Languages Requirements

... for international Graduate Programs

If you are interested in enrolling in an English-language Master's program, you need to consider the following:

A good knowledge of English is required for the admission to a program of study. You need to prove your English language skills for the various Master's programs as follows:

  • TOEFL Test:
    550 points (on the paper-based test)
    213 points (on the computer-based test)
    79/80 points (on the internet-based test)
    and/or
  • IELTS: 6.0 points

In some cases an applicant can be exempt from providing English language test results. If your degree has been completed in a country with English as the state language, you will not need to take a TOEFL or an IELTS test. Please check here if you are exempt from providing a proof of English language skills. However the exemption depends from your specific master program.

(Institution Codes: TOEFL 7967, GRE 7143)

At the beginning of your studies no knowledge of German is required (exception: CVT-program). 

However, students who participate in an international Master have to acquire a basic knowledge of the German language. They are obligated to attend the German courses at the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau and pass the A1-level exam at RPTU within the first year of their studies. International master students, who prove their knowledge in German language with an A2- Goethe-certificate from abroad, not older than one year, can be exempted from passing the A1-level exam at RPTU.

By passing higher level exams, international master students can obtain ECTS credit points for their studies.

The ISGS offers an 'Orientation Course' at the beginning of your studies to improve your German language skills.

... for Master Programs taught in German

If you want to apply for a German language Master's programme at the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, you need to prove you have a basic knowledge of German by achieving various levels of competence:

Certificate in German (Zertifikat Deutsch - ZD)
For the Certificate in German you need to take at least 600 hours of instruction and pass a German examination of level B-1 (e.g., TELC, Zertifikat Deutsch). This certificate (or an equivalent) is the precondition for applying to a German language Master's program!
 

German language university entrance exam for foreign students (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber - DSH)
The Certificate in German certifies that you are half way towards achieving the language skills you need in order to study successfully in Germany. This is why you have to pass an oral placement test which allows you to take the DSH examination. You will be informed about the time and place of the oral placement test in your admission reply form. If your placement test allows it, take the DSH examination immediately and if you pass it, you will no longer have any linguistic obstacles to studying at Kaiserslautern University!

Please note: You normally need to attend several preparatory courses in order to pass the DSH examination. In general, it takes 1-2 semesters to pass the DSH.

The Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) is a good way to obtain direct admission to the university.
The TestDaF is used worldwide to test the language skills for admission to German universities. You can already take this test before you leave your home country. It certifies that you already have the language skills you need in order to study in Germany. However, it may not be possible to take the test in every country. You will have to pay a fee to take the test and it will require a considerable time commitment.

A list of language courses has been drawn up by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). It includes courses offered by the Goethe-Institutes in Germany and abroad as well as various vacation language courses at German universities or private language institutes. You can also learn German online, for example by enrolling in an online distance learning programor by following an individual online course. The "uni-deutsch" course offered by the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich in cooperation with the Saarland University and the Goethe-Institute is specially designed for students who have a basic knowledge of German. Students interested in levels A-1 to B-1 German language courses in Kaiserslautern can, for example, turn to the local adult education center (Volkshochschule - VHS).
 

German Language for Visiting Students & Academics

For visiting students and scientists as well as their families, Kaiserslautern University offers reasonably priced evening language courses. They have been designed for different levels (A-1 to C-2) and consist of six lessons per week during the semester.

Generally, students can also participate in language courses. For Erasmus students, Kaiserslautern University provides two intensive courses (duration: 3 to 6 weeks) before the start of each semester.