Should I take the German language certification first or the English language test first for a Master's?

The right order depends entirely on your program's language of instruction, not on which test feels easier to prepare for first.

Match the Test to Your Program Type

• English-taught program: take the English test, IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, first. It is usually the more immediately relevant requirement for admission and also covers Germany's visa proof-of-English rule.
• German-taught program: prioritise the German certification, such as TestDaF, DSH or telc C1 Hochschule, since the required German level is often essential for admission itself.
• Still undecided between the two: start with English, since it keeps both English-taught and many international-track options open while you research the exact German requirements for your shortlist.

Why This Matters More Than It Looks

Committing months to a German certification before confirming your target programs are actually German-taught can waste significant preparation time if you eventually shortlist mostly English-taught courses, and the reverse is equally true for a program that turns out to require B2 German for admission.

My Advice

In my experience, students underestimate how much clarity on the degree and subject changes this answer. Once you know your intended degree, subject and whether you are targeting an English- or German-taught program, the required test and target score become straightforward to confirm directly against each university's own admissions page rather than guessing from general advice.

Typical Prep Time for Each Test

Budget roughly 6 to 8 weeks of focused study to move IELTS from a mid-band score to the 6.5 to 7.0 range most master's programs require, assuming you are already comfortable in English. TestDaF preparation from a near-beginner level to the TDN 4 threshold typically takes 6 to 12 months of structured coursework, which is the main reason to confirm your program's teaching language early rather than defaulting to whichever test feels more familiar.