A bachelor's degree taught in German asks for proof of German at university level, and the university decides which certificates it accepts. This guide lists the certificates German universities recognise, explains when a Studienkolleg comes first, and what changes if your programme is taught in English.
German-taught bachelor's degrees accept DSH-2, TestDaF with 4 in every part, DSD II, Goethe C2 or telc C1 Hochschule; some take Goethe or ÖSD C1. If your school certificate is not enough, a Studienkolleg (B1 or higher) comes first. English-taught: IELTS.
Source: daad.de ·
When you apply, the university asks for a language certificate, called Sprachnachweis in German. There is no single national certificate. Instead, the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the education ministers of the federal states (KMK) have agreed a framework that tells universities which results count. Two exams are valid for every degree programme.
The German language exam for university entry (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) is offered by many universities and taken in Germany. With the result DSH-2 you can be admitted to every degree programme, without limits.
The Test of German as a Foreign Language (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) can be taken in your home country. It reports a level for each part. With at least TDN 4 in every part, it is valid for admission to every degree programme.
Other certificates are accepted too, but their reach is narrower. The DAAD, Germany's academic exchange service, advises every applicant to contact the university for the rules of the exact programme.
The table puts the certificates in order of how widely they are accepted, based on what the HRK and the DAAD publish.
| Certificate | Result you need | How widely it counts |
|---|---|---|
| DSH | DSH-2 | Every degree programme (HRK) |
| TestDaF | TDN 4 in every part | Every degree programme (HRK) |
| German Language Diploma (Deutsches Sprachdiplom, DSD) | Level II | Recognised by all German universities (HRK) |
| German part of the Studienkolleg final exam | Passed | Recognised by all German universities (HRK) |
| Goethe-Zertifikat | C2 | Usually recognised (DAAD) |
| telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule | Passed | Usually recognised (DAAD) |
| Goethe-Zertifikat or ÖSD Zertifikat | C1 (B2 in a few cases) | Some programmes only (DAAD) |
If you finished school at a German-language school abroad, the DAAD says you do not need a language test at all. Ask the university to confirm this for your programme.
In some countries, the school leaving certificate does not give direct entry to a German university. Then you first attend a preparatory college, the Studienkolleg, and finish it with an assessment exam (Feststellungsprüfung). The German part of that exam is itself accepted as language proof by all German universities, so you do not need a separate DSH or TestDaF afterwards.
You must prove at least B1 German already when you apply to a Studienkolleg. In practice many colleges expect B2. Certificates from Goethe, telc, ÖSD, TestDaF, DSH or DSD are accepted as proof of this level.
Our guide to the German level for the Studienkolleg explains the application and the entrance test in more detail. The university you apply to tells you whether your school certificate needs a Studienkolleg first.
International degree programmes can usually be started without proof of German. The DAAD notes that you then need proof of another language, usually English. For English, this is often an IELTS Academic result, but check which tests your university lists.
Each university sets its own IELTS score for its English-taught bachelor's degrees. Read the admission page of the programme and plan for that exact band score. Master's applicants can read our page on IELTS for a master's in Germany.
The DSH has to be taken in Germany. If you want to sit your exam at home, TestDaF or a Goethe or telc certificate can be the answer, as long as your programme accepts it. Here is what each one asks of you.
Four modules. Reading: 4 parts, 30 items, 65 minutes. Listening: 4 parts, 30 items, about 40 minutes. Writing: 75 minutes, a forum post of about 230 words and an email of about 120 words. Accepted by some programmes, so check first.
The highest Goethe level (Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom). Reading: 4 parts, 30 items, 80 minutes. Writing: 80 minutes, a text rewriting task and an essay of about 350 words. Usually recognised by universities.
A C1 exam made for university admission, as its name (Hochschule means university) says. It is on the DAAD's list of certificates usually recognised by universities. Our telc C1 guide explains the exam.
Goethe C1 and C2 are modular: each module is passed with 60 out of 100 points, and you can book or repeat one module on its own. Exam fees are set locally by each Goethe-Institut or telc exam centre, so check the price list where you plan to sit the exam.
For a degree taught in German, plan for C1. DSH-2 and TestDaF with TDN 4 in every part are valid for every degree programme. DSD II is recognised by all German universities, Goethe C2 and telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule are usually recognised too, and some programmes accept Goethe or ÖSD C1. Always check the admission rules of your programme.
Rarely for direct admission. The DAAD says Goethe B2 and ÖSD B2 are recognised only for some programmes. B2 is more often the level you bring to a Studienkolleg, where at least B1 is needed to apply.
Only if your school leaving certificate does not give direct entry to a German university. The university you apply to tells you. The German part of the Studienkolleg final exam (Feststellungsprüfung) is then accepted as language proof by all German universities.
DSH-2 and TestDaF with TDN 4 in every part open every programme. The DSH has to be taken in Germany, while TestDaF can be taken in your home country. Goethe C2 is usually recognised, and Goethe C1 only by some programmes, so check your programme before you choose C1.
Usually not for admission. International degree programmes normally ask for proof of English instead, often IELTS Academic. The required IELTS score is set by each university, so read the admission page of your programme.
Fees are set locally by each exam centre and differ from country to country, so check the price list of the Goethe-Institut, telc centre or TestDaF centre where you plan to sit the exam. For Goethe C1 and C2, a single module costs less than the full exam.
The full guide to studying in Germany
Entry level and the assessment exam
English scores for postgraduate study
Format and scoring of telc Deutsch C1
The core word list for the C1 level