German as a Foreign Language
with additional subject-specific psychology materials
As part of the DAAD and BMFTR campus initiative to promote international specialists, the IPU Berlin will be offering courses in German as a foreign language with additional subject-specific psychology materials since the winter semester 2024/25 to acquire the language skills of course levels B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The courses comprise 160 lessons of 45 minutes each with a total of 10 to 12 lessons per week. Thanks to generous funding from the DAAD and the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the course fee is significantly reduced until 2028: Instead of €800, participants pay only €110 including course materials. The courses in the winter semester usually run from mid-October to mid-February, while the courses in the summer semester take place from the beginning of April to mid-July. The courses end with a voluntary internal IPU exam, which is based on either the Goethe or telc Certificate exams and prepares students for them, but is only recognized by the IPU. At the end of the course, a certificate of attendance can be requested if a minimum attendance of 70% has been achieved.
The aim of the course is to enable those who wish to study psychology in Germany or are already studying in Germany to gain access to the language requirements for studying clinical psychology and psychotherapy in German and to integrate some technical language elements at an early stage. Successful completion of all four examination modules B2 Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking counts as admission to the C1 course at IPU Berlin. If the C1 course is completed with at least 70% in all modules, this is considered proof of language proficiency for admission to the psychology course at IPU Berlin. As a prerequisite for booking the course, an official, internationally recognised certificate of the previous language level and either the university entrance qualification for Germany or a certificate of enrolment must be presented.
Participation fees:
€110 per course including teaching materials
Registration:
- Course start: April 13, 2026
- Course end: July 24, 2026
- Pentecost break: May 25, 2026 – May 29, 2026
Target Group
Prospective and current psychology students from around the world.
Registration
The course is limited to a maximum of 18 participants. Registration is only considered complete once the application has been correctly filled out and the required documents have been submitted.
If the course fee is not credited to the IPU bank account within 14 days of the invoice being issued, IPU reserves the right to cancel the registration.
Participation is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Preference will generally be given to applicants with a clear and explicit interest in studying psychology.
Formal Requirements
- An official, internationally recognized B1 certificate (CEFR)
- University entrance qualification for Germany or a certificate of enrollment (Germany or abroad)
- A short letter of motivation
Technical Requirements
To participate in the course, you will need:
- A PC or laptop
- A webcam (must remain switched on during the entire class)
- A microphone
- A stable internet connection
Here you will also find further information on technical issues relating to the allango platform: Technical Questions – Ernst Klett Sprachen Help Center (klett-sprachen.de)
You will learn: to understand the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, to follow light professional discourse in the field of psychology, to communicate spontaneously and fluently so that a normal conversation with native speakers is easily possible without major effort on either side, to express yourself clearly and in detail on a wide range of topics, to explain a point of view on a topical issue and to state the advantages and disadvantages of various options
The course materials include:
- Digital version of allango „Kontext Deutsch als Fremdsprache“ B2
- Excerpts from various areas of psychology
- Further accompanying materials
What does a successfully passed exam entitle me to?
The exam is only valid within the IPU. Successful completion of all four examination modules B2 Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking with at least 70% counts as admission to the C1 course at IPU Berlin.
Is it possible to retake individual parts of the exam?
Yes, it is possible to retake the exam in the following academic year as part of the next course.
Course participation can be canceled free of charge up to 14 days before the start of the course. In the event of a later cancellation, the participation fee will not be refunded.
To be announced
- Course start: April 13, 2026
- Course end: July 24, 2026
- Pentecost break: May 25, 2026 – May 29, 2026
Target Group
Prospective and current psychology students from around the world.
Registration
The course is limited to a maximum of 18 participants. Registration is only considered complete once the application has been correctly filled out and the required documents have been submitted.
If the course fee is not credited to the IPU bank account within 14 days of the invoice being issued, IPU reserves the right to cancel the registration.
Participation is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Preference will generally be given to applicants with a clear and explicit interest in studying psychology.
Formal Requirements
- An official, internationally recognized B2 certificate (CEFR)
- University entrance qualification for Germany or a certificate of enrollment (Germany or abroad)
- A short letter of motivation
Technical Requirements
To participate in the course, you will need:
- A PC or laptop
- A webcam (must remain switched on during the entire class)
- A microphone
- A stable internet connection
Here you will also find further information on technical issues relating to the allango platform: Technical Questions – Ernst Klett Sprachen Help Center (klett-sprachen.de)
You will learn to use the German language effectively and flexibly in public, academic and professional life. You will acquire the ability to understand a wide range of demanding and longer texts on unfamiliar topics and to grasp implicit meanings. You will also be able to write clearly structured and detailed texts on complex topics. Finally, you will learn to express yourself spontaneously and fluently and to argue a position convincingly.
The course materials include:
- Digital version of allango „Kontext Deutsch als Fremdsprache“ C1
- Excerpts from various areas of psychology
- Further accompanying materials
What does a successfully passed exam entitle me to?
The exam is only valid within the IPU. Successful completion of all four examination modules B2 Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking with at least 70% counts proof of language proficiency for admission to the psychology course at IPU Berlin.
Is it possible to retake individual parts of the exam?
Yes, it is possible to retake the exam either in July of the following year or in the following academic year as part of the next course.
Course participation can be canceled free of charge up to 14 days before the start of the course. In the event of a later cancellation, the participation fee will not be refunded.
To be announced
