One of the essential qualifications international students often need to prove is English language proficiency to study higher education abroad, including in Germany. Many universities in Germany offer degree programs taught in English, so applicants should check the language requirements for each program before they apply.
Students applying to degree programs in Germany may need to prove their English language skills by submitting scores from IELTS Academic or another accepted English proficiency test, such as TOEFL, Cambridge English, PTE, or a university-recognized alternative. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the minimum IELTS Academic requirements at selected universities in Germany.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in Germany
Below, we list selected well-known German universities and the IELTS Academic scores commonly listed for English proficiency. These are not always university-wide requirements, so always confirm the requirement on your specific program page.
1. Technical University of Berlin
Established under its present name in 1946, Technical University of Berlin is a respected public research university in Germany with predecessor institutions dating back to 1770, 1799, and 1821. There are several English-taught master’s programs, including urban design, geodesy and geoinformation science, and space engineering. Undergraduate courses at the Technical University of Berlin are mainly taught in German, although some pathways may involve English requirements.
Please note that the English language requirement is not only for English-taught programs. Some German-taught master’s programs with English-taught courses in the curriculum also require proof of English skills. It is best to review program-specific requirements in the university catalog.
2. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) offers a variety of English-taught international programs, mainly at the master’s level. Examples of English-taught master’s programs at LMU include biochemistry, astrophysics, economics, physics, and other fields. There are several options for entirely or partially English-taught programs, and the language requirements depend on the prerequisites of each study program.
International students enrolled in English-taught LMU programs usually need to prove English proficiency. LMU notes that requirements vary by program, and individual programs set their own accepted tests and minimum scores. For example, the M.Sc. Economics lists an IELTS Academic overall band score of 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80.
Here is what Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich scholars say about IELTS:
“To perform well on the IELTS, it’s crucial to answer questions in the expected format and to follow the specific instructions provided in the exam.”
Rajat Saxena
“During my application cycle, standardized tests like the TOEFL or GRE were not required for my program.”
Avinash Sekhar
3. University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg, officially Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, was founded in 1457 and is one of the oldest universities in Germany. Freiburg publishes current university statistics through its University in Numbers and portrait pages, including updated student and staffing figures.
Freiburg offers English-taught study options that applicants should check through the university’s current degree program finder. For language certificates, the university lists IELTS Academic 5.5–6.5 for English B2 and 7.0–8.0 for English C1; the exact level required depends on the program.
Here is what University of Freiburg scholars say about IELTS:
“During my research, I discovered that many German institutions do not require standardized test scores for admission, which allowed me to focus more on building a strong academic and research profile.”
Oghenegare Emmanuel Eyankware
4. Bielefeld University
Located in Bielefeld, Bielefeld University is a research-oriented public university in Germany. Bielefeld offers several English-medium or English-track programs at the master’s level, including data science and British and American Studies.
Bielefeld University’s language guidelines list IELTS 5.5 as sufficient evidence for English B2 and IELTS 7.0 for English C1. Some programs may require B2, while others may require C1. For example, the master’s in British and American Studies lists IELTS 7.0. Applicants should always check the language requirements for the specific program they plan to apply to.
5. University of Tübingen
The University of Tübingen is a comprehensive public research university located in Baden-Württemberg. It offers more than 200 study programs and has also become a major research location for artificial intelligence through the Tübingen AI Center.
Tübingen offers many programs taught in English at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including economics, biochemistry, geosciences, mathematical physics, machine learning, archaeological sciences, and nanoscience. IELTS Academic requirements vary by program: Economics and Neurobiology list IELTS 6.5, Machine Learning lists IELTS 7.0, and some English studies programs list IELTS 7.5. Applicants should confirm the current requirement on the program page before applying.
Here is what University of Tübingen scholars say about IELTS:
“Although I was exempt from submitting a formal English language test, I strongly recommend others complete one like the GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS.”
Amit Srivastava
IELTS Scores of Students Studying in Germany
FAQs about Studying in Germany
What IELTS score do I typically need for German universities?
Many English-taught master’s programs in Germany ask for around IELTS 6.5, but requirements vary by university and program. In this article, verified examples range from IELTS 5.5 for B2-level proof at Freiburg and Bielefeld to IELTS 7.0 or 7.5 for selected Tübingen programs. Always check your specific course page.
Do I need IELTS if my program is fully in English?
Usually yes. English-taught programs generally ask for IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English, PTE, or another accepted proof unless you qualify for a waiver. Some Global Scholarships recipients also describe studying in English-taught programs, such as Dia and Aiana.
Can I submit TOEFL or Duolingo instead of IELTS?
TOEFL is commonly accepted as an alternative to IELTS, and several universities also accept Cambridge English, PTE, TOEFL Essentials, or other proofs. Duolingo is not listed on the official pages checked for this article, so do not rely on it unless your specific program page explicitly accepts it.
What about German-taught programs. Do I still need IELTS?
Not usually. German-medium courses generally require German exams such as TestDaF, DSH, Goethe, or telc. However, some German-taught programs may still require English proof if English-language modules or literature are part of the curriculum, so check the program page.
Proving English language skills is an essential step for many English-taught programs in Germany. Because requirements differ by university and program, the first step is to check the official course page and prepare for IELTS Academic or another accepted test early.
We hope that this article on IELTS Band requirements for universities in Germany was helpful. You can check out the English Language Proficiency Exams to better prepare for the language requirements needed for admission. If you are interested in studying in Germany, make sure to check out Available Programs in Germany for international students!
