A certified language proficiency at level B2 is required. For every exchange program at htw saar’s partner universities, you must submit a B2 language certificate for the language(s) of instruction of the exchange program with your application by January 15th. Please check the Outgoing Exchange database (OutEx) of htw saar for the specific “Language Requirements” of each partner university.
In most cases, the national DAAD language certificate is sufficient. However, some partner universities require an internationally recognized language test (e.g., TOEFL). Details can be found under the respective partner university in the Outgoing Exchange database (OutEx). You may only apply to partner universities for which your submitted language certificate meets the requirements.
Please note: A Certificate of Secondary Education (Abitur) indicating B2-level proficiency is not sufficient as proof of language skills (exception: French – see below).
1. DAAD LANGUAGE CERTIFICATE
How to obtain a DAAD language certificate?
The DAAD language certificate must not be older than 3 years at the time of application.
Students of the Business School in English-language programs (International Business and International Management):
Students in these two programs replace the DAAD language certificate for English with a certification issued by the faculty. This certificate is available at the faculty office on Campus Rotenbühl and must be submitted with the application on January 15th instead of the DAAD certificate.
Note: A DAAD language certificate is not required for these programs. However, this certificate does not replace an international language certificate such as TOEFL.
Students of the Business School in all other programs (except the two above):
As of October 22,2025: The Business School is currently updating the process and contact persons for DAAD language exams. Information will be published here as soon as it is available.
DAAD Spanish Certificate (Students of the Business School):
All students of the Business School may apply for a DAAD Spanish certificate at the Language Center of Saarland University if a DAAD Spanish certificate is required for their desired partner university.
Appointment: December 10, 2025, 2:00 PM (duration 75 min), Location: Campus of Saarland University, C5.4, Room 3.02
Interested students should contact spanisch@szsb.uni-saarland.de
Students of the Faculties AuB, IngWi, and SoWi:
For a DAAD language certificate in English/French/Spanish, students of these faculties must contact the following instructors by end of November:
- Sebastian Barth (students in Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Engineering and Management, Mechatronics, Social Work)
- Lisa Rauhoff (students in Automotive Engineering)
- Betina Lang (students in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Practical Informatics, Communication Informatics)
- Eva Langenbahn (students in Electrical and Information Engineering, Renewable Energy, Energy Systems, Environmental Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Nursing and Health)
Important Note:
If you already hold an internationally recognized language certificate (e.g., a current TOEFL – valid 2 years, or Cambridge Certificate B2 First or higher – lifetime validity, or IELTS B2 minimum, or DELF for French, DELE for Spanish, etc.), you do not need to obtain a DAAD B2 certificate even if applying to partner universities where a DAAD certificate is required.
2. INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LANGUAGE CERTIFICATES (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
If your desired partner university requires an internationally recognized language certificate (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, DELF, DELE), a DAAD certificate is not required.
You should register for the respective test early (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS), preferably in December, so that the results can be submitted with your application by January 15th.
An internationally recognized certificate is always considered higher value than a national DAAD certificate. Always check the requirements of the partner university in OutEx (some universities accept only specific certificates, e.g., TOEFL).
3. EXCEPTION – FRENCH-LANGUAGE PROGRAMS IN FRANCE
For applications to French-language programs at partner universities in France, a Certificate of Secondary Education with French at B2 level or higher is accepted as proof of language proficiency, due to the Franco-German Treaty.
This exception does not apply to other languages or countries.
If you are unsure which language certificate is required for your application, please send an email to outgoing@htwsaar.de
