German proficiency

Sound German language skills are essential for your academic success at Universität Hamburg.

Registration at our University requires all prospective students to submit proof of adequate German proficiency at the beginning of their first semester - at the latest! Submission deadlines are: 1 April for summer semester registration and 1 October for winter semester registration. Important note: please plan and prepare your German examinations well before sending in your application!

Hint for applicants from non-EU countries

Your can increase your chances of admission to BA and Staatsexamen programs by submitting your German language certificate together with your application. Candidates with exceptional German proficiency will earn bonus points in the admission procedure (pdf).

Test of German as a foreign language (TestDaF )

Universität Hamburg recommends the standardized language examination TestDaF (test of German as a foreign language). The TestDaF certificate is recgonized throughout Germany. It consists of four partial exams: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing skills, and oral expression. All partial exams you have passed will be evaluated according to the levels 3, 4, and 5. You need an overall score of 15 points earned with three partial exams on at least level 4 and one at level 3 to prove sufficient German proficiency for studying at UHH.

Test centers

430 Test centers all over the globe offer the TestDaF. In Hamburg you can choose from six accredited test centers.

Test dates

There are six dates on the yearly TestDaF schedule. If you want to start studying in the winter semester, we recommend that you prepare for the June TestDaF date (test registration period starts in April). Summer semester applicants ought to focus on the November test date prior to the Uni application (test registration period starts in September).

Hint: Make sure to have one further test date option for retaking the TestDaF! Only by sticking to the above test dates can you have an additional go before classes start.

Fees

The fees for the TestDaF vary according to the country. In Germany the current test cost total is approximately EUR 175, as of November 2012.

Hint for winter semester applicants

If you could not pass the TestDaF on time, you are allowed to register for the September test date (registration in July!). This exception allows you to be still on time for the winter semester.

Please submit proof of your registration for the late test date until 1 October personally at the Application and Admissions Team of the Services for Students (Service für Studierende, SfS). You will be subject to preliminary enrollment until you have received your test results at the end of October.

Please note: This exception only applies to the test date on 1 October. Later test dates are invalid for winter semester registration.

Accepted language certificates

Universität Hamburg accepts all of the following language certificates as proof of German proficiency - provided they do not date back more than three years:

Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (German language certificate from the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, KMK) – Level II.
Zeugnis der Deutschen Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber (certificate of the German language examination for foreign University applicants): level DSH-2.
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache für ausländische Studienbewerber, TestDaF (test of German as a foreign language) with a total result of TDN 15 from at least three partial exams passed at level 4 and one partial test passed at least at level 3.
Das Zeugnis der Prüfung zur Feststellung der Eignung ausländischer Studienbewerber für die Aufnahme eines Studiums an Hochschulen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Studienkolleg academic aptitude certificate for foreign applicants to German universities). Also accepted: passing the “German” part of the preparatory program at Studienkolleg in Hamburg.
German language proficiency as recognized by bilateral agreements or other agreements made by the KMK (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany) or HRK (German Rectors’ Conference)
The Große and Kleine Deutsche Sprachdiplom as well as the Zeugnis der Zentralen Oberstufenprüfung, ZOP from the Goethe-Institut (advanced language examininations). On 1 January 2012 these certificates were replaced with the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (advanced German language skills certificate).
Deutsche Sprachprüfung II (German language exam II) at the Munich Institute of Languages and Interpreting (SDI).

Preparatory German courses and exams

... in Hamburg

Universität Hamburg provides no preparatory German courses for prospective students. For German course offerings of other institutions, please visit: Hamburg course platform WISY. Just enter the desired language course level, e.g. C2.

You can take German proficiency exams at Hamburg's TestDaF centers or get the Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (advanced language certificate) from Goethe-Institut Hamburg.

The Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang, DSH (German language exam for higher education eligibility) is not offered in Hamburg. Currently the only institution close by that offers it is the Zentraleinrichtung Moderne Sprachen (central institute for modern languages) of Leuphana Universität Lüneburg.

Prospective students enrolled at Studienkolleg Hamburg or participating in a preparatory semester can take the required exams at Studienkolleg Hamburg.

... abroad

You can prepare for language exams even before your arrival in Hamburg. Many TestDaF centers offer various preparatory courses worldwide, e.g. the Goethe-Institut. Please check the pages of the German Academic Exchange (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, DAAD) for further tips on language exam preparation.

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| Last updated 27 March 2013 by Abt.2

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