Studierende auf der Universitätsterasse
Students on the university patio

Required language skills

Language requirements

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).

Foreign language skills

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.

German language skills

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

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.

Required language skills for individual study programmes

Please consult the following list to find out which language skills (German and foreign languages) you need to complete individual study programmes at the University of Konstanz: