Language proficiency

  1. Kempten University of Applied Sciences
  2. International
  3. Incoming
  4. International degree-seeking students

Evidence of sufficient knowledge of German

Degree programmes taught in German (bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes)

The general requirements for studying on degree programmes stipulate that applicants who are not equivalent to Germans must provide evidence that they are sufficiently proficient in German to study at university. The minimum standard of German required is Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) set by the Council of Europe . It goes without saying that evidence of a higher level of proficiency is certainly also accepted.

The following certificates of sufficient language proficiency are admissible for this purpose:

  • “Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz” – Level 2

  • “Zeugnis der Deutschen Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber” (DSH examination), at least Level 2 (Level 1 is not sufficient)

  • “Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache” (TestDaF) achieving at least TestDaF TDN 3 (previously Level 3) in all four sections

  • “Zeugnis der Prüfung zur Feststellung der Eignung ausländischer Studienbewerber für die Aufnahme eines Studiums an Hochschulen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland” (“Feststellungsprüfung” – assessment test), with a result of at least “sufficient” in German

  • Goethe‑Zertifikat B2, Goethe‑Zertifikat C1 or Goethe‑Zertifikat C2: GDS (The Goethe Institut’s “Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung” (ZOP), “Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom” (KDS) and “Große Deutsche Sprachdiplom” (GDS) are still accepted).

  • “Deutsche Sprachprüfung II” from the “Sprachen- und Dolmetscher-Institut München” (two-year course completed with a final examination)

  • telc German B2 or telc German C1 University

  • Evidence of proficiency in German that has been accepted in bilateral or other agreements by the Conference of Minsters of Culture (KMK) or the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) as sufficient for admission to study at university.

Kempten University of Applied Sciences stipulates just the following two exceptions:

  • Master’s degree programme in Logistics (taught in German): Proficiency in German required at Level C1 of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages
  • Master’s degree programme in Automation and Robotics(taught in German): Proficiency in German required at Level C1 of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages
  • Master’s degree programme in Electrical Engineering (taught in English): For this degree programme taught entirely in English you must provide evidence of at least a basic understanding of German (Level A1 GER). Details of the acceptable forms of evidence of the level of English proficiency required for this degree programme can be found here.
  • Master’s degree programme in Global Business Development (taught in English): For this degree programme taught entirely in English you must provide evidence of at least a basic understanding of German (Level A1 GER). Details of the acceptable forms of evidence of the level of English proficiency required for this degree programme can be found here.