German is the language of instruction at most universities and on most degree programmes in Germany. You must know the German language if you intend to study at a public university there.
Students who plan on taking a course or degree taught in German must meet language requirements. You can demonstrate your German proficiency by taking a test. Examples of the accepted tests are:
- TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language),
- DSH (German Language University Entrance Examinations for International Applicants)
- GDS (Goethe Institut German Language Diploma)
- DSD ( Level II)
Students taking courses for 1 or 2 semesters duration, may not need to take a German language proficiency test – as they will be studying German! This is not the case for students that wish to stay for longer, to attend higher education. In that case, it is a requirement to prove your German language level before you leave your home country.
That does not mean that you are doomed if you can’t express yourself in German – you can learn! There are many great ways to study German even if you didn’t study it at high school.
In the recent past, universities in Germany have introduced English-taught courses to cater to the growing number of international students. There has been an increase in English-speaking students seeking to acquire degrees from the world-class universities in Germany. Some of these brilliant minds are African students taking their undergraduates and postgraduate programs in Germany.
However, even if you want to study in English, it is highly recommended to have basic German language skills. You will be able to interact and communicate with the locals if you speak their language effectively.
Learning German will enable you to move around on public transport. You will be able to shop in the supermarket, and anywhere, with ease. You will be able to make friends and integrate into German culture.
Learning basic German language skills will be good for you in the long run. Especially true if you want to stay behind for work or settle in Germany. Not only is it the language of the country where you will study and live.
German is, of course, the language of business in Germany. There are companies who use English as the language of business, but not so many.
Eurasia Institute
Eurasia Institute in the capital of Berlin offers tailor-made solutions for African students. They are a provider of German language programs and also university pathways. Ideal for students without prior knowledge of the German language.
It is important to note that public universities in Germany offer tuition-free programs. Most African students opt for this option to enjoy the benefits of studying for free.
Any student interested in joining a public university should check out the German language courses offered at Eurasia. The institute offers intensive German language programs that help boost students’ chances of enrolling for bachelor’s degrees in public universities. What’s more, Eurasia Institute in Berlin also prepares African students for their degree programs in other ways. They offer the following additional services:
Pre-arrival support
University conditional offer letter (confirmation a student is eligible to study in German)
- Visa documentation
- Blocked account opening support
- Provisional insurance
- Visa support
Preparation programme support with university applications
- Intensive language preparation course from A1 to C1 (30 lessons per week)
- Preparation for the language test and university entrance exam (STK/TestDaF/DSH exam)
- Individual advisory service and counseling for final admission
- Reservation of accommodation
The Eurasia Institute in Berlin has partnered with many institutions of higher learning in different Landër of Germany. You take your German language classes with Eurasia. After completing the program, Eurasia Institute will help you gain entry into the numerous universities in Germany.
The Eurasia Institute provides insightful information that enables you to make an informed decision concerning your future.
It is more convenient to show that you speak the local language during job applications or interviews. For international students with limited knowledge of the German language, it is advisable to take a course taught in English.
If you can’t express yourself in English at a native level, it is compulsory to take IELTS or TOEFL. You should always check the university website to be well versed in the requirements.
Learning the German language is a step in the right direction if you want a world-class German university education.
The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK)
The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs is the oldest conference of ministers in Germany. It plays a significant role as an instrument for the coordination and development of education in the country. It is a consortium of ministers responsible for education and schooling, institutes of higher education and research and cultural affairs. They meet several times per year and decide on the equivalency of secondary school/university qualifications from around the world. There is a database for students to check if their certificates qualify them for university entry in Germany. One database for secondary school qualifications. There is another for university degrees, for potential transfer students
