Language skills

 

Our Bachelor's and Master's courses of study are offered in both English and German to reflect the international future field of work. The class language of instruction is listed in the curriculum of the course of study. The exam regulations determine language requirements for our courses of study. However, we recommend an understanding of both German and English for all courses of study and specialisations; these recommendations are marked with an asterisk * below.

Both beginner and advanced levels language courses are offered by the RWTH Language Centre for German, English, and other modern languages. The levels listed in the table below are determined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR/GER).

Further information from the International Office on recognisable certificates and exemptions can be found here.

 

Applied Geosciences (B.Sc.) and Georesources Management (B.Sc.)

Our Bachelor's courses of study are offered in German; some classes may be taught in English. Therefore a good written and spoken understanding of English is highly recommended. According to the exam regulations (PO), the following language skills are required:

Bachelor's course of study

Language

GER level

Accepted language certificates for non-native speakers according to the PO

Time of submission

Applied Geosciences (B.Sc.)

German

C1
  • TestDaF (level 4 in all four section)
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, level 2)
  • Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz – Zweite Stufe (KMK II)
  • Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS), Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom or
    Goethe-Zertifikat C1 provided by the Goethe-Institutes
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung II by Sprachen- und Dolmetscher Institutes München
  • telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule

Enrollment

English

B2*

* recommended and not required language skill

--

Georesources Management (B.Sc.)

German

C1
  • TestDaF (level 4 in all four section)
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, level 2)
  • Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz – Zweite Stufe (KMK II)
  • Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS), Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom or
    Goethe-Zertifikat C1 provided by the Goethe-Institutes
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung II by Sprachen- und Dolmetscher Institutes München
  • telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule

Enrollment

English

B2*

* recommended and not required language skill

--

 

Applied Geosciences (M.Sc.)

The required language skills for Applied Geosciences (M.Sc.) depend on your chosen specialisation and are defined by the exam regulations (PO). Even though there are is no demand for german proofs, we strongly recommend to gain some german skills. That will be helpful in the daily life in Germany.

Specialisation

Language

GER level

Accepted language certificates for non-native speakers according to the PO

Time of submission

Geoingeneering (GIN)

German

C1
  • TestDaF (level 4 in all four section)
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, level 2)
  • Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz – Zweite Stufe (KMK II)
  • Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS), Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom or
    Goethe-Zertifikat C1 provided by the Goethe-Institutes
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung II by Sprachen- und Dolmetscher Institutes München
  • telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule

Enrollment

English

B2
  • Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) „Internet-based” Test (IBT) with a score of at least 90 points
  • IELTS-Test with a score of at least 5.5
  • Cambridge Test – Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
  • First Certificate in English (FCE) with a grade of at least B
  • German high school diploma (Abitur) only if English was completed through 11th grade (G8) or 12th grade (G9) and all classes were passed.
  • Placement test at the RWTH Language Centre of B2 (MK 7) or higher (participation at placement tests is only possible after enrollment)

Enrollment

Applied Mineralogy and Crystallography (AMC)

German

C1*
  • * recommended and not required language skill
 --

English

B2
  • Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) „Internet-based” Test (IBT) with a score of at least 90 points
  • IELTS-Test with a score of at least 5.5
  • Cambridge Test – Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
  • First Certificate in English (FCE) with a grade of at least B
  • German high school diploma (Abitur) only if English was completed through 11th grade (G8) or 12th grade (G9) and all classes were passed.
  • Placement test at the RWTH Language Centre of B2 (MK 7) or higher (participation at placement tests is only possible after enrollment)

Enrollment

Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR)

German

B1*

* recommended and not required language skill

--

English

B2
  • Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) „Internet-based” Test (IBT) with a score of at least 90 points
  • IELTS-Test with a score of at least 5.5
  • Cambridge Test – Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
  • First Certificate in English (FCE) with a grade of at least B
  • German high school diploma (Abitur) only if English was completed through 11th grade (G8) or 12th grade (G9) and all classes were passed.
  • Placement test at the RWTH Language Centre of B2 (MK 7) or higher (participation at placement tests is only possible after enrollment)

Enrollment

As you are free to change your specialisation after enrollment, you have to hand in a proof of your English language skills when registering your Master's Thesis with the examination board.

 

Georesources Management (M.Sc.)

The required language skills for Georesource Management (M.Sc.) depend on your chosen specialisation and are defined by the exam regulations (PO). In the specialisation Environmental Management (UMA) there are no official English requirements. However, as some classes are offered in English only, good written and spoken English skills are highly recommended. The RWTH Language Centre offers English classes at all levels.

Specialisation

Language

GER level

Accepted language certificates for non-native speakers according to the PO

Time of submission

Environmental Management (UMA)

German

C1
  • TestDaF (level 4 in all four section)
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, level 2)
  • Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz – Zweite Stufe (KMK II)
  • Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS), Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom or
    Goethe-Zertifikat C1 provided by the Goethe-Institutes
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung II by Sprachen- und Dolmetscher Institutes München
  • telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule

Enrollment

English

B2*

* recommended and not required language skill

--

Resources and Energy Management (REM)

German

C1
  • TestDaF (level 4 in all four section)
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, level 2)
  • Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz – Zweite Stufe (KMK II)
  • Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS), Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom or
    Goethe-Zertifikat C1 provided by the Goethe-Institutes
  • Deutsche Sprachprüfung II by Sprachen- und Dolmetscher Institutes München
  • telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
 Enrollment

English

B2
  • Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) „Internet-based” Test (IBT) with a score of at least 90 points
  • IELTS-Test with a score of at least 5.5
  • Cambridge Test – Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
  • First Certificate in English (FCE) with a grade of at least B
  • German high school diploma (Abitur) only if English was completed through 11th grade (G8) or 12th grade (G9) and all classes were passed.
  • Placement test at the RWTH Language Centre of B2 (MK 7) or higher (participation at placement tests is only possible after enrollment)

Enrollment

As you are free to change your specialisation after enrollment, you have to hand in a proof of your English language skills when registering your Master's Thesis with the examination board.

 

Engineering Geohazards (M.Sc.)

The Masters Course "Engineering Geohazards" is held exclusively in English. The exam regulation (PO) defines which language skills you are required to proof when enroling. Even though there is no proof required for German language skills, it is advised to gain some skill as it is helpful in your daily life in Germany.

Course of Study Language GER level Accepted language certificates for non-native speakers according to the PO Time of Submission
Engineering Geohazards German C1* *recommended, but not required language skill -
English B2
  • Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) „Internet-based” Test (IBT) with a score of at least 90 points
  • IELTS-Test with a score of at least 5.5
  • Cambridge Test – Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
  • First Certificate in English (FCE) with a grade of at least B
  • German high school diploma (Abitur) only if English was completed through 11th grade (G8) or 12th grade (G9) and all classes were passed.
  • Placement test at the RWTH Language Centre of MK 7 or higher
 Enrollment