Is IELTS Mandatory for German Student Visa?
Find out if IELTS is mandatory for a German student visa. Learn about the language requirements for English and German programs and the accepted proficiency tests for studying in Germany.
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Germany is the number one study-abroad destination according to some sources. Many international students visit Germany in every session to get higher education. the first need for students is a German student visa. There are certain requirements for this visa.
One of the documents students submit for a German student visa is an IELTS certificate. Some students often ask whether IELTS is mandatory for a German student visa. Here, you will get the answer followed by more details.
IELTS Requirement for Student Visa
IELTS is a standardized test to judge the English proficiency of a student. This text is recognized all over the world including Germany. German government asks for an IELTS score as part of the visa application procedure. This rule applies to non-EU students coming to Germany and for certain programs. An IELTS score must be 6.0 for a visa application.
Conclusion: IELTS is mandatory for the visa application of non-EU students. If you are a non-EU student, your score must be 6.0 or above for a visa application.
When IELTS May Not Be Required
If you have chosen to study a program in which German is the language of instruction, IELTS may not be mandatory.
Preparation for IELTS Exams
There are four parts of the IELTS exams. These four parts are reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Different skills are required for every part. Students can join coaching institutes for this purpose. In such institutes, you get expert guidance and training. Besides, these institutes also provide practice sessions to students. These sessions help them to achieve their desired scores. Various IELTS materials are available online also. These materials include sample questions, practice tests, and tips for all sections. You can download these materials for your preparations. But, joining a coaching institute specialized in IELTS coaching.
IELTS Needed for Enrollment in Germany
IELTS is also necessary for enrollment in several courses in Germany. Many institutes in Germany require IELTS scores. They need it as proof of English proficiency of students. Here also, you need a score of 6.0 or above to enroll in an undergraduate or postgraduate course.
Some Significant Benefits of IELTS
There are some more significant benefits of IELTS. Here are some of the benefits that you may get after passing an IELTS exam.
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Global Recognition
One of the most significant advantages of IELTS is its global acceptance. IELTS scores are recognized by more than 11,000 organizations in over 140 countries. The major organizations among them are universities. Besides, immigration authorities recognize these scores. Many employers and professional bodies also recognize them. It becomes easier for students to meet language proficiency requirements in numerous institutions.
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Widely Accepted for Admission to Universities
IELTS is widely accepted for university admissions in different countries. Especially, English-speaking countries give it a special significance. In non-English speaking countries also it is popular these days. Germany is a German-speaking country, but still German institutes recognize it. You can show your ability to understand academic English via IELTS. It makes you a strong candidate for programs taught in English.
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Enhances Your English Skills
An IELTS example provides you a productive way to improve your English proficiency. To prepare for this test, you focus on all language skills. These skills are listening, reading, writing, and speaking. If you prepare for this test, you communicate more effectively in everyday situations. Similarly, you can deal more effectively in academic scenarios.
Besides, it boosts your confidence in using English. Significant skills you gain by IELTS prove to be useful in several other areas.
IELTS Alternatives
There are some IELTS alternatives also that some universities can consider. Some of these alternatives include:
TOEFL: TOEFL is considered the best alternative for IELTS universally.
Cambridge English Exams: Many institutes accept Cambridge English Exams also. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) is one such exam. Another one is the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) also.
PTE Academic: Some German universities accept the Pearson Test of English (PTE). They accept it as proof of English proficiency.
Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate: Students can bypass formal English language tests. In some cases, they can do this if they provide an MOI certificate. This document is issued by the student’s previous educational institution. It certifies that the medium of instruction was English. However, MOI is not universally accepted. Therefore, students should check whether their universities accept MOI or not.
Conclusion
If your language of instruction is English, you will need IELTS. It may not be necessary if the language of instruction is German. For enrollment in many institutes in Germany, you need IELTS. IELTS has several more benefits without a second thought. There are also some alternatives to IELTS. Prominent ones are TOEFL, Cambridge English Exams, PTE Academic, and MOI Certificate.
