For more detailed information, please change to the German version of this website.

Language requirements (German/English)

Welcome to the Berlin University of the Arts!

Depending on the study programme, you will need different language skills. Information on the required language skills and levels for each study programme can be found in the ApplicationGuide.

For most study programmes you will need German language skills, for some English language skills.

On this page you will find all the information about the language certificates you need for your studies at UdK Berlin. Separate regulations apply to the courses in church music, composition, conducting, harpsichord / fortepiano,  orchestral instruments, organ / organ improvisation and piano. Please consult the Application Guide for further information

 

FAQs for German language skills

  • Are you applying for a study programme that requires a German B2 language certificate and are unable to submit it by the application deadline?

    If you can present a German B1 language certificate, it is still possible to apply. Please submit the relevant certificate with your application.

    Important:

    • Unfortunately, your application is not complete without proof of language proficiency.
    • For enrolment, you need the full German language level B2.
    • A good knowledge of German will help you in your studies and in everyday life.
       

    Language certificates (only for the application, not for enrollment):

    • Completed language course B1 (certificate of attendance)
    • Completed language course B2 (certificate of attendance)
    • Placement test B2 (e.g. from OnSet)
      Online self-assessment tests without personal identification are not sufficient!

  • Are you applying for a study programme that requires a German C1 language certificate and are unable to submit it by the application deadline?

    If you can present a German B2 language certificate, it is still possible to apply. Please submit the relevant certificate with your application.

    Important:

    • Unfortunately, your application is not complete without proof of language proficiency.
    • For enrolment, you need the full German language level C1.
    • A good knowledge of German will help you in your studies and in everyday life.
       

    Language certificates (only for the application, not for enrollment):

    • Completed language course B2 (certificate of attendance)
    • Completed language course C1 (certificate of attendance)
    • Placement test C1 (e.g. from OnSet)
      Online self-assessment tests without personal identification are not sufficient!

  • School qualifications, university degrees and apprenticeship / professional training:

    • German-language school qualifications (e.g. Abitur, AbiBac, MSA)
    • German-language university degrees, if at least a B2 level was required for the course of study
    • Professional training in accordance with German law (e.g. journeyman's certificate, master craftsman's certificate)
       

    Language certificates:

    • DSH 1
    • Telc B2 
    • Goethe Institute B2 or C1 certificate
    • German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - First Level (DSD I)
    • Assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) of the preparatory college (Studienkolleg)
    • TestDaF with at least level 3/3/4/4 in the sub-tests (order is not decisive)
    • ÖSD B2 
    • All official language tests B2 according to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
       

    Other (applies to applications for the 2026 summer semester only):

    The following nationalities are exempt from the German language requirement:

    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Liechtenstein

    The following nationalities are exempt from the German language requirement if they can prove that they grew up and went to school in a German-speaking region of their country (e.g., by providing German-language school reports):

    • German-speaking Belgium
    • German-speaking Italy (e.g. Bolzano)
    • German-speaking Luxembourg
    • German-speaking Switzerland

  • School qualifications, university degrees and apprenticeship / professional training:

    • German-language school qualifications (e.g. Abitur, AbiBac, MSA)
    • German-language university degrees, if at least a C1 level was required for the course of study
    • Professional training in accordance with German law (e.g. journeyman's certificate, master craftsman's certificate)
       

    Language certificates:

    • DSH 2
    • Telc C1 
    • Goethe Institute C2 certificate (the C1 certificate is not sufficient)
    • German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - Second Level (DSD II)
    • Assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) of the preparatory college (Studienkolleg)
    • TestDaF with at least level 4 in all the sub-tests 
    • ÖSD C1
    • All official language tests C1 according to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

     

    Other (applies to applications for the 2026 summer semester only):

    The following nationalities are exempt from the German language requirement:

    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Liechtenstein

    The following nationalities are exempt from the German language requirement if they can prove that they grew up and went to school in a German-speaking region of their country (e.g., by providing German-language school reports):

    • German-speaking Belgium
    • German-speaking Italy (e.g. Bolzano)
    • German-speaking Luxembourg
    • German-speaking Switzerland

  • School qualifications, university degrees and apprenticeship / professional training:

    • German-language school qualifications (e.g. Abitur, AbiBac, MSA)
    • German-language university degrees, if at least a C1 level was required for the course of study
    • Professional training in accordance with German law (e.g., journeyman's certificate, master craftsman's certificate)
       

    Language certificates:

    • DSH 2
    • Telc C1 - University
    • Goethe Institute C2 certificate (the C1 certificate is not sufficient)
    • German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - Second Level (DSD II)
    • Assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) of the preparatory college (Studienkolleg)
    • TestDaF with at least level 4 in all the sub-tests 
    • ÖSD C1

     

    Other (applies to applications for the 2026 summer semester only):

    The following nationalities are exempt from the German language requirement:

    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Liechtenstein

    The following nationalities are exempt from the German language requirement if they can prove that they grew up and went to school in a German-speaking region of their country (e.g., by providing German-language school reports):

    • German-speaking Belgium
    • German-speaking Italy (e.g. Bolzano)
    • German-speaking Luxembourg
    • German-speaking Switzerland

FAQs for English language skills

  • Are you applying for a study programme that requires an English B2 language certificate and are unable to submit it by the application deadline?

    If you can present an English B1 language certificate, it is still possible to apply. Please submit the relevant certificate with your application.

    Important:

    • Unfortunately, your application is not complete without proof of language proficiency.
    • For enrolment, you need the full English language level B2.

  • Secondary school qualifications from:

    • Australia
    • Canada (excluding qualifications from the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick)
    • USA (High School Degree)
    • British and International GCE A-Level Certificates
    • Irish Leaving Certificate
    • New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement
    • Scottish Qualifications Certificate
       

    University degrees from:

    • Australia
    • Great Britain
    • Ireland
    • Canada (except degrees from the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick)
    • New Zealand
    • USA
       

    Language certificates:

    • APTIS Advanced (British Council):  B2 in all partial results
    • B2 Advanced (Cambridge): B2
    • IELTS Academic B2: 5,5 till 6,5  
    • iTEP Academic-Plus: 5,0   
    • Pearson PTE Academic: 59 till 75
    • TELC English: B2 
    • TELC English B2·C1 University 
    • TOEFL iBT: 72 till 94* or TOEFL ITP Level 1 (543 till 626)
    • Verified TrackTest English Complete test: B2 
      *TOEFL MyBest Scores will not be accepted

  • University degrees from:

    • Australia
    • Great Britain
    • Ireland
    • Canada (except degrees from the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick)
    • New Zealand
    • USA
       

    Language certificates:

    • APTIS Advanced (British Council):  C1 overall results  
    • C1 Advanced (Cambridge): C1 
    • IELTS Academic B2: 6,5  
    • iTEP Academic-Plus: 5,0   
    • Pearson PTE Academic: 76 
    • TELC English: C1 
    • TELC English B2·C1 University 
    • TOEFL iBT: 100*  
    • Verified TrackTest English Complete test: C1 
      *TOEFL MyBest Scores will not be accepted