We offer English and Spanish language tests.

Should you need a certificate for another language, contact the respective department, for example:

• Institut Français
• Instituto Italiano di Cultura
• Portugiesisch-Brasilianisches Institut

Students and members of staff of the University of Cologne.

Students who are enrolled at other universities can also take part in the language tests. However, UoC students are given priority in the process of allocating places on the participation list.

The language test is also free of charge for external students.

We offer the DAAD language test free of charge.

Registration for our tests takes place exclusively online. Online registration is usually activated 2 weeks (English) or 4 weeks (Spanish) before the actual date. Click here to go directly to the registration form.

Note, while the registration is online the test takes place in person on campus.

The certificate will be sent to you via email.

Should you, however, need a physical copy of your certificate you can send us an email (sprachlabor(at)uni-koeln(dot)de) reqesting a copy. You can then schedule an appointment to pick it up at our offices or we can send it to you via post. Please note that we cannot estimate how long it will take for your certificate to arrive via post.

Due to the high demand, it is unfortunately not possible for us to offer individual or additional examination dates. We therefore ask you to refrain from asking for any individual and additional dates.

We can put you on the waiting list for the next test. It may be possible to hand in the certificate later, if you need it for a semester abroad. Please contact the respective coordinator to find out. If you want to be put on the waiting list after registration has been closed, please send us an email with:

• Name
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Course of studies, faculty

The English Insitute Cologne also offers DAAD tests, should you need a DAAD certificate quickly, they usually offer tests once a week.

Yes, you can repeat the test. However, depending on the demand, you might not admitted immediately as we prioritize students who take the test for the first time. Should you fail to turn up to a test you had registered for without excuse, we might exclude you registering for the next date.

If you have not reached the required language level in all competence areas, it is possible to repeat individual competences in individual cases. Please contact us at sprachlabor(at)uni-koeln(dot)de .

If you are taking the DAAD language test for the first time or after more than 2 years, you must of course take both test components.

Please contact us as soon as possible, to give other students the chance to take your place. 

No, the individual test sections classify your skills into language levels A1-C1 according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR). Please note that each competency area is assessed individually and you will not receive a global assessment.

Level A1 is sufficient for the first steps in a country. The applicant understands simple information and expressions in the chosen target language and can provide and request information about very specific things in simple situations.

Level A2 certifies that the applicant has basic skills in the chosen target language for the simple exchange of information in familiar situations. The candidate can orientate themselves in the target country.

Level B1 represents the minimum requirement for academically motivated stays abroad. The applicant has developable skills to master selected general language, work and study-related situations in the target language. Intensive linguistic preparation is required to participate in the academic discourse of the subject of study.

Level B2 is needed from applicants in order to be able to actively participate in studies, research projects or internships. The applicant meets essential language requirements for a study, research or internship stay in the chosen target language. Further language preparation before starting the scholarship is advisable.

Level C1 guarantees effective and successful completion of studies, research or internships abroad. The applicant easily meets the language requirements for a study, research or internship stay in the chosen target language.

The DAAD language test aims to assess your current language skills, we do not offer preparation classes. However, continued exposure to the target language is very helpful. 

If you want to familiarize yourself with the prompt and task types, our media library offers material which you can you use to prepare yourself. Please take note of the opening hours. 

No, you are not allowed to bring any notes into the oral part of the test. We want to assess your communicative skills and want to make sure that you will not just recite prepared arguments or short texts.