The most important German courses and certificates
One of the great benefits of studying abroad is learning a foreign language and experiencing a new culture. The more proficient you become in German, the more you will enjoy the rich cultural and academic life in Baden-Württemberg. Being fluent in German in addition to your native language is also a valuable asset in the job market.
At many universities in Baden-Württemberg, the courses, seminars, and exams are held entirely in German, especially at the undergraduate level. To be able to follow the lectures, you need to have a good command of the German language. Therefore, universities require the successful completion one of the following tests prior to admission:
- The DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber)
- Or, as an equivalent, the telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
- Or the TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache für ausländische Studienbewerber)
- Or the DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom II)
- For some subjects such as medicine, additional language requirements may apply
How to prepare and where to take the German language test
You can take the DSH at universities in Baden-Württemberg. The test DaF and the DSD II are offered at more than 90 locations abroad. Please check the respective websites for information about requirements and test dates. Universities like the University of Stuttgart also offer intensive language courses that prepare for the tests prior to your studies.
Some universities in Baden-Württemberg offer courses entirely in English, especially at the Master’s level. If you choose to study in English, you need to provide proof in the form of the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency or TOEFL, depending on your field of study.
In this case, German language skills are not required, but are recommended to benefit from the cultural experience that studying abroad offers. Plus: German language skills come in handy in all aspects of your daily life.
To learn German, you can take one of the summer language courses offered by our universities or enroll in a language class at the Goethe Institutes in Baden-Württemberg. The Goethe Institute also offers online courses you can take prior to your studies so that you can converse in German right from the start.
Please check with the admissions office at your chosen university which language tests and levels of proficiency are required for your field of study.
