German language examination

Guidelines and recognized German diplomas
Requirements for passing the examination
Registration for the examination
Examination fee
Exemption from the German examination

Guidelines and recognized German diplomas

In accordance with the guidelines for the German language examination at the University of Zurich, students who meet the admission requirements but are not native German speakers are required to sit an examination in German. The examination can be waived if one of the following German diplomas has been awarded:

Requirements for passing the examination

Additional information about the requirements and assessment of the German language examination can be found on the pages of the Language Centre, which conducts the German examination.

Registration for the examination

Registrations for the examination must be submitted in writing once admission has been confirmed by the Admissions Office.

Applicants intending to sit the German examination must have a good command of the German language. Proof of German courses already attended must be enclosed with the application form.

Examination fee

The examination fee of CHF 90 should be paid when the application is submitted. If the examination has to be retaken, the fee must be paid again.
If registration is cancelled, the examination fee can only be refunded in the event of force majeure (illness, death in the family, etc.).

Exemption from the German examination

Doctoral students can be exempted from the examination if they have a sufficient command of the German language or if their doctoral thesis is written in a different language in agreement with their tutor.
Visiting students are not required to sit a German examination.