Study in Germany without IELTS

Savitha Subramanian Image Savitha Subramanian

Mar 4, 2024 | 5 min read

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Studying in Germany requires an IELTS, TestDAF or DSH scores. However, students need not worry since plenty of universities offer admissions into their programs without IELTS requirements.

Study in Germany without IELTS

Can I study in Germany without IELTS? International students planning to study in Germany often have this question in their minds. Yes, there are many universities in Germany that accept international students without requiring IELTS scores. However, there are some alternative requirements that students must meet in order to be eligible for admission into such universities.

Depending on what university students apply to, they will have to produce either IELTS or TOEFL scores (for university offering courses in the English language) or TestDAF or DSH scores (for universities with German is the primary medium of instruction). This article will specifically address studying in Germany without IELTS scores. 

Table of Contents

Universities to Study in Germany without IELTS

There are plenty of universities offering courses to students without a requirement to submit IELTS scores. Some universities to study in German without IELTS scores are as follows:

Germany Universities where IELTS is not required
University City
University of Siegen Siegen
Free University of Berlin Berlin
University of Kiel Kiel
University of Freiburg Freiburg im Breisgau
University of Bayreuth Bayreuth
University of Bonn Bonn
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences Esslingen am Neckar
Braunschweig University of Technology Braunschweig
University of Kassel Kassel
Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences Frankfurt

What is IELTS?

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System, a standardised English language proficiency test for non-native English speakers. The test is designed to help people work, study, or migrate to countries with English as the primary language. 

For Indian students, specifically, for whom English is not the first language (even though it is spoken widely across the nation), IELTS may be a requirement, especially if the course opted for in the accepting university is taught in the English medium.

Is it Possible to Study in Germany without IELTS?

If a student hasn’t given their IELTS and is looking to study in Germany, the best option is to apply to a university that doesn’t have English as a language of instruction for their courses. Certain situations exempt a student from showing their IELTS scores. These situations are as follows:

  • Students will have to produce a Language/Medium of Instruction Certificate (MOI), which they will need to acquire from the last institution that they had studied in
  • Students having a Bachelor’s degree with the language of instruction being English need not show IELTS scores
  • International students from countries where English is the native language need not submit IELTS scores
  • Students who have pursued their Bachelor’s Degree in English studies or a BA in English Literature need not submit IELTS scores while applying to a university in Germany

Types of Courses to Study in Germany without IELTS

Students can opt for two major types of programs for studying in Germany without IELTS; German programs and English programs. The programs offered at universities in Germany are divided based on the medium of instruction.

    • English Programs: These programs are available for students who might have difficulty with the local languages of Germany. Most German universities offer some programs that are taught in English. Students from English-speaking countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, can opt for these courses without submitting IELTS scores. Also, those with Bachelor’s Degree in English studies or a BA in English Literature are exempted from submitting IELTS scores.
    • German Programs: Students can opt for programs taught in the German language if they have minimum proficiency in speaking and writing German. As proof of ability, students may have to submit certain German language requirements in the form of B1 and C1 certifications. The level of German language requirements may vary from university to university.

Admission Requirements to Study in Germany without IELTS

There are some admission essentials that students must keep in mind if they wish to study in Germany without providing IELTS scores. The following are some of the important documents that a student will need to submit as part of the admission procedure when applying for a university in Germany without IELTS:

Medium of Instruction Certificate (MOI)

Students will have to submit a Language/Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate - a valid language certificate - if they wish to study in Germany. The MOI can be procured from the student’s previous academic institution, which confirms that the medium of instruction for the previous course was in the English language.

Confirmation Letter

Upon being accepted into a university in Germany, students should ensure that they receive a confirmation letter from the institution claiming that the MOI has been verified. The student has been exempted from submitting their IELTS or TOEFL scores. Students can use the confirmation letter as a substitute for IELTS/TOEFL scores by submitting it at their local German Embassy or Consulate. The MOI is an important piece of document that a student will require to clear the immigration process.

German Language Course

One of the best ways of staying ahead of the curve regarding studying in Germany is to opt for a German language program. What this means is that the student will have to know how to read and write in German. A student will be required to submit a C1 to B1 level certification in the German language. Additionally, students can provide German-language test scores like TestDAF, DSH and GOETHE, when applying for a university in Germany.

German Student Visa

The final and most important step in applying to a German university is to apply for a German student visa. Plenty of information is available online, and students can also visit their local German Embassy or Consulate for more information on the same.

IELTS Requirement in Germany

For most German universities, students need to have a minimum IELTS band score of 6.0 or above, along with proof of an excellent academic record. The IELTS score is valid for two years, and students can make as many attempts as possible to get their desired scores. Once the scores are out, students can send their scores to 5 universities within a month of the released scores. If a student has attempted the test more than once, the most recent results will be considered.

German Universities Accepting 6.0 Band IELTS scores

The table below contains a list of universities in Germany accepting an overall band score of 6.0 (and above) in IELTS:

German Universities accepting IELTS scores
University City IELTS Band Score
Technical University of Munich Munich 6.0
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Munich 5.5
University of Heidelberg Heidelberg 6.5
Humbolt University of Berlin Berlin 6.5
University of Freiburg Freiburg im Breisgau 6.0
RWTH Aachen University Aachen 6.5
Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen Tübingen 6.0
Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin 6.0
Free University of Berlin Berlin 6.5
University of Bonn Bonn 6.0

Alternatives of IELTS to Study in Germany 

You can use the following alternatives as evidence of language proficiency in case you do not have an IELTS score to study in Germany:

  • The requirement to prove proficiency in English can be met through a letter from your previous institution which states that your previous degree was entirely taught in English.
  • There is no requirement for you to submit IELTS scores if your undergraduate program was taught in the English language.
  • In some universities, the students are interviewed to determine their proficiency in the English language.

To make sure which types of English proficiency proof are accepted by the university, it is recommended that you always enquire with them beforehand.

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