Summer and Winter School

Our international summer and winter schools combine professional, face‑to‑face German‑language instruction with cultural immersion. They are open to learners of any proficiency level (A1 – C1) and offers a mix of classroom lessons, afternoon seminars, exciting field trips, and a variety of organised extracurricular activities. Participants receive a graded certificate, can opt to stay in student dormitories, and benefit from the support of student buddies, networking events, and full‑day excursions that showcase the region’s heritage and natural beauty. In short, it is a fully integrated academic and cultural experience designed to improve your language skills while you live and explore one of Germany’s most historic and vibrant university towns.

Graduate and undergraduate students with different academic backgrounds and all those who have reached the age of 17 and want to build their curriculum vitae, explore Europe, or just want to learn something new.

Freiburg…

• offers 900 years of history and lies at a geographical tripoint – in close proximity to France and Switzerland.
• is the southernmost and the warmest major city in Germany.
• offers numerous sights: the medieval Minster, two city gates, traditional and unique Bächle (small water-filled runnels) and a lot more.
• is famous for its world-renowned university which boasts a 550-year history of scholarly excellence and a prominent position in international rankings.
• has been offering international language courses at the university for over 100 years.
• has become a role model for sustainable urban development worldwide as a Green City.
• is the gateway to the Black Forest. Mountains, lakes and streams invite you to linger and relax, hike or do sports.
• is considered to be the city of Baden wine, since the city is surrounded by many wine regions.

Learn more about our beautiful city HERE.

A limited number of rooms are available for certain courses.
Rooms are located in various student dormitories in Freiburg. Rooms can only be reserved for the duration of the course.

Room fee includes:

• simple student single room with shared kitchen and bathroom
• Internet access
• dormitory service
• a blanket and a pillow (bedding not included)

Learn more about accommodation HERE

When you sign up for a course with us, we want to make sure that you will be learning in a group that matches your language level.
That’s why every new student completes a short online placement test before the course starts.

You don’t need to know your current CEFR level – the placement test will tell us.
If you already hold a recognised certificate (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat, DSH, TELC, IELTS, TOEFL), you can share those results; we’ll cross check them with our assessment.

Each level (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) includes roughly 150 hours of classroom instruction.
In our intensive courses, you typically cover half of a level (for example, A2.1 → A2.2), giving you a noticeable step forward in a short period.

The language course takes place from Monday to Friday in the mornings. Each morning there are 4 teaching units (45 minutes each). The lessons follow the aims of communicative competence of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in an entertaining and inspiring way and will assist your independent learning process.

A graded certificate will be issued at the end of the course. It includes an individual language level following CEFR as well as ECTS credits.

In the afternoon, students can participate in complementary exercise courses, e.g. communication training, or seminars on different current issues in the areas of cultural and social sciences, e.g. history, literature, environment and interculturality.

Download a sample weekly schedule HERE.

Wherever your passion lies, we’ve got you covered — from guided tours through Freiburg’s most famous sights to discovering hidden gems and visiting regional organisations. Social activities create an easy-going atmosphere, perfect for meeting and bonding with new friends from the course. Beginner-friendly hikes provide breath-taking views and fresh air for outdoor enthusiasts; while museum visits bring fascinating insights into art and local heritage. On weekends, we offer exciting day trips to must-see towns and places in the region (e.g. Lake Titisee). We usually travel by public transport, and you are responsible for getting your own tickets. Additionally, there are also full-day excursions by chartered bus (e.g. Heidelberg or Black Forest), where an extra fee applies.

Check if you need a visa for your stay. A course invitation can be provided upon request.

Also start by securing a comprehensive travel insurance.

Plan your transport options to Airport Basel or Frankfurt.

Finally, run through a quick luggage checklist (passport, chargers, season‑appropriate clothing, any required medication) to ensure nothing essential is left behind.

With these steps covered, you’ll be ready to enjoy your journey stress‑free. Get more helpful information HERE.

We have gathered useful information for parents and legal guardians HERE.