The Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) is a language exam for international applicants who want to study at a German higher education institution.
It proves that you have sufficient German skills to successfully complete a degree program at a German university.
At L.A.N.E.S. Germany, we prepare you optimally for all parts of the DSH exam – listening comprehension, reading comprehension, written production and the oral exam – so you can pass successfully.
87%
Success rate of our graduates
in the DSH exam last year
Benefits of DSH preparation
Targeted preparation for the DSH significantly increases your chances of success and enables direct access to university studies in Germany.
🏛️ University admission
Direct university access with DSH-2 or DSH-3. The exam is recognized by German universities.
📚 Academic German
Training for academic texts, lectures, discussions and typical university task formats.
🎯 Exam strategy
Focused strategies, time management and simulations so you go into the exam with confidence.
DSH levels
The DSH is graded in three levels. The required level depends on your intended degree program:
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DSH-1
B2 level
Minimum requirement – often not sufficient for many programs
Sometimes sufficient for selected programs
Limited choice – depends on university/department
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DSH-2
C1 level
Standard requirement for most programs at German universities
Access to most Bachelor/Master programs
Most common requirement at German universities
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DSH-3
C2 level
Highest level – for particularly demanding programs
For example medicine/law depending on the university
Very high confidence in academic German
DSH exam structure
The DSH consists of a written part and an oral exam. The exact weighting can vary by university.
Exam part
Duration
Content
Listening comprehension
approx. 60 min
Lecture/conversation, note-taking, tasks
Reading comprehension
approx. 90 min
Academic text, tasks, summary
Written production
approx. 70 min
Describe a chart/graph, write an opinion/argumentation
Oral exam
20 min + preparation time
Presentation, discussion, argumentation
Note:
The exact format and assessment can differ by university. We prepare you for common formats.
DSH preparation at LANES
Our preparation courses are specifically designed for DSH requirements.
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Authentic materials
Practice with typical task types and academic texts
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Mock exams
Simulation under time pressure with feedback and strategy
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Experienced teachers
Individual feedback on writing and speaking
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Study plan & tracking
Structured plan with homework and progress monitoring
Requirements for the DSH
For the DSH and your preparation, you should meet certain requirements:
🗣️ Recommended language base
For preparation: at least B1/B2 (depending on course format)
Goal: DSH-2 (C1) or DSH-3 (C2)
🎓 General requirements
Plan to study in Germany / aim for university entry
Regular attendance and willingness to learn
Self-study time (approx. 5–10 hours/week)
Dates & registration
DSH dates vary by university. We recommend early preparation – ideally 8 weeks or more.
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Winter semester: exams often in September/October/January
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Summer semester: exams often in March/April/July
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Recommended preparation time: 8–12 weeks (depending on level)
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Costs: exam fee varies by university (often around €100–€200)
Exact dates and requirements differ by university. We advise you individually and support you with the right preparation.
❓ Frequently asked questions
DSH is administered by universities and focuses strongly on academic requirements. TestDaF is a standardized exam you can take in many countries. Both are recognized, but requirements can vary by university.
That depends on your starting level. With B2, you should ideally train for 8–12 weeks. With a lower level, plan more time.
Yes. Many universities allow a retake after a few months. We support you with targeted training for your weak areas.
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