Infos & FAQs

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1. Who can take part in the language courses?
KIT students and staff, and students and staff from all other universities in Karlsruhe (as well as EUCOR and EPICUR universities) are eligible to take part in our language courses. Please indicate during registration at which university you study/work or if you are a member of staff at KIT. If your institution is not listed, please select the category “Sonstige” on the online registration form.
Please note: students are not permitted to take part in courses in their mother tongue e.g. French native speakers are not allowed to take part in French courses. KIT departments will not accept ECTS points gained in this way. See also “For what do I get ECTS-points (credits)?”
2. When and where do courses take place?
Courses normally take place during the semester, starting during the second week of the lecture period. Information about intensive courses during the lecture free period can be found on the website. The Language Centre is located in two buildings: 08.03 near Marktplatz and 50.20, which is the former children’s hospital at Durlacher Tor (opposite the university library). There is a map at Kontakt und Anfahrt. For all courses, the room and building information are clearly stated.
3. When and how can I register?
To take part in the courses, you have to register online.
If you are interested in an English course and have not taken part in one before, you will have to do the online placement test (you can find more information here). A placement test is not necessary for other languages. Those liable to pay can transfer the fee by providing the details listed in the confirmation e-mail. The time period for online registration will be indicated on the homepage of this website.
Please find out about the procedure and dates for registration before the semester starts at Anmeldung (Registration).
Priority Registration EUKLID students as well as students and staff who are planning a trip abroad can register in advance (before online registration starts). Authorization must be accompanied by an up-to-date matriculation card (EUKLID) or written confirmation from the International Students Office (Akademische Auslandsamt) or another relevant institution. We also require your e-mail address as, after your eligibility has been confirmed, you will receive a token (link) which allows you to register online for a course. You can give the relevant documents to our secretary (50.20, Room 313) or put it in the postbox (in front of the office). Alternatively you can send an e-mail to info∂spz kit edu.
4. How much do the courses cost?
The cost of each course is listed alongside the timetable for each language. ONE COURSE EACH SEMESTER IS FREE FOR KIT STUDENTS as well as students of EUCOR and EPICUR universities (financed by quality assurance funds). Further courses are charged at the rates indicated on the website. You can find general information about this (in German) at Gebuehr
5. When can I get a discount?
Regulations for getting a discount are outlined here (in German). IMPORTANT: all documents have to be shown at payment. Refunds cannot be issued at a later date.
6. Are there courses during the semester break?
During the semester break there are French, Spanish and English intensive courses. You can find more information on the relevant pages of this website.
7. How many participants are there?
Min: 10 (beginner courses) or 7 (advanced courses)
Max: up to 25 (some English courses 15 or 18)
8. How do I get ECTS points (credits)?
Participants who attend regularly (at least 80%) AND pass the course receive credit points (ECTS). For a course with a duration of 90 minutes/week (= 2 SWS), 2 to 3 ECTS credits will be awarded (Regular attendance + passing exam = 2 ECTS, or 3 ECTS if an additional task agreed with the respective lecturers is provided). In courses with 135 minutes/week (= 3 SWS), a maximum of 3 ECTS credits can be awarded for attendance + passing exam, and in courses with 180 minutes/week (= 4 SWS), a maximum of 4 ECTS credits can be awarded.

To be notified about the publication of your grade, you can activate notifications for "SQ/ÜQs" in the Campus Portal.
To do this, check the box next to "Book an SQ/ÜQ service" under Personal Data/Notifications and press save.
Study programs with electronic accreditation (CAS Campus)
- SQ credits will be added to your “Leistungsübersicht” automatically
- From winter semester 2021-22, it is possible for students whose degree program already uses the CAS Campus system to transfer the credits from their language course themselves using the online platform. 
Study programs without electronic accreditation (HIS-POS) or external students
- You can request a certificate (by e-mail to info∂spz.kit.edu or from the relevant department for English, French or Spanish courses). If you want the certificate to be sent to you, please provide us with a stamped addressed envelope.
- Submit the certificate at the Student Service Centre.
9. Can I get proof of my language skills based on my performance in a course I have attended?
The Language Centre does not issue an extra certificate of language proficiency. If you need confirmation of your language skills for a semester abroad (e.g. Erasmus), you can do this with the help of your Transcript of Records. You can find out how to include language courses in your transcript under " How do I get ECTS points (credits)? ". If participation in a course is not sufficient for your application, you will need to take a language test to prove your current language level.
10. When can I find the course schedule?
Each semester, the new course program is published on the website approximately one month before classes start. Class times are listed under each language. It is not possible to publish the new timetable any earlier due to various external factors influencing the planning process such as availability of teachers, rooms etc. Although we only publish the dates of the courses when they have been confirmed, it is sometimes necessary to make late changes. Therefore, please check the relevant part of the website again before you register and before the first class.
11. Can I do exams/tests that are not connected to a course (for example for a DAAD scholarship)?
Yes. There are regular tests for English, French and Spanish. Please check the relevant page of the website or contact the department by e-mail. In line with the articles of the Language Centre, there is a charge of 35 euros for these tests. (bank transfer only).
Deutsche Bundesbank Filiale Karlsruhe, IBAN: DE 5766 0000 0000 6600 1508  BIC: MARK DE F1660  
Please include the following information:  XD02003911901  + language
Unfortunately we cannot provide this service for other languages as there are no permanent members of staff. In this case, please contact Mr Forstmeyer, the general manager of the Language Centre, who will try to find a solution. If you are studying at another university, you can only take part in tests at our institution if the language in which you need to be tested is not offered at your place of study.
12. How are the language programs organized?
Language 1: beginners without no or limited previous knowledge
Language 2: beginners with little knowledge
Language 3: good basic knowledge
Language 4: good knowledge

Language intensive: Intensive course with 3 SWS. After 2 intensive courses you will have reached a level that is equivalent to that normally attained after three 2 SWS courses.
Language rápido / express1: 4 SWS, the topics from Language 1 and 2 are taught within one semester
Language rápido / express2: 4 SWS, the topics from Language 3 and 4 are taught within one semester

Topical Issues / Conversation: Participants should be able to talk fluently about issues at intermediate level (autonomous use of language).
Technical Language: You can choose between technical or business content.
Parallel courses: are indicated by different letters at the same level (for example Chinese 1a, 1b, 1c)

You can find more information about content and teaching materials under “Kursinhalt” (course content) at each language’s homepage.

English courses are accredited by UNIcert®. As a result, the language program is set up differently. You can find more information here.
13. Do I need to buy a course book?
On the "Content" page of the respective course, you can check whether you need to buy a book. If you need a book, we recommend looking first on the KIT "Bücherbörse".
14. I can't find my question
If you have not been able to find your question here, please contact the relevant department. You can find contact information here.