FAQ regarding CUSL

Regarding the English level, the applicant should be capable of following a lecture held in English and as well as actively participating. Applicants should determine for themselves whether they are able to communicate effectively in English.

Can students of the Erasmus program participate in the CUSL program?

Generally, yes.

Is it possible to complete the CUSL program even after having passed the state exam (1. Staatsexamen)?

As long as you are an officially enrolled student at the Faculty of Law, generally yes.

When may I start the CUSL program?

You may start the program whenever you wish to do so. We are recommending, however, not to start as a student of the first semester, since a basic knowledge of the German legal system is to be seen as an essential element of comparative law. See also the Program of Study with every semester schedule.

How do I register?

Please fill out the registration form. Please note, you only have to register once, it is not necessary to register again every single semester.

Due to the high volume of registrations, it is impossible for us to confirm every single one. You will receive an electronically generated confirmation of receipt to the email address you have given. If you have neither heard back from us nor had technical difficulties filling out the form, it is most likely that your registration has been successful.

Is it mandatory to register for the CUSL program?

Yes, in order to participate in the program a registration is mandatory.

What happens if I register but do not complete the program?

Please send us an email.

I have registered for CUSL but now decided not to complete the program, what do I have to do?

Please let us know, sending us an email. This will not be a problem for you, since the registration for CUSL is simply to facilitate administration.

Where do I register to take the exams?

To register for the exams, please fill out the exam registration form.

Are there any exceptions regarding the exam registration for LL.M.-students?

Generally, no. LL.M.-students who want to participate in CUSL exams may register for regular CUSL exams via the exam registration form as well. However they may not register via KLIPS (Schwerpunktklausuren). However, this information relies on our experience. For binding information please contact the responsible examination office.

Is it possible to take CUSL exams on dates other than the ones scheduled by the Chair?

No, that is not possible.

Is it possible to receive a record of performance, which does not show the grade, after passing a certain exam?

No, this is not possible.

Is it possible to receive a certificate for attending a CUSL- course without taking/passing the final exam?

No that is not possible.

Is it possible to receive a current standing of my previous CUSL performance?

Yes. You may request a current standing for scholarship or job applications. Please send an email to the us-recht(at)uni-koeln.de, taking into account that your request may take up to two weeks, regardless of your personal schedule.

Where do I find the exam results?

Results are anonymously published on our website. Please refrain from requests regarding the publication. Normally, results are to be requested by the end of the semester break.

Please note: for reasons of privacy protection, it is not possible to inform you about exam results on the phone or via email.

Was kann ich tun, wenn ich mit der Bewertung einer Einzelleistung nicht zufrieden bin?

Sie können in Ihre Bearbeitung Einsicht nehmen. Wenn nötig besteht die Möglichkeit zur schriftlichen und begründeten Remonstration innerhalb einer Frist von einem Monat nach Bekanntgabe des Ergebnisses auf dieser Internetseite.

Do I get credit for certain courses I completed at other foreign faculties?

Records of performance from other foreign universities are generally NOT credited for the CUSL program. An exception is made for the student exchange at the Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Are records of performance from other German universities to be credited for CUSL?

Credit for coursework completed at other German universities is generally NOT transferred to the CUSL program.

May I take an exam any number of times? Is it possible to take an exam again for improvement?

You can take an exam any number of times until you pass it, as long as the corresponding course is offered in the current semester schedule. However it is not possible to improve exam results within the CUSL program. This is also the case if you first take one single CUSL exam for other purposes and then later register for the CUSL program. The single exam previously taken will be counted for the CUSL program without possibility to improve it later.

An improved result of the same CUSL exam will not be counted towards the CUSL certificate. However it may be counted for other programs, e.g. a binational law program. This depends on the program's exam regulations.

Does the Chair produce a current standing with grades converted to credit points?

No. The ZIP Jura or the Dekanate/Prüfungsämter convert CUSL grades to credit points.

Is it possible to complete the program in less or more time than the recommended average?

Yes, you can participate in the program at your own pace. To finish the program within four semesters of studies is only a recommendation, since it is not to be guaranteed that all required courses are going to be offered within a shorter amount of time.

How many SWS (Semesterwochenstunden) of CUSL courses are required to be taken per week?

There is neither a minimum nor a maximum amount of hours. However, it is recommended to participate in two courses each semester, finishing the program in four semesters. The CUSL program is, rather, an addition to the regular German studies of law than an independent degree program. See also the Program of Study with every semester schedule.

Is it possible to successfully complete CUSL alongside the regular studies of law?

Since your participation in the CUSL program is very flexible, we are not concerned regarding the successful completion. Students may e. g. complete only one course each semester and still finish the program within 8 semesters. More than 450 students already completed CUSL successfully (as of WS 20/21).

General conclusions however always tend to overflow the importance of subjective aspects such as the personal life situation, method of function and capacity. It is your own responsibility to question yourself critically regarding such aspects as the ones mentioned above.

When will I receive the CUSL certificate?

The certificate receives upon request, who successfully completed all required courses.

How do I request the certificate after having completed all the courses?

The issuance of the CUSL certificate is to be requested via email including the student's name, matriculation number and a list of the completed courses with the respective semester in which the exam was taken. The issuance can take up to 6 weeks.

Why do I need a Foreign Language Certificate "Fremdsprachennachweis"?

The Foreign Language Certificate is an admission requirement for the German state exam (§ 7 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 JAG NRW). Please find more information on the German state exam procedures at the responsible examination authority ("Justizprüfungsamt"), e.g. in Cologne here: https://www.olg-koeln.nrw.de/aufgaben/justizpruefungsamt/003_staatl-pflichtfachpruefung/index.php
Please note: the CUSL Certificate itself qualifies as a Foreign Language Certificate and can be submitted as such. In this case we will not issue an additional Foreign Language Certificate.

Do CUSL courses, especially Introduction to US Law and Terminology, classify as a foreign language certificate and still count for the CUSL program as well?

For any successfully completed CUSL course you may request the foreign language certificate (Fremdsprachennachweis). If you register for the CUSL program after having taken a course for the foreign language certificate, this course will be counted for the CUSL program as well. It cannot be repeated for improving the results. Also, graduating the entire CUSL program classifies as a foreign language certificate in itself already according to § 7 Sect. 1 No. 3 JAG, even if it also grants you one semester more for the “Freiversuch”. Please note however, that legally binding information is only issued by the Justizprüfungsamt. Be sure to contact them in due time.

Can CUSL courses e.g. Practice Skills for Lawyers be counted as the "Schlüsselqualifikation" as well as for the CUSL certificate?

No. Some (soft skill) courses may be used to acquire the "Schlüsselqualifikation". This particular course cannot be counted for the CUSL certificate or the foreign language certificate (Fremdsprachennachweis). The question whether specific courses can count as a "Schlüsselqualifikation" will be answered by the description on KLIPS. Therefore, please decide whether you want to have a certain course count as "Schlüsselqualifikation" or towards the CUSL certificate and as a "Fremdsprachennachweis" before you request the certificate ("Schein").

I am having difficulties with my registration in KLIPS. What can I do?

Please contact the KLIPS office. It is not ours to help you with this.

Is it mandatory to register for KLIPS to participate in the CUSL courses?

Yes, it is necessary to register on KLIPS to participate in the CUSL courses. You will be notified about exceptions regarding single courses accordingly.

I have a question regarding the CUSL courses which also count for the Schwerpunkt.

Please contact the Prüfungsamt Jura and the Examination Authority (Justizprüfungsamt) early enough. Since this is relating to the state examination, only these authorities can give legally binding information.

Can I take CUSL courses again for the "Schwerpunkt" that I have already passed and counted towards the CUSL certificate?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. For more information please contact the examination office.

What am I required to do for being granted a “Freisemester” for the “Freischuss” thanks to the CUSL program?

You have to request the CUSL certificate and submit it to the examination authority (Justizprüfungsamt).

However, the final decision regarding the granting of a „Freisemester“ depends on your personal circumstances and is subject to the examination authority (Justizprüfungsamt). Therefore please contact the examination authority (Justizprüfungsamt) as early as possible.

Do performances within the CUSL certificate count for a „Freisemester“ as well as the “Schwerpunkt”?

No. A „Freisemester“ after the submission of the CUSL certificate is granted according to
§ 25 Sect. 2 Para 1 No. 4 JAG NRW. When applying or latest at the registration for the state examination the candidates are required to sign a written confirmation stating that their performances have not been used to count twice, for § 7 Sect. 1 No. 2 and § 28 Sect. 3 Para 3 JAG.

According to § 25 Sect. 4 Para 2 JAG NRW the foreign language performance cannot count as part of the required performances for the “Schwerpunkt” either.

Can students of the Erasmus program finish the CUSL program within one semester?

We cannot guarantee that all mandatory courses will be offered each semester, generally they are offered every second semester, once a year. However, should you accomplish to pass all the required exams within one semester, you will most certainly receive the certificate upon request.

Are students of the Erasmus program allowed to return to the University of Cologne in order to finish the CUSL program?

If you are returning to the University of Cologne, Faculty of Law, as an enrolled student (e.g. as a student of an LL.M. program), you will be able to finish the program.

What do (A-J) and (K-Z) behind Introduction to US Law and Terminology stand for? Does the course last four hours? Is it possible to participate in the course which I am not assigned to according to my last name?

The letters are indicating groups regarding the first letter of the students’ last names in order to split this often very large group of participating students more or less equally into two groups.

Each course, the one for the group A-J and the one for the group K-Z, lasts two hours. The contents are identical.

We ask you to follow the assignment to your group according to your last name. Please do only switch groups if you deem it absolutely necessary.

May I consult past exams for exam preparation at the Lehrstuhl?

No, this is not possible.

Is it possible to participate in the CUSL courses without the intention to receive the certificate in the end?

Yes, most certainly.

To what extent is the CUSL program compatible with double-majors (DFM-program, English-German Bachelors, German-Turkish Bachelors, German-Italian Bachelors, etc.)?

If you are enrolled at the University of Cologne's Faculty of Law, you may participate in the CUSL Program. The CUSL Program is flexible in that you may complete it before or after your studies at one of our foreign partner universities. Be aware, though, that it is not guaranteed that you will be able to complete the CUSL program in less than four consecutive semesters. You should coordinate your individual schedule with the CUSL course schedule accordingly.

The Chair will not issue an overview of your course credits. The International Office at the faculty of law (ZIB-Jura) or current Examination Office (Prüfungsamt) will convert your CUSL grades into course credits.

Otherwise, please refer to our FAQ page for the remainder of your questions.

Is ist possible to take CUSL exams while on academic leave (e.g. during a semester abroad)?

No, unfortunately this is not possible. CUSL exams taken during an academic leave cannot be counted.

Is it possible to have courses count for the CUSL program that I took at a university abroad?

Courses that you took at a university abroad can only be counted towards the CUSL program in specific cases. It is essential that you took a certified course by a US licensed lawyer and that the course curriculum matches the CUSL course's curriculum. If these conditions are fulfilled, you may send us a request via e-mail, including the relevant certifcates. For the exchange program between the University of Cologne and Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, special rules apply. Counting courses taken at Duquesne for the CUSL program is generally possible. More information is available during the exchange program.

Can a successful CUSL course also be counted towards the Environmental Law Certificate?

No. A course that is offered in both the CUSL and the Environmental Law Certificate Program can only be counted towards one of the two programs, not both.