Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg

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?
  9. What do our students say?

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.


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 2024
obligatory →Placement Test Mon, Apr 08 2024 08:30 am Neue Universität, lecture halls
publication of the test results Thu, Apr 11 2024 03:00 pm online
beginning of classes
Tue Apr 16 2024 09:00 am Max-Weber-Haus
DSH, written exam Fri, Jul 05 2024 08:30 am Max-Weber-Haus
DSH, oral exam Wed, Jul 10 2024 01:00 pm Max-Weber-Haus
final day of classes Fri, Jul 26 2024
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: 1.300 € 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? *** New application periods!

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

winter semester courses

May 01 - Jun 30 *
We will be sending our decision to you around the end of August.

summer semester courses

Nov 01 - Dec 31 *
We will be sending our decision to you around the end of February.
  * Receipt of the application at the ISZ. Please also note the informationbelow.

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 on the courses and the application:

Phone: +49 6221 54-59 49
E-mail: sekretariat@isz.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:

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:

Unterricht 

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.

Unterricht 

This will allow you to


9. What do our students say?

Original e-mail feedback (courtesy of Mr Ryo Yasui):

Ich kam als Austauschstudent an die Universität Heidelberg und besuchte ab September 2014 für sechs Monate einen Deutschkurs im Max-Weber-Haus. Dort lernte ich in einer bunten Gruppe von Kommilitonen aus verschiedenen Ländern und Regionen die deutsche Sprache von Grund auf. Nach sechs Monaten war ich in der Lage, einen einfachen Roman in der Klasse zu schreiben. Außerdem habe ich die Wunder der deutschen Kultur durch verschiedene Aktivitäten innerhalb und außerhalb des Klassenzimmers erlebt, wie z.B. das Ansehen von deutschen Theaterstücken mit meinen Dozentinnen des Max-Weber-Hauses und den Mitschülern und das Besichtigen von Sehenswürdigkeiten in der Umgebung. Neun Jahre sind seit meiner wunderbaren Erfahrung im Max-Weber-Haus und an der Universität Heidelberg vergangen. Nachdem ich drei Jahre lang als Lehrer gearbeitet habe, bin ich jetzt mit viel Energie als Berater beim Nomura Research Institute India tätig. Ich studiere immer noch Deutsch selbst, arbeite an Deutschland bezogenen Projekten und verbringe sehr produktive Tage. Das Wissen und die Erfahrungen, die ich hier gesammelt habe, werden mir nicht nur jetzt, sondern auch in Zukunft eine bessere Perspektive für meine eigene Zukunft geben.

思い出は (Omiide ha)

古橋の袂で (Furuhashi no tamoto de)

未来へとなる(Mirai heto naru)

 

Erinnerungen

am Rande der Alten Brücke 

werden Zukunft

 

I came to Heidelberg University as an exchange student and attended a German course at the Max-Weber-Haus for six months from September 2014. There I learnt the German language from scratch in a diverse group of fellow students from different countries and regions. After six months, I was able to write a simple novel in class. I also experienced the wonders of German culture through various activities inside and outside the classroom, such as attending German stage plays with my teachers and classmates and sightseeing in the surrounding areas. Nine years have passed since my wonderful experience at the Max-Weber-Haus and Heidelberg University. After working as a teacher for three years, I am now vigorously working as a consultant at Nomura Research Institute India. I am still studying German on my own, working on Germany related projects and spending very productive days. The knowledge and experience I gained in Heidelberg will give me a better perspective for my own future, not only now but also in the future.

思い出は (Omiide ha)

古橋の袂で (Furuhashi no tamoto de)

未来へとなる(Mirai heto naru)

 

Memories

at the edge of the Old Bridge 

are turning into future

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