Admission and Language Requirements

From "nomination to incoming@htwsaar" - how to become an exchange student at htw saar
1. Interested students from partner universities need to first apply for an exchange program towards the selection process of their home university.
2. The respective international service unit will send an official nomination to incoming@htwsaar.de.
3. Then starts the application process at htw saar and upon acceptance, students will receive their acceptance letter.
4. Further steps (accommodation pre-reservation, arrival service etc.) complete the process from "nomination to incoming@htwsaar". Students who are not from our network of partners (so-called free movers) cannot become an exchange student at htw saar.

Please note that the requirements depending on the details of the agreements we have with your home university may also deviate from those specified below.

1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS for exchange students

A. Non-degree exchange students:

• on Bachelor’s level must have completed at least 60 ECTS (eqv. 1 year/ 2 semesters of fulltime studies) from the respective study program at their home university prior to the start of the exchange program at htw saar.
• on Master’s level have to show a minimum of 180 ECTS (eqv. 3 year/ 6 semesters of fulltime study) from the respective study program at their home university prior to the start of the programme at htw saar.

B. Degree-seeking exchange students:

• on Bachelor’s level must have completed at least 120 ECTS/90 (eqv. 2 years/ 4 semesters of fulltime studies) from the respective study program at their home university prior to the start of the exchange program at htw saar.
• on Master’s level have to show a minimum of in total 240 cumulative ECTS from their home university including a Bachelor’s degree (with minimum 180 ECTS) prior to the start of the program at htw saar. Upon successful completion of 60 ECTS including the Master thesis at htw saar, students from partner universities will be granted the htw saar Master’s degree.

2. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS for exchange students

German is the main language of instruction at htw saar and students are required to submit proof of their German language proficiency as listed below in case they want to attend modules taught in German.
English is the language of instruction in some programs offered at the Business School. The School of Engineering also offers a selection of English taught modules. Students who want to study in English, have to show evidence of their English proficiency.

Depending on the individual program, students may have to show evidence of their proficiency in German, English or both languages.
Please note that the language requirements depending on the details of the agreements we have with your home university may also deviate from those specified in the list below.
The language requirements comply with the CEF-levels of the European Language Portfolio project “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF)”.
More details see: www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Cadre1_en.asp.

Please check at the specific school further below the language requirements of your individual program.
Generally spoken,

• non-degree exchange students need to show proof of either a standard test certificate, or a certificate issued by a language instructor of their home university, showing required level as listed below under the respective school.
• double-degree exchange students typically need to show proof of an official standard language test certificate, showing required level as listed below under the respective school (other certificates on request).
• students who attend English taught modules only, are not required to show German proficiency for admission. It is however recommended to start learning German prior to the start of the exchange to allow a smooth immersion into German society and at htw saar.

The following German certificates are accepted (other certificates on request):
1 Level B1: Goethe Zertifikat Deutsch B1 (ZD); other acceptable higher level certificates include: Goethe-Zertifikat B2, Test-DaF (14 or higher), Goethe-Zertifikat C1, Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS).
2 Level B2 (DD students): Goethe Zertifikat Deutsch B2; other acceptable higher level certificates include: Test-DaF (14 or higher), Goethe-Zertifikat C1, Kleines Deutsches Sprachdiplom (KDS)

The following English certificates are accepted (other certificates on request):
4 Level B2: IELTS: 5.5; Cambridge FCE: pass; TOEFL: min. 4,0 (of 6) or 72+ (during transition period till Jan, 2028); BEC: Vantage; TOEIC: min. 600; The European Language Certificates: telc English B2 oder telc English B2 Business.
5 Level C1: IELTS: 6.5; Cambridge CAE: pass; TOEFL: min. 5,0 (of 6) or 95+ (during transition period till Jan, 2028); BEC: Higher; TOEIC: min. 700; European Language Certificates: TELC English C1