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Faculty of Arts and HumanitiesSprachlabor

DAAD Language Certificate

The DAAD Language Certificate is a non-standardised assessment procedure, which is based on the competency levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is primarily used to describe language skills for applications for stays abroad as part of DAAD programs and is therefore only comparable to a limited extent with standardized test procedures (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate). The language laboratory offers students and members of the University of Cologne the test to acquire the DAAD language certificate in English and Spanish.

The test takes place in the rooms of the  language laboratory under the direction of Friederike Zahn (English) and Adriana Köhler (Spanish).

Dates for upcoming examinations can be found here.

DAAD language certificate / equivalence certificates for Erasmus students (outgoings)

As a rule, the DAAD language certificate is sufficient for our partner universities as proof of the required English skills. However, if this is not the case for your university abroad, the language practice team of English Seminar I can issue you a certificate of equivalence based on the DAAD language certificate you have completed, which shows language levels B2 or C1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages. Further information can be found here.

Please note the following information:

  • Exams for the DAAD language certificate for ENGLISH and the DAAD language certificate for SPANISH can currently be taken. 
  • The DAAD language certificate only tests competency levels A1-C1 based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR); competency level C2 is not tested and cannot be shown on the language certificate.
  • Students who are enrolled in English or Spanish Studies at the UoC and are currently taking a language practice course should contact their language practice lecturers with their concerns.
  • This offer only applies to students enrolled at the University of Cologne and other members of the university. If you are studying at another university, you may be able to move up at short notice in the event of a rejection. We ask you to use the link for 'external students' when registering.