Are there any specific exams required for applying to German public universities?
There is no single entrance exam for German public universities. For German taught programs you need TestDaF or DSH, for English taught programs IELTS or TOEFL, and if your certificate is not Abitur equivalent you may need Studienkolleg and its Feststellungsprüfung exam. Postgraduate programs sometimes require the GRE or GMAT.
You will not face one universal entrance exam, like the SAT, when applying to German public universities. Instead, the specific exams you need depend heavily on your educational background, the language of instruction and your chosen field of study.
Exams You May Need By Category
| Category | Exams |
|---|---|
| German Taught Programs | TestDaF (TDN 4 in all sections) or DSH (usually DSH-2 or DSH-3) |
| English Taught Programs | IELTS Academic (around 6.5) or TOEFL iBT (around 90+) |
| Non-Abitur Equivalent Certificates | Studienkolleg entrance exam, then the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) |
| Postgraduate Business or STEM Programs | GRE or GMAT, requested by some competitive courses |
| Art, Design, Music or Medicine | University administered talent or aptitude tests, such as the TMS for medicine |
Other Academic Aptitude Tests To Know About
Some universities also recommend or require the TestAS, a Test for International Students that assesses academic aptitude and cognitive skills specifically for non-EU applicants. Creative programs in art, design and music almost always add an internal talent or aptitude test alongside your portfolio, while highly restricted fields like human medicine may involve the TMS depending on the federal state and university.
My Advice
Confirm your degree level and target field first, since a Bachelor's applicant faces a very different exam list than someone applying for a Master's or MBA. Check each university's admission page directly for its exact accepted language certificates, since minimum scores can vary between institutions even for the same test.
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