TUM's accepted English certificates
These scores come from TUM's language certificates page. The page gives no per-band minimum for IELTS, only the overall score. TOEFL MyBest scores and TOEFL ITP are not accepted; TOEFL Home Edition and the new 1–6 TOEFL scale are. For a One Skill Retake, TUM says the retake certificate alone is not enough: upload the complete Test Report Form as well.
TUM also says older certificates are accepted and that an expiry date printed on a certificate does not matter for your application.
| Test | TUM minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / IELTS Online Academic | 6.5 overall (no band minimum stated) |
| PTE Academic (test centre or online) | 65 overall |
| TOEFL iBT / Home Edition | 88 (Test Date Score; MyBest not accepted) |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE) | Grade A, B or C |
| Duolingo English Test | Not on TUM's list |
When you do not need a test at TUM
TUM accepts proof from previous education instead of a certificate in these cases. School grades, such as English in the Abitur, cannot prove English for a master's programme.
The thesis and English-credit routes are not open everywhere: TUM says whether they apply, and how many credits you need, is set in each programme's Academic and Examination Regulations.
| Route | What TUM accepts |
|---|---|
| English-medium school | A full secondary education in English whose leaving certificate gives direct access to higher education in Germany |
| English-taught degree | A bachelor's or master's degree taught at least 50% in English |
| Medium-of-instruction letter | An official confirmation from your previous university, if your documents do not state the language of instruction |
| English bachelor's thesis | Accepted for some master's programmes; the thesis must already be graded and marked as English-language |
| English-taught modules | Accepted for some master's programmes if you earned enough credits in English modules |
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The Industrial Chemistry M.Sc. page restates the TUM-wide minimums: TOEFL 88 or IELTS Academic 6.5, or a Cambridge exam. The Master in Management & Technology takes the TUM certificates, and also accepts a previous degree taught and assessed in English, entirely or for at least 12 ECTS. It also takes a GMAT at the 53rd percentile or higher as English proof.
Germany's student visa sets no IELTS band of its own: TUM sets the English requirement for admission, and that is the score to plan around. Our IELTS for Germany guide covers the visa side and test fees.
English requirements in Germany are written into each programme's admission or examination regulations and can change between intakes. The score that binds you is the one on your TUM programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does TUM accept PTE?+
Yes. TUM accepts PTE Academic, at a test centre or online, with an overall score of at least 65.
Does TUM accept IELTS Online?+
Yes. IELTS Online Academic is accepted at the same 6.5 overall as the test-centre IELTS Academic.
Does TUM accept Duolingo?+
The Duolingo English Test is not on TUM's list of recognised English certificates.
Can I use a medium-of-instruction certificate for TUM?+
Yes, if your degree was taught at least 50% in English. If your documents do not show the language of instruction, TUM accepts an official confirmation from your previous university.
Does my IELTS score expire for TUM?+
TUM says older certificates are accepted and that the validity period printed on a certificate is not relevant for applications.
Keep reading
Related
- LMU Munich IELTS requirement
- IELTS for Germany: visa, universities and fees
- PTE for Germany compared
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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