Diplomas, Certificates and Examinations

Language certificates may be required to continue with a course, as proof of a professional qualification or in order to be eligible for a scholarship. You will have to take the German language proficiency test - "DSH" (or "Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber" as it is known in full) or the "TestDaF" (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache für ausländische Studienbewerber). This and other certificates can be acquired either in Germany or abroad.

You can be exempted from the DSH, if you hold a higher education entrance qualification ("Abitur") from a recognised school (in Germany or abroad) at which German was the language of instruction or hold the Goethe-Institute's minor or major German Language Certificate ("Kleines/Großes Sprachdiplom") or advanced level "Central Advanced Language Test" (Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung) or hold the "German Language Certificate, Level II", of the "German Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Culture" (Deutsches Sprachdiplom - Stufe II - der Kultusministerkonferenz). If you only intend to spend one semester studying in Germany (some institutions even allow 2 semesters) you are exempted from DSH likewise.

The following list of courses, arranged according to linguistic level, will help you to find the one best suited to your needs. Examinations for these certificates can generally only be taken in connection with a course run by one of the providers.

If you have already aquired a certain degree of competence in the language, you are welcome to start your course at a higher level.

For more detailed information on the language levels A1 to C1 please consult the English website of the "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages".

Start Deutsch 1 is a TELC language examination for the assessment of language skills in German for adult learners. The examination was jointly implemented by the Goethe-Institutes and Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH (WBT). Start Deutsch 1 is conducted worldwide according to the same examination and evaluation procedures in relation to the Common European Framework of Reference on level A1.

Start Deutsch 2 is a TELC language examination for the assessment of language skills in German for adult learners. The examination Start Deutsch 2 was jointly implemented by the Goethe-Institutes and the Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH (WBT). Start Deutsch 2 is conducted worldwide according to the same examination and evaluation procedures in relation to the Common European Framework of Reference on level A2.

The Certificate in German (Zertifikat Deutsch, ZD) is a worldwide recognized examination at the end of basic level. Students should have had 350 to 600 lessons of German to be able to pass this exam. In relation to the Common European Framework of Reference the Certificate in German is on level B1.

The examination can be passed at the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations), the Goethe-Institutes, the Carl Duisberg Centres, the Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH (WBT) or other institutes licensed by the former.

This certificate shows that you can make yourself understood in a broad range of day-to-day situations at your place of work. You can understand simple business texts, draft routine letters and adequately participate in conversations pertaining to the everyday working environment.

The examination can be passed at the Goethe-Institutes, the Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH (WBT) and other institutes licensed by the former.

The Examination in Business German International (Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch International, PWD) is proof of an advanced knowledge of written and spoken business and professional German. The PWD is recognised in most businesses and industries worldwide.

The examination can be passed at the Goethe-Institutes, the Carl Duisberg Centres and the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (Deutsche Außenhandelskammern, AHK, website in German).

The Intermediate Examination (Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung, ZMP) is proof that you have a good command of standard German - you should have had 800 to 1.000 lessons of German. At this level of proficiency you are able to speak and write about various topics correctly and also to understand rather demanding texts. Practically all colleges, many higher education institutions (Fachhochschulen) and some German universities accept this certificate as proof of sufficient knowledge of German for a course of study. With reference to the Common European Framework of Reference the Certificate in German corresponds to level C1.

The examination can be passed at the Goethe-Institutes, the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, the Carl Duisberg Centres (website only available in German) and other institutions.

The German Language Examination for University Entrance (DSH) is a requirement that allows foreign students admission to a German university. Further information about the DSH is provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), respectively by contacting the International Office of the university you wish to study at.

Preparatory courses for the German language proficiency test for foreign students (DSH) are provided by the Goethe Institute Mannheim and the Carl Duisberg Centres in Cologne.

TestDaF is an examination on an advanced level emphasizing the use of German in university-relevant contexts. Applicants should have attended at least 700 hours worth of German lessons, but proof of this is not required. The TestDaF is administered in 400 licensed test centres in almost 90 countries including Germany. Further informations are provided by the TestDaF-Institute (websites only available in German).

Examinations are also carried out in the Carl Duisberg Centres, the Goethe-Institute in Göttingen and Bremen as well as the Institute for Foreign Cultural Realtions. They all are licensed by the TestDaF Institute.

TestAS is a central standardised aptitude test for foreign students. TestAS gives prospective students information about their individual ranking compared to other applicants. With good results, they can improve their chances of being admitted for studies at a German university.

For further information on dates of examination, test centers and model test exercises see: http://www.testas.de/

The Advanced Level Examination (Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung, ZOP) demonstrates that you have a solid command of standard German. The skills needed for this exam will enable you to understand difficult texts and express yourself well orally and in writing. The ZOP is seen in the business world as certification of good German language skills for professional life. Completion of the ZOP will exempt you from the German language entrance examination for German universities.

The examination can passed at the Goethe-Institutes.

The Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom demonstrates that you have a solid command of standard German as spoken and understood across the country. You understand difficult authentic texts (primarily literary texts) and can express yourself well orally and in writing. This exam is comparable to the difficulty level of the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung, but also demonstrates general knowledge of German society and culture.

The examination can passed at the Goethe-Institutes.

The Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS) certifies an excellent command of German, close to that of a native speaker.

The examination can passed at the Goethe-Institutes.