Check What the German Test Must Prove Before Paying
You want to study in Germany. One person recommends Goethe, another mentions TestDaF, while a university page asks for DSH or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule.
Which examination should you take?
The correct answer begins with your intended programme.
A German certificate can be authentic and valuable but still be the wrong evidence for a particular university course. Booking the least expensive or earliest examination before checking acceptance can waste money and delay your intake.
For Kenyan students, the practical task is to match four things:
The language of instruction.
The exact examination accepted.
The required overall and component results.
The deadline for submitting the evidence.
This guide explains the principal German-language examination routes and how to plan your preparation.
Which German Tests Are Accepted?
For admission to German-taught university programmes, commonly recognised routes include:
- TestDaF.
- DSH.
- telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule.
- Goethe-Zertifikat C2.
- German Language Diploma DSD II.
The correct certificate and result depend on the university and programme.
A general statement that an examination is “recognised in Germany” does not establish that every university accepts every version, level or result.
English-taught programmes may require English-language evidence instead of German. Learning German can still improve daily life and employment prospects, but that is different from meeting an academic admission condition.
Understand A1 to C2 First
German courses and certificates commonly use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, known as the CEFR.
The levels are:
- A1.
- A2.
- B1.
- B2.
- C1.
- C2.
A1: Beginner
A learner can understand and use basic everyday expressions and communicate in simple situations.
A2: Elementary
A learner can understand frequently used expressions and communicate about familiar daily matters.
B1: Intermediate
A learner can manage many everyday situations, understand the main points of clear standard language and produce connected text on familiar topics.
B2: Upper intermediate
A learner can understand more complex texts and communicate with greater fluency and independence.
C1: Advanced
A learner can understand demanding texts and use German flexibly in academic, professional and social situations.
C2: Highly proficient
A learner can understand almost everything heard or read and express ideas accurately and fluently.
These descriptions refer to language ability. They are not university qualification levels and do not guarantee a fixed preparation period.
A beginner’s certificate can be a meaningful achievement without being sufficient for German-language lectures, academic reading and assessed writing.
Attendance at a C1 course is also not the same as passing an accepted C1 examination.
Before enrolling in a language course, ask exactly which document you will receive after completing it.
TestDaF: German for Academic Study
TestDaF stands for Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache.
It is designed to assess the German-language ability needed for university study.
TestDaF examines four skills:
- Reading.
- Listening.
- Writing.
- Speaking.
Results are reported separately for each component using TestDaF levels, commonly abbreviated as TDN.
Achieving at least TDN 4 in all four components is a widely recognised benchmark for German university admission. However, requirements can differ between universities and programmes.
Check every component rather than relying on a total or informal average.
A strong result in reading does not necessarily compensate for a result below the required level in writing, speaking or listening.
Passing TestDaF addresses a language condition. It does not remove:
- Academic admission requirements.
- Qualification-recognition requirements.
- Financial requirements.
- Application deadlines.
- Student visa requirements.
Before booking, confirm:
- Whether your university accepts TestDaF.
- The required result in each component.
- Available examination formats.
- Test-centre location.
- Registration deadline.
- Examination date.
- Result-release timeline.
- University evidence deadline.
Prepare using material designed for the exact TestDaF format you will sit.
DSH: A University-Based Examination
DSH stands for Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang.
It is a German-language university entrance examination commonly organised through participating German universities.
Students should not assume they can arrive in Germany and sit any university’s DSH examination without meeting registration conditions.
A university may require:
- An existing admission application.
- A conditional offer.
- Participation in a preparation course.
- Registration by a specific deadline.
- Evidence of an existing German level.
- Payment of an examination fee.
DSH results are generally expressed as:
- DSH-1.
- DSH-2.
- DSH-3.
Heidelberg University explains the following performance thresholds in both the written and oral components:
- DSH-1: At least 57%.
- DSH-2: At least 67%.
- DSH-3: At least 82%.
DSH-2 is sufficient for many programmes, but the required result depends on the course and university.
A programme with particularly demanding language requirements may require a higher result.
Kenyan applicants considering DSH should ask:
- Must I already have an admission offer?
- Can I register from outside Germany?
- Is a preparation course available?
- What existing German level is required?
- When will the examination take place?
- What happens if I do not achieve the required result?
- Can I repeat the examination?
- How will a failed result affect enrolment or residence planning?
These questions affect cost, timing and the complete study plan.
telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
The exact examination name matters.
telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule is designed to assess advanced German in a university-related context.
It should not be confused with every other examination carrying the telc name.
The telc system includes examinations for different:
- Levels.
- Professional settings.
- General language purposes.
- Educational purposes.
A university listing telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule does not necessarily mean it will accept any general telc C1 certificate.
Before registering:
Copy the exact examination title from the university’s language-requirement page.
Confirm the required result.
Verify that the test centre is offering that exact examination.
Confirm the examination and result dates.
Check whether the university imposes any additional conditions.
A recognised examination is only useful for a particular intake if the required result can be submitted by the relevant deadline.
Goethe-Zertifikat: Check the Required Level
The Goethe-Institut offers examinations across the CEFR levels from A1 to C2.
These include:
- Goethe-Zertifikat A1.
- Goethe-Zertifikat A2.
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1.
- Goethe-Zertifikat B2.
- Goethe-Zertifikat C1.
- Goethe-Zertifikat C2.
Goethe-Zertifikat C2 is recognised as German-language evidence by German universities.
Acceptance of lower Goethe levels depends on the institution, programme and purpose.
Do not interpret “Goethe accepted” as permission to submit an A1, B1 or B2 certificate for any German-taught degree.
The exact level and certificate are essential.
Kenyan candidates should check the Goethe-Institut Kenya examination and enrolment information for:
- Available levels.
- Examination dates.
- Registration windows.
- Candidate categories.
- Module options.
- Current fees.
- Payment instructions.
- Result arrangements.
A private language school may prepare students for a Goethe examination without being the organisation that issues the official certificate.
Ask who administers the final examination and what certificate successful candidates receive.
What Is DSD II?
DSD means Deutsches Sprachdiplom.
DSD II is another recognised German-language route referenced by DAAD. It is commonly associated with participating school programmes.
It should not be treated as a universally available walk-in examination for every adult applicant.
If your school offers DSD II, ask:
- How students are selected.
- How preparation works.
- When the examination takes place.
- Which skills are assessed.
- When certificates are issued.
- Which universities and programmes accept the result.
If your school does not offer it, concentrate on examination routes that are genuinely accessible to you.
Do English-Taught Degrees Require German?
Some German programmes are taught entirely in English and require English-language evidence rather than German.
However, students should check the actual programme instead of assuming that every internationally marketed master’s degree is fully English-taught.
Review separately:
- Language of instruction.
- Admission requirements.
- Language used in examinations.
- Internship or placement requirements.
- Professional-registration requirements.
- Whether some compulsory units use German.
- Whether German is needed for the intended employment field.
IELTS, TOEFL and PTE Academic assess English ability. They do not certify German proficiency.
Similarly, a German-language certificate does not automatically replace a required English result.
German can still be valuable for:
- Daily communication.
- Housing.
- Part-time employment.
- Internships.
- Workplace integration.
- Graduate employment.
- Long-term professional development.
These practical benefits should not be confused with formal admission requirements.
Studienkolleg May Have Different Requirements
Some international applicants require preparatory study before they qualify for undergraduate admission in Germany.
A Studienkolleg prepares eligible students for the assessment examination and later university study.
DAAD explains that Studienkolleg entry commonly involves German at approximately B1 or B2 level and an entrance examination.
This does not create a universal rule that B1 is sufficient for admission to every German Bachelor’s Degree.
Students must check:
- Whether their Kenyan qualification permits direct university entry.
- Whether Studienkolleg is required.
- The type of Studienkolleg course needed.
- German level required for entry.
- Entrance-examination requirements.
- Final assessment requirements.
- The language requirement for the intended degree.
Language preparation alone does not determine whether a Kenyan school qualification provides direct university entrance.
Academic eligibility and language eligibility must both be assessed.
Goethe Examination Fees in Kenya
At the research check on 27 September 2026, Goethe-Institut Kenya’s published external-candidate examination fees included:
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1: KES 25,000.
- Goethe-Zertifikat B2: KES 26,000.
- Goethe-Zertifikat C1: KES 27,000.
- Goethe-Zertifikat C2: KES 33,000.
Internal-candidate fees differ.
The institute also publishes module prices for certain examinations.
These amounts represent examination charges—not the complete cost of German-language preparation.
Before paying, confirm:
- Current fee.
- Candidate category.
- Whether the fee covers the complete examination or one module.
- Available dates.
- Registration procedure.
- Payment instructions.
- Rescheduling and refund rules.
- Result-release timeline.
Do not use Goethe examination prices as estimates for TestDaF, DSH or telc.
Request the current charge for the exact examination you intend to sit.
Budget for the Complete Language Journey
A realistic German-language budget may include:
- Level assessment.
- Language tuition.
- Registration charges.
- Textbooks.
- Online resources.
- Mock examinations.
- Examination fee.
- Module fees where applicable.
- Transport to the test centre.
- Accommodation where travel is required.
- Document delivery.
- A possible resit.
- The effect of delayed results on the intended intake.
Passing several lower-level examinations can provide useful milestones, but students should decide whether they need a certificate at every stage.
The appropriate approach depends on personal progress, course requirements and the need for formal evidence.
Build a Realistic Preparation Plan
Step 1: Confirm the required examination
Begin with the university’s published admission page.
Identify the exact certificates and results accepted for the intended programme.
Step 2: Assess your current level
Take a credible placement assessment and ask a qualified teacher to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Do not rely only on a general label such as “intermediate.”
Step 3: Calculate the gap
Compare your current level with the required examination and score.
A learner currently at A2 has a different preparation task from someone already performing strongly at B2.
Step 4: Work backwards from the deadline
Allow time for:
- Course application.
- Examination registration.
- Preparation.
- Examination day.
- Results.
- Certificate processing.
- Submission to the university.
- A possible second attempt.
Avoid a plan that succeeds only if every step occurs on the earliest possible date.
Step 5: Practise academic language
German university study requires more than conversational vocabulary.
Students may need to:
- Follow lectures.
- Understand academic texts.
- Summarise information.
- Explain arguments.
- Compare viewpoints.
- Produce structured writing.
- Speak clearly under examination conditions.
Use official sample materials and understand the assessment format.
Step 6: Review progress honestly
Complete practice examinations under timed conditions.
If results remain below the target, adjust the schedule before paying non-refundable university or travel costs.
The preparation period depends on:
- Starting level.
- Study intensity.
- Previous language-learning experience.
- Quality of instruction.
- Independent practice.
- Individual progress.
No responsible adviser can guarantee that every beginner will reach C1 within the same number of months.
Questions to Send the University
Before booking a test, ask:
- Which exact German certificates do you accept for this programme?
- What overall result is required?
- Are minimum component results required?
- Must the evidence accompany the application?
- Can it be submitted after a conditional offer?
- What is the final evidence deadline?
- Are online or digital examination versions accepted?
- Are there requirements concerning the age of the result?
- Can the result be verified electronically?
- What happens if the certificate is delayed?
- Is a preparatory German course available?
- Does the course include placements with separate language expectations?
Keep the university’s written response with your application records.
A conditional admission letter does not mean the language condition has already been satisfied.
Check the Visa Requirements Separately
University admission and student visa assessment are related but separate processes.
A language certificate accepted by the university does not automatically satisfy every visa-document requirement.
Check the current instructions provided by:
- The German mission responsible for your application.
- The university.
- The examination provider.
- Any official application platform involved.
Your documents should present a consistent study plan, including how the language requirement will be met before enrolment.
Common Mistakes
Common mistakes include:
- Booking the cheapest test before checking acceptance.
- Registering for a general telc examination instead of telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule.
- Assuming every Goethe certificate qualifies for university admission.
- Treating attendance at a language course as proof of examination proficiency.
- Looking only at an overall score and ignoring component requirements.
- Assuming B1 is sufficient for every German degree.
- Confusing Studienkolleg entry requirements with university-degree requirements.
- Leaving insufficient time for results or a resit.
- Treating IELTS as proof of German ability.
- Assuming an English-taught degree means German has no practical value.
- Using outdated fee information.
- Believing that passing a language test guarantees admission or a visa.
Francis Mwaura’s Overview
Choose the course first and the examination second.
The intended programme determines what the language certificate must prove. A candidate should not begin with the test that appears cheapest, easiest or most accessible and then search for universities willing to accept it.
A strong preparation plan connects:
The programme’s language of instruction.
The exact accepted examination.
The required component results.
The student’s current language level.
The application and evidence deadlines.
A realistic preparation and resit allowance.
For Kenyan families, the financial plan should also cover more than the final examination fee. Tuition, learning materials, transport and possible repeat attempts can materially change the total budget.
The best examination is the one accepted for the chosen programme and realistically achievable within the available preparation period.
How Openmaps Helps
Openmaps Education Agency supports students with:
- German course and university comparisons.
- Academic-profile assessments.
- Language-requirement checks.
- Studienkolleg pathway questions.
- Application-document preparation.
- Tuition and living-cost planning.
- Student visa readiness.
- Study-to-career planning.
Universities, examination providers and German authorities make their own admission, language-certification and visa decisions.
Openmaps cannot guarantee a test result, university admission, scholarship, student visa, employment or permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is B1 enough to study in Germany?
Not as a universal rule. Some preparatory routes may accept B1 or B2, while German-taught degree programmes can require higher proficiency. Check the exact programme.
Which German examination is easiest?
The useful question is which accepted examination fits your preparation, strengths and available schedule. An easier but unaccepted certificate does not solve the admission requirement.
Is TestDaF accepted by every German university?
TestDaF is widely recognised, but students should confirm the result and component requirements for the specific programme.
Is DSH-2 sufficient?
DSH-2 is sufficient for many programmes, but requirements differ. Some courses may impose a different standard.
Is every telc C1 examination accepted?
No. A university may specifically require telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. Confirm the complete examination title before registering.
Can I use Goethe B1 or B2 for university admission?
Acceptance depends on the programme and purpose. Do not assume that every Goethe level satisfies a German-taught university’s admission requirement.
Do German certificates expire after two years?
Do not assume one universal expiry rule. Check the examination provider’s certificate policy and the receiving university’s recency requirements.
Can I submit a language-school attendance certificate?
Only when the university explicitly accepts it. Attendance and demonstrated examination proficiency are different.
Does an English-taught programme require German?
It may not require German for academic admission, but German can still be important for everyday life, internships and employment. Confirm the programme’s formal requirements.
Does passing a German test guarantee admission or a visa?
No. A language result addresses one requirement. Academic, financial, documentation and visa requirements remain separate.
Author Box
Written by Francis Mwaura, Founder & CEO of Openmaps Education Agency.
Francis has more than 12 years of experience across international education, banking and global sales. He has guided more than 5,000 students from Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
He holds a master’s degree from the University of Sydney and a bachelor’s degree from Australian Catholic University.
Openmaps Education Agency has offices in Nairobi, Eldoret and Sydney and supports students with destination selection, university applications, visa readiness and practical study planning.
Official Sources Checked
Official information checked on 27 September 2026:
- DAAD — German-language requirements and recognised evidence
- Goethe-Institut — German examinations
- TestDaF — German-language evidence for university admission
- Heidelberg University — DSH examination
- telc — Deutsch C1 Hochschule
- Goethe-Institut Kenya — Examination dates, registration and fees
- DAAD — German university admission requirements
Important Disclaimer
This guide provides general educational information and does not constitute an individual admission, language-certification, qualification-equivalence, immigration or legal decision.
University requirements, examination fees, test availability and visa procedures can change. Confirm the rules applying to your course and circumstances with the university, examination provider and responsible German authority before registering or paying.