Do German universities require English language proficiency like IELTS, or do I need to learn German before starting in Germany for a Master's?
It depends on your program's language of instruction. English-taught Master's degrees need IELTS around 6.5 to 7.0, TOEFL 90 plus, or a Medium of Instruction certificate, with no German required. German-taught programs need no English test but demand B2 or C1 German proficiency through exams like TestDaF, DSH, or Goethe-Zertifikat.
Whether you need IELTS or German fluency depends entirely on which Master's program you choose, since Germany runs both English-taught and German-taught degrees side by side. If you pick an English-taught program, you can start without learning German first, but you still need to prove your English ability.
Requirements by Program Type
| Program Type | Language Test Needed | Typical Score |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught Master's | IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or MOI certificate waiver | IELTS 6.5 to 7.0, TOEFL 90 plus |
| German-taught Master's | TestDaF, DSH, or Goethe-Zertifikat | B2 to C1 level, TDN 4 or DSH-2 |
Ways to Skip the English Test
- Ask your prior university for a Medium of Instruction certificate if your Bachelor's was taught 100 percent in English, since many German universities waive IELTS entirely for this.
- Check if your target university also accepts the Duolingo English Test as an alternative to IELTS or TOEFL.
- Filter programs on DAAD by language of instruction early, since some universities strictly require IELTS while others accept the MOI letter.
My Advice
Request your Medium of Instruction certificate from your current university now, well before applications open, since it can save you the time and cost of sitting IELTS. Even if you choose an English-taught program, start learning basic conversational German at the A1 level so daily life feels far less overwhelming after you arrive.
What IELTS band do German universities actually need?
Know your target score, and how to hit it with free mock tests.
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