More on language certificates and testing

Students and staff of the University of Hamburg are eligible for free language certificates issued by the Language Center, for example for DAAD, bvmd, ERASMUS, or master and job applications.

To receive a certificate, you first have to take our placement test to determine your language level. The testing procedure is different for each language.

Please note: We strongly advise you to plan in enough time for your language certificate and to take the test well in advance of your deadline. We are doing our best to issue certificates as quickly as possible, but delays are always possible. During the lecture period, you should come to the test at least two weeks before your deadline. In the semester break, you should plan in more time than that as there are no weekly office hours during this time. Please check the current dates section for testing opportunities during the semester break.

What is the TestDaF?

The TestDaF is an international language test designed for participants who already have a good knowledge of German (B2-C1). Those who would like to take up studies at a German university have to prove that their language level is sufficient to follow classes in German.

The TestDaF consists of four parts: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral language skills. Each part that is passed is graded with 3, 4, or 5 points. You need at least 15 points and three parts have to be passed with at least 4 points and one part with 3 points to reach the level required at the University of Hamburg.

What can I use the test for?

• To prove your language level while applying for a place at a German university
• Language certification for job applications
• Scientists planning to stay at a German university can use the TestDaF to check their language level

How long does the test take?

the TestDaF takes one day

Available Testing Centers:

worldwide there are about 450 testing centers offering the TestDaF

There are seven different places in Hamburg where you can take the test

Times:

There are six fixed TestDaF testing times per year. If you would like to begin your studies in the winter semester, we recommend taking the test in June (registration in April). For studies beginning in the summer semester, it is advisable to take the test in November the year before (registration in September).

Only with these recommended times you have the opportunity to repeat the test, if necessary, before you apply.

Upcoming testing dates at the Sprachenzentrum:

09.02.2021 (registration 17.11.2020-12.01.2021) - cancelled -

24.03.2021  Online test (registration 16.02.2021 - 16.03.2021) - cancelled - 

20.04.2021 (registration 23.02.2021-24.03.2021)

08.06.2021 (registration 13.04.2021-11.05.2021)

15.07.2021 (registration 20.05.2021-17.06.2021)

09.09.2021 (registration 15.07.2021-12.08.2021)

09.11.2021 (registration 14.09.2021-12.10.2021)

Costs:

195 €

Registration:

please register at www.testdaf.de 

For further information, please visit their website www.testdaf.de

What is the DSH?

The "Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang" (DSH) is offered by German universities and is aimed at participants applying for studies at a German university who have to prove their language proficiency in German as a foreign language.

The test consists of parts covering listening comprehension, written expression, reading comprehension, oral language skills as well as your ability to work with scientific language. The written part of the DSH and the oral part are taken on different days.

Participants who pass the test will be certified with the levels DSH 1 (57% or more), DSH 2 (67% or more) and DSH 3 (82% or more). The DSH 2 level is sufficient for taking up studies at the University of Hamburg.

For details regarding the individual parts (§§ 10 and 11), please check the DSH examination regulations (last update September 3rd, 2015).

DSH Testing Centers:

The following link will lead you to a list of university DSH testing centers in Germany that are officially recognized by the Fachverband Deutsch als Fremdsprache (FaDaF) (Professional Association German as a Foreign Language).

At the University of Hamburg you can take the DSH with us at the Sprachenzentrum.

Testing Dates:

All German universities set their own testing dates individually. The Sprachenzentrum usually offers the DSH at the end of March and at the end of September each year. You will receive your results after the oral test part, which takes place about 2 weeks after the written part.

Registration:

Registration is possible via the following link: Registration for the DSH at the Sprachenzentrum

For the registration you will need the following documents in PDF format:

• A document with your name on it that certifies that you have at least reached the level B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference). This could be, for example, a confirmation of your participation in a language course, a placement test such as onDaF, or a certificate issued by a teacher or something similar)
• Only for internal applicants: letter of admission or student ID from the University of Hamburg

Costs:

The fees for the DSH vary from university to university and may be anywhere between 0 and 250€.

At the Sprachenzentrum of the University of Hamburg internal candidates (meaning you already received a letter of admission or are enrolled as a student) do not have to pay anything. External candidates are charged with 150€.

Mock DSH Exam:

We have compiled some sample assignments so you can get a feel for the type of questions asked in the DSH:

Assignements listening comprehension

Audio, Worksheet, Key, Text

Assignments reading comprehension

Text, Worksheet, Key

Assignments writing and speaking

Text production, Oral exam

What is the TestAS?

The standardized test for academic studies (TestAS) is designed to test the ability to study at a German university of participants coming from non-EU countries. It tests the intellectual abilities necessary to successfully complete one's studies.

The TestAS can be taken in German or English.

How long does the test take and what does it entail?

The TestAS consists of three parts:

• Language screening: a short language test that determines the general language ability of the participants
• Core test: tests abilities required for all subjects
• Subject-specific test modules: You can choose from four specific modules:

1. Humanities
2. Engineering
3. MIN
4. Economics

The test takes 1 day.

The University of Hamburg has a bonus point system in which good performance in TestAS has a positive effect on your enrollment.

TestAS Testing Centers:

Under the following link you will find a list of testing centers offering the TestAS

Testing Dates and Registration:

The next TestAS testing dates at the Sprachenzentrum will be:

23.04.2022 (registration from 22.11.2021 to 14.03.2022)

You can register via www.testas.de

Costs:

140 €

What is the onSET?

The onSET is an internationally recognized online placement test for German as a foreign language. With the onSET, everyone learning German can check their language proficiency. The test will be taken on a computer in our Testing Center. You will receive your test result directly after taking the test.

What can I use the onDaF for?

• Placement for language courses
• Language certificates for DAAD
• As preparation for the TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) or the DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
• If you are planning to apply for a place at a German university and will be taking a study ability test later on (such as the TestAS), you can use the onDaF as an indication how far your language skills are already developed
• Language certification for EU exchange students

How long does the test take and what does it entail?

The onSET consists of eight tasks. Each task contains a text with missing words to fill in. The test takes approximately 40 minutes.

Next testing date at the SZ:

by appointment

Costs:

20 €

Registration:

please register with Dr. Nils Bernstein (nils.bernstein@uni-hamburg.de) for an appointment

For more information on the onSET, visit their website at www.onset.de

Please first read the information on this page before you contact us. We have summarized the most important points. Should there still be something you don't understand or that you need to know, come to our office hours or write an email to:

 

Language Certifications German

(TestDaF, TestAS, DSH and free language certificates for German)

Dr. Nils Bernstein (sprachtest@uni-hamburg.de)

 

Where to Send Language Certificates of Other Institutions for Taking Our Classes?

If you would like to take classes with us and have an official language certificate that you would like to send in to prove your level, please send a scan or photo of the certificate to our administrative office via the contact form on our website