Study in Germany Without IELTS: Accepted Tests & the MOI Route

Why the English-Test Question Matters for African Students

Germany had 2,381 English-taught degree programmes as of July 2025, according to DAAD/DZHW data. That sounds like plenty — until you break the figure down. Only 424 of those programmes are at Bachelor’s level, roughly 4% of all Bachelor’s degrees on offer. The remaining 1,928 are Master’s programmes, which is about 18% of all Master’s degrees.

The practical implication: if you are targeting an undergraduate degree in Germany, you will almost certainly be studying in German (which requires C1). If you are targeting a postgraduate degree, there is a reasonable English-taught selection — but you still need to prove your English formally.

Most African applicants must submit an English-language test. The question is which one.

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Which English Tests Germany Accepts

There is no single national list — each university sets its own. The following tests appear on admissions pages across the major German institutions:

Test	Commonly Accepted?	BA Threshold (typical)	MA Threshold (typical)
IELTS Academic	✅ Widely accepted	6.0–6.5 overall	6.5–7.0 (no band < 6.0)
TOEFL iBT	✅ Widely accepted	80–90	88–100
PTE Academic	✅ Accepted at most major unis	~60	~72
Cambridge B2 First / C1 / C2	✅ Accepted	Grade B/C at B2+	C1 Advanced or C2
UNIcert (II+)	✅ Accepted at German unis	UNIcert II	UNIcert III
MOI letter only	❌ Not sufficient alone at most German universities	—	—

Sources: RWTH Aachen language-requirements document; Germany our destination research (A15). Thresholds are institutional ranges — verify on the specific programme page.

IELTS Academic

IELTS is the most universally recognised option in Germany. A score of 6.0 is a common Bachelor’s minimum (e.g. RWTH Aachen: IELTS ≥6.0 for English-taught undergraduate programmes). For competitive Master’s programmes, expect a floor of 6.5, with some technical programmes requiring 7.0. Always check whether the institution requires a minimum score in individual bands (writing, listening, reading, speaking) — not just the overall.

IELTS Academic test centres operate in Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja), Ghana (Accra), Kenya (Nairobi), South Africa (several cities), and other African capitals.

TOEFL iBT

TOEFL iBT is equally accepted at German universities and is preferred by some applicants who find the computer-delivered format easier to prepare for. RWTH Aachen sets TOEFL iBT ≥90 for English-taught programmes; TUM Informatics requires iBT ≥88 for its Master’s. Scores above 100 strengthen an application at selective institutions.

TOEFL iBT is available at Prometric test centres across major African cities.

PTE Academic

Pearson PTE Academic is accepted at most leading German universities as a formal alternative. A PTE score of around 60 maps roughly to IELTS 6.0; 72 or above maps to IELTS 6.5–7.0. Because PTE results are typically available within 48 hours, it is a practical choice if your application timeline is tight.

Cambridge Certificates (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)

Cambridge qualifications are accepted across German higher education. B2 First (grade B or C) is generally treated as equivalent to IELTS 6.0; C1 Advanced meets most Master’s thresholds. These certificates do not expire (unlike IELTS and TOEFL, which are typically valid for two years), making them useful for applicants who tested while still at school.

UNIcert

UNIcert is a European academic language certification system recognised specifically within German higher education. UNIcert II roughly corresponds to B2/IELTS 6.0; UNIcert III to C1. It is less common among African applicants but worth noting if you have European study experience.

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The MOI Route: What It Actually Means in Germany

A Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is a document from your school or university confirming that your studies were conducted in English. This is widely used by African applicants — and widely misunderstood in the German context.

What an MOI Letter Does Not Do

At most German universities, an MOI letter from a Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, South African, Zimbabwean, or Zambian school or university does not exempt you from the English-language test requirement.

RWTH Aachen — one of Germany’s leading technical universities (QS World 2026: =105) — maintains a specific exemption list. That list covers nationals from countries including the UK, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who completed their secondary or higher education there. African countries are explicitly excluded. Most other German universities operate on the same principle.

When an MOI Route Can Work

There are narrow circumstances where you may be able to avoid a formal test:

1. Prior degree at a listed English-medium institution. If you hold a bachelor’s degree from a UK, Australian, or North American university (not an African university, even an English-medium one), some German universities may accept this as proof. The institution must be on the university’s approved list — confirm directly with the admissions office.

2. Cambridge GCE A-Level or O-Level in English (as a qualification waiver, not MOI). Some German universities treat a strong result in Cambridge-system English as evidence of proficiency. This differs from an MOI letter — it is a formal qualification. If your secondary school was in the Cambridge/O-Level system (common in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana), check whether your specific result qualifies.

3. Test-free access after completing a preparatory programme in Germany. If you complete a Studienkolleg (the one-year bridging course for Bachelor’s applicants, taught in German) and pass the Feststellungsprüfung, language is demonstrated through the German test, not English.

The Honest Position

For the overwhelming majority of African applicants to German programmes, an MOI letter is supplementary documentation — not a substitute for a formal test. Budget time and money for IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, or Cambridge before you apply.

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English Requirements by Study Level

Bachelor’s Level

Only around 4% of all Bachelor’s programmes in Germany are English-taught (424 programmes out of roughly 9,800 bachelor’s degrees, per Wissenschaft weltoffen 2025 data). If you find one, typical English thresholds are:

• IELTS Academic: 6.0–6.5 overall
• TOEFL iBT: 80–90
• PTE Academic: ~60
• Cambridge: B2 First grade B or C / C1 Advanced

For the vast majority of Bachelor’s degrees, the language of instruction is German, requiring TestDaF TDN 4 in all four parts or DSH-2 (both roughly equivalent to C1). This is a significant investment — typically 18–24 months of study — but it opens access to roughly 18,000 programmes.

Master’s Level

English-taught Master’s degrees are far more plentiful: 1,928 programmes as of July 2025 (DAAD/DZHW), covering about 18% of all Master’s programmes. The strongest English representation is in agriculture/forestry (24% of programmes), mathematics/natural sciences (21%), and economics/law (19%).

Thresholds at this level are generally higher:

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall (many programmes; no band below 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT: 88–100 (programme-specific)
• PTE Academic: ~72
• Cambridge: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency for competitive programmes

TUM Informatics, RWTH flagship Master’s programmes, and similar selective courses sit at the upper end — IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100. Check the specific admissions page; these thresholds are set by each programme, not at national level.

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German Language as the Alternative Route

If you are willing to invest in German, the payoff is large: access to roughly 18,000 German-taught programmes, including the vast majority of Bachelor’s degrees (many of which are at zero tuition cost at state universities). You also open access to Studienkolleg pathways for Bachelor’s entry.

The required level is C1, demonstrated by:

• TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache): TDN 4 in each of the four sub-tests (reading, listening, writing, speaking)
• DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang): Level DSH-2

Both can be taken at Goethe-Institut and partner test centres across Africa. TestDaF is available digitally in some markets; check the TestDaF website for your country.

Goethe-Institut centres operate in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Cape Town, Harare, and other African cities. Building from A1 to C1 typically takes 18–24 months of sustained study, depending on prior exposure and study intensity.

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Practical Checklist Before You Register for a Test

1. Identify your target programme on the DAAD scholarship database or the university’s website.
2. Read the admissions requirements page for that specific programme — not the university’s general page.
3. Note the accepted tests and minimum scores, including any band minimums.
4. Check the English-exemption page to see whether your school or prior degree qualifies for a waiver (do not assume).
5. Book the test with enough time to re-sit if needed — allow at least 8–12 weeks before your application deadline.
6. Note the uni-assist processing window for applicants from Africa: 6–7 weeks (as of June 2026), so factor this into your timeline.

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How World Study Helps

Our advisors review your existing language certificates, identify which programmes your score qualifies you for, and flag where a re-sit or an alternative test would open more options. We do not charge you to apply — our model is commission-based from partner universities. For cases requiring a visa, we offer premium support at a flat fee. Reach us on WhatsApp to start the conversation.

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Next Steps

For the complete picture on English alternatives and entry, visit the Germany without IELTS pillar. For visa details, see the Germany visa guide. Then use our eligibility checker to match your profile to specific programmes.