FAQ German Language Program

No, German language courses are mandatory elective, which means you either choose two courses of German or as an alternative two lectures in Humanities. 

Students without any prior knowledge of German language can register for A1.1 without taking a placement test. Please note that it is an infraction of the Code of Academic Integrity if students with pre-existing knowledge of German attend the beginners’ level(s). Students who need/wish to take a German language course and have some prior knowledge of a language must take a placement test first. Placement tests are offered every semester and help instructors place students at the appropriate proficiency level.

German Language courses are structured according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), defined by the Council of Europe. The learning outcomes represent beginner level (A1, A2), intermediate level (B1, B2) and advanced level (C1, C2). 

German language courses usually take place on Mondays and Wednesdays in the afternoon and evening in fixed time slots. Each course consists of two teaching units (2 x 75 minutes) per week. German courses in A1, A2 and B1 are taught on campus and online, B2 and C1 mainly on campus. 

Depending on your performance, you will receive a grade between 0 and 100% for the course, 45% is the minimum you need to achieve. Requirements and grading schemes are published on CampusNet. Generally, attendance and homework are mandatory and students who miss more than 3 classes (of 75 minutes) without a valid excuse issued by Registrar Services will not be admitted to the final exam. 

If you fail a CTLA German Language Module three times, you will no longer be able to earn credit points for that language level. To continue your language studies, you must either self-study or take a language course outside Constructor University. Afterwards, you may submit the respective documentation or do a placement test. You will only be eligible to enroll in higher-level German courses - not the failed or any lower level. 

Please be advised that you need an official excuse issued by Registrar Services in case you cannot attend your German language course session. Official excuses must be uploaded in CampusNet in the respective section. 

Generally, it is the students' responsibility to avoid overlapping of courses beforehand. In case of complications, students may address LearnGerman@constructor.university to find a German course with a different time slot. If no solution is possible the student must wait until the next semester to take a German language course. 

German Language courses from other universities may be accepted if workload and curriculum are comparable. 

To apply for the recognition of transfer credits, students must submit the Transfer Credit Form, the module syllabi, and an official transcript indicating the modules taken to Registrar Services. Upon recommendation of the German Language Program, Registrar Services rules on the acceptance of transfer credits. 

Placement test results must be sent to LearnGerman@constructor.university. Registrar Services will enter the respective level for each student in CampusNet. Afterwards (max. 48h), participants will be able to register for the appropriate level via CampusNet themselves. 

Requirements for a German language course are either the successful participation in the previous course or a valid placement test result/a respective language certificate. If students have not submitted the placement test and/or have not passed the previous proficiency level, they cannot register for the next level of the course.

Students may contact LearnGerman@constructor.university and explain their case before the semester starts or address the instructor in class at the beginning of the course. If the student’s self-assessment is confirmed, the student can be registered in a new level.    

German language courses only allow a maximum number of 20 participants (or 16 in online classes). Rejected students can usually register for a parallel group with fewer participants. Sometimes, Registrar Services needs to reassign students to other small groups of the same course, so please check carefully before registering again. 

Constructor University staff & faculty is welcomed to improve their German language skills. We offer specific staff courses for the beginner and intermediate level. At the beginning of the semester, please take the placement test and register for your assigned level using the link HR will email to all employees. For advanced levels you may join student classes, if places are available. In this case please contact LearnGerman@constructor.university.

Placement test results are valid for two semesters. In other words, if students do the placement test in Fall, they can join the German language program either in the same semester or in the Spring semester. 

Students may submit a German language certificate, a confirmation of a participation in a German course or take a placement test to be allowed to attend a higher level. Respective documents need to be sent to LearnGerman@constructor.university.