Which English proficiency test suits a graduate in Germany applying to Germany or France with 1 year of work experience and IELTS 5.5?

Your current IELTS 5.5 is likely to close off a meaningful number of English-taught programmes in Germany and France, so the decision is less about which test to take and more about whether to retake IELTS or switch tests entirely.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE

Germany vs France: What Actually Changes

• Germany: lean toward IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT; a previous degree completed in Germany does not automatically waive the English test, since each master's programme sets its own rule.
• France: requirements can be more flexible; Campus France currently lists over 1,600 programmes taught wholly or partly in English, and some institutions do not require IELTS or TOEFL at all, though others do.
• Duolingo English Test: do not make this your primary plan; acceptance is far less universal across both countries than IELTS or TOEFL.

My Advice

Your 1 year of work experience is a genuine plus on your profile, but it generally does not compensate for an English score sitting below a programme's stated minimum, so I would not rely on it to offset the gap. Retake IELTS with a real preparation plan rather than switching tests hoping for an easier result; a targeted retake is usually faster than researching which universities quietly accept a lower-recognition test.

This Information Is Also Available On

Campus France's own guidance on higher education and English-taught programmes in France.