The short answer: no German required for English-taught online programs at German universities. No TestDaF, no DSH, no Goethe-Institut certificate. What you do need is proof of English proficiency – usually IELTS, TOEFL or an equivalent – and even that is sometimes waived. This article walks through exactly what every major German distance university asks for, when German actually becomes mandatory, and whether you should learn German alongside your studies even if it is not required.

• English-taught Bachelor's and Master's at IU, SRH Mobile University and a handful of other English providers require no German at all – for admission, study or graduation.
• Standard English proof: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80, with some variation by program.
• The English requirement is often waived for applicants whose prior education was conducted in English.
• German fluency at B2 or C1 only becomes necessary for FernUni Hagen and other German-taught programs.
• Learning German is optional but useful if you plan to relocate to Germany after graduation or want to expand your career options.

Do you need German to study online with a German university?

English-taught online programs at IU, SRH Mobile University and a handful of other providers require no German at all.

For most international students, the answer is no. The German distance learning market split into two distinct tracks years ago: a German-language track centered on FernUniversität in Hagen and a few regional public providers, and an English-language track dominated by IU International University with growing offerings at AKAD University, Wilhelm Büchner, APOLLON and others. The English-language track is built to be accessible to international students who do not speak any German.

This is not a marketing claim. It is the actual structure of the academic experience: lectures, study materials, exams, faculty communication, student services, the online portal interface, and the diploma documentation are all available in English from start to finish. You can complete a full Bachelor's or Master's at IU without ever using German, and many international students do exactly that.

The split matters because most generic guides to studying in Germany still assume you are heading for a traditional on-campus program at a state university, where TestDaF or DSH is mandatory. That assumption is wrong for distance learning.

English proficiency requirements at German online universities

What you do need is proof that you can handle academic work in English. The standard requirements at the largest English-track providers:

The most underrated rule is the prior-education waiver. If your previous degree (high school diploma, Bachelor's or any officially recognized qualification) was taught in English, most German universities accept that as proof of English competence and waive the IELTS or TOEFL requirement entirely. This applies to graduates of schools in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Singapore, English-medium schools in India and Pakistan, English-medium international schools in any country, and any university where the language of instruction was English. Always check during the application process – many international students take an unnecessary IELTS test because they assumed they needed one.

For applicants who do need to take a test, the bar is moderate. IELTS 6.0 corresponds roughly to upper-intermediate B2 level – comfortable enough to read academic texts, write essays and participate in discussions, but well below the C1 level required for graduate study at top US or UK universities. Most international students who completed secondary education in their home country and have professional working English will reach this level with one or two practice attempts.

When German is actually required

German fluency becomes mandatory for two specific situations: German-taught programs, and a small set of clinical or regulated-profession tracks.

FernUniversität in Hagen is the obvious example. As Germany's only public distance university, FernUni Hagen teaches almost exclusively in German. Bachelor's programs, the bulk of Master's programs, exam questions, course materials, the student portal, all student communication, and the application process itself are in German. The university expects B2 to C1 German proficiency from international students – usually documented via TestDaF (level 4 in all sub-tests), DSH-2 or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. A few specialized Master's programs offer English options, but they remain exceptions in an otherwise German-language environment.

Other state universities offering distance programs (a handful of regional public universities like the University of Wismar, the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, and a few others) typically follow the same pattern: German is the default language, with occasional English-language Master's options. Always check the specific program before assuming.

Healthcare and clinical programs with German registration value – for example, certain nursing science Bachelor's that lead to German professional recognition – require German because the underlying healthcare system operates in German. These are niche cases, but worth noting if you are considering a healthcare track.

For the vast majority of internationally oriented Bachelor's and Master's at private distance universities, none of this applies.

TestDaF, DSH and the German proficiency tests explained

If you do end up needing German – either for FernUni Hagen, a public university Master's, or for personal reasons – here is the test landscape you will encounter.

TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)

The most widely used standardized German test for university applicants. Administered by the TestDaF Institut, available at testing centers in over 90 countries. The test covers reading, listening, writing and speaking, with each section graded on a TestDaF-Niveaustufe (TDN) scale from 3 (lowest passing) to 5 (highest). German universities typically require TDN 4 in all four sections for full admission, equivalent to roughly B2.2 to C1 on the European framework. The test costs around 195 € and is offered six times per year worldwide.

DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)

An alternative to TestDaF, administered directly by individual German universities. Each university sets its own format and pass marks, but the typical requirement is DSH-2, equivalent to upper B2. DSH is taken in person at the university where you intend to study, which makes it less practical for international students applying from abroad. For distance learning students, TestDaF is the easier option.

telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule

A third standardized option, slightly less commonly accepted but recognized by FernUni Hagen and many other state universities. The test is offered at telc-certified centers worldwide and certifies C1 level – sufficient for university admission. Costs around 200 €.

Goethe-Zertifikat C1 / C2

The Goethe-Institut's certification is widely recognized for general academic and professional purposes, but not all German universities accept it as direct proof of university-level German – some require specifically TestDaF or DSH. Always check your target university's accepted certificates before paying for a test.

Should you learn German alongside an English degree?

If German is not required for your program, learning it is optional – but worth considering depending on your post-graduation plans. Three scenarios where the effort pays off:

You plan to relocate to Germany. Working in Germany without German is possible in some sectors (international tech companies in Berlin and Munich, English-medium consulting firms, English-language academic research) but limits your options dramatically. Reaching B1 German is enough to navigate daily life, B2 opens up most professional roles outside narrow international bubbles, and C1 makes you fully employable across the German labor market. If your medium-term plan involves moving to Germany, starting language learning during your distance studies is a strong move.

You want a future Master's at a public German university. Public German universities (including FernUni Hagen for cost reasons) are a major opportunity for Master's-level continuing education. Almost all of them teach in German. Building German proficiency during your English Bachelor's keeps that path open.

You want to expand career options into German-speaking employers. German employers in DACH countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) routinely prefer candidates with at least basic German, even for English-language roles. Beyond the language itself, knowing German signals cultural fit and intent to engage with the local market.

If none of these apply – you plan to stay in your home country, work for international employers, and never visit Germany – learning German alongside your studies is interesting but not essential. Spend the time on professional skills relevant to your field instead.

Frequently asked questions about German language requirements