Modern Language Center

FAQ Language certificates

General Information

What is a language certificate?

A language certificate is proof of your language competence in the areas of oral interaction, reading and writing according to the GER. It can be used to apply for a scholarship abroad or a master's degree program. You can apply for a language certificate at the ZEMS if you have attended a language course in the last two semesters and completed it with a minimum grade of 2. If you have not attended a language course at the ZEMS, you can obtain the language certificate by taking an examination.

In which languages are language certificates issued?

Language certificates are issued for the languages English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Chinese. Due to high demand by TU students, we will not offer English language certificates for students from other universities.

How high are the fees for students?

TU-StudentsExternal and guest / auditing students  
40.00 Euro80.00 Euro  

What is the difference between the language certificate and the certificate of achievement that I receive at the end of a language course at ZEMS?

The ZEMS course certificate certifies your performance in the language course and is assigned credit points that can be recognized as a free choice elective or additional module, depending on your course of study.
The language certificate, in turn, is an additional exam that certifies your language level can be used to apply for a Master's program or for some exchange programs such as Erasmus, Overseas programs, and others.

What is the process after registering for the language certificate?

For language certificates except for Chinese: After registration, you will be directed to the ZEMS-Moodle course where you need to log in with your TU log-in data on https://moodle.zems.tu-berlin.de/. There you will find a course that has been set up for your exam date. Please read the information and follow the instructions. The test will only be visible on the exam date.

For the Chinese language certificate: You do not need to register in ZEMS Moodle as a guest. To make an appointment as well as to get information about the procedure of the exam, please contact Mr. Lee (h.lee@tu-berlin.de).
 

Can I take the exam for the language certificate test on any date if I have a valid reason?

Due to high demand, we are unable ro accommodate individual needs. If a registered person for the test cancels and you are on the waiting list, we will contact you as soon as a place becomes available.
=> For TU students ZEMS also offers the language exam onSET in English and German for, which is also recognized in some cases.

Registration and exam

I would like to apply for two language certificates but the Moodle platform only allows me to apply for one. How can I apply for the second language certificate?

Please send an e-mail with your name and matriculation number to sekretariat(at)zems.tu-berlin.de.

You can apply for more than one language certificates provided that they are in different languages. Only one language certificate is issued per semester and per language.

The issuing of language certificates is subject to a fee.

I have registered with my TUB account for an exam for a language assessment and would like to find out more about the exam.

After successfully registering, log in again at moodle.zems.tu-berlin.de, select "TU-Login". All information about the exam itself can be found in a moodle course on our moodle instance. After you have successfully logged in, the course will be displayed in the left menu and as a tile.

How is the exam for the language certificate in English structured?

The exam consists of two parts:
1. Six multiple-choice reading comprehension questions and a writing task of 250-300 words. You will have a total of 45 minutes for this part.
2. Oral conversation with another participant and examiner via Zoom for a total of 15 minutes.

When do the exams for the language certificates take place?

You can find the dates under Language Certificates on the ZEMS website.

Three semesters ago I completed a language course with a grade of 2. Can I still apply for language certificate without an examination?

Unfortunately, no. Language certificates without a language exam are only awarded to students who have successfully completed a language course in the last two semesters.

I have successfully completed a course at the ZEMS and would like to apply for a language certificate. What are the requirements and what is the procedure?

You must have attended the language course in the last two semesters and have achieved a minimum grade of 2.0.
Only in this case you will receive the language certificate without an additional language test.

You will receive the language certificate by e-mail within 7 working days.
For more information, please see Language Certificates on the ZEMS website.

Semester abroad

I would like to study abroad. Can I use a language certificate for an application in the Erasmus program?

Since each exchange has its own requirements depending on the country/university, we recommend that you contact the International Office of the TU Berlin.

Which language certificate and which level do I need for my semester abroad?

Each university has its own guidelines for the approval of language certificates or language assessments.
Please contact the International Office of the TU Berlin for further information.

I have taken the test for the language certificate. Is it possible for ZEMS to fill out my DAAD form?

Yes, the DAAD form will be filled out by us.

What are the payment modalities?

Payment modalities

Language certificates and onSET tests are subject to fees in accordance with the Framework fee schedule of the ZEMS and the applicable determinations by the Executive Board of the TU Berlin. 

Fees must be paid prior to the exam and proof of payment must be presented at the exam date.  

Bank transfer

AccountTechnical University of Berlin (ZEMS)
BankBerliner Volksbank
BICBEVODEBB
IBANDE44 1009 0000 8841 0152 59
PurposeLanguage report for ... (specify language)