General Requirements

In order to be accepted for studying at a German university some basic requirements have to be met. Do I need an assessment test for my application? Are there any special admission criteria? Does my knowledge of language correspond to the required proficiency level?

The most important prerequisite for admission as an undergraduate student at a German university is the "Qualification for Entrance to Higher Education in Germany" (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung), which provides evidence of the level of academic achievement already attained by the student (usually secondary school level). For a Master's degree course it is a Master's degree entrance qualification, which gives proof of the first academic degree and qualifies for a Master's degree course in Germany.

The recognition of qualifications as entitlement to enter higher education or a Master's degree course in Germany varies according to the country of origin. Furthermore there are different prerequisites depending on the particular degree course. Whether or not an applicant may be admitted to the required course of study can only be decided after consideration of all of his or her application documents.

Entrance Assessment (for Applications to Bachelor's Degree Courses)

Not every secondary school diploma entitles its holder to study in Germany. Applicants from some countries must have spent some time at a university in their home country, while others must pass the entrance assessment (Feststellungsprüfung) before being admitted to a German university. This entrance examination can either be taken externally or after attending a preparatory college for a year. In Saxony-Anhalt there is a preparatory college run by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and the University of Applied Sciences Anhalt. In general, foreign applicants who wish to study at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg first attend the Studienkolleg at Martin Luther University in Halle (Saale).

The preparatory college offers foundation courses in economics and management (W course), technical, mathematical and natural sciences (T course), medicine and biology (M course) and humanities and social sciences (G/S courses). Prior to admission to the preparatory college, students must pass an entrance examination to ensure that they will be able to successfully participate in the course. In order to do so, knowledge of the German (level B1) will be required. In addition, admission to T and W courses requires successful completion of a mathematics test, admission to M course requires passing a test "Basic Science" and an English test (level B1) will be introduced for G courses. The entrance assessment is usually held in mid-August (for the winter semester) and in mid-February (for the summer semester).

In Magdeburg there are 3 other private Studienkollegs that charge fees for the training. The application runs directly through the private Studienkollegs:

Additional Admission Criteria

In addition to the general university entrance qualification and/ or Master's degree qualification certificate, specific courses of studies may require additional skills such as further linguistic or specialist skills. Others have a regional limit to the numbers of students that may be admitted. Such criteria are defined directly by the university. Some courses may require or recommend the acquisition of practical experience before embarking on your studies.

In the Faculty of Humanities, Social Science & Education, the Bachelor's degree course Sports Sciences requires students to pass an aptitude test in sport. The aptitude tests take place in June each year. You must sign up (German only  Deutsche Flagge) for the test online. Information about the content of the test and the time and location is available on the internet.

In addition to the university entrance qualification, applicants for Master's degree programmes must have obtained a first academic degree (usually a Bachelor's degree, obtained after succesfull completition of studies at an officially recognized university). Specific requirements are set out in the individual course descriptions.

Language Requirements: German

Most of the courses at Otto von Guericke University are taught in German. To be admitted to these courses, foreign applicants in general, must have passed an officially accepted language test, or must submit an officially accepted language certificate. The following tests and certificates are recognized:

  • „DSH“ "German Language Examination for University Entrance" (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber, level DSH-2). Selected courses require DSH-3.
  • „TestDaF“ (all four parts at least level 4). Selected courses require test level 5;
  • „DSD II“ "The German Language Diploma" (Level II) set by the Conference of German Culture Ministers (Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz- Stufe II);
  • „Examination part German“ as part of the Assesment test of Preparatory College (Feststellungsprüfung des Studienkollegs);
  • „Goethe-Certificate C2: GDS (Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom) from 01.01.2012 on;
  • the Goethe Institute's examination "Central Higher Level Test" (ZOP: Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung), the "Basic German Language Diploma" (KDS: Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom and the "Advanced German Language Diploma" (GDS: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom) no older than 31.12.2011;
  • telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule.

Applicants who have already learnt German but have not passed any of the named exams must prove their language skills by examination results: at least C1. If these language skills are proved in the application, the invitation to the DSH examination is issued. Once you have passed the DSH examination, you can begin your regular studies.

The DSH lasts 3 days (2 days written examination, 1 day oral examination). The examination fee is 80 EUR. Participation in the examination requires admission to study at Otto von Guericke University.

Information about exam dates and the current offer of German courses can be found on the website of the Language Centre.
Here you can find an overview of deviant language requirements for specific courses of study.

Language Requirements: English

Many international Bachelor's and Master's degree courses at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg are offered in English. For admission to these courses applicants need to provide evidence of adequate knowledge of English, usually at B2 or C1 level of the European Framework of Reference.  The most commonly accepted tests are:

  • TOEFL-Test: B2 (72-94 iBT) or C1 (95-120 iBT) (we also accept TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition)
  • IELTS: B2 (minimum score band 6.0) or C1 (7.0) (we also accept IELTS Indicator and IELTS Online)  
  • CAE (Certificate of Advanced English)
  • PTE Academic: B2 (59-75) or C1 (76-84)

Please check the specific language requirements for the brief description of your studies, which language certificates are accepted. Certificates of IELTS and TOEFL can be uploaded additionally to uni-assist e.V.. uni-assist is an IELTS Recognising Institution and your certificate can be verified online. Please have your official TOEFL score report sent directly to uni-assist (uni-assist TOEFL Code: 2727) for verification.

Holders of a school education certificate after at least 4 ascending school years from the Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, United Kingdom   (incl. overseas territories), Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Canada, New Zealand, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent, Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago as USA (incl. external territories are except. Master applicants who had their complete Bachelor studies in one of these countries are exempt from these requirements.

Applicants from other countries must provide official language proof, even if English is an official language in their country.

Last Modification: 28.03.2024 - Contact Person: Webmaster