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Study and research in Germany

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Study and research in Germany

All tests, examinations and certificates at a glance

Certificates and language examinations for German as a foreign language are offered by the Goethe-Institut, adult education centres, institutes of higher education and universities, test institutes such as the TestDaF-Zentrum, or licensed test and examination centres both at home and abroad.

A useful overview of the internationally recognised language examinations for German as a foreign language is provided by the Fachverband Deutsch als Fremdsprache.

Level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Examination / certificate Test Institute
A 1
Basic level
(100-200 hours of instruction)		 Start Deutsch 1 www.vhs.de

www.telc.net
A 2
Basic level		 Start Deutsch 2 www.vhs.de

www.telc.net
B 1
Basic level
(300-600 hours of instruction)		 Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD) www.vhs.de

www.goethe.de

www.telc.net

www.cdc.de
B 2
Basic-intermediate level
(500-750 hours of instruction) 		Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf (ZDfB) www.vhs.de

www.goethe.de

www.telc.net
C 1
Intermediate level
(800-1,000 hours of instruction)		 Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP) www.vhs.de

www.goethe.de
C 1
Intermediate-advanced level
(800-1,200 hours of instruction)		 Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch International (PWD) www.goethe.de

www.cdc.de
C 1
Advanced level
(1,000-1,200 hours of instruction)		 Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP) www.vhs.de

www.goethe.de
Advanced level
(800-1,200 school lessons)		 Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD) Stufe I www.auslandsschulwesen.de

www.kmk.org
Advanced level
(1,400-1,600 school lessons)		 Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD) Stufe II www.auslandsschulwesen.de

www.kmk.org
B 2 - C 1
depending on TestDaF-level
Advanced level
(700-1,200 hours of instruction)		 TestDaF - Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache www.testdaf.de
C 1
Advanced level
(900-1,200 hours of instruction)		 Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) University guide
C 2
Advanced level
(approx. 1,400 hours of instruction + literature)		 Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) www.goethe.de
C 2
Advanced level
(approx. 1,600 hours of instruction + literature)		 Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS) www.goethe.de

Start Deutsch 1

Start Deutsch 1 is a language test used to identify a candidate's elementary German language skills. This test is intended for adults and young people aged 16 and over. By passing the Start Deutsch 1 test, learners prove that their language skills correspond with the first level (A1) of the Common European Framework. Start Deutsch 1 is held and assessed worldwide on the basis of uniform standards. The test is jointly run and set by the Goethe Institute (GI) and test provider Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH (WBT).


Further information:

Start Deutsch 2

Start Deutsch 2 is a language test used to identify a candidate's elementary German language skills. This test is intended for adults and young people aged 16 and over. By passing the Start Deutsch 2 test, learners prove that their language skills correspond with the second level (A2) of the Common European Framework. Start Deutsch 2 is held and assessed worldwide on the basis of uniform standards. The test is jointly run and set by the Goethe Institute (GI) and test provider Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH (WBT).


Further information:


Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD)

The Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD) (400-600 hours of instruction) is taken after passing the basic level. It tests the ability to communicate in everyday situations. The Zertifikat is awarded by the Goethe-Institut, the Austrian Sprachdiplom Deutsch, the Swiss Konferenz der kantonalen Erziehungsdirektoren and the WBT Weiterbildungs-Testsysteme GmbH.

The Zertifikat can be taken at Goethe-Instituts, adult education centres and at selected examination centres.


Further Information:

Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf (ZDfB)

The Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf (ZDfB) (vocational German) testsproficiency in commercial German. The language level lies between the Zertifikat Deutsch (ZD) and the Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP). After the Zertifikat Deutsch (400-600 hours of instruction) a further 100-150 hours of instruction are required for the Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf, including special vocabulary and commercial German structures.

The Zertifikat Deutsch für den Beruf (ZDfB) can be taken at Goethe-Instituts, adult education centres and at selected examination centres.


Further Information:

Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP)

The Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP) examination is taken after passing the Mittelstufe. It tests good to very good ability to communicate in situations of everyday and cultural life. Prerequisite for the Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP) are 800-1,000 hours of instruction.

The Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP) is equivalent to the Prüfung Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe I (DSD I). This examination qualifies you to take part in a Studienkolleg (preparatory course) at a German university.
The examination may be sat at Goethe-Instituts, adult education centres and selected examination centres.


Further Information:

Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch International (PWD)

The Wirtschaftsdeutsch International (PWD) examination tests the ability to communicate in business situations and certifies qualified knowledge of commercial German. The language level lies above that of the Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP). After passing the Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP), a further 150-250 hours of instruction are required for the Prüfung Wirtschaftsdeutsch International (PWD).

This qualification is awarded by the Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer (DIHK) and the Carl Duisberg Centres.
The Wirtschaftsdeutsch International (PWD) examination can be taken at Goethe-Instituts, Carl Duisberg Centres and at selected examination centres.


Further Information:

Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP)

The Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP) is taken after passing the Oberstufe. It tests very good and differentiated ability to communicate in situations of daily and cultural life. Prerequisite for the Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP) are 1,000-1,200 hours of instruction.

The Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung (ZOP) is equivalent to the Prüfung Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe II (DSD II). This examination certifies adequate German language proficiency for a course of study at a German university or institute of higher education.

The examination may be taken at Goethe-Instituts, adult education centres and selected examination centres.


Further Information:

Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD) Stufe I

The Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe I (DSD I) examination may be taken at German schools abroad. The examination assumes excellent command of German (approx. 1,200 hours of school teaching) acquired at the German school abroad or in a school German department (minimum five consecutive years). This is the entrance examination for a Studienkolleg (preparatory course) at a German university. The Kultusministerkonferenz conducts the examination at schools abroad.


Further Information:

Deutsches Sprachdiplom (DSD) Stufe II

The Prüfung Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe II (DSD II) may be taken at German schools abroad. The examination assumes excellent command of German (approx. 1,600 hours of school teaching), which has been acquired either at the German school abroad or in a school German department (minimum seven consecutive years). The examination certifies adequate command of German for a course of study at a German institute of higher education or a university. The Kultusministerkonferenz conducts the examination at schools abroad.


Further Information:

TestDaF - Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache

The Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF) is a language examination for advanced students (600-1,000 hours of instruction). The Test examines skills – reading and listening comprehension, written and oral expression -, as related to institutes of higher education and university studies. The TestDaF certificate gives the examination results for each of the four skills separately, thus providing a profile of a candidate´s command of the language differentiated according to levels of attainment.

New framework regulations were adopted for the DSH and TestDaF tests in June 2004. These govern admission with a TestDaF certificate as follows:" TestDaf passed at a minimum level of 'TDN 4' in all four sections of the examination counts as proof of the ability to study with unrestricted admission or enrolment for all courses of study and university degrees".

Universities are also free to admit students with examination results below "TDN 4".

The TestDaF is a central and standardised language examination which is set and assessed by the TestDaF-Zentrum in Hagen. The TestDaF may be sat for in licensed test centres all over the world – currently five times a year – and may be taken in the home country:


Further Information:

Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH)

The Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber (DSH) (German Language Examination for University Admission for Foreign Applicants) tests the language proficiency required for courses of study at a German university. The prerequisiste is 1,000-1,200 hours of instruction. Language proficiency for university studies means being able to understand lectures, take notes on their contents, and to understand, analyse and write texts required for the course.


Following the adoption of the new frameworks, the DSH test now has three levels: DSH 1, DSH 2 and DSH 3. A pass at DSH 2 level or better is considered sufficient proof of language proficiency for admission to higher education. The DSH and its preparatory course may be taken at most universities.


Further Information:

Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS)

The Kleines (basic) Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) tests excellent ability to communicate on topics of everyday and cultural life. The examination furnishes proof of the ability to express onceself differentially in the standard language, to understand demanding, authentic texts (specialised and literary texts), and to work with them both orally and in writing.
The Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS) is equivalent to the Prüfung Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe II (DSD II). The examination is proof of adequate command of German for a course of study at a German university. It may be sat at Goethe-Instituts and selected examination centres.


Further Information:

Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS)

The Großes (advanced) Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS) is proof of excellent and differentiated ability to communicate on demanding scientific and cultural topics. This examination furnishes proof of almost native-speaker ability to express oneself, and of the ability to understand, analyse and express oneself both orally and in writing with respect to authentic texts (scientific and literary).

The Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS) is equivalent to the Prüfung Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz Stufe II (DSD II). The examination provides proof of adequate command of German for a course of study at a German university. It may be sat at Goethe-Instituts and selected examination centres.


Further Information:

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DAAD Glossary

Fachbereich

"Fachbereich" means department. Universities are made up of various faculties (e.g. School of Medicine, Law Faculty, Faculty of Natural Sciences, etc.). Each faculty is made up of several departments. So, a Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering may be made up of the Departments of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science. Please note: Some universities choose to call their faculties "Fachbereiche".

Institut

Large faculties are generally divided into departments that may be called Institut or Seminar or Fachbereich. An "Institut" often covers a single area of teaching (e.g. English Studies, Sociology, Computer Science) and has several professorships (chairs). The "Institut" is headed by a Director chosen from among the university teachers at that department.

Propädeutikum

"Propädeutikum" is Latin and means pre-study semester or preparatory course. These are generally offered before the semester starts or in the 1st semester. These courses aim to provide students with the necessary background knowledge and skills for their studies (for example, mathematics and physics for students planning to study engineering).

Universität

"Universität" means university and is used for research universities (wissenschaftliche Hochschulen) that offer a broad range of subjects (like arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, economics and business administration, law, medicine). These institutions confer doctorates. The strong research focus benefits students in their training. Please note, however, that English texts often use the term "university" generically, i.e. to cover all kinds of higher education institutions, for example, universities of the arts, universities of applied sciences, universities of education, etc.

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Source: http://www.daad.de/deutschland/deutsch-lernen/wie-deutsch-lernen/00530.en.html
Date: 2008-12-04