When planning to study abroad, IELTS is one of those requirements that has become standard for most popular abroad destinations like the UK, Canada, and the US. However, suppose your abroad destination is different from the popular ones, and your destination is another country such as Germany. In that case, you might be wondering if IELTS is still required.
It is possible to get admission in Germany without IELTS if you are applying to a German University whose medium of study is in English, and you can supply an English proficiency Certificate of Medium of Instruction. Moreover, there are Universities in Germany where IELTS is not a mandatory requirement for getting admission or a visa.
As a non-English speaking country, Germany’s education system is peculiar, and while it is possible to get admission at a German university without presenting an IELTS, there are other requirements to fulfill at the point of admission before applying for a visa. Also, the university you apply to also has a role to play.
Read on as we explain in more detail:
#1. Provide Proof of English Proficiency
Proof of English Proficiency is just a confirmation that you have enough English language skills to successfully attend an English-speaking school or English-taught program and have proof beyond just saying you can speak English.
How can I get Proof of English Proficiency?
You can provide proof of English Proficiency through the following ways;
- English language certificate – This Proof of Proficiency is required by most universities Often a standardized from an acceptable institutional body, e.g. IELTS, TOEFL
- Proof of Participation – This is gotten at a language course (most especially where the medium of study is English language) that you completed, by providing perhaps a transcript of results.
- Proof of Having Completed University Studies in English Language- Most universities are able to provide you a letter of confirmation.
This letter often shows your date of enrolment, your program of study and the mode and language of learning - Proof of Participation in Some Number of Language Classes.
You can also show proof of English proficiency through your English results in high school.
For example, if you’ve taken the English language in your Cambridge A levels, GCSE, or IGCSE, you might be able to get exempted from English language requirements as it could stand in as proof of proficiency in English.
However, you’ll need to have high scores to be convincing enough.
How high? Nothing less than a B, for starters.
If you’re a postgraduate applicant and your undergraduate degree was in English and was taught in an English-speaking country, you may be exempted from providing IELTS results.
But this is dependent on some factors, such as how long ago you completed that degree. It is most effective when you are applying within 1-2 years after completing your undergrad.
Nevertheless, these methods aren’t automatic. As an applicant, it’s best you’re proactive about your application process.
You can send e-mails to the admission team to find out more and make your case (don’t worry, they don’t bite).
Be direct with your request but remain polite. Also, practice those English persuasion skills so you can show them you don’t need to take an IELTS exam.
#2. Choose The Right University
This is another important factor one should consider when applying to study in Germany.
While there are universities that require you to take an IELTS exam, most universities in Germany don’t require that you take an IELTS exam.
You can check the requirements that universities in Germany would want that will make you eligible for admission into the university.
Settle down and thoroughly go through the universities you picked and choose which university will be best for you academic-wise and career-wise also.
Take a bold step and apply for the university you chose.
But also, keep in mind that not all embassies will give you a student visa without taking an IELTS exam.
Contact the nearest embassy and inquire if you can process further without an IELTS exam.
You can also ask your university to provide you with a letter to prove that you don’t need an IELTS exam as a requirement to gain admission.
Also, the course you want to study will play a vital role in whether you’ll need to take an IELTS exam. So you’ll also need to check up on courses you can study that won’t require you taking an IELTS exam.
#3. Choose The Right Program
Majorly, there are 3 types of programs accessible for international students willing to study in Germany without IELTS.
They include Bachelor’s, Masters, and Ph.D. Degree Programs.
The programs are taught in German and English language.
German education (particularly the university or college) is split up into German and English.
International students who are not intimately familiar with Germany’s regional languages can go for programs taught in the English language.
Most universities in Germany offer several English-taught courses to attract students from various countries.
Applicants from English speaking countries can study these programs without taking an IELTS exam.
Speaking from my own point of view, I did my little research. Germany has a very conducive environment for learning as they are very industrious and offer international students a part-time job.
I would also advise you to explore your interests and skills and see what job opportunities that degree you applied for can get you.
Then ask yourself if you see yourself doing any of those jobs; if YES, you are on the right track.
One good thing about studying in Germany is the work prospects it has, even for international students.
A degree given or issued by Germany is extremely valued and globally acknowledged, thereby making it a little bit easier for German graduates tend to have a place in the large and demanding international market.
The courses You Can Study In Germany without providing IELTS
We’ve established that you can study in Germany without an IELTS. However, this may be subject to the choice of study.
So I’ll help you with some courses you can apply for without providing an IELTS.
German universities provide a broad range of courses. These courses still cut across programs, such as a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree, and a Ph.D.
Well, moving on, courses you can study without IELTS in Germany includes;
- Medicine
- Law
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Business
- Psychology
These are some they offer; German universities also offer many other courses.
Disclaimer: First off, there’s no such thing as a right or wrong course program of study. This is not saying that applying for a law degree is wrong compared to someone applying for a business degree.
The focus of this post is that there is a right program that will boost your chances of being IELTS exempt. You can’t hope to get an IELTS exemption if you are applying to study for an English degree. The chances are slimmer for this path.
Other courses such as engineering, medicine, computer science are more realistic options and increase your chances of studying in Germany without an IELTS.
Some Universities You Can Study In Germany Without Presenting IELTS
This is a list of some top universities in Germany that don’t require IELTS.
- University of Siegen
- University of Giessen
- Flensburg University of Applied Sciences
- University of Hildesheim
- Braunschweig University of Technology
- University of Kassel
- University of Kiel
- Free University of Berlin
- University of Freiburg
There are just a few top universities in Germany that you can apply to without an IELTS.
There are also many universities in Germany you also apply for, but again factors such as choice of course of study and the university’s requirements are also very important.
Final words
In conclusion, if you are determined to study in Germany and don’t have IELTS, there are still plenty of ways to make it happen and prove your English proficiency. Do your research, get creative, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. With a little bit of effort, you will be on your way to studying in one of the most beautiful and innovative countries in the world.
