Required Language Skills for University Studies

For both bachelor’s and master’s programs (and possibly also for a doctoral program), you must provide proof of your proficiency in German, English, or other languages. On this page, you will find an overview of the proficiency level to be demonstrated for the respective language as well as the certificates we recognize for each level.

Bachelor’s degree programs and Law

The bachelor's degree programs as well as the Rechtswissenschaft (Law) program offered at the University of Potsdam are held in German and very good German language skills are therefore required for admission. Before you can enroll and begin your studies, you must have reached German language skills corresponding to level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

In justified cases, the study and examination regulations of a degree program may also specify a lower level of language proficiency. Currently, this only applies to the bachelor’s program “Angewandte Kultur- und Translationsstudien (deutsch-polnisch)”, for which level B2 of the CEFR will suffice.

Master’s degree programs

Many of the master’s degree programs offered at the University of Potsdam are German-language programs or contain modules in which German is the language of instruction and consequently require proof of sufficient German language skills upon application. For these, applicants must provide evidence of German language skills that correspond to level C1 or better of the CEFR. For some master's degree programs (e.g. English-language programs), different levels of German language proficiency (B2, B1 or A2) may also be required, which are governed by the respective subject-specific access and admission regulations.

Doctoral programs

There are no general requirements for demonstrating German language skills, or other language skills, for doctoral degree programs. Please consult the applicable regulations for a doctoral degree to find out which language requirements apply for your doctoral degree program. Please consult your dissertation supervisor for more information.

Bachelor’s degree programs and Law

The required English language skills for some of our bachelor's degree programs are specified in the respective study and examination regulations. These language skills are usually demonstrated by means of a language aptitude test or a recognized equivalent, without reference to a specific level under the CEFR. Please refer to the information page for requirements and ways to document equivalencies. The information under the “Master's degree" section below does not apply here.

Master’s degree programs

For the majority of master's degree programs at the University of Potsdam, you will have to provide proof of a certain level of proficiency in English (C1, B2, or A2). The respective subject-specific access and admission regulations govern proficiency level requirements.

Bachelor’s degree programs

The required language skills for bachelor's degree programs are specified in the respective study and examination regulations. These language skills are usually demonstrated by means of a language aptitude test or a recognized equivalent.

For master’s degree programs, the respective subject-specific access and admission regulations govern proficiency level requirements and the recognized certificates to document the required proficiency level.