German Skills for Application & Registration for Degree Programs

German language skills on a high level are an essential precondition for studying.

For application at Freie Universitaet Berlin proof of completion of one of the following examination is required:

• TestDaF (German as a Foreign Language) with at least the grade of 3 in all four parts
• Level B2 CEFR (= Mittelstufe II)

For enrollment German language skills have to be proved on a higher level:

• TestDaF with at least the grade of 4 in allfour parts
• an equivalent (pdf-file, in German)
• If you can not prove skills at the level of TestDaF TDN-4 (in all four parts) or a recognized equivalent upon application you will be invited to take the DSH-test at the Sprachenzentrum at the Freie Universität. The test takes place before the beginning of the lecture period. All necessary information can be found in the letter of invitation to the DSH test. For full enrollment for your degree program, you must prove the minimum level of DSH 2 (equivalent to TestDaF level 4 in all four parts). Exception: only Bachelor's and Master's programs in German Language and Literature require TestDaF TDN-5 in all four parts or the DSH-3. Sample tests can be found on the website of Sprachenzentrum.

Detailed information can be obainted from the exam regulation (pdf-file, in German).

In addition to German proficiency, a number of subjects require proof of additional language skills upon application and/or enrollment.

No German test is required from participants in exchange programs, for graduate programs taught in English (including Master programs of the Charité), and for some doctoral programs.

Since between application and registration there is only little time to improve your German skills, you are strongly recommended to apply with German skills at the level of TestDaF 4 in all four parts, or an equivalent. Only in this case you will not have to take the DSH or any other German test .

German Skills for the Studienkolleg

The Studienkolleg of Freie Universität Berlin is designed to prepare applicants without a recognized university entry qualification during one year for the Assessment Exam which is the application prerequisite for any degree program application. Part of the Assessment Exam is a German test at DSH-2 or DSH-3 level.

With your application you have to send in an adequate school leaving certificate as well as a proof of German skills at the minimum level of Mittelstufe 1 (equivalent: DSH-1, TestDaF level 3, completed B2.1-course of the CEF, participation in B2.2-course of the CEF).

Learning German

Freie Universität Berlin's Sprachenzentrum offers pre-semester and summer classes at an advanced level. To prepare for the TestDaF or DSH German classes can be taken at the Goethe-Institut, at private language schools in Germany, or in the student's home country. The DAAD offers information about summer language courses in Germany.