GEAS, and the FU Berlin departments you will apply for, will only admit students with adequate English language proficiency, equivalent to the GER C1, and at least one Asian language (Japanese, Chinese or Korean) equivalent to GER B2. Proficiency in German is not necessary, but a basic understanding will be helpful in everyday life.

If you want to do comparative or transregional research in East Asia, we strongly recommend having proficiency in more than one Asian language.

As English is the main spoken language at GEAS, you need to be able to have certified language skills equivalent to GER C1.

You will not be admitted to Freie Universität Berlin if you are not able to give proof of your C1 abilities.

We accept language certificates from Cambridge (IELTS, CAE and CFP) and TOEFL:

• CAE/CFP: any
• IELTS: 7.0 and higher
• TOEFL: 100 and higher
• The IELTS and TOEFL certificates should not be older than 2 years. The CAE/CFP should not be older than 5 years.
• Native speakers do not have to prove their language ability.

There are some exceptions:

The Freie Universität Berlin will also admit candidates who have spent a year abroad studying in an English-speaking country, or who are enrolled in an English-speaking master’s program (with admission requirements B2 or higher). Proof of this (website, regulations) are necessary. 

A master thesis written in English (without having attended a master's program held entirely in English) will not be regarded as equivalent.

 

Chinese: We accept language certificates for HSK 6 and TOCFL 4 or higher.

Japanese: We accept language certificates for JLPT 2 or N2 and higher.

Korean: We accept language certificates for TOPIK 4 and higher.

HSK 5 or a master’s degree in Chinese, Japanese or Korean studies are sufficient only when you have been abroad for about a year, have been active in translation, or possess other additional language skills. We recommend an actual assessment by a language teacher or language centre if you cannot provide a certified language proficiency.

Native speakers: you do not have to send in proof of your language skills, but will be asked to hand in a certificate for another modern foreign language (level B2) instead.

You can hand in the English TOEFl/IELTS or other certificates later to date. In case you are invited, the day of the interview is the latest day possible to hand in your results. 

Proof of East Asian language skills should be at hand at the time of your application. If you are still enrolled in a master's course and completion is pending, an actual assessment of your language skills (by language teachers) is necessary for us to take your application into consideration.