DSH

German exam for university admission

The DSH examination (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang) offered at FH Aachen (Aachen University of Applied Sciences) is a standardised, accredited examination covering levels B2–C1About proficiency levels:
Click here to find detailed information regarding the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
, recognised all over Germany. It is aimed at prospective third-level students who require an official German language certificate for entry to their study programmes at institutions of higher education in Germany.

A successfully completed DSH examination is recognised by all universities in Germany;  thus the DSH exam of FH Aachen is open to all interested applicants, irrespective of the institution they are applying to.

We recommend sitting the exam after at least 800–1,000 hours of German language instruction. For DSH preparation, we suggest our intensive German courses.

Please use our online registration form to sign up for the exam. The examination fee amounts to €160 (plus registration fee). Examinees who have already been officially accepted by FH Aachen for a degree course will be charged a reduced feeReduced DSH Fee:
In order to be charged the reduced fee you will have to prove that you have the necessary status. When you fill in the online registration form, you will be able to upload either your FH Aachen admission letter or your student ID. Only if you upload one of these documents you will be charged the reduced fee.
of € 110 (plus registration fee). The registration fee amounts to €30. There is a limited number of places available.

Exam format and grading

The DSH exam comprises a written and oral component. The oral part is conducted only in case the examinee passes the written part. More detailed information on the examination format can be found on our DSH fact sheet (in German) and through familiarising yourself with the examination structure through viewing our DSH sample exam.

Each of the components of the DSH examination can be passed with the following grades:

  • DSH 1 (57% or above) certifies “basic/elementary“ language ability.
  • DSH 2 (67% or above) certifies “differenciated“ language ability.
  • DSH 3 (82% or above) certifies “exceptional“ language ability.

If an examinee scores less than 57 % of the maximum of points in one component of the examination, this part of the examination is considered failed. More detailed information on the grading system for the examination can be found on our DSH fact sheet.

Most universities require a DSH result at level DSH-2 (C1About proficiency levels:
Click here to find detailed information regarding the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
) or higher.
In order to gather detailed information about the requirements of specific universities and university departments, please check the respective websites.

You will be informed about the results of your written DSH exam and about the dates for the oral exam by e-mail after the examination documents have been evaluated. In the week following the oral exam, you will again be informed about your results by e-mail.

Further information on accreditation and recognition of the FH Aachen DSH examination

The DSH examination held at Aachen University of Applied Sciences (FH Aachen) is in compliance with the DSH examination regulations of 8 June 2022. The examination regulations are in keeping with the regulatory framework of German language examinations for programmes of study at German institutions of higher education. It is registered at the conference of higher education institution presidents (registration number: 2-06/15). A DSH examination completed in accordance with article 7 of the regulatory framework will be recognised by the institutions of higher education in Germany.

DSH – Dates

Date of written examinationDate of oral examination (estimated)Registration
05.11.202415.11.2024online
03.12.202413.12.2024online

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