Which Language Level Do You Need for University? CEFR Levels Explained
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Every language requirement in European admissions is written in the same code: a letter and a number from A1 to C2. This is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), created by the Council of Europe. Knowing what the levels mean helps you plan honestly.
The six levels
- A1 and A2, basic user. You handle everyday situations: shopping, directions, simple forms.
- B1, independent user. You cope with most situations while travelling and can describe experiences and plans in simple connected text.
- B2, upper independent. You understand the main ideas of complex texts, follow extended speech such as a lecture on a familiar subject, and write clear, detailed text. This is the usual minimum for university.
- C1, proficient. You understand demanding, longer texts, express yourself fluently and write well-structured text on complex subjects. Required by selective and language-heavy programmes.
- C2, mastery. Close to an educated native speaker. Rarely required for admission.
What each country asks for
- Germany. DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, between B2 and C1. German exams explained.
- France. B2 for most programmes in our catalogue, C1 for many selective ones. DELF, DALF or TCF.
- Italy. B2 in Italian for Italian-taught degrees, B2 in English for English-taught ones. CILS, CELI, PLIDA.
- Spain. Set by each university, most often B2. DELE or SIELE.
- Portugal. Set by each institution, B2 or sometimes B1. CAPLE exams.
- Czechia. Usually B2 in Czech for Czech-taught programmes. The CCE exam.
- Switzerland. A certificate in the language of instruction, German, French or Italian, at the level set by the university, commonly B2 or C1.
- English-taught programmes anywhere. B2 as a floor. IELTS or TOEFL.
How long does it take?
Language institutes publish estimates of the teaching time needed from zero. For a European language learned by a speaker of another European language, typical figures are several hundred lessons for B1 and roughly 600 to 800 lessons for B2, plus homework. In calendar terms:
- with an intensive course of 20 or more lessons a week, B2 is realistic in about a year
- with evening classes twice a week, expect three years or more
- a related mother tongue shortens the path considerably: Spanish to Portuguese or Italian, Slovak or Polish to Czech
Passing a B2 exam and studying comfortably at B2 are not the same thing. Students who arrive with a bare pass often struggle in the first semester, when lecturers speak at natural speed and written exams are timed. Aim above the minimum where you can.
Certificate or level?
Universities do not accept a statement that you are at B2. They accept specific certificates, and often only those on their list. A language school's own certificate usually does not count. Before you pay for an exam, check three things on the programme page:
- which certificates are named
- whether there is a minimum mark for each skill
- how old the certificate may be: tests such as IELTS, TOEFL and TCF are accepted for two years, while diplomas such as DELF, DELE, CILS or the Goethe certificates do not expire
Conditional admission and preparatory years
If you are not at the level yet, look for these options:
- Germany: Studienkolleg and university language courses leading to the DSH.
- Czechia: one-year preparatory courses in Czech.
- Italy: foundation courses, which accept B1.
- France: university diplomas in French as a foreign language.
- Spain and Portugal: annual language courses at the universities.
A long-term visa can be issued for most of these courses, and the year also lets you see the city before committing to a degree.
Where to look next
Official sources
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.