Language Requirements

Attention all Program/Exchange Students:

If you are an exchange student spending only one or two semesters in Gießen, Friedberg or Fulda, the following requirements regarding German language skills DO NOT apply.

All NON-program/exchange students please read the following information.

In order for you to study at a German university, you will need to furnish proof, i.e. certificate or the like, of your ability to speak, read and write in German at an advanced level. A variety of certificates are accepted; we have listed them below.

However, we would like to point out that not every university will accept all of the following certificates. As a general rule, international students should sit the DSH-examination, the German language skills examination for university admission, although exemptions from this examination, see below, do exist.


We therefore strongly suggest you contact your university to verify which certificates are allowed.

Considered acceptable to apply - insufficient for enrollment

Zertifikat Deutsch als Fremdsprache (ZDaF) mind. 2
Zertifikat Deutsch 1 (ZD=1)
Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP)
TestDaF mind. 14 Punkte
Goethe Zertifikat B2
Goethe Zertifikat C1
TELC Deutsch B2
B2 Mittelstufe Deutsch (A) von ÖSD
OnDaF mind. 65 percent (vom TestDaF-Institut)

To enroll

DSH-2 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
TestDaF mit mindestens TDN 4 in allen Prüfungsteilen
ZOP (Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung)
Großes oder Kleines Sprachdiplom des Goethe-Instituts
Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe II
Feststellungsprüfung eines Studienkollegs

Exemption from the DSH-Examination
Exemption from the DSH-examination will be granted to students who have:

Obtained their university qualifications (Universitätsreife) in a German speaking country.
Obtained their university qualifications (Universitätsreife) from an accredited German school abroad.
Already successfully completed the DSH-examination at another German university.
Obtained the Grosse or Kleine Sprachdiplom from the Goethe Institute.
Obtained the Sprachdiplom der Kulturministerkonferenz, Level II.
Successfully completed the ZOP (Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung - Goethe-Institute).
Successfully completed the TestDaF with a minimum score of TDN 4 (4x4).

More information regarding German language requirements found under: http://www.daad.de/deutschland/deutsch-lernen/wie-deutsch-lernen/00573.de.html

Information about language courses can be found on the website of your university.

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