Learning German before (and after) you arrive
You can study in English — but German decides how good your life gets. The efficient path from zero to B1.
6 min · updated 2026-07-31 · figures indicative, official sources win
How much German you actually need
For an English-taught degree: none formally. For daily life, part-time jobs, and your first career step: every level pays. A2 makes supermarkets, landlords, and offices manageable; B1 unlocks most Werkstudent roles and changes how Germany treats you.
The efficient stack (free to cheap)
- Daily habit: Duolingo or a similar app for streak-based vocabulary — 15 minutes, every day, from today.
- Speaking practice: AI voice conversation (e.g., ChatGPT's voice mode) — rehearse Anmeldung, doctor, and WG-viewing dialogues without embarrassment. It's the cheapest speaking partner that never gets tired.
- Structure: a real course for grammar — Goethe-Institut (gold standard, pricier), VHS (Volkshochschule — Germany's community colleges, excellent value once you arrive), or your university's free/cheap semester courses.
- Input: German YouTube/Netflix with subtitles beats textbooks for listening speed.
Certificates, if you need them
English-taught programs need an English test (IELTS 6.0–6.5 typical), not German. If a program or job wants German proof: Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, or TestDaF are the recognized ones. Don't pay for a German certificate nobody asked for — check the program page first.
Common questions
Is B1 realistic before arrival?
With a daily app habit + weekly structured lessons + AI speaking practice, A2 in 3–4 months and B1 in 8–12 is a common honest trajectory. Immersion after arrival roughly doubles the speed.
Are university German courses free?
Often free or heavily subsidized for enrolled students — one of the best perks of the semester fee. Places fill fast at semester start.
Ready to pick your program?
The board shows every English-taught degree you can still start — sorted by deadline, linked to official sources.