Semester Courses for Exchange and Master's Degree Students at Heidelberg University
Overview
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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. |
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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:
(b) intensive courses with 8 classes per week: |
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). |
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Courses offered:
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Courses offered:
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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 |
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Max-Weber-Haus (→map) Ziegelhäuser Landstraße 17 69120 Heidelberg |
all Subject-specific German courses usually: Max-Weber-Haus (→map) Ziegelhäuser Landstraße 17 69120 Heidelberg |
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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 |
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| * | 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 | |
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| Step #2 | |
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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.
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| Your are registered for your General German Course. ✔ | only for Subject-specific German Courses: Step #3 |
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Please come to the mandatory consultation for, and admission to, the Subject-specific German courses. Time and location →see above. |
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| 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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