Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Language Centre

FAQ

(please note: the English FAQ are currently a work in progress and will be fully available during the WS 2025)

  • 1. Who is eligible to participate in HU SPZ language courses?
    • Students of all faculties of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin are eligible to participate in our courses - you need to prove your student status by providing a Matrikelnummer and a Humboldt e-mail address to register.
    • Students of Charité.
    • Staff enployed by Humboldt-Universität may participate in our language courses if the course is necessary for their work ("dienstliche Notwendigkeit"), which needs to be stated by their supervisor. Please consult the coordinator of the respective language by the beginning of the semester (April/Oct 2nd) outlining what course you would like to participate in, and what you need it for.
  • 1.1. I'm currently not a student at Humboldt University - can I still enrol in courses?

    Currently, only students currently enrolled at HU or Charité students are permitted to attend courses.

    The same applies to taking language examinations.

  • 1.2. I'm a HU-Alumnus/Alumna. Any chance?

    Alumni do not have student status any more and therefore count as "external" students. So the answer is no.

  • 2. How can I sign up for a language course?

    Please find our current semester dates under Semester Courses.

  • 3. What are the course fees?

     

    The course fee is € 10 per contact hour (aka "UE" = 45min/week), so for a regular language course consisting of 4 UE (= 2x 90 min/week), the fee is € 40 per semester.

    Exceptions to this are to be found in the Entgeltordnung (PDF) (document only available in German). If you are eligible for any of these, please request exemption within 3 working days after the courses start.

  • 3.1. How do I pay the course fee?

    Upon registration, you receive an e-mail with a document called Anmeldebestätigung. where your reservation is confirmed. An Anmeldebestätigung is mandatory for participation!

    This document contains the payment information. 

     

    Please ensure the following steps:

    1. When registering make sure to use your HU-/Charité E-Mail-address.*
    2. The course fee has to be paid via bank transfer. If you sign up for multiple courses, you must transfer the fee for every course separately.
    3. For reference please enter the references given as Verwendungszweck 1 und 2 in the corresponding lines in the form, so we can match the payments to your registration.
    4. Make sure to transfer the money within 3 working days after registration. Your registration will be cancelled automatically if the money has not been credited to our account in time.

     

    * Erasmus students and students from other international partner programmes may use their private e-mail address until they are assigned their HU e-mail address.

  • 4. How do I sign up for a lanugage course?

    All courses require registration. Registration can only be done online under Course Offerings.

    To find the right course for you, follow these steps:

    If you have previous knowledge in a language/are an advanced learner, please take the placement test in good time before registration opens. The test result will allow you to book a course at your current level of proficiency, so make sure you get an accurate result - if you sign up for a course that does not correspond with your actual level, the lecturers can exclude you, and you will not be eligible for reimbursement if you cheat on the test - so just don't. 

    If you are a beginner, just select the correct time period under Courses and Registration: semester courses or intensive courses (during lecture-free periods).
        Click on the desired languagel.
        If a course is available for booking, the ‘Book course’ button will be green. Click on it.
        You will be automatically redirected to the registration form. Please fill in all the required fields and be sure to read the booking and participation conditions carefully. Registration is binding!

  • 4.1. Is registration binding? Will I receive a refund of the course fee if I cancel my registration?

    Your registration for a course is binding. A refund of fees paid is generally only possible if a course is cancelled by the Language Center or if a justified individual exemption claim is recognised. As a general rule, fees for intensive courses and courses that involve the use of a license are non-refundable.

  • 4.2. Which course is right for me?

    Under the heading Placement Tests, you can take a placement test to find out which course level is right for you.

  • 4.3. Can I change courses?


    You can only change courses after talking to the language teachers. You're not guaranteed a spot in the new course!

    You can't transfer your registration to someone else.