For Exchange StudentsPre-Semester German Language Courses
Who is eligible to attend the courses?
The courses are offered exclusively to:
- international students at Heidelberg University on bilateral exchange programmes
- international students at Heidelberg University on the SOKRATES/ERASMUS exchange programme
- international students at Heidelberg University on the 4EU+ European University Alliance programme
We only offer German courses for international Master's students and doctoral candidates at Heidelberg University during lecture periods:
What courses are being offered?
General German Courses (in the mornings)
Our general German courses offer you comprehensive language training (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, conversation, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing) in conjunction with valuable information on German culture and studying at Heidelberg University.
Typically, courses will be offered for all levels from A1 (absolute beginners) to C1 (advanced learners). One course comprises 80 45-minute classes.
Additional Programme (in the afternoons)
In addition to your general German course, you can also join our subject-specific seminars in the afternoons that will help you expand both your expertise in a given field and your language skills.
Admission to a course of the additional programme requires you to be attending a general German course aiming at a given minimum proficiency level or above.
Courses offered:
- Film Seminar (B1.1 or above)
- Reading Course "German Literature" (B2.1 or above)
- Philosophy Seminar (B2.1 or above)
Location
Classes take place at the Max-Weber-Haus (Ziegelhäuser Landstraße 17, 69120 Heidelberg). In the evening of the placement test, you will receive detailed information about the room in your course assignment e-mail.
Dates for the winter semester 2024-25
Obligatory online placement test
Wednesday, 28 August 2024, at 10:00 am, Central European Summer Time (CEST)
OR
Wednesday, 28 August 2024, at 05:00 pm, Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Access to the online placement test
1st day of classes
Wednesday, 04 September 2024, 09:00 am
In the evening of the placement test, you will receive detailed information about the room in your course assignment e-mail.
Final day of classes
Friday, 27 September 2024, 12:30 pm
Location
Depending on the course, classes take place either at the Max-Weber-Haus (Ziegelhäuser Landstraße 17, 69120 Heidelberg) or the Studienkolleg building (Im Neuenheimer Feld 684, 69120 Heidelberg). You will receive exact information about the class location (building, room) in the evening after the placement test by e-mail with your course assignment.
Dates for for the summer semester 2025
Obligatory placement test
Thursday, 27 February 2025, at 10:00 am, Central European Summer Time
OR
Thursday, 27 February 2025, at 05:00 pm, Central European Summer Time
Access to the online placement test
1st day of classes
Wednesday, 05 March 2025, 09:00 am
You will find out the exact dates of our additional programmes at the beginning of your general German course.
Final day of classes
Friday, 28 May 2025, 12:50 pm
When and where do classes take place?
Pre-Semester German Language Courses for summer semesters: usually 4 weeks in March
Pre-Semester German Language Courses for winter semesters: usually 4 weeks in September
How much is the course fee?
The course fee is € 350.00. You can join the additional programme in the afternoons without surcharge.
How to register?
Your registration consists of 2 steps:
Step #1: Registration
- International exchange students on bilateral programmes:
- International exchange students on the SOKRATES/ERASMUS programme:
- International exchange students on the 4EU+ European University Alliance programme:
Please register via online form provided by 4EU+.
Step #2: Online Placement Test
You take the obligatory placement test (Date: see above)
Access to the online placement test
We use this test to assess your language proficiency level, which allows us to determine the most suitable German course for you.
You will be able to register for the additional programme during your general German course.