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Faculty of Mathematics and Natural SciencesDepartment of Geosciences

DaF German as a Foreign Language courses

The deadline for applications for financial support by and to get registered through the GSGS is 15th January, 2024.

The DaF (Department 'German as a Foreign Language') offers a variety of German as a Foreign Language Courses for international students, including doctoral candidates: 

A: Intensive pre-semester courses typically start approx. 1 month before semester starts (i.e. early March or September). Courses take place Monday to Friday (20 hours á 45 min per week) during ca. 1 month.

  • 26th February to 22nd March 2024

B: Summer/winter semester courses typically run throughout the semester (early April/October - mid July/end January; 6 hours á 45 min per week)

  • 15th April to 19th July 2024

C: Self-learning course (early April/October - mid July/end January; 4 hours self learning via Ilias + 2 hours tutorial on Zoom per week)

  • only for absolute beginners: Level A1; further information will follow a.s.a.p.
  • 15th April to 19th July 2024

Placement tests
If you are not enrolled in a DaF course at the moment, but you have previous knowledge, you will have to do a placement test between these dates:

  • 1st February to 8th February (23:59)

If you need to do a placement test, contact Eileen a.s.a.p. via gsgs-adminSpamProtectionuni-koeln.de for the link to the online portal and for instructions.

For more info on the courses check the DaF website here ("General Language Courses").

Course participation costs a flat rate of 250 Euro per semester.

In principle, the GSGS will cover the costs for two semesters per person and longer in well-substantiated cases. However, this is subject to the availability of funds. If you are interested in receiving this support from the GSGS, fill out the form below. To qualify for financial support by the GSGS, you need to be up-to-date with your GSGS reporting.

If you are accepted for GSGS support, the GSGS will forward your registration request to the Department DaF / GaFL.

To apply for financial support for any course starting in spring 2024 please complete this form.