Proof of German language skills

Sufficient German language skills are an important admission requirement for most degree programmes. If your German language skills are not quite sufficient, we offer you the opportunity to prove them before the start of the semester. Find out here which certificates are sufficient for taking up your studies or for participation in the DSH examination, a German course or the Studienkolleg (foundation course).

Overview of German language certificates

The following overview shows you which language certificates entitle you to study, to take the DSH examination, to attend a German course or to attend the foundation course.
Further down on this page you will find a diagram showing the path to starting your studies, which results from your language skills and level of education.

Accepted language certificates

The following certificates entitle you to study at the University of Kassel:

German language examination for university admission (DSH)

This examination can be taken at a registered university. The DSH is subdivided into three levels. DSH-2 is required for taking up your studies.
Exceptions:
For the following degree programmes only a DSH-1 certificate is required: Product Design (degree course at the School of Art) and the Master's degree course in English and American Studies.
For the degree programs Fine Arts and Visual Communication, only a German language certificate at level B1 is required for the application - further information can be found on the website of the Kunsthochschule.

You can prove that you have sufficient language skills with one of the following school certificates:

  • German-language educational qualifications from countries such as Liechtenstein, Austria and Switzerland
  • Secondary school leaving certificate from the German-speaking community of the Kingdom of Belgium
  • Secondary school leaving certificate from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
  • Proof of German in the French Diplôme du Baccalaueréat, which was obtained after attending a bilingual German-French branch of a secondary school
  • French Diplôme du Baccalauréat with international option from the German Departments
  • European Baccalaureate at European schools, if an examination in German as a first or second language (L1 or L2) has been successfully completed
  • Diploma from foreign schools with German lessons leading to the mixed-language International Baccalaureate
  • Polish Matura examination in German at general education lyceums with a bilingual branch of education with German as a second foreign language
  • US Advanced Placement exam (AP exam) in the subject German
  • Certificate of completion of a German-Irish bilingual secondary school leaving certificate at the German School Dublin, St. Kilian's
  • Diplomas from schools with German as the language of instruction in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Alto Adige (Italy)
  • Diploma of the bilingual departments at the Liceo Ginnasio Statale "Romagnosi" in Parma and at the Liceo Classico Statale Socrate in Bari, Italy
  • Certificate of completion of the international German language department at the Liceo Gimnasiale "Luigi Galvani" in Bologna, Italy
  • Diploma of the international department of German language at the Liceo Classico "Guiseppe Garibaldi" in Naples, Italy
  • Certificate of completion of the international department of German language at the Liceo Gimnasio Statale "M.Gioia" in Piacenza, Italy
  • Diploma of the international department of German language at the "Educandato Statale Collegio Uccelis" in Udine, Italy
  • Diploma of the international department of German language at the Scuola Internazionale Europea "A.Spinelli" in Turin, Italy
  • Diploma of the international department of German language at the Liceo Classico Statale "Umberto I" in Palermo, Italy
  • Diploma of the international department of German language at the Liceo Scienze Umane/Artistico "Giovanni Pascoli" in Bolzano/Bozen, Italy

 

Other accepted language certificates

Services offered by the Language Centre

If your German language skills are not yet sufficient for studying, the International Study Center (ISZ)/Language Center of the University of Kassel offers preparatory courses as well as a DSH exam (in March and September).

To participate in these courses, you must have applied for a degree program and received conditional admission from the University of Kassel.

Requirements for participation

To take part in a DSH preparation course, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) AND at least 600 hours of German lessons at the time of your application.

To take the DSH examination, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) AND at least 1000 hours of German lessons at teh time of your applicaton.

Further possible language certificates can be found in the pdf "Overview of language certificates".

Detailed information on participation requirements, course duration and fees as well as examination dates can be found on the website of the International Language Center (ISZ).

Participation in the Studienkolleg of the University of Kassel

To participate in the Studienkolleg, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) AND at least 400 hours of German lessons when you apply.
Possible language certificates can be found in the pdf "Overview of language certificates" at the top of this page.

Possible ways to study

This chart shows the possible routes to university - depending on your previous knowledge of German and educational qualifications. If you are unsure which path is right for you, please check the overview of language certificates at the top of the page. The color coding there is reflected in the diagram.

Go-Link of this page: www.uni-kassel.de/go/Deutschkenntnisse