International certificates and recognized proof of language proficiency for admission to studies

Please submit your language proficiency certificate during the application process—that is, through the relevant admissions office or the MOIN portal. Please do not send any documents to the Language Center or drop them off there.

No. We’re happy to provide general advice, but we do not review documents in advance. The relevant admissions office will determine whether your documentation will be accepted as part of the specific application process. However, you can find more information on our website beforehand.

Please refer to the list of “Recognized Certificates and Proof of Language Proficiency for Admission to Studies.” There you will find a list of which documents are recognized, sorted by language and proficiency level. Be sure to check that the regulations apply to your current application process.

The list of recognized certificates and proof of language proficiency provides the best overview: There you can see which certificates are recognized for each language and the required levels. Based on this, you can check whether you already have the appropriate certificate or which one you may still need to obtain.

You can take some of these exams directly at the SZHB or at the cultural institutes in Bremen: Italian with CILS, German with TestDaF, French with DELF/DALF, and Spanish with DELE. In addition, UNIcert® is recognized by many universities as proof of language proficiency for admission, particularly for English.

In addition to these certificates, there are numerous other recognized forms of language proficiency certification. For a successful application, it is crucial that your certification meets the required language, the necessary proficiency level, and the specific requirements of the university or the application process.

If you completed your Abitur or Fachabitur in Germany, the following applies: For levels A1 through B1, language courses from the German Abitur or Fachabitur may be recognized if the required duration is met. The rule here is: To qualify for an A1 certificate, you need at least one year of language instruction; for A2, at least three years of language instruction; and for B1, at least four years of language instruction up to and including 10th grade, or three years of language instruction up to the Abitur or Fachabitur. For B2 or C1, the number of school years alone is not sufficient: In these cases, the level must be explicitly stated on the transcript. If “B2/C1” appears on the transcript, then B2 is recognized. C1 is recognized only if it is explicitly and clearly stated.

If you did not attend school in Germany, you must submit a recognized proof of language proficiency as specified in the list in order to be admitted to studies. This applies to all languages and proficiency levels from A1 to C1.

Yes, under certain conditions. If you have completed your bachelor’s or master’s degree program entirely in the language in question, this may be recognized as proof of language proficiency. As a rule, you must submit your degree certificate and transcript of records to this end.

Individual language courses taken during your studies are not sufficient as proof of language proficiency. An exception is UNIcert®, provided you have obtained the corresponding certificate of completion.

These regulations apply to the admissions process at the University of Bremen. For other public universities in the Land of Bremen, you should consult the relevant admissions office directly.

A DAAD language certificate is primarily intended for applications for study abroad programs, scholarships, or internships abroad. It is generally not the appropriate documentation for university admission. Please refer to the list of recognized certificates and proof of language proficiency.

UNIcert® is a university-specific training and certification program for foreign languages. The levels are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: UNIcert® Basis corresponds to A2, UNIcert® I corresponds to B1, UNIcert® II corresponds to B2, and UNIcert® III corresponds to C1. If you have a UNIcert® certificate in the required language and at the required level, it may be accepted as proof of language proficiency for admission to a degree program. Please check the list of recognized certificates and proof of language proficiency..