Individual study programmes at the University of Konstanz come with various language requirements. Depending on which study programme you are taking, you will need to demonstrate that your language ability matches the required level. Generally, language skills are divided into the following categories:
Language skills
To have language proficiency means that your ability matches at least level B2 of the Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmens für Sprachen (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). If you have earned your higher education entrance qualification in Germany, then you can document your language skills using this certificate. This is acceptable if you have taken four years of language classes at the “Sekundarstufe” level (in secondary school) with the final grade “ausreichend” (sufficient) or three years of the language taken at “Sekundarstufe II” level with classes taken right up to the Abitur and with an average grade from the last four semesters of at least “ausreichend” (sufficient).
Basic skills or passive knowledge
To have “basic language skills” or “passive knowledge” means that your ability matches at least level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. If you have earned your higher education entrance qualification in Germany, then you can document your language skills using this certificate. Two years of language classes at the “Sekundarstufe” level (in secondary school) with a final grade of “ausreichend” (sufficient) fulfil the requirement.
Latinum and Graecum
If you have earned your higher education entrance qualification in Germany, you may prove your Latin and Greek skills (Latinum and Graecum) using this certificate. Alternatively, you can also submit the the results of your examination taken at the Regierungspräsidium Freiburg (regional council in Freiburg).
Some study programmes require foreign language skillsor the Graecumor Latinum . You can acquire the necessary language skills while you study by taking classes at the university’s Language Institute. These skills are not required for admission to your studies. Proof of language ability should be submitted in time for the orientation test after two semesters of study.
Since most courses are taught in German, all applicants who did not earn their higher education entrance qualification at a German or German-language school need to provide documentation of sufficient German language skills. Usually, to document your German language skills, the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) (German language test for university entrance) will suffice. The DSH exam is available for different proficiency levels. Besides your DSH certificate, you may also submit other approved language tests or approved school certificates .
Approved language exams
- TestDaF. This exam is available at the following locations in and around Konstanz: 1. Humboldt-Institut e.V. Konstanz, 2. Dialoge Sprachinstitut Lindau and 3. Carl Duisberg Centrum Radolfzell .
- Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (German language exam for university entrance), Level 2 (DSH2)
- Deutsches Sprachdiplom (German language diploma) (Level II) of the “Kultusministerkonferenz” (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany) (DSD II)
- the exam ÖSD Zertifikat C2
- Goethe-Zertifikat C 1: Advanced German language diploma of the Goethe Institute
- Feststellungsprüfungszeugnis (assessment certificate) from a preparatory course offered at a “Studienkolleg” (exam section “German”)
- TELC Deutsch C1 Hochschule, (TELC C1 language certificate) is availble here Humboldt-Institut e.V. Konstanz or here Inlingua in Konstanz or Singen or at Carl Duisberg Centrum in Radolfzell.
Approved school certificates
- German language certificate awarded via the French Diplôme du Baccalauréat for completing a bilingual (German-French) secondary school programme
- US Advanced Placement (AP) Examination for the German language
- Certificate earned by completing the upper level of secondary education in the German-speaking community of the Kingdom of Belgium
- Secondary school certificate from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Certificates issued by secondary schools with German as the language of instruction in the autonomous province of Bolzano, South Tyrol (Italy)
- Certificate of the international section taught in German at the Liceo Gimnasiale Luigi Galvani in Bologna (Italy)
- Certificate (Bilingual Leaving Certificate) from the German-Irish bilingual secondary school "Deutsche Schule Dublin, St. Kilian’s" (Ireland)
- The leaving certificate of international schools with German lessons leading to the Bilingual Language International Baccalaureate1 ("Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureate an ausländischen Schulen mit Deutschunterricht", resolution of the KMK of 26.04.2002 in the version of 26.09.2019)
- further certificates in accordance with bilateral agreements with other countries
Important!
Preparatory German language courses or approved German language exams are not offered at the University of Konstanz. For this reason, you must submit accredited proof of your German language ability along with your application.