Incoming Students

• minimum level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), alternatively:
  TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimal score 80 ibt (internet-based)
  TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication): minimal points 750
  IELTS (International English Language Testing System): minimal grade 5.5

We accept the above-mentioned or other internationally recognized language certificates. Your home university can however also use our language certificate or their own documents to confirm your language proficiency.

When selecting courses, pay attention to

• the semester in which the courses are offered (spring/summer or fall/winter term)
• possible prerequisites you have to fulfill to take the single courses. These can be found in the module descriptions - click on the module titles. The recommended previous knowledge stated there shall give you an impression what knowledge you are usually required to have and if the modules are appropriate for you. You do not have to prove these and can start with the lectures right away at the beginning of the semester. Exceptions are the language skills, the language courses and the Master modules.

Levels A1 to A2

For the language courses for beginners (A1), in most cases neither previous knowledge nor a placement test nor a language certificate are required. These can be attended right away.

A basic command of German might be required for some levels from A1 to A2. Most of the foreign language classes deal with a large amount of grammar in these levels. Explanations are usually given in German, only sometimes in English (e. g. in the German language courses). Reason: The students’ command of the foreign language does normally not suffice at that stage. Unfortunately not all teachers have the qualification or enough time in their classes to give further explanations or to provide lecture material in English.

Advanced levels A2 to C2

Qualification must be proved in advance by

• an appropriate language certificate
• a placement test at our faculty
• the result of the International Winter/Summer Language School German prior to the start of the semester for a German semester course

We accept internationally recognized language certificates. Your home university can however also use our language certificate or their own documents to confirm your language proficiency. If we have not received an evidence from you yet, e. g. with your online registration, please e-mail the language certificate to your coordinator in the International Faculty Office (visiting students) or to your Bachelor's or Master's degree coordinator (dual degree students) before you compose your learning agreement or before you register for the respective course on the Intranet.

Please note:

• Placement tests are held for English, German, French, Spanish and Russian. For finding the appropriate level for other languages, submit a language certificate, if available, to your coordinator. Alternatively, contact the responsible teachers immediately at the beginning of the lecture period or go to their first classes. The teachers' contact details can be gathered from the handbook for international students (top right of the incoming webpage). All relevant information on the placement test procedure will be e-mailed to you in due time by the International Faculty Office.
   
• The language modules require a minimum or maximum number of participants resp. Therefore you must be flexible enough to switch to alternative modules at the beginning of the semester. A regular attendance of the language modules is expected.
   
• Students can generally get 5 ECTS credits for only one level of a language in one term and may not take the exams of two levels of the same language in one semester. You may attend the classes of two different levels only if the teachers give you this advice, e. g. when you are facing schedule conflicts with other courses or for other reasons. Please clear the details directly with the teachers.
   
• Some levels of the language modules consist of two components which have to be taken both to get full 5 ECTS credits at the end of the semester. You will learn from us in due course which modules are concerned and what has to be considered in addition.

Language tutorials

Every semester, our faculty is looking for native speakers who can give language lessons in the form of conversation classes or group tutorials for German and international students. If a tutor is found, the tutor and the students, who want to improve the language skills, will meet on a regular basis and practice the language together.

To learn for which languages tutors are needed and how you can apply, please contact: sprachtutorien-wiso@hs-osnabrueck.de

If you are searching a tutor for yourself to optimize your own language proficiency, you can write to the above e-mail address, too. Best apply right at the beginning of the semester for a language tutor.

On the central pages for visiting students, you will find further information on the regulations for working while studying.