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TestDaF (German language examination) at Osnabrück University
The Language Center at Osnabrück University offers to take the TestDaF with them.
Language requirements
You must meet certain language proficiency requirements for all degree programs at Osnabrück University. In most cases, these requirements include knowledge of the German language. However, some degree programs require additional foreign language proficiency. Osnabrück University also offers some Master's degree programs taught in English.
You will learn which language requirements you must meet and which language certificates are recognized on this webpage.
To study at Osnabrück University, you will require very good German language skills. Language skills are proven in a DSH examination (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) or TestDaF (Deutsch als Fremdsprache) with a certain result. The DSH examination can be taken in Germany and TestDaF can be sat in your home country. We advise you to take the TestDaF in your home country. There are various TestDaF centers all over the world. You can also take the TestDaF at our Language Center.
The DSH examination is divided into three different levels: DSH 1, DSH 2 and DSH 3. To find out which DSH or TestDaF level you require to study your chosen program at Osnabrück University, please refer to the lists of undergraduate and graduate programs. You can find detailed information about how to prepare for the DSH exam as well as DSH examples on the websites of many German universities
We regret that Osnabrück University does not offer any preparatory German language courses for prospective students. This means that, to be admitted to Osnabrück University, applicants must enclose proof of the necessary language skills with their application. Your proof of language skills may not be older than around two years.
If you have not taken the DSH examination or you do not hold any other equivalent test certificate on a C1-German level yet, you may still apply for if you have aquired a recognized B2-German certificate. If your application is successful, you will be admitted to Osnabrück University provisionaly. In this case you must submit a recognized C1-German certificate at the latest by the time of enrollment.
The following documents will exempt you from having to take the DSH examination or TestDaF:
- secondary school diploma (Abitur) from a German school
- passing an assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) from a preparatory course taken in Germany (Studienkolleg)
- German language diploma: Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe II (with C1 in all parts of the diploma)
- Goethe-Certificate C2 from the Goethe Institute
- TELC C1 Hochschule
- A DSH 2 examination from another German institution of higher education
- ÖSD C1
In addition to these documents there are other certificates which exempt from having to take the DSH or TestDaF examination.
In certain cases, you do not have to take the DSH or TestDaF examination if:
- you have been accepted to a short-term program (Kurzzeitstudium)
- you are a PhD candidate in a School that allows you to complete your PhD in a foreign language
In a number of degree programs, proof of sufficient additional foreign language proficiency is required for admission to the degree program. Please refer to our overviews of language requirements at the bottom of this page to find out which language level of proficiency is required.
On the following webpage you will find information on recognized language tests for English, French and Spanish.
For some Master's programs, you do not need to provide a German language proficiency certificate, as these degree courses are exclusively in English.
However, please note that you may need to present an English language proficiency for these programs. Please refer to our overviews of language requirements at the bottom of this page to find out which language level of proficiency is required. On the following webpage you will find information on recognized language tests for English
