“Since its inception, nearly 3,000 legal experts have completed the degree program,” says Prof. Michael Sonnentag, the program director. According to the legal scholar, some students are drawn to the program because they come from Franco-German families and have already earned binational school diplomas. Others, like Valentin Poirot, are motivated by cultural curiosity. “I wanted to study more than just law and had a particular affinity for Germany and its culture,” Poirot says. “The program prepares us for all law-related professions and provides an incredible cosmopolitan perspective.” Many graduates of the program now work in transnational institutions and organizations, Prof. Sonnentag notes. “They play a key role in fostering Franco-German legal communication and undoubtedly also contribute to European integration.”
Unusually Open
What makes this German-French co-production unique is that students learn about both legal systems simultaneously and in various ways. The first two years of study take place in Potsdam, the third in Nanterre, and instructors from both countries teach at each university. This distinctive feature is highly appreciated by students, as Camille Morel, who completed her bachelor’s degree in 2022, explains. “Such a program offers the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in another country,” she says. “Cultural differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, but knowledge of both legal systems can help to bridge these gaps effectively.”
When you consistently work comparatively, you develop a remarkable openness to both legal systems, emphasizes Prof. Sonnentag. “In this way, students realize early on that the same issue can be legally resolved in very different ways across legal systems – neither being inherently right or wrong, just different.”
Camille Morel finds this kind of openness rare in legal studies. Yet, she stresses its importance, “because it allows you to think beyond conventional approaches. Through its intercultural perspective the program encourages mutual understanding – and the ability to collaborate effectively in international teams.”
Even the structure of the program itself offers an unusually close-knit environment, says Michael Sonnentag. “Students in each year form a relatively small group where everyone knows each other and remains well-connected.” These connections often last long after graduation, as Camille Morel notes, “I am still in touch with several former classmates, and I’m confident these friendships will last for many years to come.”
Remaining an Ambassador
The program is renowned for opening doors in both countries and on the European stage, maintaining a reputation of excellence. The career paths of its graduates are highly diverse, as Sonnentag explains. “Many work in Franco-German law firms, others in international companies, or in fields related to Franco-German legal communication. Some also become translators for the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, the European Commission in Brussels, or other international organizations. The Franco-German degree program is, without a doubt, a significant career booster.”
Some graduates even return to Potsdam – like Camille Morel, who received the Wolf-Rüdiger Bub Award for her outstanding bachelor’s degree in 2023. After completing an additional master’s program, she earned a Master’s in International Private Law and Commercial Law at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University. She now plans to begin her PhD studies at the University of Potsdam in the winter semester 2024/2025, likely through the binational “Cotutelle” procedure.
But no matter where their paths take them, with their transnational expertise and experiences gained in Potsdam and Nanterre, Valentin Poirot, Camille Morel, and all the others have become ambassadors of European law. And, just as importantly, they embody the values behind the European Union itself. Valentin Poirot also describes his Franco-German law studies as both a product and a promoter of the European ideal: “These programs are of vital importance because they reflect the dynamics of the European project and the idea of a shared culture.”
And this influence, in turn, extends to the university itself, says Prof. Sonnentag. “Our program is a flagship initiative and important for the international orientation of the University of Potsdam. Without it, EDUC, the Digital European UniverCity, would not exist.”
Michael Sonnentag is a Professor of Civil Law and International Private Law at the University of Potsdam.
Camille Morel completed the Franco-German Degree Program in Law and will begin her PhD studies at the University of Potsdam in the winter semester 2024/25.
Valentin Poirot is a graduate of the Franco-German Degree Program in Law.
Franco-German Degree Program in Law: https://jura-potsdam-paris.de/
This text (in german language) was published in the university magazine Portal - Zwei 2024 „Europa“ (PDF).