The University

The University is named Justus Liebig-Universität Gießen after its most famous member, Justus von Liebig, the founder of modern agricultural chemistry and inventor of artificial fertiliser.

It was founded in 1607 as a Lutheran university in the city of Giessen in Hesse-Darmstadt because the all-Hessian Landesuniversität (the nearby University of Marburg (Philipps-Universität Marburg) in Marburg, Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel)) had become Reformed (that is, Calvinist). The new university was called "Ludoviciana" after its founder Louis V, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and only renamed after World War II. After the different Hessian states were (re-)united in 1929, both universities became public universities of that German state. The University of Giessen now has almost 23000 students. With the Fachhochschule (FH Gießen), it makes Giessen the most student-dominated German city.

The Faculty of Law

Law has been studied at the Justus-Liebig-University since 1607. Famous academics such as Rudolf von Ihering (1818-1892) and Franz von Liszt (1851-1919) contributed to the standing of the Faculty of Law. After its temporary closure after World War II, the Faculty of Law and Economics was reopened in 1964 and a separate Faculty of Law was re-established in 1970. Today the Faculty has at its disposal a young and dynamic team of professors. The Faculty offers a wide range of subjects with a particular emphasis on European and international law. It also houses a number of research units and is involved in interdisciplinary research. The Faculty cultivates strong networks with numerous universities abroad. It benefits from institutional links with international organizations and research institutions. The Faculty is proud to host many foreign undergraduate students from Erasmus partner universities as well as from universities in Queensland, Australia, Porto Alegre, Brazil, Kazan, Russia, Potchefstroom, South Africa and Wisconsin, USA. Graduate students from abroad are welcome to apply for the one year Master degree LL.M. in German Law. The Faculty also offers the opportunity to obtain a doctoral degree (Dr. iur.) based on a thesis submitted either in German, English or another approved language. German language courses are offered throughout the semester and immediately before classes start. The park-like campus of the University of Giessen is situated near the centre of the City of Giessen. Many of its older buildings are included in various registries of historical buildings. For further information please consult the faculty's website.

The City

Giessen is a city of approximately 80,000 residents. Located in the German state of Hessen in west central Germany, Giessen is less than an hour northwest of Frankfurt. The city came into being as a moated castle in 1152, built by Count Wilhelm von Gleiberg. Communities around Giessen are among the oldest in Germany, dating back to 775. In addition to leisure-time activities provided by the University itself, Giessen offers a wide variety of music, clubs and bars as well as many cultural activities from comedy to opera. For further information please consult the city's website.

The Region

Giessen benefits from its central location in Germany. The city can offer a wide range of cultural activities, and its situation in the Lahn River Valley admist a picturesque landscape of rolling hills makes for high-quality leisure and recreational possibilities. Furthermore, Wetzlar or Marburg with their historical Old Towns can be reached by train in a few minutes as well as various castles or hiking trails.

Abt. Studiengang Comparative Child Law (LL.M.)

Comparative Child Law (LL.M.)

Aktuelles:

·         NWU Potchefstroom, Faculty of Law

·         South African Embassy Berlin

·         German Embassy Pretoria