Application without Sufficient Knowledge of German
If you want to study at TU Dortmund University but do not yet have sufficient proof of German language skills, you can also apply without German language skills ("conditional admission"). You can become a German language course student at TU Dortmund University under certain conditions.
What level of German do you have?
If you do not submit sufficient proof of German with your application but meet the formal and subject-related requirements, you will receive a letter of access to a language course.
If you submit sufficient proof of German at B2 level by the application deadline (cut-off date: July 15) and meet the formal and subject-related requirements, you will receive a letter of admission to the degree program. It is possible to submit proof of German at a later date during the enrollment process.
If you are unable to provide proof of German by the end of the enrollment period, you can enroll as a German course student in the semester for which you have applied and the following semester.
Starting in the Winter semester 2026/2027, the following will apply:
If you do not submit sufficient proof of German language proficiency at the C1 level with your application but meet the formal and subject-specific requirements, you will receive a letter of admission to the language course. It is possible to submit proof of German language proficiency during enrollment.
If you are unable to obtain proof of German language proficiency by the end of the enrollment period, you can enroll as a German language course student in the semester for which you have applied and the following semester.
If you do not submit sufficient proof of German at C1 level by the application deadline (cut-off date: July 15), but meet the formal and subject-related requirements, you will receive a letter of access to a language course. It is not possible to submit proof of German after the application deadline.
If you submit sufficient proof of German at C1 level by the application deadline (cut-off date: July 15) and meet the formal and subject-specific requirements, you will receive a letter of admission to the degree program.
What is a Preparatory German Course?
A preparatory German course serves to prepare students linguistically for university studies in Germany. As a rule, these are courses that specifically prepare students for recognized language exams such as the DSH or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. Please refer to our list of recognized language certificates.
TU Dortmund University does not offer any preparatory German courses. We cannot recommend private providers.
The preparatory German course must take place during the period specified in your letter of admission. It does not necessarily have to take place in Dortmund/Germany.
FAQ
Enrollment as a German course student is voluntary and not compulsory.
As a German course student, you have student status. Your advantages are
- the semester ticket, which is valid on all public transport in Germany
- discounts for university sports
- discounted meals in the canteen
- special offers at cultural institutions such as museums and theaters
In order to receive this letter of admission, you must submit a regular application for the degree program in due time.
Please check your documents against the information published on our website and send them to the e-mail address given there.
Once you have received sufficient proof of German language skills, you must reapply in due form and time.
If you have received a letter of admission for more than one semester, you will find the relevant information in your letter of admission.
In order for us to be able to re-register you, we need your certificate of participation in a preparatory German course taking place during the semester. You must also transfer the semester contribution. Information on paying the semester contribution can be found in the campus portal.
Please send us your certificate of attendance to international.enrollmenttu-dortmundde stating your matriculation number.
Attending the German course is not part of the degree program. It is not possible to take part in lectures or examinations for the subsequent degree course.