University entrance qualification (HZB)

To study in Germany, you need a university entrance qualification (HZB). This means that your school or academic certificates must be recognized for admission to a German university.

The University of Duisburg-Essen checks whether your HZB and other admission requirements are met. If your qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur, you have direct access to higher education. If not, you may need to attend a Studienkolleg. The University of Duisburg-Essen does not offer a Studienkolleg. You can find information about locations and admission requirements on the website “Studienkollegs in Germany.”

Language proficiency

The medium of instruction at the University of Duisburg-Essen is German (except in the courses that are taught in English). Therefore, you must have good German language skills in order to study successfully. Most applicants from foreign countries must provide proof of German language proficiency at DSH 2 level before beginning a course of study (apart from a few course-specific exceptions). Please provide one of the following documents as proof of your German proficiency:

• Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, German language examination for university admission) with an overall grade of DSH-2 or higher (completed at a German university)
• Deutsches Sprachdiplom (German Language Diploma) (Stage II) from the German Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (DSD II)
• telc C1 Hochschule certificate with an overall grade of ausreichend (sufficient) or higher
• TestDaF at the TDN-4 level or higher in ALL its parts
• certificate from the Goethe-Institut of having passed the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP, Central Advanced Level Examination)
• Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS, Minor German Language Certificate) and/or Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS, Major German Language Diploma)
• successful completion of the Feststellungsprüfung assessment test at the Studienkolleg
• degree in German studies completed in the EU or a CIS country (the DSH Board may include additional countries)

Note: Please be aware that you CANNOT apply for preparatory German language courses if you would like to enrol for a course with admission restrictions (NC/Orts-NC). More information about the DSH examination is available on the DSH Board’s webpages.

Please note that a DSH-3 requirement currently applies for the following programmes:

Are additional language skills required?

Many courses require proof of proficiency in additional languages. For information about the language requirements in each study course, please see the descriptions in the Study Courses section of the Student Advisory and Career Service Centre (ABZ) webpages.

Note: You cannot apply for the ISE courses at the University of Duisburg-Essen unless you have English language skills. You are expected to have English proficiency corresponding to CEFR level

• B1 (for bachelor’s programmes)
• B2 (for master’s programmes)

which you acquired in your home country. Please provide proof in the form of a certificate (TOEFL, IELTS, Medium of Instruction).

Can I apply if I do not have the required proficiency level in German?

Yes, it is possible to apply for an Bachelor's or Master's degree programme without admission restrictions, within the application periods in our application portals without sufficient knowledge of German. 

Once your eligibility for university admission – and, in the case of master’s courses, your subject-specific aptitude – has been established, you will receive a letter of admission for a language course.

Note: Please be aware that you CANNOT apply for preparatory German language courses if you would like to enrol for a course with admission restrictions (NC/Orts-NC).

German language courses for study preparation

The University of Duisburg-Essen does not offer its own German language courses for study preparation. You are responsible for choosing a private language school, all of which are subject to a fee and for which application is necessary. Please attend an intensive German language course with at least 18 hours of instruction per week.

The German course is not part of the degree program. During this time, you will focus exclusively on learning German and preparing for the language examination. Participation in lectures or examinations of the later degree program is not yet possible.

During the German course, you may enroll at the University of Duisburg-Essen as a German course student. You will receive a student ID, a semester ticket, and access to university facilities such as the cafeteria, library, and IT services.