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Courses at the
Kolleg für deutsche Sprache und Kultur (KSK)

Overview

1. Who is eligible to attend the courses?
2. What courses are there?
3. When and where do the courses take place?
4. How much does a course cost?
5. How to apply?
6. How can I get a visa?
7. How can I find accommodation?
8. What is my status while attending the courses?

1. Who is eligible to attend the courses?

At the Kolleg für deutsche Sprache und Kultur (KSK) of the International Study Centre (ISZ) of Heidelberg University, you can obtain the German language proficiency that is required to study at German universities. You can apply if you

are planning to study at a German university and have a direct university entrance qualification ("direkte Hochschulzugangsberechtigung/HZB") This is your route: (1) You attend our German language courses, typically up to level C1, and then take the →DSH exam with us. (2) You start your degree programme at a German university (e.g. →Heidelberg University). - Please refer to the relevant university in due time to find out about the procedure of admission and the prerequisites of your intended degree programme.

are planning to study at a German university and have an indirect university entrance qualification ("indirekte Hochschulzugangsberechtigung/HZB"), i.e. without direct university access This is your route: (1) You attend our German language courses, typically up to level B2. (2) You attend a Studienkolleg (e.g. the →Studienkolleg of Heidelberg University) and complete it by taking the Assessment Examination ("Feststellungsprüfung"; →Assessment Examination at the Studienkolleg of Heidelberg University). - Please refer to the relevant university in due time to find out about the procedure of admission and the prerequisites of the Studienkolleg as well as your intended degree programme. (3) You start your degree programme at a German university (e.g. →Heidelberg University).

You can use the →anabin online service (German language only) to check whether you have a direct or indirect university entrance qualification: Click “Schulabschlüsse mit Hochschulzugang” → “Suchen” → select the country of your diploma/certificate → select your diploma/certificate.

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Do you need to learn German not for university studies in Germany but for a job or for other reasons? If so, you should contact a →private language school (list without claim of completeness or correctness).

2. What courses are there?

The Kolleg für deutsche Sprache und Kultur offers German language courses at all levels - starting with absolute beginners' courses for students with no prior knowledge of German (CEFR A1) up to DSH preparation courses for advanced learners (CEFR C1). If you apply successfully, you will first take a →Placement Test. This test determines the course you will be starting with:

Basic Level 1 (CEFR A1)	20 classes per week of general German language instruction
Basic Level 2 (CEFR A2)	20 classes per week of general German language instruction
Basic Level 3 (CEFR A2.2-B1.1)	20 classes per week of general German language instruction
Intermediate Level 1 (CEFR B1)	20 classes per week of general German language instruction
Intermediate Level 2 (CEFR B2)	20 classes per week of general German language instruction
Advanced Level (CEFR C1 = DSH preparation course)	20 classes per week of general German language instruction + 4 classes per week of oral communication training and preparation for the oral examination

 

3. When and where do the courses take place?



3.1 Dates

☀ Courses in the summer semester 2023
obligatory →Placement Test	Tue,	Apr 11 2023	08:30 am	Neue Universität, lecture halls
publication of the test results	Thu,	Apr 13 2023	03:00 pm	→online
beginning of classes	Tue	Apr 18 2023	09:00 am	→Max-Weber-Haus
→DSH, written exam	Fri,	Jun 30 2023	08:30 am	→Max-Weber-Haus
→DSH, oral exam	Thu,	Jul 06 2023	01:00 pm	→Max-Weber-Haus
final day of classes	Fri,	Jul 28 2023
❄ Courses in the winter semester 2023-24
obligatory →Placement Test	Mon,	Oct 09 2023	08:30 am	→Neue Universität, lecture halls
publication of the test results	Wed,	Oct 11 2023	03:00 pm	→online
first day of classes	Tue,	Oct 17 2023	09:00 am	→Max-Weber-Haus
no classes	Dec 21 2023 to Jan 05 2024
→DSH, written exam	Fri,	Jan 26 2024	08:30 am	→Max-Weber-Haus
→DSH, oral exam	Thu,	Feb 01 2024	01:00 pm	→Max-Weber-Haus
final day of classes	Fri,	Feb 09 2024		→Max-Weber-Haus

  

	3.2 Class times

  

general German language instruction:	Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, in summer semesters for advanced-level courses in part also in the afternoon
additional advanced-level elective courses:	usually two classes (90 min) on two days in the afternoon

	3.3 Usual location

Max-Weber-Haus, Ziegelhäuser Landstrasse 17, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany (→map)

4. How much does a course cost?

If you apply successfully, the following costs will arise:

	Course fee: 1.200 € per semester *
+	University fees: → current fees

* The course fee must be paid completely via bank transfer before the start of the courses. Successful applicants will receive more detailed information on the payment procedure with their letters of admission from the ISZ.

5. How to apply?

You can apply for a course only during the relevant application period:

	📫 Application period
❄ winter semester courses	May 15 - Jul 15 * We will be sending our decision to you around the end of August.
☀ summer semester courses	Nov 15 - Jan 15 * We will be sending our decision to you around the end of February.
	* Receipt of the application at the ISZ. Please also note the information →below.

You apply directly with us at the International Study Centre. Please note the information on the information sheet and the application form:

 →Information sheet on the regular German language course at the KSK  →Application form Please send your application to our address (→ map): Kolleg für deutsche Sprache und Kultur Ziegelhäuser Landstrasse 17 69120 Heidelberg Germany

For questions about how to apply, please contact the service portal of Heidelberg University: Phone: +49 6221 54-5454 E-mail: studium@uni-heidelberg.de

6. How can I get a visa?

To enter Germany and learn German at the Kolleg für deutsche Sprache und Kultur, you will normally need a visa, unless there are specific regulations for your country. If you apply successfully directly with the ISZ for our regular German language course, you will receive a letter of admission from us. With that document you can apply for the required visa. Please understand that the ISZ cannot interfere with visa proceedings.

For more information on visa regulations, click here:

• information page of Heidelberg University
• information page of The Federal Foreign Office (German State Department)

7. How can I find accommodation?

It is not easy to quickly find reasonably priced accommodation in Heidelberg. So start looking for it as soon as possible.
The ISZ itself does not offer accommodation or related services. You can, however, apply for accommodation with the Studierendenwerk Heidelberg, even before being admitted to the German courses. To go on, click here:

Information on how to apply for Heidelberg student union halls Online application for a place in a hall of residence

8. What is my status while attending the courses?

As a student learning German at the Kolleg für deutsche Sprache und Kultur, you will have to enrol at Heidelberg University once the courses have started. You will then be an official university student and receive a student identity card.

This will allow you to buy the price-reduced →public transport semester ticket (German language only) dine at the →canteens run by the Studierendenwerk Heidelberg, paying the reduced student prices.