The "German for Foreigners" language course programme at HafenCity University Hamburg is aimed at international students at HCU. Enrolled students who have obtained their university entrance qualification abroad and ERASMUS+ students who are spending one or two semesters studying at HCU can take part. If places are still available, enrolled students and ERASMUS+ students from other Hamburg universities can also participate in the courses. The language courses are organised in cooperation with the Volkshochschule Hamburg. You can find all information on the course programme, the dates, costs and registration on this page.
Unfortunately, HCU Hamburg cannot provide courses in other languages, such as Spanish, French, Italian for example. We recommend that students who wish to prepare for a stay abroad and acquire knowledge of the language of their host country use the courses offered by other institutions. The University Hamburg, the Volkshochschule Hamburg or the cultural institutes of various countries (Instituto Cervantes, Institut Français, Instituto Italiano di Cultura di Amburgo etc.) provide a wide range of courses, some of which offer discounts for students.
Two-week intensive online courses (German) in September 2025
| Level | Lecturer | Start | End | Time | Room HCU Hamburg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Santa Vaquero | 15.09.2025 | 26.09.2025 | Mo - Fr, 15:30-19:00 | online |
| A2 | Janna de Souza | 15.09.2025 | 26.09.2025 | Mo - Fr, 10:00-13:30 | online |
| B1 | Hannah Padoan | 15.09.2025 | 26.09.2025 | Mo - Fr, 10:00-13:30 | online |
Registration: The registration period for the intensive language course (German) in September 2025 is from 18 August, 12 pm to 09 September, 12 pm 2025.
Click here for online registration.
The following language courses (German) in the winter semester 2025/26 will take place as semester-long weekly courses in face-to-face classes on site at HCU, Henning-Voscherau-Platz 1.
The semester-long courses, like the intensive courses during the lecture-free period, comprise 45 teaching units (UE) per course.
Semester accompanying language courses (German) in the summer semester 2025
| Level | Lecturer | Start | End | Time | Venue |
| B1.1 | Janna de Souza | 23.04.2025 | 16.07.2025 | Wed 16:00 - 19:00 | HCU, room 3.104 |
| A1.2 | Mengxue Zhang | 23.04.2025 | 16.07.2025 | Wed 16:00 - 19:00 | HCU, room 2.108 |
Registration: The registration period for the semester-long language course (German) has expired.
Please register via the web application of the Hamburger Volkshochschule. The registration period for the intensive language course (German) in September 2025 is from 18 August to 9 September 2025.
The following documents are required for registration:
- Certificate of enrolment
- Placement certificate: you may submit the certificate of a previous course or anything not older than 12 months.
- If you do not have such a certificate, you may submit an online placement (screenshot, scan), e.g. Cornelsen online test (free of charge).
- You do not need a level certificate for a beginners' course A1 or A1.1.
Please note:
- For identification reasons, please be sure to use your HCU email address for registering.
- Courses will only take place in case of a minimum number of participants.
- Registration is only possible via the web application of the Hamburger Volkshochschule.
- After having successfully registered, you will receive an e-mail invitation about one week before the start of the course
You will be sent an invoice displaying the course fee after courses having started. The standard payment method is direct debit (please make sure to inform us, when using a different way of payment).
Debit
Please note: An IBAN within the EU is required for direct debit. Unfortunately, a debit from a bank account with an IBAN outside the EU is not possible for technical reasons.
Bank transfer
Alternatively, you may pay the course fee via bank transfer. Please make sure to write the course number and your full name when transferring to the following account:
Name: Hamburger Volkshochschule
Bank: Hamburger Sparkasse
IBAN: DE34 2005 0550 1280 1678 81
BIC: HASPDEHHXXX
Cash payment
The course fee may also be paid in cash. Please make an appointment via e-mail to Mrs Policke: l.policke(at)vhs-hamburg.de
The address is: Bildungskontor VHS Hamburg; 6th floor, Mönckebergstr. 17, 20095 Hamburg.
Please note!
Payment for language courses directly to HCU Hamburg is NOT possible. Payment is only possible via the account of the Bildungskontor of the Hamburger Volkshochschule (see above).
Certificate
- Upon successful completion of the language course, you will receive a certificate of achievement (PDF) from the Hamburger Volkshochschule.
- You will receive the certificate of achievement
- if you have been present for at least 80% of the course duration,
- have completed additional coursework (e.g. term paper)
- and have successfully passed the finale exam.
- If you have any questions about your certificate, please address Alexander Krussig at the Bildungskonter of the Volkshochschule Hamburg, E-Mail: a.krussig(at)vhs-hamburg.de
Credit Points / ECTS
- Participation in a language course can be accepted as academic achievement.
- You will receive 4 ECTS credits for a course of 45 teaching units, provided that you
- were present for at least 80% of the course duration,
- have completed additional coursework (e.g. term paper)
- and have successfully passed the final exam.
- For all questions on the subject of "Recognition of academic achievement", please contact the Examination Office at Hafencity University Hamburg.
Contact us
The contact person for questions or problems regarding registration is Alexander Krussig: a.krussig(at)vhs-hamburg.de
If you have any questions regarding the course organization, please contact the International Office at HCU Hamburg: hcu-outgoing(at)vw.hcu-hamburg.de
