Who must submit a language certificate?
The candidates concerned will be informed after the entrance examination (in April and May) whether they need to submit a language certificate.
What language skills are required?
The minimum level of German required for the respective degree programmes are listed below:
Bachelor degree programmes
- Bachelor of Arts in Music: Level B2
- Bachelor of Arts in Music/Composition: Level B2
- Bachelor of Arts in Music/Music Theory: Level B2
- Bachelor of Arts in Music/Church Music: Level B2
- Bachelor of Arts in Music/Wind Music Direction: Level B2
- Bachelor of Arts/Music and Movement: Level C1
Master's degree programmes
Master of Arts in Music
- Major Performance Classical Instrumental: Level B1
- Major Performance Classical Vocal: Level B1
- Major Performance Jazz: Level B1
- Major Solo Performance: Level B1
- Major Orchestra: Level B1
- Major Chamber Music: Level B1
- Major Church Music: Level B1
- Major Interpretation in Contemporary Music: Level B1
- Major Music and Art Performance: Level B1
- Major Conducting: Level B1
- Major Composition: Level B1
- Major Music and Digital Creation: Level B1
- Major Music Research: Level C1
- Major Artistic Research: Level German B1 / Level English C1
Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy
- Major Instrumental/Vocal Pedagogy: Level B2
- Major School Music II: Level C1
- Major Music Theory: Level C1
Doctorate
- PhD Artistic Research: Level German B1 / Level English C1
When should the language certificate be submitted?
The language certificate does not have to be available at the time of application. It is recommended that existing language certificates (German) be submitted with the application. In the event of admission to the course, the required language skills must be proven by a recognised language certificate by 15 August at the latest.
Important: A language certificate is the officially confirmed result of a language test covering the four competences ‘reading’, ‘writing’, ‘listening’ and ‘speaking’. Proof of language course attendance or the successful completion of a language course does not count as a language certificate. Enrolment can only take place once the language certificate is available. Please make sure you book an examination date with the institution of your choice as soon as you have been accepted (see below), as the examination dates must be booked well in advance.
Which language certificates are recognised?
The following certificates are accepted for admission to a degree programme:
- Goethe-Zertifikat: At least 3 out of 4 competences passed. Year of issue 2025
- telc German: At least grade ‘good’. Year of issue 2025
- TestDaF: At least level 4 in all subtests. Year of issue 2025
The certificate must be from the year in which you intend to start your studies or must not be older than 6 months.
Who is exempt from the language certificate?
Anyone who speaks German as their mother tongue or has obtained a baccalaureate/vocational baccalaureate/technical baccalaureate from an educational institution where German is the official language is exempt from providing proof of sufficient German language skills.
