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Will APS or the German visa office accept my medium of instruction letter instead of a language certificate?

12 Oct 2026 · Answered by Pushplata Gaddmwar · 1 min read
Quick Answer verified

No. APS and German visa authorities generally do not accept medium of instruction letters or exemption letters as substitutes for approved language certificates. You should submit proof of language proficiency matching your course’s language of instruction, such as IELTS, TOEFL, Goethe Certificate, ÖSD, DSD or TestDaF.

Pushplata Gaddmwar
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No, you cannot replace a language certificate with a medium of instruction letter. APS and German visa authorities generally do not accept MOI or exemption letters as substitutes for approved language certificates.

Accepted Language Certificates

CertificateNotes
IELTSGenerally accepted
TOEFLGenerally accepted
Goethe CertificateGenerally accepted
ÖSDGenerally accepted
DSDGenerally accepted
TestDaFGenerally accepted

What This Means for You

  • Language proof plays a role in both admission and visa processing.
  • Submit proof that matches the language of instruction of your course.
  • An MOI letter may help at some universities, but it will not replace the certificate for APS or the visa.

My Advice

Book an approved language test early so you are not left without a certificate at the visa stage. Confirm the accepted tests on the official pages before you register.

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