Universität Duisburg-Essen

Short answer: which route is there if your German is not good enough?

According to UDE's international admissions page, you can apply for an admission-free (zulassungsfrei) Bachelor's or Master's programme without sufficient German. Successful applicants receive a "Zulassungsbescheid zum Sprachkurs", an admission to a German course.

• You enrol as a German-course student and cannot attend lectures or take exams.
• UDE does not run its own German courses; you attend a private language school with at least 18 lessons a week. The schools charge fees.
• For admission-restricted (NC) programmes, a German-course application is not possible.
• After the course you must apply again for the degree within the deadline; no place is reserved.

See how this differs from conditional admission, and how other universities handle it, in our conditional admission comparison.

Language requirement and accepted certificates

Before the degree programme starts you need DSH-2 level; some programmes require DSH-3. Accepted certificates include DSH-2, DSD II, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, TestDaF with TDN 4 in all parts, and the Feststellungsprüfung.

Our guide to German language certificates compares the exams.

Application steps, deadlines and costs

• Bachelor's: through the uni-assist application portal.
• Master's: some programmes (e.g. Business Administration, Computer Science, Psychology, Economics, Business Informatics) go through uni-assist; all others through UDE's own application portal. Check your programme on the official list.
• Deadlines (official page, last updated 2 September 2026): winter semester NC programmes 1 May – 15 June, admission-free programmes 1 May – 31 July; summer semester NC 1 November – 15 December, admission-free 1 November – 31 January. Some programme pages still show older dates; if they conflict, ask the International Office.
• Costs: UDE charges no tuition fees. The semester contribution for winter semester 2026/27 is €367.80 in total.
• Visa: according to the official page, the admission notice lets you apply for a study or German-course visa; it advises against entering on a tourist visa. This is not a visa guarantee.

English-taught Master's examples

UDE also runs Master's programmes taught in English. Two examples from the official programme pages:

• Development and Governance (M.A.)
• Contemporary East Asian Studies (M.A.) (includes training in an East Asian language)

The German-course route applies to German-taught programmes; check the language requirement of English-taught programmes on their programme page.

Universität Duisburg-Essen: From Rich History to Modern Education

Universität Duisburg-Essen opened its doors on January 1, 2003, as one of Germany's youngest and most dynamic universities, formed by the merger of Gerhard-Mercator-Universität Duisburg and Universität-Gesamthochschule Essen. However, its roots trace back to the former university in Duisburg, established in 1654. This merger brought together the strengths of both institutions, significantly boosting the region's and the country's educational and research capacity.

With over 37,500 students, the university ranks among Germany's twenty largest, offering a global atmosphere with an international student body from 130 different countries. Offering a wide range of internationally focused faculties and programs, the university has become a European-renowned center, especially in nanoscience and biomedical research. It also plays a significant role in teacher education within the Nordrhein-Westfalen state. Its 194th position in the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings confirms the university's academic excellence and strong international standing in research performance. As part of the University Alliance Ruhr Metropolis, it collaborates with other higher education institutions in the region, offering broader opportunities for students and researchers.

Student Life in Duisburg and Essen: One University, Two Cities

One of the most distinctive features of Universität Duisburg-Essen is its dual-campus structure, with locations in two different cities: Duisburg and Essen. This dual-campus setup offers students the chance to experience both the dynamic atmosphere of the Ruhr region and the unique cultures of different cities. Located in the Nordrhein-Westfalen state, these cities are vibrant centers where Germany's industrial heritage blends with modern student life.

Students frequently exchange information about dormitory applications and finding a WG (Wohngemeinschaft – a shared apartment). The dormitories managed by the Studierendenwerk (student services organization) offer affordable accommodation options, especially for international students. However, finding a spot can be challenging, so applying early is highly recommended. Alternatively, WGs offer both a more cost-effective and socially rich living experience. Duisburg and Essen are full of cultural events, museums, parks, and various student hangouts, offering plenty of options to explore outside of classes. Thanks to the Semesterticket (semester public transport pass), students can travel freely throughout the entire Nordrhein-Westfalen state on public transport, making it easy to commute between the two cities and surrounding areas.