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International Office
Studierende laufen über den Campus. Es ist eine große rote Skulptur in Form von großen Zahnrädern zu erkennen. © Roland Baege​/​TU Dortmund
No German? No problem!

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.

The following information applies to the application procedure for summer semester 2026. There will be a change for the winter semester 2026/2027!

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.

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.

FAQ

It is important that the course prepares you linguistically for university studies in Germany. As a rule, these are courses that are geared towards examinations, e.g. DSH, telc Hochschule. You can find more information in our list of recognized language certificates.

No, TU Dortmund University does not offer any preparatory German courses. We cannot make recommendations for private providers.

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 fee. Information on paying the semester fee can be found in the campus portal.

Please send us your certificate of attendance to international.enrollmenttu-dortmundde stating your matriculation number.

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.

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.