A verified list of 9 ways to learn German and earn a recognised certificate for a German student or Ausbildung visa and university admission, plus where to take the exam: verified Goethe and OeSD exam centres across 23 African countries (Goethe, telc, OeSD, TestDaF, DSH).
A German student or Ausbildung visa and many study programmes need German. This is a verified list of ways to learn German and earn a recognised certificate, checked against each provider’s official page. Free options are marked, and we flag which certificates count for a visa or university admission.
The practical route for many learners from Africa is to learn for free online with Deutsche Welle or the vhs-Lernportal, then sit a recognised exam at a Goethe-Institut exam centre in Africa or a telc, OeSD or TestDaF centre. Ausbildung usually needs B1, and B2 for nursing. Always confirm fees and dates on the official page. Scroll to where to take your exam for verified centres by country.
Access from Africa: Online worldwide and free. Nicos Weg is also offered in Kiswahili, useful for East African learners.
Free self-study from Germany's international broadcaster. It issues no certificate, so pair it with a Goethe, telc, OeSD, TestDaF, DSH or DSD exam to get recognised proof for a visa or university.
Access from Africa: Online worldwide and free. An app allows offline use of the A2-B1 Beruf course, helpful where connectivity is limited.
Free, federally funded self-study courseware built around Germany's integration-course curriculum. It gives no certificate of its own, so pair it with a recognised exam.
Access from Africa: On-site at Goethe-Instituts across Africa and online worldwide, including Johannesburg, Nairobi, Lagos, Dakar, Accra, Kigali, Cairo and Alexandria.
The course itself gives no certificate; it prepares you for the separately booked Goethe-Zertifikat exam. Fees are set by each country or institute and are not published centrally. Free practice material is also offered.
Recognised for: Internationally recognised proof of German for visa procedures, professional recognition and university admission.
Access from Africa: Taken at Goethe-Institut exam centres and partners across Africa (same African cities as the courses).
Exam only (no teaching). B1 to C2 exams are modular, so listening, reading, writing and speaking can be taken separately. Fees and dates are set by each exam centre, so contact the local one.
Recognised for: telc German C1 University is accepted for university admission in Germany; B1-B2 Nursing and other vocational exams support professional recognition.
Access from Africa: Taken at telc examination centres (telc reports over 3,000 worldwide). Use the official telc centre finder; specific African centres were not confirmed.
Exam provider, not a course provider. Full A1 to C2 range plus specialised Business, Nursing and Medical exams. University-admission recognition of telc German C1 University confirmed via an official German university admission page.
Recognised for: The OeSD states its exams are accepted worldwide by universities, employers, professional bodies and governments.
Access from Africa: Taken at licensed OeSD exam centres worldwide via the official centre finder. Specific African centres were not confirmed.
Exam only. Austrian certificate, widely recognised alongside the Goethe-Zertifikat, and includes B2 nursing and medical variants. No fees stated on the official page; confirm exact recognition with the target university or authority.
Recognised for: University admission in Germany; the official site states it is recognised by all German universities and is valid indefinitely (most require TDN 4 in each section).
Access from Africa: Taken at over 500 test centres in 100 countries; the digital TestDaF runs more often than the paper version. Use the official centre finder; specific African centres were not confirmed.
Exam only, aimed at university study and research. The exact threshold is set per university. A combined certificate using the best section results across digital sittings within 6 months is now available.
Recognised for: University admission in Germany; DSH-2 is generally required for a degree programme (DSH-1 is usually not sufficient).
Access from Africa: Normally taken in Germany at the admitting university, often only after you are admitted or conditionally admitted. It is not an option you can use from Africa before admission.
No single national body: eligibility, fees, schedule and required level vary by university, so always check that university's DSH rules. Written plus oral exam, usually repeatable once.
Recognised for: DSD II meets the German-language requirement for university admission; DSD I gives access to a Studienkolleg (preparatory college).
Access from Africa: Only for pupils at accredited DSD / PASCH partner schools abroad, after several years of school German. Such schools operate in several African countries (for example Cameroon and Namibia).
School-based and not open to the general public; it depends on attending a DSD partner school. The subject-specific entrance qualification is still needed separately for university.
When you are ready, you sit a recognised German exam (Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, TestDaF or OeSD) in person at a licensed centre. There is no at-home, remote-proctored German certificate exam, so plan to attend a centre. The centres below are verified from official Goethe-Institut and OeSD pages. Always confirm exam dates and fees on the official page.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above); professional recognition where a B2/C1 certificate is required
The only Goethe-Institut in Algeria. Booking only via the institute's website; the page warns against fraudulent third-party offers.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Angola.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Burkina Faso.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Cameroon. Institute pages have warned that TestDaF is run paper-based locally because the internet connection is not yet stable enough for the digital version; confirm the current format when booking.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Côte d'Ivoire.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
One of two Goethe-Instituts in Egypt (Cairo and Alexandria). The Egypt exams page confirms exams are held in both Cairo and Alexandria; the official_url is the Alexandria TestDaF page.
Exams: ÖSD exams at all levels A1 to C2 (ÖSD Zertifikat A1 to C2, plus ÖSD KID youth exams)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (B2/C1); family reunification (A1 and above). ÖSD is an internationally recognised German-language certificate, accepted on a par with the Goethe-Zertifikat for these purposes
MIG has been an official ÖSD examination centre since 2022 and operates four branches (named: Nasr City, Dokki, Alexandria); Alexandria added ÖSD exams in 2025. Confirmed on ÖSD's own site (osd.at).
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
One of two Goethe-Instituts in Egypt. The official_url is the Cairo TestDaF page; the source_url is the Egypt exams overview confirming Cairo as an exam location. Note: the DAAD Regional Office Cairo stopped acting as a TestDaF centre in 2019 and refers candidates to the Goethe-Institut Cairo.
Exams: ÖSD KID youth exams (KID A1, KID A2) confirmed; described as an ÖSD examination centre in Cairo
Recognised for: German-language proof for younger learners; ÖSD certificates are internationally recognised German-language certificates
Confirmed on ÖSD's own site as an ÖSD school-project exam centre in Cairo; the article explicitly names only the ÖSD KID (youth) exams. For full A1 to C2 ÖSD exams in Egypt use MIG. Confirm current level availability with the centre.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Ethiopia.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The main Goethe-Institut in Ghana. Goethe-Institut sources also mention exams held in cooperation with the Ghana Institute of Languages in Kumasi; confirm current Kumasi sessions with the institute.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Kenya. Official M-PESA paybill numbers for payments are published on the institute's page (courses 925702, exams 925703); only goethe.de email addresses are official.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat exams (levels per session; part of the Goethe-Institut exam network administered via Goethe-Institut South Africa)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission; family reunification (A1 and above)
Listed by Goethe-Institut South Africa as a further exam location in the region. Confirm exact levels and dates with the Goethe-Zentrum directly.
Exams: ÖSD exams for all levels A1 to C2 (ZA1, ZA2, KID A1, KID A2, ZB1, ZB2, ZC1, ZC2)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (B2/C1); family reunification (A1 and above). ÖSD certificates are internationally recognised German-language certificates
Licensed ÖSD examination centre confirmed on ÖSD's own site; address on Sir Celicourt Anleime Street, Rose Hill.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above, explicitly noted on the institute page)
The Morocco exams page title states exams are offered 'in Casablanca and in Rabat'.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
Rabat is named alongside Casablanca as a Morocco exam location on the official Goethe-Institut Morocco exams page.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat exams (levels per session; part of the Goethe-Institut exam network administered via Goethe-Institut South Africa)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission; family reunification (A1 and above)
Listed by Goethe-Institut South Africa as a further exam location in the region. Confirm exact levels and dates with the Goethe-Zentrum directly.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Namibia. Address: 6 Simeon Shixungileni Street, Windhoek.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above); professional recognition where a B2/C1 certificate is required
The only Goethe-Institut in Nigeria. (A Lagos-based private school, Easyway, has publicly claimed to be an ÖSD centre, but this could NOT be confirmed on ÖSD's official site at verification time and is therefore not listed as verified.)
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Rwanda. Address: 13 Avenue Paul VI / KN 27 Street, Kiyovu, Kigali.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Senegal. Enrolment can be done in person or by e-mail; no exam fee should be paid without approval of the course and examinations office.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat exams (levels per session; part of the Goethe-Institut exam network administered via Goethe-Institut South Africa)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission; family reunification (A1 and above)
Listed by Goethe-Institut South Africa as a further exam location (German Department). Confirm exact levels and dates directly.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat exams (levels per session; part of the Goethe-Institut exam network administered via Goethe-Institut South Africa)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission; family reunification (A1 and above)
Listed by Goethe-Institut South Africa as a further exam location. Confirm exact levels and dates with the Goethe-Zentrum directly.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
Main exam location and regional hub for Goethe exams in Southern/East Africa. Address: 119 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Johannesburg. Offers selected exams in digital format on its premises.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat B1, B2 (Arusha sittings listed); wider A1 to C2 catalogue is run from Dar es Salaam
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
Arusha is listed as an additional B1/B2 exam venue by Goethe-Institut Tanzania. Confirm current sessions with the institute.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Tanzania (site code 'ts'). Open to external candidates regardless of citizenship; a placement test one week before the exam is recommended for external candidates. Address: Alykhan Road No. 63, Upanga, Dar es Salaam.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Togo; one of the first three Goethe-Instituts founded in Africa (1961).
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2; TestDaF (B2 to C1); Goethe-Test PRO
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission (typically B2/C1 or TestDaF); family reunification (A1 and above)
The only Goethe-Institut in Tunisia. A dedicated TestDaF page exists at goethe.de/ins/tn/de/m/spr/prf/testdaf.html.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat exams (levels per session; part of the Goethe-Institut exam network administered via Goethe-Institut South Africa)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission; family reunification (A1 and above)
Listed by Goethe-Institut South Africa as a further exam location in the region. Confirm exact levels and dates with the Goethe-Zentrum Kampala directly.
Exams: Goethe-Zertifikat exams (levels per session; part of the Goethe-Institut exam network administered via Goethe-Institut South Africa)
Recognised for: Student visa German-language proof; university admission; family reunification (A1 and above)
Listed by Goethe-Institut South Africa as a further exam location in the region. Confirm exact levels and dates with the Goethe-Zentrum Harare directly.
These are official on-site digital formats and registration portals, not at-home exams.
Exams: Selected Goethe-Zertifikat exams offered in a digital (on-screen) format
Recognised for: Same recognition as the paper Goethe-Zertifikat (student visa proof, university admission, family reunification)
IMPORTANT: the Goethe-Institut offers 'selected exams digitally at our premises'. This is a digital format taken IN PERSON at the institute, NOT a remote-from-home exam. There is no at-home Goethe certificate exam.
Exams: TestDaF in digital format (levels B2 to C1 / TDN 3 to 5)
Recognised for: University admission in Germany (recognised proof of German for higher-education entry)
TestDaF is offered at roughly 450 licensed centres worldwide, including African Goethe-Instituts; some sessions are 'digital' but are still sat IN PERSON at a licensed test centre. Registration and payment are online only via testdaf.de. No remote-from-home TestDaF exists.
Exams: Goethe-Test PRO: adaptive listening and reading test, scaled A1 to C2 (incl. a Pflege/nursing variant at B2)
Recognised for: Workplace German-language assessment for employers; NOT a university-admission or student-visa certificate
Receptive (listening/reading) parts can be taken online; it is a professional placement test, not a formal CEFR certificate for admission or visa. Listed by every African Goethe-Institut checked.
Looking for a telc centre? telc runs exams (including telc Deutsch for nurses and doctors) through many local partners; use the official telc centre finder on telc.net. If your country has no centre above, the nearest Goethe-Institut or an online-registered exam are your options.
GrandRoyal Visa helps you prepare every document, build your CV and motivation letter, and track your German visa application from one place.
Start free →It depends on the route. English-taught study programmes may need little or no German; an Ausbildung usually needs B1, and B2 for nursing. Check your specific programme or employer.
Yes. Deutsche Welle (DW Learn German) and the vhs-Lernportal are free and online, but they do not issue a certificate, so pair them with a paid recognised exam.
For general proof and visas: the Goethe-Zertifikat, telc and OeSD certificates. For university admission: TestDaF, DSH, telc German C1 University, a Goethe-Zertifikat C1/C2, OeSD, or DSD II.
Goethe-Institut exam centres operate in 23 African countries, including Nigeria (Lagos), Ghana (Accra), Kenya (Nairobi), South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town), Egypt (Cairo, Alexandria), Senegal (Dakar) and Rwanda (Kigali). This page lists them by country with official links in the section above. telc, OeSD and TestDaF also have centre networks; where your country has no centre, use an online-registered exam or the nearest country.
Every option links to an official source and shows the date it was last verified. This page was last updated on 9 October 2026. Always confirm fees and dates on the official page.