Language Certificate
German language certificate
If you obtained your higher education entrance qualification in a non-German-speaking country, you will need proof of German language skills. This also applies if you have German citizenship but obtained your degree abroad.
Recognised language tests and minimum requirements
| German Language Proficiency Test for University Admission (German: DSH) | DSH-2 or higher |
|---|---|
| Test of German as a foreign language (TestDaF) | TestDaF at least TDN 4 (4/4/4/4) or higher |
| Assessment test (AT) | AT with German exam section based on the DSH |
| German Language Diploma of the German Standing Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (DSD) | German Language Diploma - Second Level (DSD II) |
| Goethe Certificate | The Goethe Certificate C2: Major German Language Diploma (German: GDS) |
| telc - language tests | telc German C1 University |
| Austrian Language Diploma | ÖSD C2 |
| UNIcert | II |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) with German as an examination subject | German A HL min. 6 |
Special regulations
- Preparatory course (Studienkolleg): German language certificate at B2 level required
- Study programmes with aptitude test (except Communication Design): German language certificate at B2 level required
DSH examination at HTW Berlin
You have the opportunity to take the DSH examination directly at HTW Berlin.
HTW Foundation: Preparing for a degree programme in Germany
![[Translate to Englisch:] Illustration: Eine Person hält ein Fernrohr und blickt neugierig von einem kreativ dargestellten blauen Graduation-Hut-Flugobjekt in den grünen Himmel mit weißen Wolken.](http://www.htw-berlin.de/fileadmin/_processed_/0/e/csm_iStock-1326051699_f4d38d2b67.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Illustration: Eine Person hält ein Fernrohr und blickt neugierig von einem kreativ dargestellten blauen Graduation-Hut-Flugobjekt in den grünen Himmel mit weißen Wolken. © iStock.com - Nuthawut Somsuk")
The fee-based Foundation Programme at HTW Berlin provides optimal language, methodological and intercultural preparation for a bachelor's or master's degree programme in Germany.
English language certificate
Proof of English language proficiency is required to apply for an English-language degree programme. Such proof must not be older than two years at the time of application.
Recognised language tests and minimum requirements
| TOEFL iBT & iBT Home Edition | 95 points |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7.0 |
| PTE Academic | 76 points |
| TOEIC (Listening & Reading + Writing & Speaking) | 945 + 160 points |
| Cambridge CAE / CPE | C1 |
| UNIcert | III |
| IB Diploma | English A HL |
Further language tests can be recognised after individual examination by the respective examination board.
Regulations for individual degree programmes
- International Business (Bachelor) and Cyber Security and Business (Bachelor): if you obtained your higher education entrance qualification in an English-speaking OECD country, proof of language proficiency is not required.
- International Business (Bachelor and Master): in the TOEIC, you must achieve a minimum score of 490 (listening), 455 (reading), 180 (speaking) and 180 (writing) in all four competence areas.
English in the German Abitur (secondary school leaving examination)
- The German Abitur with English as a foreign language does not count as proof of language proficiency.
- An additional test is not required in case of a bilingual Abitur (German/English).