German Courses at the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK) – Study Preparation 2025
Access Art Schools Berlin: A joint project by the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK) and the Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts (HfS), designed to support prospective students with refugee backgrounds in preparing for studies at an art university.
Course: Study Preparation German B2 (incl. Conversation & Beyond German)
Course period: 02.06.2025 – 01.08.2025
Application deadline: 23.05.2025 (as long as spots are available)
Final registration deadline: 26.05.2025
Locations: UdK Berlin & HfS Berlin
Who can apply? People with refugee backgrounds and German skills at B1 level who are interested in studying at an art university in Berlin.
Course components:
- German B2 – with artistic and academic focus
Mon & Fri: 3:30–5:00 PM | Wed & Thu: 2:15–5:30 PM - Conversation Training – confident communication for university life
Tue: 4:30–6:30 PM - Beyond German – voice, presentation, and body language training
Mon, Wed, Fri: 10:00–12:30 PM | Tue: individual appointments
Additional offers:
- Online orientation workshops on studying at art universities (23.06. & 21.07.)
- Get-together events & individual academic advising
Registration: via the UdK Berlin website.
Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR)
The Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR Berlin) is offering two new free German courses at level C1 specifically for refugees.
Course 1:
Period: 28.04. - 30.09.2025
Class times: Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 13:30
Scope: 24 lessons per week (45 minutes each)
Content:
- Intensive German course (C1 level)
- Study preparation topics
- Completion: Telc C1 university exam
Course 2:
Period: 18.08. - 19.12.2025
(Further details identical to course 1)
Participation requirements:
Completed German course at B2 level (proof required)
Refugee status
Residence in Berlin
Further information can be found on the HWR Berlin website.
Free University Berlin (FU):
There are currently no places available in the German courses for refugees. Interested parties can be placed on the waiting list for current German courses at the FU. Please write to
deutschkurs@welcome.fu-berlin.de
Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule (GF-H)
According to our information, there are currently only very few language courses at the universities for people who are not yet enrolled. As soon as we receive new information, we will publish it here.
We would therefore like to point out a possible alternative: there are preparatory language courses that are sponsored by the Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule and are aimed specifically at prospective students. Please contact them for advice on a suitable course for you at the website GF-H-sponsored German language courses.
The universities in Berlin offer various language courses. The decisive factor for your choice is whether you are already studying or are yet to enrol. Unfortunately, there are very few courses on offer for prospective students. For the lower language levels (A1-B1), integration courses are therefore also recommended (see section "Free German courses as part of integration courses").
Offers for prospective students
Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin: offers German courses level B1-C1 as part of the pre-study program for refugees
There are currently no regular language courses for non-matriculated prospective students at other universities. Please see below under ‘Current information on German courses at universities for refugees without enrolment’, where we publish information on particular programmes.
Offers for enrolled students
Prerequisite for participation in the German courses is enrollment as a student at the respective university!
Alice Salomon Hochschule - German as a Foreign Language
Bard College Berlin - German Courses
Freie Universität Berlin/Free University Berlin - Courses from A1 - C1 at the Language Center of the FU
Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler - German as a Foreign Language
Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft - German as a Foreign Language
Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht/Berlin School of Economics and Law - German Courses at the Language Center of the HWR
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - German Courses at the Language Centre of the HU
Technische Universität Berlin - German Courses at the Modern Language Center of the TU
Universität der Künste - German Courses
Many German courses are offered as part of so-called integration courses. The courses are usually free of charge because the Jobcenter takes over the financing. An integration course consists of language courses at levels A1 to B1 and an orientation course on life in Germany. It is intended to help you quickly find your way around in Germany.
Duration:
As a rule, the general integration course in Berlin consists of:
6 modules
- with 100 teaching hours (UE) each for language teaching (levels A1, A2 and B1)
- Completion by passing the German Test for Immigrants (DTZ)
1 module of 100 units for the orientation course
- Basic knowledge of the legal system, history and culture of Germany
- Completion by passing the test "Living in Germany" (LID)
Costs:
If you receive money from the Jobcenter and have received an obligation to attend an integration course, you do not have to pay anything for the language course.
If you are not entitled to a cost exemption, part of the costs can be covered by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
Enrolment requirements:
Admission to participate in an integration course can always be granted upon presentation of the residence title issued in accordance with § 24 AufenthG or a corresponding fictitious certificate.
Course participation requires prior counselling and usually also a placement test.
Application:
You can apply for this at your job centre. If you do not receive Jobcenter benefits, you can apply for participation in an integration course at a regional office of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). You can find the regional office responsible for you under BAMF-NAvI.
Bbw (Bildungswerk der Wirtschaft in Berlin und Brandenburg) (integration courses)
Bildungswelt (integration courses)
BSI Berlin (integration courses)
Europa-Spracheninstitut (integration courses)
Garantiefonds Hochschule (German courses)
Inlingua (integration courses)
Kontakt- und Beratungsstelle für Flüchtlinge und Migrant_innen e.V. (KuB)
Mitteldeutsches Institut (integration courses)
Network German courses for all (German courses)
Ökumenisches Zentrum Berlin (German courses)
Seconos (integration courses)
Volkshochschulen Berlin (integration courses)
Here you will find a selection of language schools in Berlin that charge a fee. If you receive benefits from the job centre or other offices, ask them whether the costs will be covered.
You can also just take the B2 or C1 test at the language schools without attending a whole course.
Language level A1-C1:
You can find even more providers at DAAD Language Courses.