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University of Berlin is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Germany. It was founded in 1810 by Wilhelm von Humboldt, who also served as the first rector of the university. The university’s motto is “Lux et Veritas” (Light and Truth), which is Latin for “Light and Truth.”
As a public research university, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of subjects. The university is recognized internationally for its research in all areas of science and technology, as well as humanities, social sciences, law, medicine and the natural sciences.
IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in Germany
Despite being an English-speaking country, Germany has a bunch of universities offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs entirely or partially in English. And if you are to enroll in any of these programs, you will need have to sit for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.
However, unlike universities in the English-speaking world, German universities usually don’t require you to show an IELTS score of 7.0 or above to be considered for admission. Most universities in the country actually ask for an IELTS score between 4.5 and 6.5. Here’s a list of 10 prestigious German universities and their IELTS band requirements.
10 German Universities and their IELTS Band Requirements
1. Technical University of Munich
- IELTS Band Requirement – 6.5
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is a German public research university with over 41,000 students currently enrolled. A whopping 30 percent of these students come from outside the country.
Founded in 1868, the university consists of three campuses, each sited within the greater Munich area. It is the highest-ranked German university in the QS World University Rankings 2020, claiming 55th spot in the entire world.
TUM offers 168 academic programs through its 15 departments and schools. The number of programs taught in English here is 58, which require non-native English speakers to demonstrate a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 to be considered eligible for admission.
2. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- IELTS Band Requirement – 5.5
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) is a public research university that has been around since 1472. It has a student population of nearly 51,000, which includes around 8,500 international students.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020, this Munich-based university is positioned above any other German university, ranking 32nd globally.
It offers several master’s and doctoral programs entirely in English. While a bunch of courses at the undergraduate level are taught in English, there’s not a single bachelor’s program at LMU Munich that is delivered completely in English.
So, in addition to having a minimum IELTS band of 5.5 at this German university, you will also be required to prove sufficient knowledge of German language.
3. Heidelberg University
- IELTS Band Requirement – 6.5
Heidelberg University began its journey in 1386, making it the oldest university in the country. It is located in the southwest German town of Heidelberg. It is the country’s best university, according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2019.
Its total enrollment stands at over 29,000, which includes nearly 5,500 international students. The public research university admits international students in as many as 180 programs. For the programs taught in English here, the minimum IELTS score that an applicant needs to demonstrate is 6.5.
4. Humboldt University of Berlin
- IELTS Band Requirement – 6.5
Situated in the central Berlin borough of Mitte, Humboldt University of Berlin (HU Berlin) is a public university that came into being in 1810. It currently has a student population north of 32,500. Over 5,200 of the students come from outside Germany.
It ranks 4th nationally in the latest university rankings by both QS and Times Higher Education.
Through its nine faculties, HU Berlin offers 189 academic programs. This university in Germany requires applicants to show a minimum IELTS band of 6.5 for the programs delivered in English.
5. Ulm University
- IELTS Band Requirement – 6.5
Ulm University is a public university that ranks 141st globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020. Its campus is positioned on a hill named Oberer Eselsberg in the southwest German city of Ulm. It is one of the youngest public universities in the country, beginning its journey in 1967.
Its total enrollment stands at over 10,500, which includes nearly 1,400 international students. The university is made up of four faculties that offer 75 academic programs, including 34 bachelor’s and 41 master’s programs.
This university too asks for a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
6. University of Cologne
- IELTS Band Requirement – 6.0
University of Cologne (UoC) is another German university to be founded in the late 14th century. It has nearly 49,000 students enrolled in 335 academic programs that are offered through its six faculties.
According to the ARWU 2019, the Cologne-based university is one of the top 200 universities in the world.
International students from non-English speaking countries with an IELTS band of 6.0 or above are eligible to apply for the English-language programs at this German university.
7. RWTH Aachen University
- IELTS Band Requirement – 6.5
RWTH Aachen University is a public research university that was established in 1870. Its campus encompasses 620 acres of land in Aachen, a spa town on the western border of the country. At RWTH, over 45,000 students are currently enrolled, with nearly 10,500 of them being international students from 125 countries.
It is among the top 100 universities in the world, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020. Through its nine faculties, the university offers 157 academic programs. The minimum IELTS score required here is 6.5.
8. University of Bonn
- IELTS Band Requirement – 5.5
Beginning its journey in 1818, the University of Bonn is currently home to more than 38,000 students. In the ARWU 2019, it ranks 70th globally and 4th nationally. It has five main hubs scattered across the city of Bonn, consisting of 349 buildings.
Organized into seven faculties, the public research university offers as many as 200 academic programs. The minimum IELTS score required for admission here is 5.5.
9. Free University of Berlin
- IELTS Band Requirement – 4.5
The Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin) is a Berlin-based public research university that came into being in 1948. It has over 33,000 students enrolled at undergraduate and graduate levels, in addition to 4,000 doctoral students. It claims 130th spot in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2020.
At FU Berlin, 178 bachelor’s and master’s programs are offered through 11 academic departments and one medical school (run jointly with Humboldt University of Berlin). Of them, 21 programs are taught entirely in English and don’t require applicants to show proof of proficiency in German. This university in Germany requires IELTS band of 4.5 or above for international students.
10. University of Göttingen
- IELTS Band Requirement – 6.5
Established in 1734, the University of Göttingen ranks among the top 150 universities in the world in the ARWU 2019. It is a public research university that has multiple locations across the city of Göttingen, offering higher education to over 31,500 students.
The university offers 212 academic programs through its 13 faculties. Like most other top German universities, this one too asks for an IELTS score of 6.5 or above for admission in its English-language programs.
Language Requirements
Some undergraduate study programs require certain language skills, which have to be proven either within the application procedure or within the enrollment at Freie Universität Berlin.
Our website “undergraduate degree programs” includes information on whether specific language skills are required for admission, and if so, what the requirements are and if language tests are involved. This information is also available from the brochure entitled “Von der Schule an die Freie Universität Berlin” (only in German).
1. Language proof for application procedure
Application for the first subject-specific semester
- For the bachelor’s programs English Philology / North American Studies / Applied North American Studies, French Philology/French Studies applicants have to pass mandatory language tests shortly after the application deadline. It is not necessary to attend the test, if there are reasons for exemption.
Please note that under certain circumstances you have to pass several language tests (depending on the chosen program) and the test registration or the exemption from tests has to be done for each subject.Applicants for the first subject-specific semester inform themselves (before application deadline) on the websites of the Language Center of Freie Universität Berlin about:
– test dates (winter semester: mid till end of July)
– test registration
– deadlines for the exemption from testsApplicants for the first subject-specific semester of a program, who do not meet the language requirements (Test nicht bestanden oder nicht teilgenommen, keine Befreiung vom Test) will not be considered in the admission process. - For the bachelor’s programs Italian Philology / Italian Studies and Spanish Philology language skills at level B1 CER are required. However, you also can take up studies without language skills. In that case, your language proficiency can be evaluated in a classification test. The classification test will determine whether you can start your studies directly or have to complete a preliminary language course first.
Application for higher subject-specific semesters
Applicants for higher subject-specific semesters of all the above-mentioned study programs have to pass the language test also, or to present an exemption from the test. In case the admission requirements are not met, the admission notice becomes void. Enrollment for the chosen study program is not possible then.
2. Language proof for enrollment
Some study programs do not require a language test, however certain language skills have to be proven for enrollment on the basis of school records or language certificates. Detailed information can be found in the brochure “Von der Schule an die Freie Universität Berlin” (pdf-file, only in German) or in the descriptions of study programs.
Some study programs require a certain level of English skills. The language level shown on the (school) certificate is generally binding. The Department of Application and Admission will accept the following proofs as equivalents:
| Level | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| The level B1 CEFR | five years of English instruction at school (if the language level is not shown on the (school) certificate)IELTS / IELTS Indicator scores 4.5Cambridge Examinations: Preliminary English Test (PET) First Certificate (FCE) Advanced (CAE) Proficiency (CPE)TOEFL: Paper 450 or Computer 130 or Internet (or TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition) 60UNIcert® I |
| The level B2 CEFR | six years of English lessons at school (at secondary level 1 AND secondary level 2, if language level is not shown on the certificate, see decision KMK 08.12.2011: foreign language competence)IELTS / IELTS Indicator scores 5.0Cambridge Examinations: First Certificate (FCE) Advanced (CAE)Proficiency (CPE)TOEFL: Paper 500 or Computer 170 or Internet (or TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition) 80UNIcert® II |
If you have earned your university entrance qualification abroad, the transcripts and documents you submit with your application do not typically show how many years of language instruction you have completed. In that case, applicants must submit either a certificate from their school regarding the duration of their instruction, or a language certificate. For graduates of the preparatory course (Studienkolleg) at Freie Universität Berlin, the certificate shows the level at which the language instruction was given.
In case of university entrance qualifications issued in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, or the United States of America, or if you have a degree from any of those countries, you are not required to provide any further proof regarding your English skills on the levels B1 CEFR or B2 CEFR.
3. Proof of German language skills for application and for enrollment, holding a university entrance qualification from abroad
Applicants with non-German university entrance qualification, are required to prove German language skills in accordance with the German higher education entrance examination (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerberinnen und -bewerber, DSH ) at Freie Universität Berlin. You can also provide proof of these language skills by means of equivalents to the DSH.
Fees & Admission
Admission prerequisites
Applicants to the FU-BEST program should
- be at least 18 years old
- have reached the equivalent of second-semester sophomore status or beyond at 4-year universities and colleges, and be in the process of completing their B.A./B.S. degree
- have a very good command of English in order to complete a rigorous academic program in that language (non-native speakers should plan to submit English test scores along with their application. For TOEFL, the score should be minimally 100. For IELTS, the overall score must be at least 6.5 and the scores on individual parts must be no lower than 6.0.)
- be committed to participation in our intensive German language component (all levels offered, no prior knowledge of German required)
- have a GPA of at least 3.0 (students whose GPA is below 3.0 are welcome to apply, but cannot be guaranteed admission to the program until their overall qualifications are more closely reviewed)
only for the GermanPLUS+ package:
- have German language abilities on the C1 or C2 level (Advanced 1 or 2)
Limitations
The FU-BEST program operates within logistical enrollment limitations. Admission is basically granted on a rolling basis, whereby formal program partner institutions receive additional preferential consideration. Students whose applications are submitted after a maximum feasible enrollment has been reached (although perhaps still prior to the regular deadline) are placed on a waiting list.
Course enrollment
Course enrollment is carried out on a first-come-first-served basis. As a result, a) it is recommended to apply as early as possible, b) it is not guaranteed that students get their top course choice(s) upon admission.
Eligibility & Documents Required
Q.
What are the eligibility requirements?
A.
For undergraduate programs, FU Berlin requirements differ depending on the course and major. It accepts 10+3 years of education degree, i.e., either grade 12 qualification and a one or two-diploma in the respective subject or a grade 10 qualification with a three-year diploma. For international applicants, a German language proficiency test score is compulsory as all UG programs are offered in German only. The university accepts any one of these as proof of German language proficiency:
- Advanced Placement score in German
- DSH (at least level 2 is required)
- TestDAF (at least 16 points)
For the Mono-Bachelor North American Studies course, any one of the English proficiency test scores is required:
Note: Exact score requirements will vary depending on the course. Check the official website for more details.
For graduate programs, each department has different admissions requirements. Thus, score requirements will vary as per course or choice of major apart from a mandatory bachelor’s or master’s degree, which should be equivalent to the country’s standard of education. German or English proficiency tests are required depending on the medium of instruction of the selected course. Check the respective school website for details.
| English proficiency tests accepted | TOEFL: 80 or higherOr IELTS: Overall 5.0 or higherOrCambridge CAE/CPE: B2 or higher |
| German proficiency tests accepted | DSHOrTestDAFOrGerman proficiency in CEFR: C1 or higher |
Apart from this, some standardized test scores may be mandatory for particular courses, while some courses may be test-optional. Check the website for details.Q.
What all documents are needed for application?
A.
All documents submitted during the application process need to be original drafts and in English or translated into English. Students should also get their documents evaluated by trusted credential evaluators.
For UG aspirants, the following documents are required:
- Academic transcripts
- German or English proficiency score report
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- Supplement essays
- Additional supplements such as audio recordings, videos, or portfolios
- Financial documents
- Proof of German statutory health insurance
- Fee waiver form, if any
For PG students:
- Academic transcripts
- German or English proficiency score report
- Standardized test score report
- Resume/CV
- Essays or SOP, as per course requirement
- Two to three LORs
- Additional or optional supplements such as cover letter, video statement, portfolios, etc.
- Financial documents
- Proof of German statutory health insurance
- Fee waiver form, if any
Application & Tuition Fees
Q.
Is there any application fees?
A.
Students applying to undergraduate courses at FU Berlin through the Uniassist need to pay a non-refundable amount of EUR 75. For the first desired course of study, the application fee is EUR 75 through Uniassist, and for each additional course, it is an extra EUR 30. International graduate applicants need to apply through the Uniassist as well. Thus, the application fee is the same as for UG – EUR 75 (non-refundable).Q.
What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?
A.
International students do not need to pay any tuition fee at FU Berlin except for some graduate and continuing education programs. Students only need to pay certain fees and charges each semester. For Winter 2020-2021, these compulsory charges are as follows:
- Enrollment fee/re-registration fee: EUR 50
- Contribution to Studierendenwerk Berlin: EUR 54.09
- Contribution to the student union: EUR 18.80
- Contribution to Semesterticket (unlimited public transport travel in Berlin): EUR 20
- Transportation ticket contribution (tariff area ABC): EUR 198.80, includes EUR 5 of the Social Fund
Note: These fees and charges are subject to change. Check the university website for the current academic year fee structure.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Q.
Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?
A.
FU Berlin does not provide any scholarship or financial aid to international students. However, there are individual and private scholarships and awards that can be availed by international students. For Indian students, scholarship programs like DAAD and a few alumni scholarships are also available. If a student is pursuing any doctorate program, then the expenses or costs will be covered as per the amount dispersed as a research grant. However, these students are not allowed to work as per university rules. For details on this, visit the respective course and school website.
Admission Process
Q.
When do the admissions start?
A.
FU Berlin has two intakes across all types of programs – Summer and Winter. Deadlines for undergraduate programs are as follows:
| Undergraduate Programs | |
|---|---|
| Intakes | Deadlines |
| Summer | December–January |
| Winter | June-July |
For graduate programs, each department and course has a different deadline; however, intake-wise deadlines are as follows:
| Graduate Programs | |
|---|---|
| Intakes | Deadlines |
| Summer | January-February |
| Winter | June or August |
Note: Check the official website for current academic year deadlines.Q.
How to apply to UG courses?
A.
You can apply to FU Berlin through the Uni-assist portal. Uni-assist takes three to four weeks to process your application and forward it to the university. Thus, the university advises students to apply well in advance. There is no interview involved, and you can track your application status through the Uni-assist only.Q.
How to apply to PG courses?
A.
International students need to apply through the Uni-assist portal only. The process is similar to that of undergraduate admissions. No interview is required. For international students with an existing FU Berlin degree, the admission process can be done through its application portal. For more information on this, visit the university website and follow the given instructions.Q.
When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?
A.
For undergraduate programs, the university generally releases its decisions by:
| Undergraduate Programs | |
|---|---|
| Intakes | Deadlines |
| Summer | February |
| Winter | August/September |
For graduate programs, FU Berlin reverts to applications as PDF documents through the application portal.
| Graduate Programs | |
|---|---|
| Intakes | Deadlines |
| Summer | February-March |
| Winter | July or September |
University Of Berlin Ielts Requirement
IELTS is a standardized test that is used to assess the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. It is required by most universities around the world as part of their admissions process.
In order to take the IELTS, you must meet certain requirements. These requirements vary depending on the university or program you’re applying to.
The University of Berlin requires a minimum overall band score of 6.0 and a minimum score of 5.5 in each component (listening, speaking, reading and writing).
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