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Language Courses & Further Education Offered by the International Office

Studentin lernt in der Bibliothek der FH Potsdam

University of Applied Sciences Potsdam strengthens the intercultural and linguistic competence of staff, teachers and students by offering language courses and further education. In this way, it contributes to a cosmopolitan university culture.

All offers at a glance

Language courses

Further education

Further training for staff

Certificates

News & Events

News, current offers and events at the International Office

Our language courses & offers for FHP students

Dealing with cultural diversity and language skills plays an important role in studies. Our university offers students the opportunity to acquire these skills directly at their own university.

We offer the following DaF (German as a foreign language) courses for international students in the summer semester 2024. 

German as a foreign language course for beginners

  • No previous knowledge required
  • Mondays 2.15 pm - 4.45 pm and Wednesdays 2.15 pm - 4.45 pm
  • Format: On campus
  • Start: 15/04/2024 – 18/07/2024
  • 5 ECTS (or 2 ECTS if you attend only once a week)
  • Registration

German conversation course "Deutsch für den Alltag"

  • Prerequisite: A1 level of German (or higher)
  • Wednesdays 10.15 am - 12.45 pm
  • Format: On campus
  • Start: 17/04/2024 – 17/07/2024
  • 3 ECTS
  • Registration

Questions? international@fh-potsdam.de

The Volkshochschule im Bildungsforum (VHS) Potsdam offers language courses for students in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (FHP).

The offers are separately funded by the FHP. FHP students who successfully complete the course (85% attendance required) can apply for a grant towards the course fees from the International Office of the FHP. The subsidy currently amounts to 50% of the course fees.

The language courses are recognised as study achievements within the framework of the FLEX module "Foreign Languages". Upon completion of the course, all students receive a qualified certificate of attendance.

English Refresher B1/B2 (F24-4A381)

  • 10/04/2024 – 24/07/2024
  • Wed, 3.30 pm - 6.45 pm
  • Cost: 247.00 Euro / 211.00 Euro (reduced)

Spanish A2 (F24-4D281)

  • 10/04/2024 –24/07/2024
  • Wed, 3.30 pm - 6.45 pm
  • Costs: 247.00 Euro / 211.00 Euro (reduced)

Italian A2 (F24-4C281)

  • 09/04/2024 – 16/07/2024
  • Tue, 3.30 pm - 6.45 pm
  • Costs: 247.00 Euro / 211.00 Euro (reduced)

German C1+/C2 (F24-4W515)

  • 10/04/2024 – 24/07/2024
  • Wed, 3.30 pm - 6.45 pm
  • Costs 247.00 Euro / 211.00 Euro (reduced)

Please register directly with the Volkshochschule Potsdam.

The Zessko of the University of Potsdam offers language cafés in Spanish, French and English as well as for German as a foreign language (DaF) - and brand new from 01.01.2024 also for Arabic.

What is a language café?
Students who are enthusiastic about languages have the opportunity to discuss language and cultural topics in a relaxed and informal atmosphere in their free time. Tutors of native-speaker level will be there to co-ordinate the events. Participants are encouraged to actively contribute to the sessions and have their say in planning future topics and activities. Emphasis is placed primarily on conversation - language and culture should be experienced and discussed together.

There is a weekly 60-minute online or face-to-face language café in each language. Students of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam are welcome to attend both the face-to-face meetings and the online cafés.

Interested? Further information, dates and the link to register can be found on the language café website

Contact: Steffen Skowronek

Our language courses & further education for FHP employees

Dealing with cultural diversity and language skills play an important role in teaching as well as in university administration and in advising international students. The International Office offers staff the opportunity to receive further training directly at the university.

We currently offer two English courses free of charge for university staff. Participation in the English courses counts as working time.

If you have any questions, please contact: international@fh-potsdam.de.
Registration for the courses is via Calenso.

Englisch A2

  • Period: 11/04/2024 - 04/07/2024
  • Tue, 10.00 am - 11.30 am
  • Format: Online
  • Teacher: Maya Wächter

English B1

  • Period: 09/04/2024 - 02/07/2024
  • Tue, 1.00 pm - 2.30 pm
  • Format: Online
  • Teacher: Maya Wächter

English B2

  • Period: 09/04/2024 - 02/07/2024
  • Tue, 10.00 am - 11.30 am
  • Format: Online
  • Teacher: Maya Wächter

The Erasmus+ Staff Mobility - Staff Training (STT) programme enables higher education staff to take part in further education or training in another European country. Funding is available for activities at European universities and institutions, for activities such as language courses, international staff weeks or work shadowing. Such a stay abroad counts towards the Certificate of International Competence.

The training abroad takes place during your working hours. You will receive funding from the International Office consisting of a daily allowance (140 - 180 euros per day) and a travel allowance (amount depends on country and distance).

Information on the exact procedure and application forms can be found on the Erasmus+ website.

Officially recognised language examinations (telc) at the Volkshochschule Potsdam

Official proof of language skills opens doors in some life situations. With such a certificate, you can prove your language level according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

In cooperation with the Brandenburg Adult Education Association (BVV), the Volkshochschule Potsdam offers officially recognised telc language examinations from telc gGmbH.

The language examinations take place as hybrid examinations. This means that the written part is conducted in person at the VHS Potsdam. The oral part takes place digitally, i.e. examiners and candidates meet in an online conference room, whereby the candidates connect to the online examination room from the VHS Potsdam.

VHS Potsdam also offers online preparation courses for the individual exams. Here you will develop strategies that will help you to work through the exam tasks confidently and to be well prepared for the exam. The preparation courses take place as online courses. Of course, the preparation course and exam can also be booked individually.

Certificate of International Competence

As part of its strategic internationalisation, the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam would like to promote the international competencies of its employees and certify them with a certificate that can be obtained by both academic and non-academic employees. The International Office will draw up an individual implementation plan with you on the way to your certificate and will make its own offers within the scope of financial possibilities. The certificate will be awarded by the Human Resources Department upon successful completion of all sections.

If you are interested in acquiring the Certificate of International Competence, please contact international@fh-potsdam.de.

  • Your path to the Certificate of International Competence

    Three steps to the Certificate of International Competence.

  • 1. Command of language skills in a UN language at B2 level

    • Proof of B2 level in English or another official language of the UN (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).
    • Possible proof: a completed language course at B2 level or a language test
    • Proof not older than 2 years

  • 2. Completion of a professionally relevant stay abroad or the supervision of international guests at the FH Potsdam

    In a professional context (no language course, no holiday), e.g. Erasmus Staff Exchange

    • professionally relevant further training, job shadowing, individual programme at a partner university
    • Duration: min. 5 days

    or

    Support for foreign guests (guest lecturers)

    • Support in dealing with authorities (translation, etc.), tips for everyday life (shopping, public transport, sim card, bank account, etc.), introduction to campus life (campus tour, campus card, Wifi, etc.)
    • in coordination with the International Office
    • min. 5 dates

  • 3. Theoretical examination of the topic of intercultural competence within the framework of a workshop or a training course

    • Participation in a workshop on the topic of intercultural competence (or comparable content).
    • Duration: 1 day

  • You do not completely fulfil one of the criteria?

    If you do not fully meet the criteria, you can compensate for one of the three areas with an additional training course of at least two days in the area of international/intercultural competence (for example, from the DAAD International Academy)*.


    *The minimum requirement for compensation in the area of language skills is a B1 level in a UN language. The minimum requirement for compensation in the area of stay abroad is three days abroad, or three days supervising foreign guests.

Contact

International Office

international@fh-potsdam.de
House D
Room 110

Book appointment online