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.
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 ITP TOEFL iBT (bis 20.1.26) TOEFL iBT (ab 21.1.26) | Level 1 (677-627) 113 - 95 5.5 - 5 |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7.0 |
| PTE Academic | 76 points |
| TOEIC (Listening & Reading + Writing & Speaking) | L&R: 945 |
| Cambridge CAE / CPE | C1 |
| UNIcert | III |
| IB Diploma | English A HL |
| ESOL | C1 |
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 (Master): if you have obtained your bachelor’s degree in an English-taught programme in an OECD country you do not need to provide additional proof of language proficiency.
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).