Language Prerequisites

 Before you can start with your degree course, you have to prove sufficient language skills.

Re­quire­ments ac­cord­ing to de­gree pro­grammes

You can apply for all Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes taught in German if you can provide one of the following proofs of German language proficiency:

  • a certificate obtained at a German university or a preparatory college in accordance with the HRK framework regulationsDSH certificate(minimum result DSH 2)
  • TestDaF with level 4 in all 4 parts of the examination
  • German Language Diploma Level II of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
  • Central Upper Level Examination of the Goethe-Institut
  • Kleines or Gro?es Deutsches Sprachdiplom of the Goethe-Institut
  • Goethe-Zertifikat C2
  • telc German C1 University
  • Assessment test at a state preparatory college of the Federal Republic of Germany

If you have not yet acquired the German language skills required for your degree programme, you can apply for a language course at Paderborn University with your application for admission to the degree programme (answer YES to question 11).

You can find further information on language courses here.

Other language entry requirements apply for some degree programmes

The language requirements for admission to a doctoral programme are fulfilled if the responsible doctoral committee certifies sufficient language skills; in this case, it is generally possible to complete the doctoral programme entirely in a foreign language.

Alternatively, you can study these Master's degree programmes in Computer Science and Physics entirely in English if you have a very good command of English. Please make it clear in your application in which language you would like to study the degree programme.
The Electrical Systems Engineering (M.Sc.) degree programme can only be studied in English.

You meet the language requirements if you can provide one of the following certificates:

  • a Bachelor's degree obtained in Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand or the USA
  • Bachelor's degree in an English-language accredited degree programme at a German university
  • TOEFL*** with a score of 550 (paper and pencil) or 585 (ESE) or 80 (internet-based) or 87 (ESE)
  • Cambridge ESOL Certificate (CPE, CAE with minimum grade B, FCE with minimum grade A)
  • IELTS with a minimum grade of 6.5 (Computer Science) or 6.0 (Physics, Electrical Systems Engineering)

Important: Proof of the above-mentioned English language skills is mandatory and is laid down in the relevant examination regulations. It must also be provided if you have completed an English-language degree programme in a country other than those mentioned above. We regret that exceptions are not possible.

For the German-language version of the Master's degree programme in Computer Science, in addition to the German language skills described above, English language skills must also be proven, at least by:

  • TOEFL*** with a score of 500 (paper and pencil) or 61 (internet-based)
  • Cambridge ESOL Certificate (CPE, CAE with minimum grade C, FCE with minimum grade B)
  • IELTS with a minimum score of 5.0

Proof of German language proficiency is not required for the Master's degree programme in English and American Studies. The required English language skills can be proven by:

  • TOEFL*** with a score of 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based)
  • Cambridge ESOL Certificate (CPE, CAE with grade A or B)
  • IELTS score of 7.0 in the Academic Module

The language certificates must not be older than two years.

In order to be admitted to the Master's degree programme in International Economics and Management, students must provide proof of sound English language skills in the form of certificates or documents relating to

  • successfully completed schooling, at a German institution, in English from the 5th grade at the earliest and lasting at least 5 years or
  • a Bachelor's degree in an English-speaking country or in a domestic degree programme accredited as English-language or
  • a language test at least at TOEFL 87 level (internet-based) or
  • equivalent knowledge (e.g. Business English Certificate (BEC):BEC Vantage - Level B2, IELTS 6.5 or Cambridge First Certificate Grade A)

German language skills are also required. Applicants who have not obtained their study qualification at a German-speaking institution must provide proof of German language skills at a level of at least A2 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). The following are recognised as proof

  • Goethe-Institut certificates (at least A2 level)
  • TestDaF (TDN 3, TDN 4, TDN 5)
  • German language examination for university entrance (DSH) (DSH 1, DSH 2, DSH 3)
  • a computer-based placement test (C-Test procedure) after enrolment at Paderborn University

Students who do not have the required German language skills must acquire them during their studies before completing their Master's programme. The required German language skills can be acquired at Paderborn University in German courses totalling 240 hours and can be credited as part of the Studium Generale for the elective module "Elective-Module".

Required language skills for the Master's programme in Computer Engineering:

With DSH

  • Proof of English language proficiency at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), e.g. TOEFL iBT 61 points, TOEFL paper & pencil 500 points, Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE - grade B) or British Council IELTS, minimum band 5.0

Without DSH

  • Bachelor's degree in an English-speaking country (Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand or USA) or in a domestic degree programme accredited as English-language or
  • Proof of English language proficiency at least at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), achieved for example by TOEFL iBT 80 points, TOEFL paper & pencil 550 points, Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or British Council IELTS, minimum band 6.5

For the Master's degree programmes Optoelectronics & Photonics and Materials Science, proof of German language skills is not required. The required English language skills can be proven by:

  • TOEFL 80 (iBT) or 550 (pbT) or
  • IELTS 6.0 or
  • First certificate in English FCE or equivalent tests or
  • Bachelor's degree in an English-speaking country (UK, USA, Canada, Australia/New Zealand) or in a domestic degree programme accredited as English-language.

Proof of German language skills is not required for the Master's degree programme Applied Neurosciences in Sport & Exercise. The required English language skills can be proven by:

  • TOEFL 87 (iBT) or 550 (pbT) or
  • IELTS 5.5 or FCE (Cambridge ESOL) or
  • Unicert II or comparable or
  • Bachelor's degree in an English-speaking country (UK, USA, Canada, Australia/New Zealand) or in a domestic degree programme accredited as English-speaking

*** The ETS Institution Code of the University of Paderborn is 4037.

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