Germany IELTS Band Requirement 2025 - Minimum Scores for Study & Visa

For international students who need to study, work, or live in Germany, the IELTS test is mandatory. Most German universities, companies, and visa offices require an IELTS band score of 6.0 or above to check the English language proficiency of candidates. 

Even though German is the main language, more than half of the people in Germany can speak English. Also, lots of bachelor’s and master’s courses are now taught fully in English, which is an advantage for international students.

Most universities in Germany ask for an IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5. For master’s programs, some may even ask for 7.0. The same score is also needed for the Germany student visa when applying for an English-taught course. 

In this article, you will learn Germany IELTS band requirement for universities, courses, visa, and more. 

Why Take IELTS for Germany?

IELTS is one of the most accepted English language tests in the world. If you are planning to study, work, or even move to Germany, then IELTS scores can really help you.

Even though Germany’s official language is German, more than 55% of the population can speak English. Also, many German universities now offer English-taught programs, especially for international students. 

Here’s why IELTS is important for Germany:

• The IELTS test is accepted by many German universities for both bachelor's and master’s courses.
• IELTS is required to get a Germany student visa, especially if the course is taught in English.
• If you are planning to work in Germany, many companies or employers might ask for your IELTS band score to check your English communication skills.
• IELTS is trusted worldwide, with over 12,000 institutions in 140+ countries accepting IELTS scores. 

Taking the IELTS test for Germany makes your application stronger, whether it’s for a university, a job, or a visa. It proves your ability to read, write, speak, and understand English, which is important for living and succeeding in Germany.

Also Read: Study in Germany in 2025

Overview of Germany IELTS Band Requirements

Most top-ranked German universities require an IELTS score to assess the English language proficiency of students. The IELTS band requirements for Germany depend on the course level, bachelor’s or master’s.

For undergraduate courses or diploma programs, Indian students usually need an overall IELTS band score of 6.0 to 6.5. Some universities may accept 6.0, but top ones may ask for 6.5. 

For master’s courses in Germany, the minimum IELTS score for Germany is 6.5 overall, and at least 6.0 in each section: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Always check the exact IELTS score requirement on the official website of the university as it can change from one course to another.

 

Top 10 Universities - IELTS Score for Germany

Here are the minimum IELTS scores for the top 10 universities in Germany:

QS World University Rankings 2026	University Name	IELTS Score for German universities
=22	Technical University of Munich	6.5
=58	Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München	6.5
80	Universität Heidelberg	6.5
=88	Freie Universitaet Berlin	6.5
=105	RWTH Aachen University	7
=98	KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology	6
130	Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin	5.5
145	Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin)	5
201	Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg	5
193	Universität Hamburg	4

Minimum IELTS Score for Germany Student Visa

To get a Germany student visa, you need to show your IELTS score as proof of your English language skills. Whether you are applying for a bachelor’s or master’s course, your IELTS band score is an important part of the visa process.

For both undergraduate and postgraduate student visas, the minimum IELTS score for Germany is usually 6.5 overall. Some universities may even ask for 7.0 if the course is competitive.

Here is a simple breakdown of the IELTS band requirement for Germany student visa:

Visa Type	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking	Overall
Undergraduate (UG)	6	6	6	6	6.5
Postgraduate (PG)	6	6	6	6	6.5 or 7.0

So, if you are planning to apply for a student visa to Germany, try to get at least a 6 band in each section, and aim for 6.5 or more as your total band score.

Also Read: Germany Post Study Work Visa: Musk-Know Visa Options!

Germany IELTS Band Requirements for Popular Courses

To study in Germany, most students need to take the IELTS test to prove their English skills. Different universities and courses have different IELTS band requirements. Below is a table showing the minimum IELTS scores needed for some of the top universities in Germany and their popular courses in 2025.

IELTS Band Requirements for German Universities (2025)

University	Course	Minimum IELTS Score
Technical University of Munich	BBA / B.Tech / B.Sc. / MS / MBA / MIM / M.A. / M.Arch	6.5 & above
Free University of Berlin	BBA / B.Tech / B.Sc. / MBBS / MS / M.A. / MIM	4.5 – 5.0
Ludwig Maximilians University Munich	BBA / B.Sc. / B.Tech	Accepted
	MS	6.5 – 7.0
	M.A.	7.0 & above
RWTH Aachen University	B.Tech / B.Sc. / MS / MBA / MIM / M.A.	5.5 – 6.5 or Accepted
Humboldt University of Berlin	BBA / B.Tech / B.Sc.	Accepted
	MS	5.5 – 7.0
	M.A.	6.5 – 7.5
	MIM	6.5 & above
University of Mannheim	BBA	Accepted
	MBA	7.0 & above
	MS	6.0 & above
University of Hamburg	BBA / B.Tech / B.Sc.	4.0 & above
	MS	4.5 – 6.5
	MIM / M.A.	6.0 – 6.5 & above
IU International University of Applied Sciences	BBA / MS / MBA / MIM / MEM / BHM	6.0 & above
Berlin School of Business & Innovation	BBA / B.Tech / BHM / MBA / MIM / MS / M.A.	6.0 & above
Heidelberg University – Germany	BBA / B.Sc.	Accepted
	MS / MIM	6.5 & above
	M.A.	5.0 – 8.5

Is 6.0 a good score in IELTS for Germany? 

A 6.0 IELTS score is okay for some universities in Germany, but it is not always enough for top colleges or PG courses.

If you are applying for undergraduate (UG) programs, many public universities will accept IELTS 6.0, but not all. Some may ask for 6.5 or more.

For postgraduate (master’s) courses, 6.0 is usually not enough. Most German universities want at least a 6.5 overall band and 6.0 in each section—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Also, for the Germany student visa, the usual requirement is 6.5 IELTS band overall. So, if your score is just 6.0, it might be a bit risky.

Also Read: Requirements for Studying in Germany for Indian Students

 

Conclusion 

The minimum IELTS band requirement for Germany in 2025 is typically 6.0–6.5 overall for undergraduate programs and 6.5–7.0 for postgraduate courses. 

For the student visa, you must meet your university’s language requirement, usually IELTS 6.0+, and prove financial stability. 

For help with IELTS preparation or German university applications, connect with upGrad experts. With upGrad 1:1 counselling, students will have a smooth study experience.