Language Immersion Courses in Germany

Germany has a large private market for German as a foreign language, from small schools with a single classroom to networks with branches in several cities. Most students come for one of three reasons: to reach the level needed for a German university, to qualify for work (including specialist German for doctors and nurses), or simply to learn the language while living in the country.

SpainExchange lists 33 language schools in Germany. The largest groups are in Berlin (5), Munich (4) and Mainz (3), followed by Heidelberg, Düsseldorf, Bremen, Freiburg, Augsburg and Cologne with two each.

What German language schools offer

Courses follow the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (A1 to C2). The usual formats are:

• intensive courses of around 16 to 20 lessons a week, in the morning, starting most Mondays for students who already know some German
• evening and weekend courses for people who work or study
• exam preparation for TestDaF, DSH, telc and Goethe certificates
• preparation for the Studienkolleg entrance exam and the DSH at universities
• professional German, such as courses for the medical specialist language examination (Fachsprachprüfung)
• one-to-one lessons and online classes

As examples: TANDEM München has taught German in Munich since 1989 and limits groups to ten students. Sprachforum Heinrich Heine in Düsseldorf has offered German courses since 1992, holds TestDaF and telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exams and prepares doctors for the specialist language exam. Verbum Novum in Mainz is an official telc examination centre and runs DSH and Studienkolleg preparation courses. Universities also run programmes for international students, such as the Freie Universität Berlin International Summer and Winter University (FUBiS) and the International Undergraduate Study Program at Philipps-Universität Marburg.

German for university admission

According to the DAAD, the teaching language in most degree programmes at German universities is German, and most institutions require at least level B2. The Studienkolleg, the preparatory year for students whose school certificate does not give direct access, requires B1-B2 on entry. Recognised proofs include:

• TestDaF, offered in around 100 countries
• DSH, taken in Germany at many universities
• Goethe-Zertifikat C2, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule and the Deutsches Sprachdiplom (level II), usually recognised
• Goethe-Zertifikat B2 and C1 and ÖSD B2 and C1, accepted for some programmes

Each university sets its own rules, so check the requirement of the specific programme before booking an exam course.

Visas and residence

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens only need a valid ID card. Others may need a visa, depending on nationality and length of stay. The DAAD notes that a Schengen visa covers short stays of up to three months, including language courses, and cannot be extended. For longer courses, section 16f of the Residence Act allows a residence permit for language courses that do not prepare for a degree; it allows work of up to 20 hours a week. Students preparing for a degree can use a prospective student visa of up to nine months, which also covers a language course or Studienkolleg. A tourist visa cannot later be converted into a student visa.

Schools that offer visa courses usually require a minimum number of lessons a week. TANDEM München, for example, states that its 18- or 20-lesson course meets the official requirements for a language course visa, and that applicants often have to show A2-level German first.

Costs

Prices are set by each school. For example, according to its own price page, at TANDEM München, the 2026 intensive course costs €125 a week for 16 lessons and €165 a week for 20 lessons, plus a one-off €50 service fee and a €20 weekly surcharge in July and August. Accommodation is extra; many schools arrange homestays or rooms.

How to choose a language school

• Goal: general German, university entrance (TestDaF, DSH, telc C1 Hochschule) or a professional exam
• Exam centre: whether you can sit the exam at the school itself
• Intensity and group size: lessons per week and the maximum number of students per class
• Visa: whether the course meets the lesson requirement for a visa and what level you need on arrival
• City: a large city such as Berlin or Munich, or a smaller university town
• Accommodation: homestay, shared flat or residence, and whether it is booked through the school

Frequently asked questions

What level of German do I need to study at a German university?

Most degree programmes taught in German require at least level B2. Common proofs are TestDaF, DSH, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule and the Goethe-Zertifikat C2; English-taught international programmes usually do not require German.

Do I need a visa for a German course in Germany?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not. Others may need a Schengen visa for courses of up to three months, or a national visa and residence permit for longer courses; a tourist visa cannot be converted into a student visa later.

How much does a German course in Germany cost?

Prices vary by school and city. At TANDEM München a 20-lesson intensive course costs €165 a week in 2026, plus a one-off service fee.

Can I work while taking a language course in Germany?

A residence permit for a language course under section 16f of the Residence Act allows work of up to 20 hours a week.