German Language requirements / English Language requirements (JFK Institute)

 As you already know, most courses at the Freie Universität Berlin are conducted in German. In order to successfully complete modules and courses, you must first demonstrate sufficient German language skills.

in the humanities and social sciences:
level 3 TestDaF (in all four areas) or European language certificate B.2.1 – in accordance with the Council of Europe scale.

at the Language Center:
European language certificate B.1 - in accordance with the Council of Europe scale.

at the John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies:
European language certificate C.1 – in accordance with the Council of Europe scale or - alternatively - you can hand in a C.1 English language certificate.

in the natural sciences:
European language certificate B.1.1 – in accordance with the Council of Europe scale.

Additional information: TestDaF-Institute / Goethe-Institute.

If it should turn out in the beginning of the semester that your German language skills are below the required language levels, it will not be possible to participate in courses in your field of study. You will only be able to take a German language course, given that there are still places available. In order to take part in a German language course, you must register during the orientation days.

In order to give you an opportunity to test your level of German, we would like to ask you to take an online German language test. Please send us the result of your online German language test to incoming@fu-berlin.de. You do not need to provide us with a TestDaF certificate or the like, an online placement test free of charge or a confirmation issued by the language center of your home university will suffice.

Attention: If German is your mother tongue, you do not need to take the language test.

Students who have been admitted to one of the few study programmes which are taught in English predominantly need English language skills. We nevertheless urgently recommend you to get at least a beginner’s level of German language before you arrive in Berlin. Freie Universität Berlin does notoffer any German language courses for absolute beginners. It is your choice whether you take the German language test and communicate your results to us.