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 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.
Registration takes place via the portal of the Hamburg Adult Education Centre. The registration deadline for the semester-long courses in the summer semester 2024 is 10. 04. 2024.
The following documents are required for registration:
- Certificate of enrolment
- Proof of previous language knowledge: As proof you can submit, for example, the certificate of a previous course (not older than 12 months).
- If you do not have a certificate from a previous course, you can submit the result (screenshot, scan) of a free placement test, for example the online placement test from Cornelsen. You can find more information on placement tests in our Language Courses FAQ's.
Please note:
- Be sure to use your HCU email address when registering. Otherwise you will not be identifiable as an HCU student.
- Courses will only be held if the minimum number of participants is reached.
- Registration is only possible via the portal of the Adult Education Centre Hamburg.
Bank transfer
Please pay the course fee at the beginning of the course, stating the course number and your full name, by bank transfer to Hamburger Volkshochschule to the following account at Hamburger Sparkasse.
Name: Hamburger Volkshochschule
Bank: Hamburger Sparkasse
IBAN: DE34 2005 0550 1280 1678 81
BIC: HASPDEHHXXX
Please note: Unfortunately, a debit from a bank account with a foreign IBAN is not possible. Also a European IBAN (Italy, France....) is unfortunately not possible. The IBAN must start with "DE"!
Three days after the start of the course you will receive your invoice by e-mail.
Cash payment
The course fee can also be paid in cash. Please make an appointment via e-mail to: k.wittke@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).
Contact us
The contact person for questions or problems regarding registration is Kerstin Wittke: k.wittke(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
