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- Which English language certificates are recognized?
- How well do I need to speak English?
- Which English language certificate to choose
- Can I study in Germany without IELTS or TOEFL?
- Can I hand in my certificate after the deadline?
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To study in Germany, you must prove that you speak English or German well enough to study in that language. Unless you are a native speaker or have graduated from an English or German language programme, you will need to provide an official language certificate. Of course, it takes hard work to get to this point. But have no fear: universities will not expect you to be anywhere near as perfect as a native speaker.
More than 245,000 international students are currently enrolled at German universities, most of them from non-English and non-German-speaking countries. Universities are therefore prepared to have second language speakers in the classroom.
Even some of your professors will speak with an accent, especially if you are studying on an international programme taught in English. So, once you have reached the required level, do not worry about not speaking enough English or German. You will have to put in some time and effort, but the language level required of you is fair and achievable. Even if you have never been to an English or German speaking country and feel that you are not as much of an expert as you would like to be - YET!
Which English language certificates are recognized in Germany?
While there are standardized regulations for German language certifications in place at all German universities, there is no legal obligation for German universities to accept a specific English certificate. That means each university can decide independently which English language certificates they recognize. Therefore, you should make sure that the programs you plan on applying to accept your English language certificate as valid proof of your language proficiency.
However, there are two examinations that are accepted by almost all German universities. These are
TOEFL
IELTS Test
Other common certificates are not recognised by all universities. In this case, you should contact the International Office of the university of your choice to find out whether they accept your certificate. Common examples are:
- Cambridge Assessment English, e.g. C1 Advanced (formerly known as CAE),
- BULATS (Business Language Testing Service),
- Telc English B2-C1 University (The European Language Certificate),
- London Chamber of Commerce and Industry – LCCI Certificates,
- Test of English for International Communication – TOEIC,
- UNIcert certificate
- Graduate Record Examinations – GRE Subject Tests.
Each programme can decide on its own level of English proficiency. Therefore, the minimum score required will vary from university to university.
How well do I need to speak English to study in Germany?
The universities and each program can make independent decisions when it comes to setting the requirements for the English language. That is why it is important that you check with the program of your choice to learn precisely not only which English language certificate but also which proficiency level they expect you to hand in.
As a rule of thumb, your selected study program will require you to present a proof of upper intermediate to advanced language skills in English (B2-C1).
To let applicants know how well they should speak English, many German universities use the terms defined by the Council of Europe in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). On this scale, there are 6 levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2):
- A1 is the lowest level and designates that the student is a beginner.
- C2 is the highest level one can gain.
Upper intermediate language skills correspond with level B2, and advanced language skills correspond with level C1.
I do not have an English language certificate yet. Which one should I choose?
The most important thing is that you submit a certificate that is accepted by the programme/university of your choice. Check the requirements page of your German university to find out which test you need to take.
Since TOEFL and IELTS are accepted by almost all universities, it makes sense for you to take one or the other. The following table shows a comparison between TOEFL and IELTS. We only list the Internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iBT), as 98% of test-takers take this test format.
TOEFL
+IELTS
+Please note that both tests are standardised. They are equally difficult or easy to pass wherever you take them. The examiners and markers have been trained by their respective institutions to ensure fairness across all test centres and countries.
We recommend that you try both tests. Your decision may depend on the price difference between the two tests in your area, how often the exam is offered in your country, or whether there is a test centre near you. As test dates can be booked up well in advance, it is advisable to book your appointment well in advance.
Another factor to consider when choosing a test is the format of the test. For example, the TOEFL iBT requires you to do the speaking section with a computer, whereas the IELTS requires you to speak to a person.
There are other international English language certificates that are often accepted by German universities. You may also decide to obtain one of these certificates:
Cambridge Assessment: C1 Advanced
+Cambridge Assessment: BULATS
+TOEIC
+GRE Subject Tests
+Telc English B2-C1 University
+To learn more about other certificates, you can follow these links:
Can I study in Germany without IELTS or TOEFL?
There are cases in which you can study in an English-speaking program without having to hand in an IELTS or TOEFL test before. Here are some examples:
You have got an alternative English language certificate
+You studied an English-speaking Bachelor’s degree
+Your native language is English
+Can I hand in my language certificate after the application deadline?
A first general answer is: Normally not. Your language certificate is part of your application and must therefore be submitted before the application deadline.
However, some universities allow applicants to apply with a placeholder, such as a lower-level language certificate, and submit the required certificate at a later date. The applicant may be admitted on the condition that he or she provides a language certificate of a sufficiently high level at the time of enrolment.
Remember that if you need to apply for a visa, you will also need to provide evidence of your language skills or your intention to take a language course to show that you are an eligible and serious candidate and that you can obtain the visa. Time management is therefore crucial.
Summary Box
To study in English international students have to prove their language proficiency at an upper intermediate to advanced level (B2/C1). German Universities usually accept one of these certificates:
- A TOEFL or IELTS certificate.
- Proof of previous studies in English.
- Universities can decide independently whether they accept other official language tests such as Cambridge Assessment: C1 Advanced, BULATS, TOEIC, GRE Subject Tests, Telc English B2-C1 University.
Each university can independently decide which scores they accept.
Advice Box
You don't have to be a native speaker to do well in your studies in Germany, but you do have to pass one of the language exams. We recommend that you look at the practice material first. Much of it is available free online. If you take some time before your language test date, you will be able to get used to the type of questions you can expect, and perhaps even certain tricky grammatical phenomena that will be asked repeatedly.
