pay the semester fee, but you can get a refund for the portion of the semester ticket from the General Students’ Committee.
After enrollment, you will have access to Jogustine, JGU’s online platform. Here, you can create your course schedule and log in to register for or drop exams. You can find information on creating an account here.
Most events are held in German. An interest in the language is helpful, not just in everyday life. For courses, you can contact the ISSK .
International Office: General information session for exchange students; you will usually receive details about this via email to your university account.
Jura International Office: A specific information session followed by a get-together; you’ll usually receive details about this via email to your university account.
Advising: Consultation hour with Mr. Klaus Mayer, by email or phone
Self-Registration: Step-by-Step Instruction in the Information Brochure for Erasmus Students
The number required depends on your home university.
To accompany large lectures in practice classes on case studies
Participation is strongly recommended, but not required
Final examination for the Erasmus student seminar: oral, 4 European Credit Transfer System credits
Depending on the course or as specified by the lecturer: written exam, oral examination, term paper, or presentation.
The number of ECTS credits is based on the number of SWS.
1 semester hour (SWS) = 1 class hour (45 minutes) per week during a semester.
Example: 4 SWS = 8 ECTS credits
Admission to the bachelor’s program is selective during the first academic semester. A minimum language proficiency level in French of B1 on the CEFR is required for admission. This can be demonstrated by submitting a corresponding language certificate or by providing proof of five years of French instruction in high school on the high school diploma. Applications are submitted online: first through the dialogue-oriented application process at hochschulstart.de (the nationwide application coordination platform) and then directly to the University of Mainz.
If you are granted admission to both degree programs, you must decide during your first semester which degree program you would like to begin your program of study in Mainz. You will then add the other degree program starting in your second academic semester.
Subject-specific and general orientation sessions are always offered before the semester start. We recommend that you attend them. As a rule, all orientation sessions take place during introduction week—that is, the week before the beginning of the lecture period. You can find the schedule here.
You can also complete registration for language courses at JGU’s International Preparatory and Language Center (ISSK) before the beginning of the lecture period, allowing you to take the language courses for free as a JGU student. You can find more information here.
During your program of study, you’ll have some expenses to cover. Once a semester, you’ll need to pay your semester fee, and you’ll also have to pay for your room, meals, and clothes. You can read here about what your approximate expenses will be.
For the duration of your study abroad program during the 4th academic year of your bachelor’s degree, you will receive a grant from the Franco-German University (DFH)(for a maximum of 12 months).
In addition, you can also apply for the Erasmus grant (approx. 450 euros) each month, which can help cover the costs of your program of study in France.
We recommend that you follow the study guidelines for the first semester.
Once you have started your bachelor’s program of study, take all the courses recommended for the first academic semester, as well as the subject-specific course“Introduction au droitfrançais.” The foundational courses that must be taken as first-year students in the exam-based program can be registered through the France Office for Law. To do so, contact droit@uni-mainz.de. Although you do not need these foundational courses for your bachelor’s degree, you will need them for the exam-based program, and they may also receive recognition toward your subsequent master’s degree in Private International Law (IPR).
As part of the bachelor’s program, you must complete a mandatory internship in a French-speaking country. A total of 4 weeks must be completed as part of the bachelor’s program and 9 weeks as part of the master’s degree. Upon proposal, these 13 weeks will also receive recognition as practical training hours toward your degree program if you complete at least 3 consecutive weeks with one internship provider and divide the time among at least 2 internship placements. In any case, the internship must be completed during the semester break. If you are studying in France, you should follow the schedule of your partner university there. It is best to plan your first internship for the semester break between the 4th and 5th academic semesters.
This is an agreement between JGU and the French internship provider. You can find the file here.
The “convention de stage” is signed by the International Office.
You’ll need to find an intern position on your own. We do not arrange intern positions. You’re welcome to contact the DFJ (https://www.dfj.org/) or Haus Burgund in Mainz.
The study abroad year is scheduled for the 4th academic year (7th and 8th academic semesters). Before the year abroad, students must have earned 180 European Credit Transfer System credits and completed preparatory modules 13, 14, 15, and 16. In individual cases and after consultation with the France Office, other arrangements may be made.
To apply for the year abroad, you’ll need to fill out an online form. The deadlines and all relevant information will be provided to you in a timely manner.
You must complete all of the intermediate exam modules (1–7), and ideally, you should also finish the major practice classes (modules 8–12) before your year abroad. In addition, you should have completed the subject-specific modules 13, 14, 15, and 16. However, in exceptional cases, the internship module (16) may also be completed after your year abroad.
Once your application has been approved and you meet all the requirements, we will send you a letter of acceptance and nominate you for the Erasmus scholarship and admission to the partner university.
Applying for a spot at the partner university using our digital form also serves as an application for the Erasmus fellowship. You will then receive an email from the Erasmus Office with an additional registration link to log in for the fellowship.
In addition, you may be eligible for the DFH fellowship. Anyone who is nominated by the partner university in Dijon and enrolls at the DFH will automatically receive the DFH fellowship and does not need to take any further action.
At our partner university in Dijon, our colleagues at the Bureau Mayence will be there to assist you. We’ll provide you with all the necessary information and contact details in a timely manner.
“Looking back, I can say that my time there was very rewarding. I learned to be more open when approaching others, to find my way in a new environment, and to step outside my comfort zone. I can therefore recommend an Erasmus stay in Budapest to anyone who is less concerned with credits and more interested in personal experiences and living abroad.”
My stay in Budapest was a wonderful and enriching experience for me. I gained a lot of new experiences, both on a personal level and in interacting with people from other countries. I especially enjoyed getting to know international students. You quickly strike up conversations, learn about different cultures, and make friends you probably would never have made otherwise.
I also really liked Budapest itself as a city. It’s lively, diverse, and has a lot to offer, from impressive architecture to a vibrant nightlife. At the same time, Budapest is relatively affordable compared to other cities with over a million residents, which makes everyday life there very pleasant. Overall, I highly recommend the city and think it’s a great place to spend time abroad.
As far as my program of study was concerned, it wasn’t always the main priority. The focus was more on living abroad, becoming more independent, improving my foreign language skills, and gaining new experiences. Of course, my program of study is part of the Erasmus program, but it doesn’t carry the same weight as it does at my home university. So if you value above all the experience of living in another country and meeting new people, Budapest is the perfect place for you.
Looking back, I can say that my time there was very rewarding. I learned to be more open in approaching others, to find my way in a new environment, and to step outside my comfort zone. I can therefore recommend an Erasmus stay in Budapest to anyone who is less concerned with credits and more interested in personal experiences and life abroad.
“You grow so much through personal experiences and make friends for life. You get to immerse yourself in many different cultures and learn more about yourself and the world than you ever would have at home. I can truly and wholeheartedly recommend an Erasmus exchange to everyone—especially in this beautiful city.”
I headed to Hungary during the 2025–26 winter semester. There, I studied law for one semester at Pázmány Péter University in Budapest.
The city is wonderful. It was still very hot in September, so we were able to explore and enjoy Budapest—both along its streets and on the Danube—on sunny days and balmy summer nights. The city, its buildings, and its apartments exude a wonderful old-world charm. In contrast, there are a few corners with an Eastern Bloc feel that are simply part of the charm of this metropolis. The bustling, exciting Pest side, where most of the students live, lies across from the quieter, historic Buda side. These contrasts continue throughout the city: cool ruin bars, huge nightclubs, and vintage shops nestled among the stunning Parliament Building, ballet performances at the imposing State Opera House, and cozy cafés. Budapest is very international and, with its large Erasmus community, incredibly diverse and exciting. There’s so much to experience every single day. With so many different cultures represented, you can explore a variety of culinary worlds, and at the same time, the nearest traditional goulash restaurant is never far away.
Even smaller Hungarian towns are perfect for day trips, where you can immerse yourself even more deeply in the culture, the country, and its people. For a small fee, you can easily reach many towns both within and outside the country by train. My Hungarian highlights definitely include nighttime boat tours on the Danube, the delicious Baumstriezel, and Hungarian folk dances. The language—which has left me scratching my head on more than a few occasions—and the Hungarians’ tough exteriors are simply part of what makes life there so special.
Right from the start, I was also impressed by the diverse selection of courses at the university: ranging from “Statelessness as a Human Rights Issue” to U.S. Health Law. Throughout my time there, the Erasmus coordinator was always a great person to turn to and took excellent care of all of us. Hungarian students our age regularly organized events for all Erasmus students. About once a month, for example, we’d get together for these events to learn Hungarian folk dancing or play laser tag. The Hungarian students were always eager to get to know us, too. As a result, I felt right at home at the university.
But what mattered most to me during my Erasmus experience were the friendships I made and the little life I built for myself. You grow so much through these personal experiences and make friends for life. You immerse yourself in many different cultures and learn more about yourself and the world than you ever would have at home.
I can wholeheartedly recommend an Erasmus exchange to absolutely anyone—and especially in this beautiful city.
