NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

During the placement period, it is also possible to undertake training abroad, particularly for the elective placement but also
for the compulsory placement, with a foreign lawyer for example.
This practical training is accompanied by study groups in which the experience accumulated during the various phases of
training is critically analysed under the supervision of a State-appointed judge, lawyer or other legal expert and preparations
are made for the second State examination.
II.7.5. Second State examination
The second State examination also requires written work and oral work. In some Länder the written part takes the form of a
written assignment (to be submitted within four weeks) and between four and six written examinations. In other Länder it
consists only of written examinations (between 8 and 11). In most Länder the oral examination consists of a case presentation
(after a short preparation time) and an assessed discussion.
Both the written and oral examinations focus on the resolution of practical cases. Students might be asked, for example, to
draft judgments.
The examination covers all the material dealt with throughout the entire course.
Again, the grade awarded is based on a point system (see II.7.3). The same assessment scale applies as in the case of the first
State examination.
Candidates passing the examination are awarded a certificate showing the overall result as a grade and a mark in figures. The
certificate en- titles the holder to use the professional designation ‘Assessor’, and at the same time qualifies the holder to
exercise the legal functions described at the beginning of this section.
An Assessor may at any time apply to practise as a lawyer.
II.8. Postgraduate studies and degrees
Under specific subject-related conditions students may take postgraduate courses, supplementary study programmes or
complementary study programmes at most higher education institutions after acquisition of the Diplom or Magister or after
passing the first State examination. These courses allow students to gain a further professional qualification, to specialise in
one area or to pursue further studies. There are no uniform regulations for degree programmes of this kind. They may last
from anything between a few weeks or months up to several semesters. These courses are concluded with the award of a
certificate or, under certain conditions, an academic degree (Diplom- or Magisterabschluß).
II.9. Doctoral degree
In order to continue studies with the aim of gaining a doctorate, students must have passed the Diplom or Magister
examination or the first State examination with at least a ‘good’ grade. Particular conditions apply to Fachhochschule
graduates. Except in medicine and chemistry, where most students take the doctoral examination as well as the State
examination or Diplom examination, relatively few German students attempt the doctorate after passing their final
examinations.