Placement tests
Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences
Registration for the placement tests in the wintersemester 2026/27 will open here on August 10, 2026.
Overview of the placement tests for the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs
| Degree program | English | Mathematics | Accounting | Other languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics B.A. | Yes | Recommended | No | Voluntary |
| Corporate Information Management B.Sc. | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Business Administration and Management B.A. | Yes | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | No, but the preparotory-course is recommended. | Voluntary |
| Business Administration in Healthcare B.A | Yes | No | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | Voluntary |
| Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy B.Sc. | Yes, for those interested in the Bachelor-Plus Program International Physiotherapy B.SC., otherwise recommended | No | No | Voluntary |
| Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy B.Sc. (dual) | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| International Management B.A. | No | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | No, but the preparotory-course is recommended. | Yes |
| International Business Administration and Management B.A. | Yes | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | No, but the preparotory-course is recommended. | Yes |
| Midwifery B.Sc. | Voluntary | No | No | Voluntary |
| Physiotherapy B.Sc. | Yes | No | No | Spanish, voluntary |
| Public Management B.A. | Yes | No | Yes, alternatively take part in the preparatory course (1st semester) | Voluntary |
| Public Administration B.A. | Recommended | No | No | Voluntary |
| Nursing B.Sc. (dual) | Voluntary | No | No | Voluntary |
| Nursing Management B.A. | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Nursing Science B.A. | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Social Work B.A | Yes | No | No | Voluntary |
| Business Psychology B.Sc. | Yes | No | No (since winter semester 20/21) | Voluntary |
| Business Law LL.B. | Yes | No | No, but the preparotory-course "Intensivkurs Rechnungswesen HGB" is recommended. | Voluntary |
| Master's degree programs | Voluntary | No | No | Voluntary |
Placement tests
Please note: The placement tests only become relevant after your enrollment. You do not need to take any tests for your application!
For some courses, participation in a placement test is required.
The placement tests in English and other languages are used to compare the skills of students and to divide the students into the appropriate course levels. If necessary, interviews may be held to help determine the level. The English placement test is compulsory for all degree programs (with the exception of the Bachelor's degree program in International Management, Midwifery, Nursing and the Master's programs).
With placement tests in mathematics and accounting, first semester students with prior knowledge may directly qualify for courses in the 1st or 2nd semester. By passing one of these placement tests, students are entitled to participate in subsequent courses.
Students without any prior knowledge or with minimal prior knowledge need not take part in a placement test. They can take a compact course before the start of the semester or a preparatory course during the semester. In the compact courses, knowledge is refreshed and verified with a final exam. This is comparable to the placement test.
In the compact courses before the start of the semester, knowledge is refreshed and completed with the placement test. Registration for the compact course is not automatically linked to registration for the placement test; please register for both. You can register for the preparatory course during the semester (the so-called propaedeutic course) together with the courses provided for in the curriculum. You will receive further information on this in the introductory course of your degree program.
The placement test and compact courses require a seperate registration.
If any questions arise, about the placement tests or results, please feel free to contact us with your ID or your matriculation number at einstufungstest-wiso@hs-osnabrueck.de or under the number 0541 969-3900. Please note that the phone will be answered during the office hours.
The English placement test is used to compare the skills of the students. Based on the results, the students are divided according to their language level. The English language test is mandatory for several degree programs.
The overview shows whether participation in the English placement test is required, recommended or optional.
The English language test is taken online. After registering, participants receive an e-mail with further information and login information for the test. The test can be taken on any computer with an Internet connection and audio playback (speakers, headphones). It is important that pop-ups are allowed in the Internet settings.
The test for the upcoming semester can be taken in one of the test-windows in the coming wintersemester 2026/27 anywhere (online, computer with speakers required). About an hour is required for the test.
The test-windows in the winter semester will be open from the 25.08.2026 until the 15.09.2026.
The test-windows in the summer semester will be (information will follow).
The students should do the test alone and without assistance. This is important because according to these results, the student is assigned to the corresponding language level. The test also includes a self-assessment of the language skills.
The results are reviewed in the first sessions by a language teacher. Should there be large discrepancies between the test results and the actual language skills, an interview will determine the assignment to the language level.
The test is conducted at the language level 2. By passing, you receive admission to level 3. Otherwise, you start studies at level 2.
Eventhough the participation in the English placement test is not mandatory in some degree programs, participation is often recommended. Students need verification of a language level if they, for example, want to attend a language course at the university or complete a semester abroad.
Students can get more information on the language levels and English subject during the introductory events in their degree program.
Please don't use links from forwarded mails, your placement test number has to be specifically activated by us. You will receive your own confimationary mail with a link after your placement test number has been verified.
You can only participate in the test after succesfully registrating and getting confirmation via E-Mail.
Please use the newest version of your browser, otherwise you might not be able to play the audio files!
After the verification of this number, you will receive a second mail with the login information and can take the test under the conditions stated above.
Placement test
International guest students are recommended to take the German placement test in order to be allocated a suitable course. This does not apply to students who have already taken a course at the university during the semester or as part of the international summer and winter school.
- International guest students with no previous knowledge of German do not have to take the German placement test and can attend the "German A1.1" course for beginners without course admission.
- International guest students with previous knowledge of German should take the German placement test in order to be able to start at a higher level if applicable.
- International students with a language certificate from level B2 can take part in a subsequent course (e.g. B2.2 or C1.1) without a placement test.
The test is offered both online in a Zoom meeting and in person before the start of the semester. It consists of various texts in which matching words must be inserted.
The test can be taken on one of the three test dates either online (two dates) or in person (one date). A laptop with a camera is required for the online test. The test lasts a maximum of 90 minutes and must be taken independently and without any aids. You must register in advance using the registration form.
After the test has been evaluated, participants will receive an e-mail with a course approval and recommendation. The results will be checked by a language lecturer in the first sessions. If there are major discrepancies between the test result and the actual language skills, the teacher will decide on a new assignment to the language level.
The test takes place by the CIS:
- in person: Tuesday, 15th September 2026 / 10 am room SL0208
- Online: Tuesday 1st September 2026 / 2pm , Friday 11th September 2026 / 10am
Duration: 30 - 90 minutes depending on language level
In addition to the mandatory placement test, students can also participate in placement tests in other languages. This is recommended because the placement tests are used for the assignment to the language level and are required if students want to participate in language modules.
Placement tests can be taken in the French, Spanish and Russian languages at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. Foreign students can also participate in a placement test in German.
Scheduling
- French:18.09.26, 10:00 a.m., room will be communicated via mail the day before the test
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Spanish:17.09.2026
- Time: 10.00-20.00; Online
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Russian: Date of the information event will follow
- Chinese: will happen during the first week of lectures
Design of the placement tests
To get an overview of the scope and the contents of the tests, the university provides overviews to the students.
This placement test is designed for students who want to participate in courses above A1. Students without prior knowledge, or those wanting to attend the starter-course, do not have to take this test. This placement test requires about 90 minutes and the contents consist of four parts:
- Auditory comprehension
- Reading comprehension
- Written part - short essay
- Grammar exercises
Students should take this test without any help from outside, in order to correctly assess their respective language level. The duration of the test is 60-90 minutes.
The results will be reviewed by the teaching staff during the first lecture. In case of large discrepancies, the assigned level will be adjusted through an interview/oral exam.
Students from all faculties and courses at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences can participate.
Spanish placement test
The Spanish placement test is intended for all university students who already have prior skills in Spanish and want to take Spanish courses during their studies or complete a semester abroad in Spain or Latin America. It is used to assign students to the correct level of courses in the semester or as the basis for obtaining the necessary skills for studying abroad. It should be completed at the beginning of the first semester of study if possible.
Students without any previous knowledge must not take the test. In this instance, there are three possibilities:
- one of the two courses Spanish 1 with 4 hours per week during the semester or
- the course Spanish 1 + 2 with 8 hours per week during the semester.
The placement test consists of an electronic multiple choice part (grammar, listening and reading comprehension) and a short text production of around one page. Language levels 1 and 2 can be skipped with the placement test. For students for whom Spanish is the second mandatory language, Spanish module 2 will be credited if level 2 of the placement test is passed. In this case, the grade from the placement test together with an additional short oral exam is used to calculate the grade for the Spanish 2 module.
Students from all faculties and courses at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences can participate.
Chinese
Students without any previous knowledge must not take the test. In case of prior skills, there will be a placement test in the first week of lectures.
To participate in some of the modules in the first and second semesters, verification of basic mathematics skills is required for several degree programs.
If first semester students already have basic skills, they can take the mathematics placement test at the beginning of the first semester. The placement test is taken in written form at the university. In order to pass, participants require about half of the total number of points. In this test, participants may use a calculator as an aid. The calculator must not be programmable.
The mathematics placement test includes:
- Basics of arithmetic and algebra
- Fundamentals of functions and differential calculus (including curve sketching)
The mathematics placement test in the winter semester 2026/27 will take place on 14.09.2026 at 09:00 a.m. Room information will be shared via mail shortly before the test takes places.
Students with little previous knowledge can refresh their knowledge in a compact course before the semester begins, and then participate in the placement test.
In addition, all first semester students (except in the International Management degree course) can alternatively participate during semester courses and take the placement test at the end of the 1st semester.
Students of the English language International Management degree program must take in the mathematics placement test in english.
To participate in some of the modules in the first and second semesters, verification of basic accounting skills is required for several degree programs.
If first semester students already have basic skills, they can take the accounting placement test at the beginning of the first semester. The placement test is taken in written form at the university. In order to pass, participants require about half of the total number of points. In this test, participants may use a calculator as an aid. The calculator must not programmable.
The accounting placement test include:
- Bookkeeping and closing out techniques
- Management accounting
The accounting placement test in winter semester 2026/27 will take place on 15.09.2026 at 09:00 a.m. room information will be shared via mail shortly before the test takes places.
Students with little previous knowledge can refresh their knowledge in a compact course before the semester begins, and then participate in the placement test.