Low German State Exam Programs in Germany (2026/2027)

Germany offers a unique environment for studying Low German (Niederdeutsch), providing students access to one of the most important centers for research into this historical Germanic language. At German universities, particularly in northern Germany where Low German has its roots, you'll explore the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of this regional language while studying in institutions that actively work to preserve and document it. The program combines intensive language training in historical and modern Low German with comprehensive cultural studies, allowing students to work with rare medieval texts and modern dialectal variations while learning from scholars who actively contribute to Low German language preservation. Students benefit from access to specialized archives containing Low German literature and historical documents, opportunities for fieldwork in Low German-speaking communities, and participation in efforts to maintain this important linguistic heritage. What makes this experience particularly valuable is Germany's commitment to protecting regional languages and cultures, coupled with its extensive archives of Low German texts and living language communities. With tuition-free education at public universities and strong connections to cultural institutions focusing on northern German heritage, Germany provides international students with an unparalleled opportunity to develop expertise in Low German while studying in a country where this historical language continues to play an important cultural role.