Proof of Language Proficiency

The primary purpose of studying abroad is not to learn the local language, but to participate in a program of study at a university abroad. Therefore, advanced proficiency in the language of instruction is required in order to follow courses from the very beginning without major difficulties (knowledge of the official language is not necessarily required).

A useful tool for self-assessment is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which divides language proficiency into six levels—from beginner (A1/A2) through intermediate (B1/B2) to very advanced proficiency (C1/C2).

To study successfully abroad and pass exams, B2 level proficiency is generally the minimum requirement. However, there may be exceptions. Please carefully check the language requirements for all of your preferred partner universities—you can find this information in the partner university database. If your proficiency in the language of instruction is below B2, feel free to contact us. In particular, for less commonly taught languages, such as Italian, it may still be possible to apply to some universities.

There are a number of different ways to improve or brush up on your language skills:

• Language courses of the Studium Generale: The Studium Generale offers a wide range of courses, including those held during the semester, weekend or semester-break crash courses, as well as grammar and conversation classes. For English, TOEFL preparation courses are also available.
• Language courses abroad: Probably the most effective and fun way to learn a language is through an intensive course abroad during the semester break. It is worth the investment! When staying abroad, you have no choice but to immediately apply what you have learned. Most language schools offer fun activities to balance out the workload of the courses and give you the opportunity to use your newly acquired skills. Courses like these are offered both by universities and private language schools. You can find more information on language courses worldwide on the DAAD website and the Fachverband Deutscher Sprachreise-Veranstalter. Of course, you can also research language schools in a city of your liking online and compare the services offered by the different programs.
• After having received a study place abroad:  Many partner universities offer language courses themselves, either before or during the semester. You will receive information on these courses directly from the host university after you have been allocated a study place. Also check the partner university’s website. Yet, please keep in mind that participation in these courses will have no effect on your level of language proficiency for the application.

The University of Mannheim accepts different proofs of language proficiency for study abroad applications. Since your current level of language proficiency needs to be assessed, language certificates must not be older than two years as of the application date. Please also note that different requirements may apply for study abroad applications than for admission to the University of Mannheim.

• The most commonly used proof of language proficiency is the so called “Language Certificate“ of the University of Mannheim. Tests to obtain the certificate are offered by the Studium Generale, for example.
• However, some partner universities (especially those overseas) require specific, internationally recognized tests such as TOEFL or IELTS for English. These tests are more complex and expensive than the Mannheim Language Certificate.

The respective proof of language proficiency and any minimum levels required are listed in the partner university database. This is where you can find the language of instruction for any partner university and information about which type of proof of language proficiency usually satisfies the requirements.

If there are no special requirements regarding the level of language proficiency, the regular minimum requirements for the usual tests apply:

• for the Language Certificate (all languages) B2 in all categories,
• for the TOEFL (English) a total score of 80 points (at least 20 in each category),
• for the IELTS (English) a total score of 6.5 (and at least 6.0 in each category).

If you do not meet this minimum requirement in all categories, you are welcome to consult the International Office for advice. If your proficiency in the language of instruction is below B2, feel free to contact us. In particular, for less commonly taught languages, such as Italian, it may still be possible to apply to some universities.

Please note: You do not need to search the partner universities’ websites directly, as exchange programs often have separate requirements that are communicated to us directly by the respective partner university. The database reflects the latest information we have from each partner university and may be subject to change.

At partner universities with more exotic official languages (e.g. in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe or Asia), the language of instruction usually is English. As a rule, these institutions only require you to be proficient in the language of instruction. In most cases, you do not have to prove that you have basic knowledge of the country’s official language. 

The respective language of instruction is indicated in the partner university database. Information on potential special requirements can be found by clicking the detail icon.

Some universities have different languages of instruction, for example if part of the courses is held in English and the other in the country’s official language. In such cases, you should check yourself whether there are enough courses available in the language you are proficient in. Also refer to the “Further information” section in the database, which provides notes on specific details.

For example, if courses taught in English meet your needs, you will only need to provide proof of English language proficiency for your application.

If you are proficient in both languages and plan to take courses in both, many partner universities require proof of proficiency in both languages. For universities outside Europe (overseas), it is mandatory to submit proof of proficiency for both languages of instruction with your application. For European universities it is ideally recommended to do the same, although formally, submitting proof of proficiency for your primary language of instruction is sufficient. However, by the time of registration, many universities request proof for both languages. Therefore, it is your responsibility to provide proof of proficiency for the second language at the latest at this stage, in order to be eligible to enroll in courses taught in both languages.

The University of Mannheim is required, on behalf of its partner universities, to verify the current level of your language skills when selecting students for exchange programs. Therefore, the following applies: Your language certificate must not be older than exactly two years by the application deadline for exchange programs at the University of Mannheim (application deadline = reference date). If your certificate shows both an issue date and a test date, the test date will be considered.

Some partner universities do not deem this policy strict enough, so that you might be asked to take another (more up to date) language test. We have indicated known cases of this in the “Further information” section in the partner university database.

Sometimes, however, we only find out about this at short notice. Therefore, our recommendation is: If your language certificate is already one to two years old at the time of application, be prepared, if necessary, to take a (more recent) language test on short notice after being offered a place.

Appointments for the most common language tests (Language Certificate, TOEFL, IELTS) are often fully booked weeks in advance. Some test centers also take a number of weeks to score the test and send you the results.

We therefore recommend making an appointment for the respective test two to three months prior to the application deadline.

You do not have to take your test at the Studium Generale Mannheim. You can take the tests anywhere in Germany at any institute that offers them.

Applications without a valid proof of language proficiency will not be accepted. There is no general option to submit proof at a later time.

However, for some deadlines, it is possible to hand in a preliminary alternative proof of language proficiency, if it is among the accepted proofs of language proficiency (for example a Language Certificate instead of a TOEFL). Yet, this does not apply to all deadlines. Make sure to carefully read the current application instructions for your deadline so that you are aware of special conditions like this.

For students in the bachelor's program in Business Administration: Due to the different application process for the mandatory semester abroad in this program, students submit their proof of language proficiency only after having been allocated a study place abroad.

If you are a native speaker, you should still contact the International Office well in advance of your application to check the language test requirements for your preferred destination.

The reason is that many partner universities have strict requirements for proof of language proficiency for exchange students. As a result, you may still need to take a language test.

In general, native speakers do not need to provide proof of language proficiency if both of the following conditions are met:

• you hold the nationality of a country whose official or primary language you intend to demonstrate

and

• you can provide proof of higher education entrance qualification or a bachelor’s degree from a country with this official or primary language.

Please make sure to contact us in any case. Without prior verification by the International Office, there is a risk that you may not be admitted to the selection process.

For further information, please see Special requirements for international students from Mannheim.

The Language Certificate is the standard proof of language proficiency of the University of Mannheim for all languages and exchange programs that do not require a specific test and/or proof of language proficiency (such as TOEFL or IELTS). It was developed by the University of Mannheim based on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and is the most affordable alternative to other language tests.

The form (PDF, 55 kB) is only available in English but can be used for all other languages.  Fill in the top section with your name and field of study in advance and bing the form with you to the test.

Where can I obtain the Language Certificate?

• Students studying the respective language as a major or minor subject can ask their teacher at the English and American Studies or Romance Studies department to complete the form. Students in the bachelor's program in Business Administration can obtain their Language Certificates as part of their foreign language competencies module. The Language Certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the foreign language competencies courses.
• Other students can take a language assessment test with the Studium Generale for a fee of EUR 45 (status as of January 2025). The written part of the test takes one hour and serves to assess your writing and reading skills. In addition, your listening comprehension and verbal skills will be assessed through a ten minute conversation. You should plan on spending about two to three hours on the entire testing process. You will receive your Language Certificate on the same day or the day after. For information about registering for the test, please visit the Studium Generale website.

As an alternative, you can also have the Language Certificate filled in by other recognized language institutes or schools that offer language assessment tests and have an official stamp for identification (see, for example, DAAD language certificate). However, you are likely to be charged more at commercial language schools compared to the Studium Generale. In many cases, you can also obtain the University of Mannheim Language Certificate (PDF) there upon request: Bring the form with you to the test and fill in the top section with your name and field of study in advance. Have the results entered on the form after the test.

The TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is the most widely accepted proof of language proficiency in North America and Asia, but is also usually recognized as proof for English language proficiency worldwide. The abbreviation iBT stands for internet-based TOEFL, since the test is administered through a web-based system in certified testing centers all over the world several times a month. The test focuses mostly on language skills in the academic field. Reading and listening comprehension as well as writing and verbal skills are evaluated. On the official TOEFL website, you can register online and by credit card payment and read about the testing process. There are also preparatory courses available at the Studium Generale in Mannheim.

As a rule, the TOEFL score report can be downloaded online as a PDF file eight to ten days after the completion of the test. This Test Taker Score Report is sufficient as proof of language proficiency for your application to an exchange program.

Important: Please provide the Institutional Code 7261 (and, if possible, the Department Code 99) so that the International Office can verify your test results.

• Like the IELTS test, the TOEFL is very expensive. At present, the fee is about USD 260. If you have limited funds available, consider applying exclusively for partner universities that accept the Language Certificate.
• You are not bound to take the test in the testing center in Mannheim. Test appointments in other cities or even abroad are available to you, as well. Yet, we recommend making an appointment early on!
• As an alternative to a test center, you can also take the TOEFL Home Edition, which allows you to take the test from home. Please check the website to see if you meet the requirements.
• Please make sure that you only use the TOEFL iBT when applying for an exchange program; do not use TOEFLEssentials.
• MyBest Scores are generally not accepted for exchange programs.

Unlike the TOEFL, the IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) is more common for universities in the Commonwealth. For example, all universities in Australia and New Zealand accept the IELTS. However, many institutions accept both tests. The fee is about the same as for the TOEFL, i.e. around USD 250. If you have limited funds available, consider applying exclusively for partner universities that accept the Language Certificate.

The IELTS has four sections (reading and listening comprehension, as well as verbal and written skills) and assesses above all practical knowledge of English as is needed for work, studying and everyday life. Unlike the TOEFL, which is conducted entirely online, there is an examiner present for the oral part of the IELTS test. We recommend registering for the IELTS well in advance, as test dates often fill up quickly and it takes some time for the results to be processed. Further information on registering and preparing for the test can be found on the IELTS website and in the online IELTS preparation course. The German American Institute (DAI) Heidelberg also offers preparatory materials.

A Duolingo English Test with an overall score of at least 115 is accepted as proof of language proficiency in place of a Language Certificate for the University of Mannheim’s study abroad application procedures—for example, if you are unable to secure an appointment for a Language Certificate in time. Based on our experience, many partner universities that accept a Language Certificate for English will also accept a Duolingo test.  Please check this for your preferred universities in the partner university database. If Duolingo is explicitly listed there—or if the Language Certificate is accepted—you may use the Duolingo test. It is also possible, in some application procedures, to submit a Duolingo test instead of a TOEFL or IELTS, which, however, is to be submitted at a later date.

Detailed information on registration and preparation can be found on the Duolingo English Test website. Please also pay careful attention to the important equipment rules.

Please note that unfortunately, as of April 2024, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) no longer recognizes the Duolingo English Test as a valid language test. Therefore, it cannot be submitted as proof of language proficiency when applying to a Dutch partner university.

If you hold a Cambridge certificate (Certificate in Advanced English, Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge First Certificate in English), it is generally accepted by European partner universities as an equivalent to a language certificate. Partner universities overseas, however, rarely accept the Cambridge certificate.

The DAAD language certificate (PDF) is also accepted as proof of language proficiency, as an alternative to a Language Certificate. For English, among others, the DAI Heidelberg and DAI Tübingen offer this test.

In many cases, you can also obtain the University of Mannheim Language Certificate there upon request: Bring the form with you to the test and fill in the top section with your name and field of study in advance. Have the results entered on the form after the test. The Language Certificate is somewhat easier to read than the DAAD certificate, so feel free to ask whether the Language Certificate can be issued.

The Studium Generale can also issue the DAAD certificate for various languages if needed. The procedure is the same as for the Language Certificate.

Provided that you have reached the respective required level of language proficiency and the test is no longer than two years ago, the following language tests can be submitted instead of a Language Certificate. All tests can be aligned with the levels of the European Framework of Reference for Languages. The International Office is happy to advise you on any questions regarding the tests.

In addition to the language certificates mentioned above, other language certificates may be accepted as an alternative to the Language Certificate, if they:

• reflect your current language proficiency and are no older than two years as of the application date,
• are based on the CEFR language levels like the Language Certificate, or
• are issued as part of a designated language test that was conducted under supervision. A certificate of mere participation in a language course is not sufficient.
• The level of the CEFR reached by the applicant must be indicated clearly.
• To be understood and accepted by our international partner universities, the document has to be written in English (or in the country’s official language for non-English programs, for example in French).

Please feel free to submit your language certificate to us in advance for review. We are happy to advise you.

Alternative documents will not be accepted.

For its exchange programs, the University of Mannheim receives applications from over 1,500 students each year. To ensure fair and efficient selection procedures, it is essential that applicants’ language skills are comparable. This comparability can only be guaranteed with the options listed above. Furthermore, the international partner universities require compliance with specific criteria regarding language proficiency.

Therefore, certificates for completed language courses, Abitur results, international school or university diplomas, GMAT scores, proof of study or school stays abroad, etc., cannot be accepted. We appreciate your understanding.