What exams are required to study in Germany for international students? Germany has emerged as the most favoured non-English speaking country among international students globally. The country is renowned for the esteemed universities that offer excellent and affordable education to students belonging to the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) and those outside it. It’s no surprise that Germany has become a coveted destination for pursuing higher education.

Some recommended Universities

Here are some top German universities you should consider for your study abroad adventure:

University of Cologne
SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences
IU University of Applied Sciences
CBS International Business School
University of Bonn
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
GISMA Business School
Hochschule Bremen – International Graduate Center
University of Applied Sciences Europe – BiTS and BTK

University application deadlines in Germany

Students planning to enrol at German universities can start their studies either in winter or summer:

The application deadline for the winter enrolment is the 15th of July
The application deadline for the summer enrolment is the 15th of January

These application deadlines can vary from one higher education institution or study program to another. Always check the dates and start your application process early on. It will give you an advantage if you need to resubmit some documents or if something unexpected happens.

Some exams required to study in Germany for international students

The exams required to study in Germany as an international student may vary depending on the level of study, the chosen course, and the university requirements.

For undergraduate studies, most universities require international students to have completed a secondary education that is equivalent to the German “Abitur” qualification. In addition, international students may need to take a language proficiency test, such as the TestDaF or DSH, to demonstrate their proficiency in the German language.

For postgraduate studies, the requirements may vary depending on the program and university. Generally, a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required for admission, and international students may need to provide GRE or GMAT scores, depending on the course they are applying for. Moreover, English proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS are usually required to prove proficiency in the English language.

It is advisable to check the specific requirements of the university and the course you are interested in to ensure that you meet all the necessary criteria.

Language Requirements for German university application

The number of undergraduate programs in Germany that are fully taught in English is limited. However, there are several programs that offer courses in both German and English, which can be a great way to improve your German language skills during your Bachelor’s studies. For graduate students, the range of English-taught programs in Germany is expanding.

Two main German language tests are accepted by all universities in Germany:

DSH (German language exam for university entrance) – available only in Germany
TestDaF – available in 90 countries worldwide

If the course you plan to attend is partially taught in English, you will have to provide an English language certificate. The most popular are:

PTE Academic
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
Duolingo

How to apply to a university in Germany

Doing a serious check is always very important when trying to make applications for studies in a university or college, especially as an international student.

To ensure that you fulfill the admission criteria for your preferred German university, get in touch with the university’s international office. Having a higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung or HZB) or its equivalent is necessary for admission.

Students who hold qualifications from outside the European Union may be required to take a university entrance examination (Feststellungsprüfung) after completing a preparatory course (Studienkolleg).

In Germany, even if you meet the admission requirements, you may not be able to enroll directly, particularly for popular degree courses that have restrictions known as Numerus Clausus (NC). To increase your chances of admission, it is recommended that you apply to multiple German universities simultaneously.

Admission to German universities is primarily based on high school grade point average (GPA), with higher scores increasing the likelihood of being accepted into your desired program.