IELTS · Guides · October 24, 2026 · 2 min read
IELTS score for Germany 2026: student visa and English-taught master's requirements
German law does not set an IELTS score for the student visa. What counts is proof that you can follow your course: for an English-taught programme, that is usually the English certificate your university accepted, most often IELTS 6.5 (some programmes 6.0 or 7.0). So the score you need is your university’s score, and the visa follows from the admission letter. Checked on German embassy, DAAD and university sites on 24 October 2026.
The student visa
German missions ask for proof of the language of instruction. The embassy checklists say this can be either:
- confirmation in your admission letter that your language skills were checked, or
- «sufficient» IELTS or TOEFL results submitted with the visa application.
If your university has already accepted your IELTS, the admission letter usually covers it. If the letter does not mention language, bring the certificate. There is no fixed visa minimum, so the university’s requirement is the one to meet.
University requirements: examples
| University | Typical IELTS requirement |
|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) | 6.5; IELTS Online Academic is accepted |
| RWTH Aachen | 6.0 (B2) as standard; 7.0 for programmes requiring C1 |
| LMU Munich | by programme: e.g. 7.0 (C1) for Management & Digital Technologies; some programmes ask for none |
| Heidelberg University | 6.5 for English-taught master’s such as Data and Computer Science |
Two things vary more in Germany than elsewhere:
- Online tests. TUM accepts IELTS Online; many others accept only test-centre results. Check before you book.
- Validity. Some programmes want a result less than two years old (LMU’s example above); TUM does not mind the date on the certificate.
DAAD scholarships
DAAD does not set its own IELTS score. You need the language certificate your target programme requires; DAAD notes that C1 is often required, which on IELTS means about 7.0.
German or English?
For English-taught programmes you do not need German, though basic German helps with daily life and jobs. For German-taught programmes you need a German certificate (TestDaF or DSH) instead of IELTS.
Common questions
Is IELTS 6.0 enough for Germany? For some programmes, such as many at RWTH, yes. Most English-taught master’s ask for 6.5.
Do I need IELTS if my bachelor’s was taught in English? Many German universities accept an English-medium degree instead, but not all. The programme page says which.
Academic or General Training? Academic. German universities ask for IELTS Academic.
To check whether you are at 6.5 already, try the free IELTS mock test, and see how bands map to B2 and C1 in IELTS bands and CEFR levels.
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