Do Chinese Students Need to Learn German?

Chinese students applying to English-taught programs do not need German for admission. German-taught programs — which include the majority of German bachelor's degrees and many master's programs — require proof of German proficiency at DSH-2 or TestDaF level 4. Chinese students who take this route typically spend 1–2 years studying German intensively before applying. Germany's Goethe Institut network in China is one of the largest in the world, with locations in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Shenzhen.

Chinese students in English-taught programs often underinvest in German, then find their job search harder than expected. Most German employers — even in international companies — expect B2 German or higher for graduate roles involving client contact or cross-functional work. The exception is IT and software development, where English-only candidates are regularly hired at major tech companies and startups. If you plan to stay in Germany long-term, reaching B2 during your studies is strongly recommended. If you plan to return to China with a German degree, B1 German gives you a significant edge in roles bridging German and Chinese operations.