Clarification on APS Requirement and English Language Qualification
Verfasst: Sa 17. Jan 2026, 09:23
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am a Chinese student currently in my final year of undergraduate study, and I am preparing my application for the M.Sc. in Integrated Climate System Sciences at the University of Hamburg. I would like to kindly ask for clarification regarding application requirements in my particular case.
My Bachelor’s programme is a Sino-foreign joint programme between Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), China, and the University of Reading, United Kingdom. Upon graduation, I will be awarded a double Bachelor’s degree by both institutions. The curriculum is designed by the University of Reading and taught entirely in English. At the current stage, I am able to provide certificates of enrolment/study confirmation as well as official transcripts from both universities.
Under these circumstances, I would therefore be grateful if you could kindly advise whether an APS certificate would be required for my application.
In case an APS certificate is not required, I would also like to ask whether any additional documentation (for example, proof of English-taught instruction) is required instead.
In addition, I would like to ask a question regarding the English language requirement. I currently hold an IELTS Academic score of 6.0（Listening 6.5, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.5, and Speaking 5.5）. I am aware that the formal requirement for the programme is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Given that my entire undergraduate programme is English-taught and assessed under a UK university curriculum, I would like to ask whether this academic background may be considered as partial or full compensation for the language requirement, or whether an updated IELTS result would be strictly required.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I would greatly appreciate your guidance.
Kind regards
I hope this message finds you well.
I am a Chinese student currently in my final year of undergraduate study, and I am preparing my application for the M.Sc. in Integrated Climate System Sciences at the University of Hamburg. I would like to kindly ask for clarification regarding application requirements in my particular case.
My Bachelor’s programme is a Sino-foreign joint programme between Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), China, and the University of Reading, United Kingdom. Upon graduation, I will be awarded a double Bachelor’s degree by both institutions. The curriculum is designed by the University of Reading and taught entirely in English. At the current stage, I am able to provide certificates of enrolment/study confirmation as well as official transcripts from both universities.
Under these circumstances, I would therefore be grateful if you could kindly advise whether an APS certificate would be required for my application.
In case an APS certificate is not required, I would also like to ask whether any additional documentation (for example, proof of English-taught instruction) is required instead.
In addition, I would like to ask a question regarding the English language requirement. I currently hold an IELTS Academic score of 6.0（Listening 6.5, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.5, and Speaking 5.5）. I am aware that the formal requirement for the programme is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Given that my entire undergraduate programme is English-taught and assessed under a UK university curriculum, I would like to ask whether this academic background may be considered as partial or full compensation for the language requirement, or whether an updated IELTS result would be strictly required.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I would greatly appreciate your guidance.
Kind regards