University

Proof of German required by German universities

University

As a foreign student you must prove adequate knowledge of the German language in order to study in Germany.

As a general rule, you will have to take the German language proficiency test - DSH ( Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber) or the TestDaF ( Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache für ausländische Studienbewerber).

In some cases, you might be exempted from the DSH or TestDaF, for example:

  • for a single semester periods of study in Germany (some institutions allow 2 semesters)
  • if you hold a higher education entrance qualification ( Abitur) from a recognised school (in Germany or abroad) at which German was the language of instruction
  • hold the Goethe-Institute's minor or major German Language Certificate ( Kleines/Großes Sprachdiplom) or advanced level 'Central Advanced Language Test' ( Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung)
  • if you hold the 'German Language Certificate, Level II', of the 'German Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Culture' ( Deutsches Sprachdiplom - Stufe II - der Kultusministerkonferenz).

If you are required to take the DSH you will probably have to take the exam at the institution you're planning to study at in Germany.

Further reading

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