Proof of language proficiency

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Since the languages of instruction at universities are not always limited to the national language, we advise you to check the possible languages of instruction before you apply. In particular, you should check the following information:

• the current online course catalogue of your preferred university
  If this has not yet been published, the course catalogue from the previous year
• personal reports submitted by others who studied there
• the fact sheets in our Publisher
  

Once you have found out the language of instruction, you will need to clarify which level of language proficiency is required for a stay at your chosen university.

In general, the following requirements apply:

Erasmus language requirements

• Ireland:               
  level B2 at the time of application for the exchange place at the International Office of the University of Bayreuth and a TOEFL ibt test with a score of 90 points / IELTS 6.5 / Cambridge CAE before applying to the host university
  
  
• Other destinations where the language of instruction is English:
  B2 level at the time of application for the exchange place at the International Office of the University of Bayreuth
  
  
• Destinations with other languages of instruction:
  minimum registration in a course at level B1 at the time of application in Bayreuth
  A completed course at level B1 + enrolled in a course at level B2 before applying to the host university

Global language requirements

• Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom (not Study Abroad options):
  level B2 at the time of application for the exchange place at the International Office of the University of Bayreuth
  TOEFL ibt test with a score of 90 points / IELTS 6.5 / Cambridge CAE before nomination at the host university
  
• Other destinations where the language of instruction is English:
  level B2 at the time of application for the exchange place at the International Office of the University of Bayreuth
  
  
• Destinations where the language of instruction is Portuguese:
  level B1 + enrolled in a course at the time of application for the exchange place at the International Office of the University of Bayreuth
  level B2 before nomination at the host university
  
  
• Destinations with other languages of instruction:
  level B1 at the time of application for the exchange place at the International Office of the University of Bayreuth and level B2 before nomination to the host university

The exact language requirements for your university of choice can also be found in our partner overview. 

Please note that these requirements are the minimum requirements of the University of Bayreuth. Our partner universities may require in-depth language skills and require evidence at the time of application. Information on the language requirements of the host universities can be found in the fact sheets, which you can view in the Publisher, or directly on the websites of the host universities.

The required language level for your application for an exchange place at the University of Bayreuth must be demonstrated by way of an official language certificate.

Accepted evidence:

• successful participation in language courses at the University of Bayreuth (submitting a transcript of records from cmlife)
  For english such courses are for example:
  • Developing Competence in Business English (BE2) (Niveau C1)
  • Englisch Aufbaukurs Jura (Niveau C1)
  • Englisch Aufbaukurs Wirtschaft (Niveau C1)
  • Fachsprache Jura (Niveau C1)
  • Fachsprache Wirtschaft (Niveau C1)
  • English for Academic Purposes I (Niveau B2+)
  • English for Academic Purposes II (Niveau C1)
    
• DAAD language examination
  The Language Centre of the University of Bayreuth offers a free DAAD language test twice a year. Students are tested in the sub-areas of oral interaction, reading, and writing.
  Important information on content, sample examinations, application modalities, and a possible exemption from the DAAD language examination can be found here.
  Please note:
  • The Language Centre can issue you a DAAD language certificate without a separate examination if you have taken a language course at the Language Centre of the University of Bayreuth within the last 2 years which meets the mobility requirements of the International Office and have achieved the appropriate grade.
    
  • Students of Philosophy & Economics and other completely English-taught degree programmes can be exempted from the written part of the DAAD examination if they have attended a course offered by the faculty and can prove that they have passed it with an exam or written paper in English. In this case, please send an e-mail with corresponding proof to Mary.Redmond (mary.redmond@uni-bayreuth.de).
    
• UNIcert examinations
  

• Successful participation in language courses at your previous university (proof by submitting the transcript of records, provided it clearly shows the language level)
  

• External language examinations - fee required (e.g. TOEFL ibt, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, Duolingo Test, DELF/DALF, DELE)

Important notes:

• Your language certificate should ideally not be older than 2 years. An older certificate may result in your application being given lower priority.
• We would like to point out that an Abitur diploma is not sufficient as proof of language ability.
  
• An English-language degree programme does not exempt from the requirement to provide proof of language skills
  

If you are not sure whether your language certificate is sufficient, please contact us.

If your language of instruction differs from the national language, we also advise you to attend a language course in the national language before or during the exchange.