Exams for Study in Germany 2025: UG and PG Admission
Germany is among the most popular study-abroad destinations for international students in recent years. As the country is not only home to the top universities in the world but is also known to offer quality education at an affordable tuition fee. Hence, the reason why a growing population of international students want to pursue their higher education in Germany.
This Story also Contains
- Why Study in Germany?
- What exams are required to study in Germany?
- What are TestDaf and DSH exams?
- Other exams required to study in Germany
However, the most common dilemma that prospective applicants have is "What exams are required to study in Germany?". Any overseas university application that gets accepted is the result of numerous well-planned, and effective steps. Therefore, the core of this process is eligibility exams such as GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL, TestDaf, etc. to study in Germany.
These exams have the power to pass or fail your admission application. Your eligibility to even consider that seat at the college of your choice, regardless of where you plan to study, and studying in Germany is no exception.
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You must pass specific exams for German universities, which we will describe in this post, in order to be eligible to study in Germany, which is quickly becoming one of the most popular study destinations for international students. Read this article to learn more about exams to study in Germany.
Why Study in Germany?
Germany is a popular study destination owing to various reasons. According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), 6 out of the top 100 and 18 out of the top 200 universities in the world are located in Germany.
Naturally, these universities are high-ranked institutions known for their academic standards and everything else that is imperative for the overall development of a student. There are many other benefits of studying in Germany as well.
What exams are required to study in Germany?
Which exams to go to Germany? International students applying to Germany must take two types of exams for German universities. One is English language proficiency and the other for German Language Proficiency. You will also need to take the GMAT or GRE test, depending on the course you will be studying. Similar to every other international study destination, English language competence exams like the TOEFL and IELTS must be passed.
Additionally, assessments of German language competency must be taken into account because some courses are taught in this language and having knowledge of it is advantageous. Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaf) and Deutsche Sprachprüfung für einen Hochschulzugang (DSH) are two of these tests. TestDaF or Test of German as a Foreign Language is the most preferred Germany Exams for Indian students.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
GRE is one of the entrance exams for masters in Germany. Many graduate and business universities require GRE scores. You must pass this admissions test to be admitted to many higher education institutions, particularly if you wish to study engineering.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
If you are looking to study MBA at a German university, then GMAT is one of the exams required to study in Germany for Indian students. Its fee is USD 275. The average GMAT score requirement of a German business school is 640.
Please note: GMAT scores are not required for studying MBA at the following universities:
Berlin School of Economics and Law
Accadis Hochschule Bad Homburg
Technical University of Munich
Cologne Business School
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
TOEFL is a standardized test for checking English language proficiency. For courses where the language of instruction is English, the TOEFL is the optional exam to study in Germany. TOEFL scores are accepted by more than 10,000 universities worldwide.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Another popular English proficiency exam is the IELTS which is recognised worldwide including among German entrance exams. Whether a German university accepts the IELTS score depends on the university you are applying to and it is always better to check on the university’s website for these details.
What are TestDaf and DSH exams?
The TestDAF and DSH exams are German language proficiency exams required to study in Germany in 2025. These tests are necessary for international students, only when the course they choose to study in Germany is taught in German language.
Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaf)
TestDaf stands for Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache or Test of German as a Foreign Language. It is a German language proficiency exam required to study in Germany. This exam tests your proficiency in the German language and is recognized across the world.
This test has four sections namely Listening, Reading Comprehension, Written, and Oral. This test is organised six times in a year at approximately 450 test centres across 9690 countries. The results are declared within five to six weeks of you taking the test.
Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH)
DSH is also a test for checking your proficiency in the German language. It is quite similar to the TestDaf except that the DSH consists of only an oral and written test. The result is segregated into DSH-1, DSH-2, and DSH-3 levels. The test centres for the DSH are located only in Germany and nowhere else in the world.
Other exams required to study in Germany
In order to get admitted to an undergraduate programme at a German university after high school graduation, your profile must match that required by the Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), which is the German name for the entrance exam. You might need to enrol in a prep course if your high school grades don't match them.
The situation is different for graduate students. They can send their bachelor's degree documentation and the results of their aptitude tests directly to the university of their choosing, where they will wait for the decision. FSP and TestAS are two of the more well-liked UG aptitude exams needed to study in Germany for international students.
FSP
After you have completed the one-year course at Studienkolleg, popularly known as the preparatory college, you have to take the Feststellungsprüfung, also known as the FSP, to make sure you are eligible for a university programme.
It is one of the entrance exams for German universities that tests your subject-specific aptitude and requires you to appear for written exams in three disciplines and oral exams for the fourth. You can retake the test if you don’t pass in the first attempt.
Test for Foreign Students (TestAS)
Test für Ausländische Studierende is an entrance exam for international students looking to take admission to undergraduate courses at German universities. The German entrance exam comprises a Core Test, an OnScreen Language Test, and Subject-Specific Test Modules in engineering, economics, social studies, humanities, cultural studies, natural sciences, computer science, and mathematics. The exam is not required by all universities, though many universities look for a candidate’s score in the said. Thus, it is advisable to take it.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does 12th marks matter in Germany?
A:
Germany's undergraduate programs have eligibility criteria that require applicants to meet certain standards. It is a mustfor a student to secure at least 90% in the 12th grade examinations.
Q: Which exam is required for germany to prove Language proficiency?
A:
Courses in Germany are available in both German and English Language. While students can take IETLS/TOEFL/PTE for English language proficiency. Whereas the TestDaF, DSH, GDS, Telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, DSD are some of the German language proficiency tests accepted by German universities.
Q: Which exam is required for Germany?
A:
In order to get admitted into an undergraduate degree program in Germany, Indian students have to clear the aptitude test like example, Test for Foreign Students (TestAS) along with English or German language Proficiency tests depending on the course of instruction.
Q: Which exam is required for Germany?
A:
Depending on the course and university there will be the requirement of one aptitude test and one language test for getting admission. Few aptitude tests are GRE, GMAT, TestDAF, etc and language tests are TOEFL, IELTS, TestDAF, etc
Q: Can I study in Germany without IELTS?
A:
IELTS is one of the English language exams to study in Germany but it is not mandatory. There are many alternative tests like TOEFL, DET, etc for this purpose.
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Hello aspirant,
Indeed, even if you have health insurance from India, you may still need to get German health insurance because everyone in Germany is required to have it, and Indian insurance isn't often accepted as enough by German requirements. You will require a German policy for your visa, university enrollment, and extended stay; your Indian insurance is merely a temporary fix for the first few months of your trip.
Thank you
Hello ,
Yes , It's possible to study B arch in Germany for free since most public universities don't charge tution fees but you need to meet certain requirements. A strong portfolio and you will have to show proficiency in the German language by passing exam like TestDaH or DSH.
Some universities conduct an aptitude test or interview to evaluate your understanding of architecture before granting an admission.
Thank you
Hello,
Yes, you can definitely pursue B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Physics from IISc Bengaluru and then later aim for your Ph.D. (Doctorate) at Technical University of Berlin (TUB), Germany.
Choosing, the Physics programme from IISC has a strong international reputation, and its degree is well-recognized globally, including in German universities. After completing your M.Sc., you can apply for Ph.D. positions in TUB or any other German institutes through programs like DAAD scholarships or direct university applications.
ALL THE BEST.
1. TUM (Munich) – Engineering, Computer Science
2. LMU (Munich) – Medicine, Humanities
3. Heidelberg University – Medicine, Life Sciences
4. Humboldt University (Berlin) – Humanities, Social Sciences
5. KIT (Karlsruhe) – Engineering, Natural Sciences
6. RWTH Aachen – Engineering
7. University of Freiburg – Environmental Science
8. University of Stuttgart – Engineering, Automotive
9. Free University of Berlin – Political Science, Medicine
10. University of Mannheim – Business, Economics
These universities offer affordable or tuition-free education for international students.
Hello,
yes you can study for a bachelor's degree in Germany, as your diploma in nautical science may be considered equivalent to the 12th year for admission purposes. However each university may have specific requirements, so its important to check their entry criteria you might also need to provide additional documentation, like your diplomas' equivalency to German standards.
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