Language proficiency

...in "German" language

(For all German language master courses including the course „International Management and Engineering“)

... for the application

(Attention: Proof of a higher level of language proficiency is required for enrolment.)

  • By the application deadline, proof of at least German language skills at the level of the successfully completed B 2.2 examination must be provided for all German language Master's degree programmes. 

The language examination must have been taken according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and must not be older than 2 years. German nationals who did not obtain their high school-leaving certificate or Bachelor/Master degree at a German school/university must also provide proof of language proficiency.

A confirmation of registration or participation for a test is not sufficient for enrolment. Only the successfully passed examination at the required level is sufficient as proof. An admission without a proof of this language level until application deadline isn`t possible. Alternatively, a language certificate required for enrolment can of course already be submitted during the application process.

... for enrolment

Proof of sufficient German language skills for all German language Master's degree programmes for enrolment must be provided by the end of the enrolment period through the following examinations:

  • the "Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF)" with 16 points (no test part under 3) and not older than 2 years
  • the certificate "telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule" not older than two years
  • a "Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH)" pass from a German university with an average DSH-2 grade at least not older than two years
  • a certification or graduation certificate issued by a German "Studienkolleg"
  • a degree certificate (of a course of study with German as language of instruction) issued by a German university or university of applied science (Fachhochschule)
  • the "Deutsches Sprachdiplom" (Stage II) awarded by the "Kulturministerkonferenz"
  • the "Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom" awarded by the Goethe Institute
  • a university entrance qualification gained at a German school abroad or a regular school in the Federal Republic of Germany (German „Abitur“ or „Realschlabschluss“)
  • a completed vocational training of at least 2 years in Germany

German nationals who did not obtain their high school-leaving certificate or Bachelor/Master degree at a German school/university must also provide proof of language proficiency.

Please inform yourself in time about the offer of language examinations and when they will take place. Enrolment at the TUHH cannot take place if the passed test cannot be proven by the end of the enrolment deadline. A confirmation of registration or participation for a test is not sufficient for enrolment. Only the successfully passed examination at the required level is sufficient as proof.

You should attend a suitable language course in your own country to ensure that your proficiency in German is adequate. German language courses are offered at many foreign universities, Goethe Institutes and German cultural institutes abroad. Details are available from German diplomatic and consular representatio


...in "English" language

There are lectures in English in all German-language Master's programmes. It is therefore advisable to have sufficient knowledge of English for all Master's programmes. However, official proof of sufficient English language skills is only required for the Master's programme in "Computer Science" and "Electrical Engineering" until application deadline and in „International Management and Engineering“ until enrolment deadline. 

Proof of proficiency can be:

  • a valid TOEFL-score (at least 577 (PB), 90 (IB) and 22 (revised paper-delivered) respectively). The TUHH institution code is 8165, a department code is not required. Note: The TOEFL ITP and the TOEFL Essentials will not be accepted by TUHH! 
  • a valid IELTS-Academics-result (at least 6.5)
  • a valid Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
  • a valid Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English
  • a valid "telc English C1"-result
  • a valid "UNIcert English level III"-result
  • only graduates of TUHH Bachelor course in GES/ ES: There will be no need of a separate language test if the final degree is not older than two years.
  • only graduates of an other TUHH-Bachelor's program: You can prove your English knowledge by attending and finishing the TUHH-C1.2-English course with success.

Please keep in mind that the above-mentioned cerficates could only be accepted within two years after passing the exam. And only the above-mentioned certificates will be accepted by TUHH, without exceptions. If you can't prove one of the above-mentioned examinations, enrolment will be refused.

Please inform yourself in time about the offer of language examinations and when they will take place. A confirmation of registration or participation for a test is not sufficient for enrolment. Only the successfully passed examination at the required level is sufficient as proof.