Is PTE Accepted in Germany? University Rules and Scores

Yes, some German universities accept PTE Academic, but Germany does not set a national PTE score. Each university decides whether it accepts PTE and what overall or per-skill score it asks for. Pearson lists Germany among the countries that accept PTE, but its own scoring page says that governments and institutions decide which tests to accept and which scores to require. Check the English page of each course you plan to apply for, and check the German visa rules separately, because a university's rule does not decide the visa.

Germany PTE score requirement at a glance

The table above shows the rule-makers. It does not give a single number for Germany, because none exists in an official source we could find.

Is PTE accepted in Germany public universities?

Some public universities accept PTE Academic. Acceptance depends on the university, and it often applies to English-taught courses only. A German-taught course may ask for proof of German, not English, so the test you book may not matter for that course.

To check a public university, follow these steps:

1. Find the course page on the university website, and open its English or language requirements section.
2. Note the accepted tests. Some lists name PTE Academic, and some name only IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge tests.
3. Note the overall score and any minimum in each skill (speaking, writing, reading, listening).
4. If the page does not name PTE, ask the international office in writing before you book, and keep the reply.
5. Check how long the university accepts a result. The validity period varies by institution, so read the rule on its page.

Germany PTE score requirement for bachelor's

Bachelor's entry depends on the university and whether the course is taught in English or German.

• English-taught bachelor's: check the English requirement for that course. Ask whether the university accepts PTE Academic, and which overall and per-skill scores it sets.
• German-taught bachelor's: the university usually asks for proof of German. An English test may not be the document you need.
• Foundation or preparatory courses: ask the university which English level the course needs and whether it accepts PTE for that level.

Some online lists give score ranges for bachelor's courses, such as 50 to 60. We could not confirm such ranges from an official German or Pearson source, so we do not use them. Use the figure printed on the university's own page.

Germany PTE score requirement for masters

Masters entry is also set by each university and often by each programme. One example comes from the Technical University of Munich (TUM). Its general language page, which covers its degree programmes, lists PTE Academic with an overall score of at least 65, and PTE Academic Online with the same score, next to its IELTS (6.5) and TOEFL iBT (88) figures.

For a masters programme at TUM, the same page says English proficiency cannot be proven by school grades. It also lists other ways to show English, such as an English-taught degree transcript or certificate. Read the full page for your programme, because some master's programmes have their own rules.

Does Germany accept PTE for the student visa?

Admission and visa are two separate checks.

• The German Federal Foreign Office in India says a recognised English certificate is obligatory. A university confirmation counts only if the university tested your English individually for your case.
• Exemption letters and certificates that only show English as the teaching language are not accepted by the visa section, according to the same FAQ.
• The visa section can ask for an English test even when your university has said that you do not need one.

The public FAQ does not name PTE Academic. Before you book the test, ask the German embassy or the visa office which English certificates they accept for a student visa. Keep the answer in writing.

Is PTE accepted in Europe?

Pearson's country list includes many European countries, among them Germany, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Italy. A country being on the list does not mean that every university or visa office in that country accepts PTE. Check each institution and each government immigration website for the route you want.

Ireland is a clear example. The Irish Immigration Service Delivery publishes a table of English tests for study visas, and PTE Academic is on it. The table is covered in the Ireland section below.

Ireland PTE requirement for masters

The Irish Immigration Service Delivery sets a minimum for study visas. For PTE Academic, its table gives 30 for second-level and foundation courses, and 30 for all other courses. Postgraduate study falls under all other courses, so 30 is the visa minimum for a masters.

Three points to check:

• The university can set a higher figure than the visa minimum. Check the university's English requirement too.
• The certificate must be issued within two years of the course start date.
• The table was last updated in September 2024 according to the page, so confirm the current figures before you book.

How to read your PTE score for Germany or Ireland

A German university or the Irish visa office sets its rule on its own scale, so you cannot read a figure from another country directly. Our PTE to IELTS converter gives an estimate only, based on Pearson's published concordance with IELTS. It is not an official score and it does not replace the requirement on a university page.

To understand your result, read our guide on what a PTE passing score means, and compare test choices in the PTE vs IELTS guide. If you are also looking at other countries, see the PTE accepted countries list and the UK visa levels.

Before you book

1. Pick your course and check whether it is taught in English or German.
2. Read the English requirement on the university page, and write down any per-skill minimum.
3. For the visa, ask the German embassy or the Irish visa office which tests they accept.
4. Check the test format and the score meanings in the PTE exam pattern guide before you prepare.
5. Practise the speaking tasks in the speaking practice hub, because a per-skill minimum can apply to any section.