German courses to prepare for university studies
The Language Teaching Institute (SLI) at the university of Wuppertal offers a limited number of non-native German-speaking applicants who can provide evidence of eligibility for university admission to a degree programme in Wuppertal the opportunity to take part in preparatory (full-time) German courses for a maximum of 3 semesters. A fee of 500 euros per semester is charged for participation in the preparatory German course.
German courses are offered at the following levels:
- A2 – C1
Placement in a course is determined by a placement test. The courses run throughout the year, comprising 38 weeks of teaching and examinations, with a minimum of 18 hours of lessons per week. Students can study and complete two levels per semester. For personalised advice on the range of language courses on offer, please contact the Language Teaching Institute.
Application deadlines
For the summer semester: 15 November – 15 January
For the winter semester: 15 May – 15 July
As the number of applications for the German course regularly exceeds the number of places available, the university selects candidates.
Applications must be submitted via uni-assist using the application forms for admission to degree programmes, stating your chosen field of study, within the official application deadlines. You can find an instructional video in the green box on the right.
Information on summer language courses offered within Germany, designed to help you learn German, is provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). DAAD summer language courses
You can find details of German language courses offered by a number of private language schools in Wuppertal and the surrounding area in the Download Centre on the right.
FAQ: German Language Course
The preparatory German course is designed to help you prepare for the DSH examination. Passing this examination means you will have met the language requirements for studying at the University of Wuppertal. Here you will find information on the other requirements you need to fulfil in order to study at the BUW.
A DSH-2 or DSH-3 result demonstrates that you have the German language skills required to study at BUW.
To transfer from the German language course to your degree programme, please submit an application for a change of programme to the international student administration office. Your application will be assessed. If you are transferring to a
- Bachelor’s degree programme with open admission: you will be transferred to the programme.
- a Bachelor’s degree programme with restricted admission: you must first submit an application for admission (‘Antrag nc_intern’) (by 15 January for the summer semester, by 15 July for the winter semester). You will only be transferred to the degree programme if you are admitted via the selection process.
- Degree programme with an aptitude assessment procedure: The relevant examination board must first confirm your academic aptitude.
- Master’s degree programme: The relevant Master’s Examination Board must first confirm your academic aptitude.
Yes, you must attend the German course regularly; otherwise, you will be removed from the course register and deregistered.
Whilst you are attending the preparatory German language courses, you are enrolled at the university and will receive a ‘semester ticket’; however, you are not yet considered a student but rather a pupil. For this reason, you cannot yet take out statutory health insurance as a student, but must take out private health insurance for language students for this period. If you are generally eligible for BAföG/student finance services, you can apply for Schüler-BAföG.
