German language skills
The language of instruction in most study programs at TH Köln is German. You are required to have an excellent command of the German language to successfully master your studies.
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What German language skills do I need to enroll at TH Köln?
Please note
German citizens, who have completed their school education abroad or at a foreign school in Germany, must also prove their German language skills with a certificate.
If you seek to obtain a degree at TH Köln, you need to have German language proficiency at the DSH 2 level (German language proficiency test for the admission of international students). TH Köln only accepts DSH certificates from universities whose DSH exams are registered with the German Rectors' Conference (HRK): You can find the lists "DSH-Registrierungen" and "Fern-DSH-Registrierungen" in the download section of the page.
Alternatively, you can prove your knowledge of German on this level by providing one of the following certificates upon enrollment:
- TestDaF with a total score of at least 16 points
- telc C1 Hochschule
- level II of the German Language Diploma of the German Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
- Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS)
- Passing the Feststellungsprüfung in German
- Austrian Language Diploma on the level of C2 (ÖSD C2)
- the Kleine Deutsche Sprachdiplom (Minor German Language Certificate) or Große Deutsche Sprachdiplom (Major German Language Certificate) (acquired after Dec 31, 2011)
- the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (Advanced Level Examination – ZOP) of the Goethe Institute or a Volkshochschule (acquired after Dec 31, 2011)
- successful graduation from a three year German-language univesity degree program in Germany
- successful completion of a three year vocational training in Germany
- successful graduation from a German-speaking secondary school in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Luxemburg or South Tyrol
- European Higher Education Entrance Qualification from a European School completed with an exam in German as first language (L1) or second language (L2)
- Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureate (GIB) at foreign schools with German lessons
- US-Advanced-Placement-TEST (AP) in the subject German
- additional certificates according to the resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany
What is the minimum required German language level I need to prove for the application?
Please note
German citizens, who have completed their school education abroad or at a foreign school in Germany, must also prove their German language skills with a certificate.
Should you not have obtained one of the language certificates stated above by the time of applying, you may apply with one of the following language certificates or test scores.
- a C1 language certificate in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- DSH 1
- a DSH certificate from universities whose DSH exams are not registered with the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) (list of HRK-registered DSH-exam [in German])
- TestDaF with at least three points in each section
- ÖSD certificate C1
- a German "mittlerer Schulabschluss"
- successful graduation from a university degree program majoring German philology, German language and literary studies or German linguistics
Current certificate of participation in one of the following examinations
- DSH examination (oral and/or written part) at a higher education institution
- TestDaF examination
- telc German C1 Hochschule examination
Current certificate of attendance at one of the following language courses
- DSH preparatory course at a university
Current examination registration for one of the following language examinations
- DSH
- TestDaF
- telc German C1 University
- Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, Level 2
- Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS)
Please note that you can only start your studies if you can present a DSH certificate at the DSH-2 level or an equivalent language certificate for enrollment. Please inform yourself about the language certificates accepted by TH Köln under "What German language skills do I need to enroll at TH Köln?".
In case you cannot present a DSH 2 certificate or equivalent certificate during enrollment, you may take part in the DSH exam at TH Köln's Language Learning Center.
I am applying for a program with English as language of instruction - which language skills do I need to prove?
TH Köln offers international programs taught entirely in English. In these programs, you are not required to be proficient in German.
Please make sure to read up on which proof of English language proficiency you need to submit with your application on the websites of the individual Programs you are interested in.
Should you have questions about the application or the admission to TH Köln, please contact the Team International Degree-Seeking Students.
