German results: what counts as a pass, and what universities want
German certificates are read differently from English ones. A Goethe-Zertifikat says you have reached a level; TestDaF says how well you performed across a band. Neither expires, which changes the planning completely — a certificate earned now is still valid whenever you apply.
Goethe-Zertifikat: level, not score
You choose the level before you sit it, and you either reach it or you do not. Each of the four modules is assessed separately and appears separately on the certificate, so a result is really four results.
- Pass the modules you sat, and those modules are certified.
- Fail one, and only that one needs re-sitting.
- The certificate does not expire.
Some institutions ask for a single certificate covering all four modules rather than separate module certificates. If you are assembling a level module by module, check that your university accepts it that way before you rely on it.
TestDaF: the TDN levels
TestDaF reports a TDN level for each of the four parts rather than a single overall mark. The levels run TDN 3, TDN 4 and TDN 5, with results below TDN 3 reported as such.
The requirement most German universities state is TDN 4 in all four parts, which is where a TestDaF result is treated as sufficient for admission to a German-taught degree. Some programmes accept TDN 3 in one part; some demand TDN 5 in specific parts for demanding subjects. Read the programme's own page.
- The certificate is valid indefinitely.
- It is recognised by all universities in Germany.
- Digital TestDaF allows a combined certificate taking your best result per part across sittings within a six-month window.
The alternatives universities also accept
| Certificate | What it proves | Note |
|---|---|---|
| TestDaF, TDN 4 in all four | Language readiness for German-taught study | The most portable — accepted everywhere |
| DSH-2 | The same, via a university-run exam | Usually taken in Germany, at the university itself |
| Goethe-Zertifikat C2 | Very advanced German | Accepted widely, and more than most programmes need |
| telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule | University-level German | Accepted by many, not all — check first |
The expensive mistake on this route is not a low score; it is a certificate the university does not take. Confirm the accepted list on your programme's page before you book anything.
English-taught programmes, and what you still need
A great many German master's programmes are taught entirely in English and require no German for admission. That does not mean no German: A2 or B1 is what makes daily life, a part-time job and the 18-month post-study job search workable, and the Blue Card route expects you to function in a German workplace.
If you are applying to an English-taught programme, your compulsory paperwork is the APS — and since 2026 the dMAT if your degree is in engineering, commerce or business and you are applying from the summer semester 2027 intake onwards. Those are not language requirements and they are not optional.
German results & scores — FAQs
4 questions
Most state TDN 4 in all four parts. Some accept TDN 3 in one part and some demand TDN 5 for particular subjects, so read the programme's own page.
No. Goethe-Zertifikat and TestDaF certificates are valid indefinitely, unlike IELTS, TOEFL and PTE, which last two years.
Both prove language readiness for German-taught study. DSH is run by German universities and usually taken in Germany; TestDaF is run centrally and can be taken at over 500 centres worldwide.
Not for admission to most of them. You will want A2 or B1 for daily life, part-time work and the 18-month post-study job search.
Sources
Checked on 25 September 2026 against the official pages below. Fees and formats change — the official page is always the final word.
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