Examinations for foreign language courses
The Examinations Office of the Language Centre organises and implements language examinations and advises students interested in studying foreign languages. Read on for important information on language examinations, including exam dates.
Before you can sit a language exam, you have to register for it in HISQIS. This applies to all languages and all levels.
Overview of the current registration and withdrawal deadlines [German content]
The exam dates are announced here approximately two to three weeks before the start of the examination period.
Please check the study and examination regulation for your intended degree programme to determine what language skills are required.
Confirmation letters
Please contact Mr Wolfgang Killer if you require a letter confirming attainment of a language level (within CEFR) or mark/grade.
Language certificates
Subject-specific foreign language examination (FFP I and FFP II)
The subject-specific language examination (FFP) is the final examination of the subject-specific language programmes offered by the University’s Language Centre. It is offered in the fields of law and economics (English only) and is divided into FFP I (completion of FFA Advanced 1) and FFP II (completion of FFA Advanced 2).
In order to be admitted to the FFP I exam, you would usually need to attend the subject-specific language programme (FFA) for law or business/economics for two years. You can sit the FFP II exam if you have passed the FFP I exam and subsequently attended the FFA programme for another year. After successfully passing the examination, you will be issued with a certificate attesting to the level of competence you have attained. The certificate is self-explanatory and provides a detailed description of your linguistic competences in the relevant language, the courses you have completed, the levels attained according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), as well as the exam duration and content.
You can collect your examination certificates (FFP I and II) from the Examinations Office of the Language Centre during opening hours.
We regret that we are currently unable to issue FFP certificates for cultural studies.
Your contact for FFP certificates
Overview of dates for viewing language exam scripts (all levels) in winter semester 2022/2023: exam viewing schedule for May 2023 (German content)
DSH is the test of German as a foreign language for access to higher education. The abbreviation stands for "Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang". This test is required of international students prior to embarking on a German-taught programme of study at a German university.
Each degree programme has different German language requirements. Please check below for the language requirements for the degree programme you intend to apply for.
Here is an overview of the required German language skills.
Prior knowledge of German
You will need to prove that you have good German language skills at the time of application for the DSH test. Your knowledge should correspond to the B2 certificate (e.g. from the Goethe Institute) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
You can also learn German from German Courses Passau, which will enable you to acquire the necessary language skills to study at the University of Passau or to bring your German language skills up to an academic level.
Registration
The DSH exam is only open to those who are applying for a place on a degree programme at the University of Passau. You cannot register for the test if you are not applying for a degree programme here.
If you are studying in Passau as an exchange student (e.g. ERASMUS or DAAD) you do not need to sit the DSH test, as it is only intended for degree-seeking students, i.e. those who are studying the full degree programme here. As an exchange student you should simply attend the Language Centre's German language courses, which are free to our international students. However, you can opt to take the DSH test if you wish to obtain an internationally recognised certificate.
Examinations
An information session is usually held on the day before the DSH test. If you want to find out more beforehand, read the DSH test regulations [German content] or visit www.sprachnachweis.de.
The DSH exam is held twice a year, before the start of each semester. If you are commencing your studies in the summer semester, you will have to sit the March test. Those starting out in the winter semester should take the September test. The examination fee is €100.
We will not be offering the DSH in March 2023. If you are interested in taking the digital TestDaF at the Language Centre, please contact us.
Language certificates
Once you have passed your exam, you can collect your certificate from from Ms Anja Horn at the Examinations Office of the Language Centre during office hours.
Your contact for the DSH German test
The Examinations Office of the Language Centre
Section Head
Responsibilities
- Administrative and organisational implementation of the foreign language examinations forming part of:
- the Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes
- the subject-specific language programmes
- TOEFL ITP®
- Advising students on educational and examination matters in the area of foreign languages.
Staff members
Responsibilities
- Foundation and Intermediate examinations
- DSH German language test for admission to university
Responsibilities
- FFA Advanced examinations (all subjects)
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