Overview
The Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) is a German language exam for people who want to study at a German university but did not earn their school qualification in German. It is set by individual universities and Studienkollegs under a model examination regulation agreed by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) and the Conference of Education Ministers (KMK). The HRK does not run the exam itself.
Who can apply
Applicants whose university entrance qualification was not obtained at a German-language institution must prove adequate German before starting a degree. The DSH is one accepted way to do this, next to TestDaF, the German part of the Studienkolleg entrance assessment and the DSD II. A DSH passed under the national framework is accepted by all German universities as proof of language ability. Admission to the exam follows the rules of the host university and the German state it is in.
Exam pattern
The DSH has a written part and an oral part, both taken at the same site in the same exam period. The oral exam is compulsory and cannot be waived, although it can be skipped if the written part is failed.
| Written subtest | Working time | What it tests |
|---|---|---|
| Listening comprehension | 10 minutes after the first playing and 40 minutes after the second | Following an academic lecture, taking notes and working with them |
| Reading comprehension and academic language structures | 90 minutes including reading time | Understanding and processing a study-related text of 4,500 to 6,000 characters, plus academic language structures |
| Text production based on prompts | 70 minutes | Writing a text of about 250 words from given instructions or material such as charts or short texts |
The lecture text is played twice. Monolingual dictionaries are allowed for the written tasks; electronic aids are not. The whole written exam, including the playing of the lecture, lasts at most four hours.
The oral exam lasts at most 20 minutes, after 20 minutes of preparation for a short talk. It consists of a talk of up to 5 minutes followed by a conversation of up to 15 minutes, based on a short text or a chart. It is taken individually, not in a group.
Marking and results
The written subtests are weighted 2:2:1:2 (listening : reading : academic structures : text production), with reading and academic structures forming one combined subtest. The written exam is passed with at least 57 percent of the requirements met across the subtests, and the oral exam is passed on the same 57 percent threshold.
The overall result depends on both parts reaching the same threshold:
| Result | Required in both written and oral |
|---|---|
| DSH-1 | At least 57 percent |
| DSH-2 | At least 67 percent |
| DSH-3 | At least 82 percent |
DSH-2 counts as proof of language ability for unrestricted admission to all degree programmes. DSH-1 is accepted only in exceptional cases, where a university sets a lower requirement for specific study purposes. DSH-3 shows very high German and is above the level needed for admission.
Fees and dates
Dates, deadlines and any exam fee are set by each university, within the rules of its state, so there is no single national calendar or fee. Contact the university where you want to take the exam.
How to apply
Register directly with the university or Studienkolleg that offers the DSH. The HRK confirms that it does not run exams or take registrations.
After the exam
You receive a certificate showing the overall result as DSH-1, DSH-2 or DSH-3 together with your results in each subtest. A failed exam can be retaken; the details are set in each university's own examination regulation.
Preparation tips
Practise taking structured notes from a lecture heard only twice, since the listening task is marked on content, not on language accuracy.
Work on summarising and explaining academic texts, because the reading and writing parts use study-related material.
Check the target university's exact DSH level requirement before you register.
Which DSH result do I need?
DSH-2 is accepted for all degree programmes. Some universities accept DSH-1 for certain study purposes, so check the programme's requirement.
Can I take only the written part?
No. The oral exam is compulsory, although it is not held if the written part is not passed.
Is the DSH recognised outside the university where I take it?
Yes. A DSH passed in line with the national framework is recognised by all German universities as proof of language ability.