Frequently asked questions

Who can take part in the 'Promote Your Career' project?

International students enrolled in an English-language Master's program at the University of Kassel who are aiming for a degree are the primary target group of the project. Participation in the project is free of charge, but the number of places available is limited. Early application is recommended. According to DAAD regulations, exchange students or students from partner universities are not eligible to participate in the project. The deadline for applications is 17 October 2024.

How is the language program organised?

You will start learning German at the beginning of the semester and during the semester break, with the aim of reaching level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages by the end of your studies. The program includes general and career-oriented German courses, workshops and subject-specific courses. You will also have the opportunity to develop your German language skills independently using the Moodle learning platform.

An example for the first two-year cycle would be:

How do I apply for a place on the programme?

You can find the application form on our website. In addition to general information and details about your knowledge of the German language, you will also be asked to submit a letter of motivation. Please make notes in advance. All fields marked with an asterisk (*) must be filled in. If these fields are blank, you will receive an error message and your application will not be submitted to us.

Do I have to prove my German language skills?

If you have no knowledge of German, no proof is required. If you have previous knowledge of German, we kindly ask you to complete an online test with Cornelsen Verlag. Choose the appropriate level: A1, A2, B1, allow about 45 to 60 minutes for the test, we advise you not to use a dictionary, at the end you will receive the result by e-mail, this is your proof. If you have a language certificate, please upload it in pdf format on the application form, other formats will not be accepted.

What documents do I need to upload with my application?

The following documents are required when applying: matriculation certificate, (as a pdf file), language certificate starting with A1.1 level (as a pdf file), letter of motivation. Only pdf format will be accepted. Applications with a letter of admission will not be accepted, so please make sure you send us the correct documents from the outset.

What do I do if I have a higher level than the current project course?
We recommend that you first take the Cornelsen test at the level you have already reached. If your level is higher than that of the current course, we cannot officially admit you into the program for that semester. However, you have the option of attending our general language courses at the Language Centre (at your own expense if your department does not offer you a free place). You can then apply again for a place in the following semester, when we may have more places available.

Can I start learning German at a later date?
Yes, it is possible, the next 'Promote Your Career' program starts at the end of October 2025, but please consider that you will need at least 2 years to reach the required language level B2. We will only be able to admit you to the program if you have a minimum of 2 years left to complete your degree.

If you have already applied and would like to join a course at a later date, your application from September 2024 will remain valid. However, this is only possible if we have places available and your level matches the course currently on offer. Please email us well in advance to see if we can accommodate you.

What happens if I have to cancel a course?
If you have an important reason for cancelling a course, e.g. illness, accident, death in the family, etc., you must contact us immediately. We will try to find a solution for you.

Are the 'Promote Your Career' German courses mandatory?
Yes, as is the case with all Language Centre courses, you are required to attend 75%. Participation in the German courses and workshops of the project is mandatory. It will also be taken into account whether you regularly complete assignments on Moodle. If you are absent from class on a frequent basis, you will not be accepted to take the exam and we may have to give your place on the project to some other student. You should only enrol on our project if you can realistically meet the 75% attendance requirement.

Instructions for the use of VPN
For data security reasons, you can register for our programmes with an installed VPN client. Instructions for the use of VPN
If you have technical problems installing the VPN client, please do NOT contact the Language Centre, but the IT Service Centre: +49-(0)561-804-5678 oder https://www.uni-kassel.de/its/startseite/it-servicedesk

Ljudmila Schikowski M.A.

Language coordination in the ‘Promote Your Career’ project

International Study Centre/Language Centre of the University of Kassel

Kurt-Wolters-Straße 5, Room 0001

D-34125 Kassel

Phone +49 (0)561-804-3772

E-mail: german-promote-your-career[at]uni-kassel[dot]de