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Does an English-taught programme in Germany still need German?

Choosing an English-taught programme is usually the moment German stops being part of the plan. uni-assist's own wording does not allow that. It says proof of German may still be required, and it names no level, which makes this a per-programme check rather than a one-time assumption.

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Short answer

uni-assist states that some courses of study are taught in English, but proof of German proficiency may still be required. It also states that required proficiency levels may vary between different universities and courses of study, so no single level clears every programme. Four certificates are named as accepted by all universities: DSH, TestDaF, certificates issued by the Goethe-Institut, and the DSD German language diploma. Applicants from a DSD school in China may already hold that last one. The requirement is set on each programme's own application page, not by uni-assist.

Who it applies to

Applicants from China aiming at English-taught programmes at German universities.

Key facts

  • English-taught courses

    German may still be required

    uni-assist's own wording, kept modal because the page is [1]

  • The level you need

    Not fixed

    it varies between universities and between courses of study [1]

  • Accepted by all universities

    4 certificates

    DSH, TestDaF, Goethe-Institut certificates, the DSD German language diploma [1]

From uni-assist's own language pages. No CEFR level appears here because uni-assist gives none.

Bottom line

An English-taught programme does not remove the German question from your application. It moves it to the programme page, where the requirement and its level are set. [1][2]

uni-assist states proof of German may still be required for English-taught courses, that required levels vary by university and course, and that preparatory classes are not offered at every university or every level.

Open the application page of each programme on your list and read its language requirement, then check whether a certificate you hold, or can reach, is among DSH, TestDaF, Goethe-Institut certificates and the DSD diploma.

Does an English-taught course still need German?

It can. uni-assist's wording is short and it is the whole point: some courses of study are taught in English, but proof of German proficiency may still be required.

That is not a claim German is demanded everywhere, and not permission to ignore it. The requirement comes from the university, not from uni-assist, and required proficiency levels may vary between different universities and courses of study. Two English-taught programmes can ask for different things, including at the same university. [1]

Which German level do you need?

uni-assist names none. What it names is a list of certificates that all universities accept: DSH, TestDaF, certificates issued by the Goethe-Institut, and the DSD German language diploma.

If you attended a DSD school in China, read that last one again. uni-assist's China page lists DSD-school graduates separately, with the DSD coordinator's original written attestation and the KMK German language diploma among their documents, and the KMK's full name for that certificate is Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz. So one of the four accepted certificates may already be in your file. Check which DSD level yours certifies against what your programme asks for. [1][3][4]

Can you take the university's own German course instead?

Sometimes, but it is not a plan you can rely on. uni-assist describes these courses plainly: they usually take one semester (6 months) and culminate in the DSH exam.

The same page limits them in three ways. Not every university offers German language classes for all proficiency levels, some universities do not offer any language classes at all, and uni-assist handles applications to university courses but not applications for the German language course, so it is a separate application to a separate office. [2]

The requirement is theirs. The level is something you build.

German is the part of this application that cannot be assembled in the last month. A course path lets you start now and decide the exam later, once you know what your programme actually asks for.

  • A course path from A1 upward, not a single exam class
  • Start before your programme list is final, because the language does not depend on it
  • Keep the language timetable beside the application timetable, not behind it

The placement test is free, so you find out which course you start in before paying anything.

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Frequently asked questions

My programme is taught entirely in English. Do I need German?

Possibly. uni-assist states some courses are taught in English but proof of German proficiency may still be required. The requirement is set by the university and the specific course, so read that programme's application page.

Which German level do I need?

uni-assist names none. It states required proficiency levels may vary between different universities and courses of study, so the number belongs to the programme page, not to a general rule.

Which certificates are accepted?

uni-assist names four as accepted by all universities: DSH, TestDaF, certificates issued by the Goethe-Institut, and the DSD German language diploma. Individual universities may accept more, which is again a question for the programme page.

I graduated from a DSD school in China. Does that help?

It may. The DSD German language diploma is on uni-assist's accepted list, and its China page lists DSD-school graduates separately, including the KMK German language diploma among their documents. Check which DSD level yours certifies against your programme's requirement.

Can I take the university's German course after I arrive?

Do not build the plan on it. uni-assist states these courses usually take one semester and end in the DSH exam, but also that not every university offers classes for all levels, some offer none, and that uni-assist does not handle applications for the German language course.

How current is this?

It rests on uni-assist's language certificates and preparatory German language course pages, checked on 26 August 2026, and on its China country page for the DSD document set.

Sources

  1. [1]uni-assist e.V., language certificates · Last reviewed:
  2. [2]uni-assist e.V., preparatory German language course · Last reviewed:
  3. [3]uni-assist e.V., documents and requirements for China · Last reviewed:
  4. [4]Kultusministerkonferenz, Das Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz · Last reviewed:

Not sure which level to start at?

The placement test is free, so you find out which course you start in before paying anything.

See levels and datesGet my next step

Checked 26 August 2026 against uni-assist (language certificates, preparatory German course)