If I am taking a postgraduate course in Germany, do I have to complete language level one or two before going there?
No, you do not automatically need German A1 or A2 before an English taught Master's in Germany, since IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 or TOEFL 90 plus covers your visa and admission. If your program is taught in German, you need B2 or C1, proven through TestDaF, DSH or Goethe Zertifikat.
Whether you need a German language level before your postgraduate course depends entirely on the language your program is taught in, not on a blanket rule. If your Master's is in English, you can get admitted and get your visa without any German at all. If it is taught in German, you must prove an advanced level before your course even starts.
What You Actually Need, By Program Type
| Program Type | Language Proof You Need |
|---|---|
| English taught Master's | IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 or TOEFL 90 plus, no German required |
| German taught Master's | B2 or C1, via TestDaF (TDN 4), DSH Level 2, or Goethe Zertifikat |
| Conditional admission (bedingte Zulassung) | Entry on a language learning visa if you hold B1/B2 but need C1 |
If Your German Is Not Quite There Yet
- You can enter Germany on a language learning or conditional student applicant visa if your certificate is close to the requirement.
- You complete an intensive German course in Germany and clear the university's entrance exam before lectures begin.
- Even for English taught programs, basic A1 or A2 German makes daily life, housing and grocery shopping noticeably easier once you land.
My Advice
Confirm your program's language of instruction on the university's course page before you assume you are exempt, since this single detail decides whether you need IELTS or a B2/C1 German certificate. If you are even slightly short of the German requirement, ask your target university directly about conditional admission rather than delaying your application by a full intake.
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