German levels and international language diplomas

Hardly any other language offers such a wealth of language diplomas and examinations as German. Here you can get a helpful overview of the language levels and the appropriate diplomas.

You can also find out here how you can quickly and easily take the online German language test from the renowned education portal Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch to reliably determine your current level of German. This will provide you with a particularly useful basis for choosing the right diploma course.

The different language levels according to CEFR

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) has developed a standardized grid regarding the learning level and learning progress in a foreign language. The levels are divided into six different levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2). This means that diplomas in Spanish, German, Italian, English and French can now be entered into a standardized cross-language system. This is regarded as a generally valid standard and offers a helpful orientation with regard to the foreign language skills achieved by the graduate.

Those seeking a German diploma are spoilt for choice: numerous important institutions offer internationally recognized diploma examinations that include all six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The Goethe-Institut is also the only language institute to offer a diploma examination which is one category above the top C2 level and is known as Level C2+.

Deutsch Niveau-Stufen

The most important providers of language certificates in Germany:

  • Goethe Institute
  • Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce
  • telc GmbH
  • Examination center of the ÖSD - Austrian Language Diploma
  • Franco-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Paris
  • Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
  • Society for Academic Study Preparation and Test Development e.V. - TestDaF Institute
  • Carl Duisberg Centers

The Common European Framework of Reference CEFR in detail

German level / level Description of the competencies German language test
A1 You understand everyday terms and words and can form simple, short sentences on the simplest topics. You can introduce yourself, name your hobbies, where you come from and what you do for a living.
  • Start German 1 - Goethe-Institut / telc GmbH
  • Fit in German 1 - Age 10-15 - Goethe-Institut
  • Competence in German 1 - Age 10-14 - ÖSD
A2 You can keep up well in everyday conversations and understand sentences and expressions that are often used in context. You can communicate well in recurring everyday situations (shopping, ordering in a restaurant, etc.).
  • Start German 2 - Goethe-Institut / telc GmbH / ÖSD
  • DTZ
  • Fit in German 2 - Age 10-15 - Goethe-Institut
  • Competence in German 1 - Age 10-14 - ÖSD
B1 You can hold everyday conversations without making any mistakes. You can also understand and write appropriate texts well. As long as the other person has a clear language of expression, you have no difficulty converting.
  • Zertifikat Deutsch - Goethe-Institut / telc GmbH / ÖSD
  • DTZ
  • ZDJ - Teenagers - Age 12-15 / 12-16 - Goethe-Institut / ÖSD
  • DSD of the KMK - young people
  • WiDaF
B2 Your language skills are well advanced. You can hold everyday conversations practically flawlessly and without difficulty. Writing everyday texts is also easy for you. You also understand the content of demanding and complex texts. You can communicate with native speakers without any problems.
  • Zertifikat Deutsch - Goethe-Institut / telc GmbH / ÖSD
  • Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf - Goethe-Institut / telc GmbH
  • TestDaF
  • DSH
  • WiDaF
C1 Your knowledge of the foreign language is very comprehensive. Local literature and demanding specialist texts are no problem. You understand idioms and jokes in the respective language and also understand words and synonyms that are rarely used.
  • Zertifikat Deutsch - Goethe-Institut / telc GmbH / ÖSD
  • DSD of the KMK - young people
  • TestDaF
  • DSH
  • Business German exam of the Goethe-Institut - PWD
  • WiDaF
C2 You have an almost perfect command of the foreign language and when you are in conversation with native speakers you converse and discuss at almost the same level. You can both understand and produce technically complex texts.
  • Central Upper School Examination of the Goethe-Institut - ZOP
  • Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom of the Goethe-Institut - KDS
  • Business German - ÖSD
  • WiDaF
C2+ Your language skills exceed level C2. With this level, you can even work as a teacher in a foreign language country as a non-native speaker.
  • Grand German Language Diploma of the Goethe-Institut - GDS
  • Examination Business German International PWD - Goethe-Institut / DIHK / Carl Duisberg Centren (CDC)

Language diplomas as access to university

Anyone who has not completed their Matura in German must prove their German language skills before they can be admitted to a university or college. There are various German certificates that non-native speakers can present if they wish to study at a German-speaking university. Depending on the educational institution, individual German certificates may be preferred or not recognized, so be sure to contact the university in advance. The required level is at least C1. The following German certificates are very much in demand for admission to a university - but can also vary:

  • TestDaF : Test of German as a foreign language
  • ZOP: Central Upper School Examination of the Goethe-Institut
  • KDS: Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom of the Goethe-Institut
  • DSD: German Language Diploma of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
  • DSH: German language examination for university admission for foreign applicants

German language tests for admission to higher technical college, intercultural translation and three- and four-year basic education

Most courses of study at higher technical colleges, as well as the Interpret certificate or three- and four-year basic training courses, require proof of language proficiency at level B2 before starting training. Here too, it is essential to clarify in advance with the relevant school which German diplomas are recognized. The following certificates are common:

  • German for the job B2
  • Goethe Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf ZDfB
  • telc German B2+ Profession

German language test as access to two and three-year basic training courses, SRC nursing assistant

  • Goethe-Zertifikat B1

German language test as the basis for naturalization

After successfully passing a language test at level A2 or higher, no further proof of German language skills needs to be submitted when applying for naturalization.

Take the German language test now