Are public universities in Europe requiring IELTS for admission and visa in Germany/France for a Master's?
Public universities in Germany and France generally request IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught Master's programs, but many waive this if you submit a Medium of Instruction certificate proving your Bachelor's was taught in English. Neither country's visa authorities set a separate English test requirement beyond what your university has accepted.
You do not always need to sit IELTS to study a Master's in Germany or France, even though most public universities list it as their standard requirement for English-taught programs. Your visa process in both countries simply follows whatever your university has already accepted for admission, so the real decision happens at the university stage.
Admission Rules at a Glance
| Country | Standard Rule | Common Exception |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL for English-taught Master's | Waived with a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate; Duolingo, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1/C2 sometimes accepted |
| France | IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or TOEFL for English-medium tracks | Waived with an MOI certificate, English transcripts, or an internal interview; Duolingo sometimes accepted |
What This Means for Your Visa
Neither the German Ausländerbehörde nor French consular authorities and Campus France mandate a specific English test for the visa itself. Once your public university's admission letter confirms your language proficiency is satisfied, whether through IELTS or an MOI waiver, the visa office accepts it as sufficient.
My Advice
Since there is no single rule across an entire country, check your specific department's admissions page for whether it accepts an MOI certificate, and email the international admissions office directly if the policy is not clearly stated, rather than assuming you must take IELTS.
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