Examinations
Tests and examinations
The Department of German as a Foreign Language offers various examinations and tests, each with a different focus.
General information
The DSH is intended for students from abroad to show that they have sufficient German skills for studying at a German university. Like at the other universities in Germany, this examination is held in Erlangen in accordance with general examination regulations passed by the German Rectors’ Conference. The certificate for passing the DSH examination is recognised at all universities in Germany. The DSH has three levels: DSH 1, DSH 2 and DSH 3. The level required at FAU may vary depending on the subject you intend to study. Please check with the Student Advice and Career Service which DSH level is required for the subject you intend to study.
Further information on registering and other aspects can be found here
The test of German as a foreign language – TestDaF – is an international language examination aimed at those who already have a good command of German who would like to take an examination as official proof of their language skills.
A prerequisite for studying at a German university is proficiency in the language. The TestDaF can be taken to prove a prospective student has the required language skills. Generally speaking, TestDaF level 4 is sufficient for a student to be admitted to university. You do not need to have been offered a place at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg to take the TestDaF at FAU.
TestDaF date
Still to be scheduled
Placement test for preparatory courses (DSH courses)
Please note:
You can only take this placement test if you have been granted permission from FAU to attend the preparatory DSH course.
News
- Change of date! NOT: Friday, 08 October 2021
- New date
- Date: Wednesday, 06 October 2021
- Time: 2 pm to 6 pm
- Room: Audimax, Bismarckstr. 1, 91054 Erlangen
The examination fee of €25 must be paid by money transfer. Information will be given by email during the registration process. Please note that this information is due to the corona situation temporarily different to the information you might find below under “General information”.
Further information on registering and other aspects can be found here
General information
The placement tests are so-called C-tests and are carried out in the language laboratory of the Language Centre. The test takes 40 minutes. You will be given a record of your results shortly after taking the test. Please bring this with you when you come to register for the course.
Absolute beginners do not need to take a placement test, they should just register straight away for a general course for beginners – Deutsch A1.1: Allgemeinkurs.
Placement test in Erlangen
The placement tests in Erlangen are held in the last week of the semester break. No placement tests are held after that. Appointments for placement tests in Erlangen are allocated online from 1 April for tests held before the summer semester and from 1 October for tests before the winter semester. Please go to: www.sz.fau.de/faudaf
Placement test in Nuremberg
The placement tests in Nuremberg are held by arrangement. More information is available at:
The German courses for students of all disciplines end with a final examination. You are entitled to take the final examination if you attend at least 85% of classes. It is usually a written test.
In courses focusing on the oral language, the final test will be replaced by a spoken assignment (usually a presentation). A protocol is written and the assignment is assessed according to the criteria.
The number of ECTS credits awarded depends on the number of semester hours. Classes held over 2 hours are awarded 2.5 ECTS credits, courses over 4 hours are given 5 ECTS credits.
ECTS credits are entered in mein campus for students who are enrolled at the University. Anyone taking the course who is not enrolled at the University can be given a paper certificate.