FAQ - frequently asked questions

Registration begins

→ for courses in the summer semester in mid-February

→ for courses in the winter semester at the beginning of September.

You can register for courses via the Language Centre website. To do so, follow the link provided for the respective course programme.

Please note that it may be necessary to register via the electronic examination administration system in order to obtain ECTS points. The rules of your faculty apply here. Access to the study and examination administration is via the portal (external link, opens in a new window).

The grades are then entered directly into the EPV. This means

• that students must also register for the corresponding course in the EPV
• and that grades are entered directly into the EPV instead of being issued for successful completion of a language course. This makes it easier for the faculties and service offices to rebook the results

The Language Centre's language courses are free of charge for Ostfalia students, staff and visiting students.

Guest students must submit a guest student application. The fee is currently (as of May 2025) 50 euros for up to 4 SWS or 100 euros for more hours.

Preparatory courses and examinations for the DSH ("Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang") are subject to a fee. The fees for the DSH can be found in the current Ostfalia fee schedule.

The language courses of the Language Centre (ZS) are open to Ostfalia students, staff and visiting students.

Other students (members of other universities in Lower Saxony, other interested parties = guest students) can take part, provided there are places available. They must submit a guest student application.

The free German courses are generally open to international exchange students from university partnership programmes (DAAD, ERASMUS etc.) or a faculty partnership or undergraduate students at Ostfalia.

German courses that prepare for the DSH examination (DSH = Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulgang) and the DSH examination are offered to external students.

All courses are based on the European Framework of Reference for Languages. You will find the respective entry level of the course in the course description.

Language Levels: The Common European Framework of Reference (PDF, 52.71 KB) (opens in a new window), (not accessible)


Not sure exactly what language level you have?

The self-assessment grid of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (external link, opens in a new window) is helpful. For some languages, you can take the free computer-based placement test .

If there is no test for your language, the head of department responsible for the language in question will be happy to help you. You can find their responsibilities and contact details here:

French: Dr Volmer (opens your email program)

Portuguese: Mrs R. Callado (opens your email program)

Italian: Dr Volmer (opens your email program)

Spanish: Mrs R. Callado (opens your email program)

All other languages: Mrs R. Callado (opens your email program)

If you would like to receive a certificate of achievement, you must take an examination. Possible forms of examination are: Written examinations, term papers, portfolios, presentations or oral examinations.

The examination form is specified in the examination regulations:

For compulsory courses in the examination regulations of the respective faculty for which the course is offered.

For UNIcert ^{® courses} in the UNIcert ^{® examination regulations}.

For all other courses, the form of examination specified in the course announcement applies.

Many language courses at the Language Centre can be recognised by your faculty as compulsory electives if they are equivalent. Please check the modalities with the examination board of your faculty in good time.

It is often necessary to register in the EPV in order to have a language course recognised as an elective subject! Access to the study and examination administration is via the portal (external link, opens in a new window).

A two-hour course is assessed with 2.5 credit points: → 2 SWS = 2.5 LP

The assessment and recognition of credit points may vary depending on the faculty. Please contact the examination board of your faculty!