Frequently Asked Questions
General information
1. Who is eligible to participate in the language courses?
Students and employees of KIT, students from other Karlsruhe universities, as well as students from EUCOR and EPICUR universities are eligible to participate in the Language Center courses.
Please note: Courses in your own native language may not be taken (e.g., French students may not participate in French courses, Spanish native speakers may not participate in Spanish courses, etc.). Faculties will also not accept ECTS credits earned through such course attendance.
Please note: Courses in your own native language may not be taken (e.g., French students may not participate in French courses, Spanish native speakers may not participate in Spanish courses, etc.). Faculties will also not accept ECTS credits earned through such course attendance.
2. When and where do the courses take place?
Courses take place during the lecture period and begin in the second week of lectures. Special courses offered during the lecture-free period (semester breaks) are announced on the homepage. The Language Center is located in two buildings: Bldg. 08.03 (near Marktplatz) and Bldg. 50.20 (at Durlacher Tor). You can find a local map under ''. Room and building information is noted for all courses. Campus Map
3. When and how can I register?
In order to participate in the courses, you must register.
Individuals interested in an ENGLISH course who have not previously taken one with us must take a placement test before registering. For other languages, such a test is not necessary. Those subject to fees can transfer the fee using the details provided in the confirmation email. The registration window for online registration is announced on the homepage of this website.
Please inform yourself in good time before the start of the semester about the procedure and deadlines under Registration.
Individuals interested in an ENGLISH course who have not previously taken one with us must take a placement test before registering. For other languages, such a test is not necessary. Those subject to fees can transfer the fee using the details provided in the confirmation email. The registration window for online registration is announced on the homepage of this website.
Please inform yourself in good time before the start of the semester about the procedure and deadlines under Registration.
Priority Registration: For EUKLID students, Ethics students (Latin), Art History students (Italian), as well as students and employees preparing for a stay abroad, it is possible to register for a course starting 4 weeks before the start of online registration. Eligibility must be proven by a current certificate of enrollment (Art History, EUKLID, and Ethics) or by a letter from the institute or supervising office. For students going abroad via IStO/INTL, we receive a list in advance (no extra proof necessary). You can upload your documents here.
4. How much do the courses cost?
The fees for individual languages are listed behind the respective course.
ONE COURSE PER SEMESTER IS FREE OF CHARGE FOR KIT STUDENTS as well as students of EUCOR and EPICUR universities (funded by quality assurance resources). Additional courses in the same semester are subject to a fee. General information can be found under Fees.
ONE COURSE PER SEMESTER IS FREE OF CHARGE FOR KIT STUDENTS as well as students of EUCOR and EPICUR universities (funded by quality assurance resources). Additional courses in the same semester are subject to a fee. General information can be found under Fees.
5. When am I eligible for a course fee reduction?
Eligibility for a 50% reduction in the course fee is determined by the statutes.
You can find out what you must keep in mind here.
Important: The documents must be presented in advance. Retroactive reimbursement is not possible!
You can find out what you must keep in mind here.
Important: The documents must be presented in advance. Retroactive reimbursement is not possible!
6. Are there courses during the lecture-free period?
During the lecture-free period (semester break), intensive courses in French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and English are offered. Information is available on the homepage.
7. What is the participant limit?
Min.: 10 (Beginner courses) or 7 (Advanced courses)
Max.: up to 25
Max.: up to 25
8. How do I receive ECTS points (Credits)?
2 ECTS points are awarded for:
• Active participation.
• Successful exam at the end of the course or successful completion of tasks as part of continuous assessment.
The exact procedure for how participants can earn ECTS points is explained in the respective courses.
• Active participation.
• Successful exam at the end of the course or successful completion of tasks as part of continuous assessment.
The exact procedure for how participants can earn ECTS points is explained in the respective courses.
To be notified about the publication of your grade, you can activate notifications for ÜQ/SQ achievements in the Campus Portal. To do this, go to Personal Data/Notifications, check the box for "Verbuchung einer SQ/ÜQ-Leistung" (Recording of an SQ/ÜQ achievement), and press Save.
The determining factor for the creation of a certificate is whether your degree program already uses electronic recording in CAS Campus.
To check this, you can log in to the student portal (Campus) and look under Exams -> Exam Registration and Unregistration to see which system manages your degree program.
Possible recordable achievements are displayed under the ÜQ/SQ Achievements tab.
Degree program with electronic recording (CAS Campus)
- SQ achievements are electronically transferred to your performance overview.
- Starting from the 2021-22 winter semester, numerous degree programs mapped in CAS Campus offer their students the option of self-recording ÜQ achievements. This changes the recording process for students as follows:
1. Those who find the appropriate placeholders in their student portal can perform the recording themselves there.
2. All others should contact the relevant contact persons in their faculty. Furthermore, there is the option to download a document via "Studien- und Prüfungsleistungen ohne Studiengangsbezug" (Study and examination achievements without degree program reference).
3. The Student Services (Studierendenservice) no longer performs achievement recordings.
Further information on recording ÜQ achievements can be found in the FAQ of the Campus Portal under Exam Registration (Campus) > (Self-)Recording of ÜQ Achievements.
Degree program without electronic recording (HIS-POS) or Non-KIT students
- You will receive a certificate upon request (email with course details to info∂spz.kit.edu or for English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish directly to the departments). If you would like the certificate sent by mail, please provide us with a stamped and addressed return envelope including a note regarding the course. Further information on HIS-POS recording can be found in the FAQ of the Campus Portal under Exam Registration (HIS-POS) > Recording of ÜQ Achievements.
- Submit the certificate to the Student Office/Examination Secretariat.
9. Can I receive proof of my language proficiency through my participation in the course?
The Language Center does not issue separate language certificates. If you need proof of language proficiency for a semester abroad (e.g., Erasmus), you can use your transcript of records. You can read how to include language courses in your transcript under "How do I receive ECTS points (Credits)?". If participation in a language course is not sufficient for your application, you can take a language test to have your current language level verified.
10. When will I find out the program for the next semester?
The planned program (subject to change) is usually available on the web pages of the respective language about one month before the start of lectures, including course times. Earlier announcement is unfortunately not possible as planning depends on many external factors, such as teacher availability, central room allocation, etc.
Although we only publish the dates once they are firmly agreed upon, short-term schedule changes may still occur. Please check the details again before registering and before attending the first class.
Although we only publish the dates once they are firmly agreed upon, short-term schedule changes may still occur. Please check the details again before registering and before attending the first class.
11. Can I take language exams outside of a course (e.g., for a DAAD scholarship)?
Yes! Exams for English, French, and Spanish are offered regularly. Please find information there and contact the corresponding department head via email. If you are a student at another university, you can only take exams with us in languages that are not offered at your university. This offer does not exist for other languages.
According to the statutes, a fee of 35 EURO is charged for such language exams, which must be paid by bank transfer:
According to the statutes, a fee of 35 EURO is charged for such language exams, which must be paid by bank transfer:
Recipient: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), IBAN: DE 5766 0000 0000 6600 1508 BIC: MARK DE F1660 Reference (Verwendungszweck) MUST include: 1022708636423192 + respective language.
12. How are the language programs structured?
Language 1: for beginners with no or almost no previous knowledge
Language 2: for beginners with little previous knowledge
Language 3: solid basic knowledge
Language 4: good conversational skills.
Language 2: for beginners with little previous knowledge
Language 3: solid basic knowledge
Language 4: good conversational skills.
Language Intensive: Intensive course with 3 SWS (hours per week). After two intensive courses, you reach the level normally achieved after three courses of 2 SWS.
Language Rápido / Express 1: With 4 SWS, the content of Language 1 and 2 is covered within one semester.
Language Rápido / Express 2: With 4 SWS, the content of Language 3 and 4 is covered within one semester.
Current Topics / Conversation: Participants should be able to express themselves fluently on topics of medium difficulty (independent language use).
Technical/Professional Language: Alternatively technical or business-oriented content.
Parallel courses are distinguished by letters (e.g., Chinese 1 a, 1 b, 1 c) and represent the same level.
You can find out more about the content and teaching materials of the individual courses from the instructors.
English courses are accredited for UNIcert® certification and the program is structured differently accordingly. Further information
13. Do I need to buy a course book?
On the "Content" (Inhalt) page of the respective course, you can check whether you need to buy a book. If you need a book, we recommend the KIT book exchange.
14. Is your question not listed?
Visit the office hours of the responsible department heads or send them an email. You can find your contact persons under Contact.