Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a charming university city located in the Neckar valley, north-west of Baden-Württemberg. Principally known for its internationally reputable university, it has attracted numerous painters, poets and scientists over the years who have all contributed to the growth of this city.

It is now one of the most beautiful cities in Germany and attracts numerous German and foreign visitors to its famous castle and beautiful surroundings. The atmosphere in this student city is particularly lively in summer when people are able to make the most of the sun and sit on one of the many terraces in the historic centre and on the river banks.

Our partner school is located in the vibrant centre of the city, in the heart of the university district, 200 metres from the river and around 1.5km from the castle. The school is well connected by public transport. There are shops, restaurants and public services all nearby the school building.

Our school welcomes students all year round from over 50 different nationalities. It has received the ISO 9001 label for the quality of teaching. All of the teachers are university qualified, offering students stimulating and creative activities enabling them to progress in various different areas of the language.

Accreditations: ISO 9001, registered exam centre for the TestDaF

Facilities include:

  • 70 high-tech classrooms (up to 85 available during the summer)
  • 3 computer rooms with 50 computers
  • WiFi network
  • Library

German classes: general information

  • Lesson length: 45 minutes
  • Maximum number of students per class: 15
  • Timetable: classes are usually held in the morning, though they could be held in the afternoon during peak season
  • Placement test: first day of classes
  • Certificate of participation at the end of your stay
  • Regular progress reports
  • Teachers are qualified and experienced to teach German as a foreign language

20 general German lessons per week

Class is held from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:15. You will develop the four basic skills of any foreign language: speaking, writing, listening and speaking.

Language level: beginners to advanced (A1 – C2)

30 lessons of German per week

The intensive programme includes the 20 general lessons + 10 additional lessons to be chosen depending on your level of German from the following topics:

  • Grammar: levels A1 – B2
  • Conversation: level B1 and higher
  • TestDaF exam preparation: level B2 and higher

Classes are held from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 12:15 and from 13:00 to 14:30

20 lessons of German per week

Our partner school is a registered language centre to hold the TestDaF for students who wish to do so. Classes take place between 09:00 and 12:15, from Monday to Friday. You will develop the necessary skills required to pass the TestDaF exam (written & oral expression + reading & listening comprehension). You will find the session start dates in the ‘Dates & Prices’ tab.

Language level required: B2

Every week the school organises cultural activities that you are very welcome to participate in, though they are not mandatory. These activities may be free or require a fee. The availability and variety of these activities depends on the time of year (up to 10 a week during the summer, 5 during the rest of the year). The school also day and weekend excursions.

Possible activities may include:

  • Guided tours to Heiligenberg, Philosophers’ Way, Bismarck Tower, castles etc.
  • Press club
  • Language cafe
  • Chess club
  • Writing workshops
  • Seminars on German history
  • Learn German with Taboo
  • Tour of Heidelberg vinyards
  • Orientation tour around the old city of Heidelberg
  • Barbecue parties on the Neckar river in July, August & September (€5)
  • Museums (€5)
  • Sports activities: football, volleyball etc (€15 for annual subscription)
  • Day excursions to Frankfurt, Strasburg, Europa-Park in Rust, The Black Forest, Luxemburg, Nuremberg, etc. (€29 – €55)

Single room, shared bathroom, breakfast (family living in zone B)

The host families are located in various parts of the city and nearby suburbs of Heidelberg. Depending on the category, the distance from the school varies: 2-30 minutes by public transport in category A, up to a maximum of 50 minutes in category B.

Homestay Zone B: the families live at a maximum of 50 minutes from the school by public transport.

Homestay Zone A: the families live between 2 and 30 minutes by public transport

Laundry: Some families ask for a fee of some euros for using the washing machine.

Refundable deposit to be payed on arrival.

Optional extras:

  • Breakfast
  • Half-board
  • Family living in zone A

Practical information

  • Bedding provided, please bring your own towels
  • Possibility of using the family’s laundry facilities once or twice a week
  • Cleaning provided in all common areas

*Double rooms are available if 2 students are travelling together

The dormitories are a popular type of accommodation among international students. The school has five dormitories with a total of over 350 rooms of various types: single and double rooms, shared apartments or small apartments.  

Our dormitories are divided into 3 categories (II, III and IV), graded by comfort and convenience.

Category II

Each room has a bed, closet, desk, chair and W-LAN, as well as a refrigerator, shower and sink.

  • Single room
  • Shower
  • Shared toilet
  • Shared kitchen
  • No meals included
  • Travel time to school: 15-25 minutes from school by public transport
  • Bed linen provided (unless otherwise indicated)

Category III

The dormitory is located directly in Heidelberg’s Old Town, about 500 meters from the school. It is only an 8-10 minute walk to the school. The residence offers small apartments with two rooms. The residents of a two-room apartment share a kitchenette and a modern bathroom with sink, shower and toilet.

  • Single room
  • 1 bathroom per apartment
  • 1 kitchenette per apartment
  • No meals included
  • Travel time to school: 8-10 minutes walk from the school
  • Bed linen provided (unless otherwise indicated)

Category IV:

Some residences are are located in the immediate vicinity of the language school, directly on Bismarckplatz.  It is only a 5-10 minute walk to the school. 

Others are located in the Old Town and Bergheim, 0.5-1.7 km from the school. Walking distance to the school is only 8-20 minutes. By public transport you can reach the school in about 8 minutes.

  • Single room
  • Private bathroom or shared (depending on the apartment)
  • Kitchenette in the room or shared pantry kitchen (depending on the apartment)
  • No meals included
  • Travel time to school: between 5-20 minutes walk from school by public transport
  • Bed linen provided (unless otherwise indicated)

Travel

Day of arrival: Sunday (between 10:00 and 00:00)

Day of departure: Saturday (before 12:00)

Arrival airport/train station:

  • Frankfurt airport (FRA): 1 hour away by shuttle bus
  • Heidelberg station
  • Mannheim station

Transfers available on request (fees apply, please see ‘Dates & Prices’ tab)

Please note: do not book your ticket before we have confirmed your place in the programme (around 4 days after payment has been made).

Dates & Prices 2022

Dates 2021

Start of the sessions for non-beginners: the courses start every Monday throughout the year. If Monday is a public holiday, the session starts on Tuesday.

Start of the sessions for complete beginners: 10/01, 07/02, 07/03, 04/04, 02/05, 07/06, 04/07, 18/07, 01/08, 15/08, 05/09, 04/10, 07/11, 05/12

Public holidays and vacations: 06/01, 15/04, 18/04, 26/05, 06/06, 16/06, 03/10, 01/11, 26/12, 19/12/2022 – 31/12/2022/06, 01/11

*Lessons can be caught up by attending one of the afternoon modules or evening classes. Students may make a written request at least one day before the holiday until 2.30 pm.

Prices 2022

Our prices include all taxes and registration fees.

WPCS 42.0.1
Course and accommodation in residence (category II), single room, no meals
Duration20 lessons30 lessons
1 week€ 510€ 545
2 weeks€ 830€ 900
3 weeks€ 1.135€ 1.240
4 weeks€ 1.430€ 1.570
6 weeks€ 1.870€ 2.110
8 weeks€ 2.450€ 2.770
12 weeks€ 3.370€ 3.790
16 weeks€ 4.450€ 5.010
20 weeks€ 4.540€ 5.440
24 weeks€ 5.130€ 5.830
32 weeks€ 6.130€ 6.970
36 weeks€ 8.130€ 9.250
Additional week€ 9.130€ 10.390
Residence Accommodation supplements (per week)
Category III residence, single room, no meals€ 85
Category IV residence, single room, no meals€ 120
Course and Homestay accommodation in zone B (30-50min), single room, breakfast
Duration20 lessons30 lessons
1 week€ 560€ 595
2 weeks€ 930€ 1.000
3 weeks€ 1.285€ 1.390
4 weeks€ 1.630€ 1.770
6 weeks€ 2.110€ 2.350
8 weeks€ 2.770€ 3.090
12 weeks€ 3.850€ 4.270
16 weeks€ 5.090€ 5.650
18 weeks€ 4.990€ 6.160
20 weeks€ 6.030€ 6.730
24 weeks€ 7.210€ 8.050
32 weeks€ 9.570€ 10.690
36 weeks€ 10.750€ 12.010
Additional week€ 290€ 325
Homestay Supplements (per week)
Homestay half-board zone B€ 30
Homestay zone A (20-30 min) single room, breakfast€ 50
Homestay zone A (20-30 min) single room, half board€ 100
Transfers (per trip)
Transfer from Heidelberg station€ 50
Frankfurt airport transfer (collective)€ 95
Mannheim train station transfer€ 95
Supplements
Books (payable locally)35-60€
Residence and host family deposit€ 150
UM supplement (per transfer)€ 100

Prices include:

  • Course program of choice
  • Accommodation as chosen
  • Student ID, certificate of completion, Heidelberg information folder

Prices do not include:

  • Trip to/from Heidelberg & transfers
  • Books (35-60€ according the level) or 8€ for borrowing them (with a deposit equal to the price of the books)
  • Exam fees (if any)
  • Refundable deposit for the residence or homestay accommodation (150€ payable locally)