Entrance Exams to Study In Germany

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on Apr 21, 2022 11:09 AM IST

Germany, with its global exposure and world-class education, never fails to be one of the top desired destinations for international students to study abroad. Let us check out what are the entrance exams needed to study in Germany.

Entrance Exams to Study In Germany

Known as an engineering hub and famous for its low tuition, Germany is one of the top favourite destinations for studying abroad among international students. Studying in Germany can be a rewarding decision for international students, especially Indian students. Not only do the students get to benefit from a practical-oriented education system, but also enjoy the culture, scenic beauty, and student life in general. 

The global exposure and job opportunities provided by German universities and the country as a whole are collectively an added advantage to international students. This is the reason why it is the most favoured destination for higher studies by international students. Germany also funds public universities so that the students can have the opportunity to get tuition-free education in Germany. 

As lucrative as it sounds to study in Germany, admission to German universities is equally challenging. International students need to fulfil various admission criteria and subject requirements set by individual German universities to be eligible for admission. From language proficiency tests (English and German) to other entrance exams like standardised tests, applicants need to be aware of all these exams to study in Germany. 

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Entrance Exams to Study Bachelors in Germany

In order to shortlist courses in Germany, it is important to first know what the undergraduate programme structure is and the eligibility requirement for admissions in these courses in Germany. Universities in the country require the candidates to be at par with the German Equivalent of a "Hochschulzugangsberechtigung" (HZB) which is essentially a university entrance test. Here are a few exams needed to study in Germany to get into a university for an undergraduate course in Germany. 

JEE Advanced

Yes, JEE Advanced is also treated as one of the entrance exams to study in Germany for Indian students. If a candidate has cleared Joint Entrance Examinations then it can be beneficial for them to pursue STEM-related courses in German universities. Almost all the German universities have set criteria for Indian students that should have cleared the IIT JEE or JEE Advanced exam. Candidates can apply to a German university if they have cleared JEE and skip the one-year bridge programme 'Studienkolleg'. However, along with the JEE score, Indian candidates must hold a German C1 or C2 level certificate.

FSP

Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) is an assessment test that is required to be taken by international students at the beginning of their studies i.e for those who want to pursue an undergraduate course in a German university. If an international student clears the test then they are entitled to study at German universities of applied sciences.

However, not all German universities ask to clear the FSP, so make sure to check the eligibility criteria carefully. These entrance exams to study in Germany are subject-specific and would be administered based on the subject the candidate is applying for. The FSP take place twice a year at the end of each semester

Entrance Exams to Study Masters in Germany

German universities provide some English-taught programmes for postgraduate degrees to both national and international students. The programmes are not only affordable but also come with an award-winning curriculum that puts emphasis on providing students with hands-on experience for a better future. Let us take a look at what are the entrance exams to study in Germany for master's programmes.

GRE

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is widely accepted in various business schools for masters and other postgraduate level courses in Germany. This entrance exam is required to enter various higher education institutions, especially if the candidates wish to pursue engineering. There is a specific cut-off score that is expected by some of the universities. Candidates should check all the eligibility criteria and then apply to the desired universities. 

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

Many business schools and management institutes in Germany prefer Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) over other exams as their prerequisite and can be treated as an entrance exam needed to study in Germany. The test consists of four sections: analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning that assess a candidate's holistic academic capabilities and approach. GMAT is an aptitude test that tests students’ aptitude, especially those who want to do an MBA in Germany. Every year thousands of students take this test to be eligible for various management courses all over the world. Top business schools and management master's courses require the GMAT score as one of the entrance exams to study in Germany.

Language Proficiency Tests to Study in Germany 

Various top universities in Germany offer programmes majorly in two languages - German and English - as the medium of instruction. So, accordingly, international candidates will have to take the required language proficiency test to be eligible to study at a German university. 

German Language Proficiency Test

If the candidate is planning to study at any German University where communication is not English, the candidate needs to pass one of the two German Language proficiency Tests; TestDAF or DSH, recognized by all German universities and institutions. 

Indian students who want to study at German universities taught in the English language must not take these exams needed to study in Germany because the medium of communication and teaching will be in English.

TestDaf

TestDaf stands for Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache which means Test of German as a Foreign Language and a globally recognised German language proficiency test. 

The German language test assesses four language skills separately - Listening, Reading Comprehension, Written, Oral. Currently, the exam is being conducted six times a year in around 450 test centres in 9600+ countries worldwide.

In India, Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan offers the TestDaf with five test centres spread across Bangalore, Pune, Coimbatore, New Delhi, and Chennai. After the announcement of the results, the candidates will receive a certificate within five to six weeks.

DSH

Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) is often conducted individually by universities in Germany. The test follows a steady pattern to assess a candidate's ability through its reading, writing, comprehension or listening and speaking skills. The test results are graded into three levels - DSH-1, DSH-2, and DSH-3. The DSH has no test centre in India or any other country, except Germany. 

English Proficiency Test

Proficiency in English is one of the non-negotiable prerequisites to getting admission to a Master’s course in Germany. TOEFL and IELTS are two widely accepted English language tests all around the globe.

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), one of the English proficiency tests, is conducted by Educational Testing Service (ETS). TOEFL measures the English speaking skills or the proficiency of non-native English speakers who have enrolled in German universities for English-taught programmes. TOEFL score is accepted by more than 10,000 universities around the world and the scores are scaled from 0 to 120.

IELTS

IELTS Academic is also a widely accepted English proficiency test by many English-speaking universities. Almost all German universities accept the test score of IELTS that assesses the candidates based on four criteria of Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. The average IELTS score to study in Germany depends on the university you choose. Few universities do not ask for IELTS at all. So, if students are unable to sit for TOEFL, IELTS is another English proficiency exam that can be submitted to study in top German universities.

German universities are essentially independent entities, so international students should check the test requirements of their respective universities before preparing for these entrance exams. Additionally, language tests are also equally important, be it English or German. Students are advised to do all exams preparation well in advance for the above-mentioned language tests and exams needed to study in Germany to ensure a smooth application process.

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