German and foreign language classes
German course events during the international orientation weeks
If you'd like to start learning German, or if you want to refresh your existing German language skills, then you should take part in the Language Centre's Deutsch-workshops for international students! Whatever level of language learning you are at, there will be suitable workshops for you.
- Thursday, 5 October 2023 (if your surname starts with a letter from A to L), Deutschworkshop from 09:00 to 15:00. Start: 9:00 in room 312 of the Nikolakloster
- Friday, 6 October 2023 (if your surname starts with a letter from M to Z ), Deutschworkshop from 09:00 to 15:00. Start: 9:00 in room 312 of the Nikolakloster
If you are planning to take German classes during the semester, you should attend the information event:
- Monday, 9 October 2023: German as a foreign language information event about the placement test and course registration, at 18:00 in lecture theatre HS9, Audimax building

German courses during the semester
As an international student who is enrolled in one of the University's degree programmes, you have access to the German language courses offered by the Language Centre for free. The German courses for enrolled international students are offered at four levels of language ability. You may also take the subject-specific courses German for Law and German for Business and Economics. Before you start on a course, you will take a placement test to determine your existing language skills.
Find out more about German courses for enrolled international students on the Language Centre's web pages.
Foreign language classes
During the Orientation Weeks, placement tests for various language classes you can attend whilst studying in Passau take place. If you want to start afresh with a language you should simply choose level ‘Grundstufe 1’ (Foundation 1); in that case you do not need to sit a placement test.
Before you can take part in a language course during the semester make sure to study the websites of the Language Centre:
- check whether a placement test is mandatory for the language you want to attend classes in.
- find the placement test dates.
- learn more about C-Test (online placement tests).
- when the registration for the language courses is possible.
![[Translate to Englisch:] "Willkommen" in vielen Sprachen](/fileadmin/_processed_/5/9/csm_sprachenbaum_3c1a9eb481.jpg)
Language placement tests
If you want to attend language classes in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian or German, and if you already have prior knowledge of that language, then you have to take part in the C-Test (online placement tests) for your chosen language. The test result determines the level of study you will be signed up for. Aside from English, all of the languages are available at beginners' levels in Passau.
If you want to start afresh with a language you should simply choose level ‘Grundstufe 1’ (Foundation 1); in that case you do not need to sit a C-Test.