Semester Courses for Exchange and Master's Degree Students at Heidelberg University

Overview

Who can join the courses?
What courses are offered?
When and where do the courses take place?
What are the course fees?
How to register?
Further questions (FAQ)

1. Who can join the courses?

Our Semester Courses are offered to international

exchange students on the ERASMUS and 4EU+ programmes at Heidelberg University
exchange students on bilateral programmes at Heidelberg University
Master's degree students at Heidelberg University.

If you are an international visiting scholar or a doctoral student at Heidelberg University, please register for the course programme specifically designed for you. For further information, please click →here.

2. What courses are offered?

General German Semester Courses	Subject-specific German Semester Courses
Our General German courses provide comprehensive language training (grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, conversation, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing) in conjunction with useful information on German culture and practical advice for studying at Heidelberg University.	Our Subject-specific German courses are targeted at helping you expand both your language and subject proficiency in a given field of study.
We typically offer courses for all CEFR levels (A1.1 up to C2 / post-DSH). For most levels, you will be able to choose between two course types: (a) standard courses with 4 classes per week: 4x 45min/week ≈ appr. 50 classes per semester (b) intensive courses with 8 classes per week: 8x 45min/week ≈ appr. 100 classes per semester	Admission is dependent on a course-specific minimum entrance level. The individual courses are offered in the form of either 2 or 4 classes per week (2x 45min/week or 4x 45min/week).
Courses offered: Basic Level - Basic 1: A1.1, A1.2 - Basic 2: A2.1, A2.2 for students with no or little prior knowledge of German Intermediate Level - Intermediate 1: B1.1, B1.2 - Intermediate 2: B2.1, B2.2 for students with proper basic knowledge of German Advanced Level = level C1 for students with a highly advanced German language proficiency aiming to improve their competence in dealing with academic German. Advanced-level students will be given the opportunity to take the →German Language Examination for University Entrance ("DSH") at the end of the course. Competence Level = level C2 / post-DSH for very advanced students who have already passed the DSH or a similar examination DSH Prep Course = level C1 for students with an advanced German language proficiency aiming to prepare specifically for the DSH (only as an intensive course with 8 classes per week)	Courses offered: Visual Arts and Language ≥ B2, 2 classes The Political System of Germany ≥ B2, 2 classes German for Law Students ≥ B2, 4 classes German in Films ≥ B2/C1, 4 classes Introduction to Philosophy ≥ B1, 4 classes German for Medicine/Biology ≥ B2, 2 classes German for Economics/Business - Course 1: ≥ B1, 2 classes - Course 2: ≥ B2, 4 classes Creative Writing - Course 1: A2.2, 4 classes - Course 2: B1, 4 classes - Course 3: ≥ B2, 4 classes Literature Course ≥ B2, 4 classes German History ≥ B2, 2 classes

For detailed information on each course (course description, times and room, ECTS), please check our →course brochure (PDF).

3. When and where do the courses take place?

General German
Semester Courses

Subject-specific German
Semester Courses

 Dates

❄

Winter semesters:

from the 2nd until the last week of the →general lecture period
= mid-October to early February, appr. 13 weeks in total

Dates for the winter semester 2023-24

obligatory online placement test for US West Coast	Thu,	Oct 05 2023	05:00 pm Central European Summer Time
obligatory online placement test for other regions	Thu,	Oct 05 2023	09:00 am Central European Summer Time
		access via our →homepage (top orange box)
first day of classes	Mon,	Oct 23 2023	04:30 pm
		depending on the course →Max-Weber-Haus or →Studienkolleg building
last day of classes	Fri,	Feb 09 2024

☀

Summer semesters:

from the 2nd until the last week of the →general lecture period
= mid-April to the end of July, appr. 13 weeks in total

Dates for the summer semester 2023

obligatory online placement test	Wed,	Apr 12 2023	09:00 am
		access via our →homepage (top orange box)
first day of classes	Mon,	Apr 24 2023	04:30 pm
		depending on the course →Max-Weber-Haus or →Studienkolleg building
last day of classes	Fri,	Jul 28 2023

For exact dates and times of individual courses, please check our →course brochure (PDF).

 Times

Standard courses (4 classes/week)	Mondays + Wednesdays, 6:15 to 7:45 pm
Intensive courses (8 classes/week)	Mondays + Wednesdays, 4:30 bis 7:45 pm with a break 6:00 to 6:15 pm

Days and times vary across courses.
Please check our →course brochure (PDF).

 Locations

Max-Weber-Haus (→map)
Ziegelhäuser Landstraße 17
69120 Heidelberg

all Subject-specific German courses usually:
Max-Weber-Haus (→map)
Ziegelhäuser Landstraße 17
69120 Heidelberg

Exact information about the place and time of your course(s) will be posted on the first day of classes at the following locations:

Max-Weber-Haus (→map)
Studienkolleg building (→map)
International Relations Division (in the Carolinum building) (→map)

4. What are the course fees?

General German Semester Courses	Subject-specific German Semester Courses
standard course with 4 classes per week: €175.00€* per semester intensive course with 8 classes per week: €350.00€* per semester	course with 2 classes per week: 100.00€* per semester course with 4 classes per week: 175.00€* per semester

ERASMUS students: You get a discount on all courses according to the International Relations Division of Heidelberg University.
Students on bilateral exchange programmes: For you there is no course fee for General German Courses for levels A1.1 up to including B2.2 as well as for any of the Subject-specific German courses.

5. How to register?

General German Semester Courses	Subject-specific German Semester Courses
Step #1
international exhcange students on the ERASMUS or 4EU+ programmes: Please register with the →Erasmus coordinator at the International Relations Division. international exchange students on bilateral exchange programmes: Please register with the responsible →programme coordinator at the International Relations Division. international master's degree students: Please register from April 01 (summer semesters) / October 01 (winter semesters) via e-mail directly with us at the International Study Centre: koordination@isz.uni-heidelberg.de
Step #2
You take our mandatory placement test. Time and location →see above. This test allows us to determine your exact language proficiency level, so we can assign you to the best matching General German Course and/or assess if you are eligible to attend your intended Subject-specific German Course. Exceptions: The placement is therefore dispensable only if you (a) are an absolute beginner with no prior knowledge of German. - Please inform us during registration (Step 1). (b) just completed our previous (March/September) →Pre-Semester Preparatory Course (c) have completed an Advanced Level Course (C1) with us at the International Study Centre (d) have obtained a generally recognized C1 certificate (DSH-1 or above / telc C1 Hochschule / TestDaF scoring at least 2x TDN 4 + 2x TDN 3). - Please attach a copy of your certificate during registration (Step 1).
Your are registered for your General German Course. ✔	only for Subject-specific German Courses: Step #3
	Please come to the mandatory consultation for, and admission to, the Subject-specific German courses. Time and location →see above.
	You are registered for your Subject-specific German Course. ✔

6. Further questions (FAQ)

Do I have to take the placement test?
The placement test is generally mandatory, as this is the best way to determine the most suitable course for you. This holds true also if you have attended a German course at a language school or with us at the International Study Centre. You may be exempted from the test only if you fall under one of the →aforementioned exceptions (a) - (d).
What can I do if I cannot come to the placement test?
If you are unable to take the placement test, please see us on the first day of classes between 4:00 and 6:30 pm at one of the coordination offices, either at the →Studienkolleg building (ground floor, room E16) or at the →Max-Weber-Haus (ground floor, room 009).
Can I attend a General German Semester Course on Mondays and Wednesdays at different times or can I attend the course just on one of these days?
Neither is an option. For both your individual learning success and efficient teaching, it is crucial that students attend a given course on a regular and continuous basis.
How quickly can I improve my proficiency level in the General German Semester Courses?
How fast you progress always depends on your motivation and your individual learning conditions as well as on the selected course type (standard or intensive course). Typically, you complete one course and, therefore, one level (e.g. B1.1) per semester. In the next semester, usually, you will be taking a course for the subsequent level (e.g. B1.1 → B1.2). You may be allowed to skip a level (e.g. B1.1 → B2.1) only after demonstrating exceptional learning progress in your course or after scoring particularly well in the placement test.
Can I change course levels during the semester?
A transfer to a higher or lower level is possible during the first two weeks; it needs, however, to be suggested by your teacher upon consultation with the course coordinators. Should you feel that the course you are attending might be overly demanding or not challenging enough for you, please always talk to your teacher first.
How can I cancel my participation and get the course fee reimbursed?
You can cancel your registration during the first three weeks of classes and reclaim your course fee using the form to be obtained from the course coordinators. There will be no reimbursements after the third week.
Will I get ECTS credits?
Yes. You will obtain a graded certificate with ECTD credits if you
(1) have attended the course regularly and also
(2) have passed the final test and/or fulfilled certain other course assessments.
Our →course brochure tells you the number of ECTS credits you will be awarded for a given course (General German Courses: see column "ECTS"; Subject-specific German courses: see "requirements").
What does the grading look like?
We apply the common grading scale for master's degree students at Heidelberg University:

1.0 = "very good" (for a particularly excellent achievement)
1.3
1.7
2.0 = "good" (for an achievement that exceeds the average requirements considerably)
2.3
2.7
3.0 = "satisfactory" (for an achievement that entirely fulfils the average requirements)
3.3
3.7
4.0 = "sufficient" (for an achievement that, despite flaws, meets the requirements)
4.1, ... = failed
Is attendance mandatory?
Yes. Your attendance will be checked each class. If you want a graded certificate with ECTS credits, regular attendance is a necessary requirement. You will receive detailed information in the opening class.
What textbooks will I be using, and do I have to buy them myself?
The textbooks to be used will be presented by your teacher in the opening class and will usually have to be purchased by the students.
Are teachers going to speak English?
Especially at the beginning of the semester and in the basic-level courses (A1.1 to A2.2), teachers will (also) be using some English where necessary. Nevertheless, you will be speaking German in class as soon and as much as possible.
What size are the courses?
There are usually 10 to 20 students in a course.
Can I take the DSH exam after a General German Semester Course?
Yes. After attending the DSH prep course or a C1 course, you may take the →DSH. Total cost: regular course fee + 100€ examination fee.

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