German language skills

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Sufficient German language skills are an important admission requirement for most degree programmes. If your German language skills are not quite sufficient, we offer you the opportunity to prove them before the start of the semester. Find out here which certificates are sufficient for taking up your studies or for participation in the DSH examination, a German course or the Studienkolleg (foundation course).

 

Overview of language certificates

The following overview shows you which language certificates entitle you to study, to take the DSH examination, to attend a German course or to attend the foundation course. Further down on this page you will find a diagram showing the path to starting your studies, which results from your language skills and level of education.

    Accepted language certificates

    The following certificates entitle to study at the University of Kassel:

    German Language Examination for University Admission (DSH)

    This examination can be taken at a registered university. The DSH is subdivided into three levels. DSH-2 is required for taking up your studies.
    Exception:
    For the following degree programmes only DSH-1 is required: artistic degree programmes (visual arts, visual communication and product design) and our Master degree programme English and American Studies.

    You can prove sufficient language skills with one of the following school certificates:

    • German-language educational achievements from countries such as Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland.
    • Maturity diplomas from schools with German as the language of instruction from the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/South Tyrol (Italy).
    • Upper secondary school leaving certificate from the German-speaking community of the Kingdom of Belgium.
    • The German certificate in the French Diplôme du Baccalauréat obtained after attending a bilingual German-French branch of a secondary school.
    • US Advanced Placement exam (AP exam) in German.
    • Higher Grade in the subject "German" in the Scottish Certificate of Education.
    • Graduation certificate of the International Section of German at the Liceo Gimnasiale "Luigi Galvani" in Bologna.
    • Bilingual Leaving Certificate of the German-Irish secondary school at St. Kilian's German School, Dublin.
    • The final certificate of the bilingual departments at the Liceo Ginnasio Statale "Romagnosi" in Parma and at the Liceo Classico Statale Socrate in Bari.
    • A-Level "German" of the British General Certificate of Education. 
    • Secondary school leaving certificate from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
    • Certificate of completion of the international department of German at the Liceo Classico "Guiseppe Garibaldi" in Naples.

    Further accepted language certificates

      Services offered by the Language Centre

      If your German language skills are not yet sufficient for studying, the International Study Centre (ISZ)/Language Centre of the University of Kassel offers preparatory courses for the DSH examination as well as a DSH examination itself (every March and September).

      In order to take part in these courses, you must have applied for a degree programme and received conditional admission from the University of Kassel.

      Requirements for participation

      To take part in a preparatory course for the DSH examination, you must provide proof of German language skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) AND at least 600 lessons in the subject German at the time of your application.

      To take the DSH examination, you must provide proof of German language skills at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) AND at least 1000 lessons in the subject German.

      Further possible language certificates can be found in the pdf "Overview of language certificates".

      Detailed information on requirements for participation, course duration and fees as well as examination dates can be found on the website of the International Language Centre (ISZ).

        Participation in the Studienkolleg of the University of Kassel

        To participate in the Studienkolleg, you must provide evidence of German language skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) AND at least 400 teaching hours in the subject German when you apply.
        Possible language certificates can be found in the pdf "Overview of language certificates" at the top of this page.

          Possible paths to starting your studies

          This diagram shows the possible paths to starting your studies - depending on your previous knowledge of German and level of education. If you are uncertain about the right path for yourself, please take another look at the overview of language certificates at the top of the page. The color coding there is the same as in the diagram.

          Go-Link of this page: www.uni-kassel.de/go/German-language-skills