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German as a foreign language

Course enrolment

You are refugee and want to learn German at FH JOANNEUM?

If you can provide evidence that you have been enrolled in a university or another institute of tertiary education, you can apply for a German course!
Please read the information at the end of this page!

Registration deadline for the Intensive courses in September 2026

Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Registration deadline for semester courses in winter term 2026/27

Friday, 2 October 2026

Contact

German as a Foreign Language
International Relations
E: daf@fh-joanneum.at
T: +43 316 5453 – 8852

The German course offer, which has been available for all degree programmes since summer term 2005, guaranteed already over 4000 exchange students, international degree seeking students, staff and since automne 2015 also asylum seekers (providing evidence that they have been enrolled in a university or another institute of tertiary education) free participation in one or more courses. Please note that course places are allocated according to the first come, first served principle.

German Courses at FH JOANNEUM

The semester for German as a Foreign Language at FH JOANNEUM begins in September and February with a three-week intensive course, which is offered as part of the orientation package for exchange students. Regular students, FH JOANNEUM employees, and external participants can also take part. The German course offerings at CAMPUS LinguaNEUM for the winter semester 2026/27 will again include grammar courses, competence courses (writing, reading/listening, speaking), and specialized courses (e.g., Business German, German in Nursing). All courses at every location will start on 5 October 2026.

Course fees for language courses are as follows:

  • FH JOANNEUM students and employees: Free of charge
  • Family members of the above groups:
    • Course with 2 SWS: €220 (including material costs)
    • Course with 4 SWS: €370 (including material costs)

Registration for all courses will be exclusively online starting 14 September 2026.

 REGISTRATION

 

If you wish to participate in a German course free of charge, you must provide proof during the online course registration ([Registration for the German courses – Refugees | FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH](HIER: Registration for the German courses – Refugees | FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH)) that you were previously enrolled at a university in your home country. After completing your registration, you will receive a confirmation email along with a link to the mandatory online placement test. Once you have registered and completed the online test, you will be invited to a mandatory in-person interview.

Please note that course availability is limited. Final course placement confirmation will be sent via email after online registration for your desired courses.

Please also note that in-person registration at our International Offices is NOT possible. For any further questions, please contact daf@fh-joanneum.at.

Deadlines

  • 9 August: For intensive courses in September 2026
  • 13 September: For semester courses in the winter semester 2026/27

REGISTRATION

 

If you are interested in one of our German courses, please contact daf@fh-joanneum.at. We will be happy to advise you.

The course fees for semester language courses are as follows:

  • 30 units of 45 minutes each (2 SWS) / 60 units of 45 minutes each (4 SWS):
    • External participants: €250 (€400 for 4 SWS), including course materials
    • Partners/family members of FH JOANNEUM students and employees (minimum age 18): €220 (€370 for 4 SWS), including course materials
    • FH JOANNEUM alumni: €220 (€370 for 4 SWS), including course materials
    • Intensive courses (60 units of 45 minutes, 4 SWS): €370, including course materials

Registration Deadlines:

  • 9 August: For intensive courses in September 2026
  • 13 September: For semester courses in the winter semester 2026/27

The specialist language courses for health care and nursing are aimed at students and graduates of the Health Care and Nursing degree programme, as well as individuals with completed training or a degree in healthcare and nursing. These courses specifically promote oral and written language skills for everyday nursing practice, with a focus on expanding specialist vocabulary and grammar, and are perfectly tailored to the linguistic demands of the profession.

Courses offered in the 2026/27 winter semester:

  • Language Mentoring for Healthcare and Nursing 1 (MGK 1)
    90 units of 45 minutes each, 6 SWS
    (Registration exclusively for regular students of the Health Care and Nursing programme in their 1st semester, from 11.09 to 13.09.)
  • Language Mentoring for Healthcare and Nursing 2 (MGK 2)
    90 units of 45 minutes each, 6 SWS
    (Registration exclusively for regular students of the Health Care and Nursing programme in their 2nd semester, from 11.09 to 13.09.)
  • Theory in Healthcare and Nursing (B2+) (TGK)
    30 units of 45 minutes each, 2 SWS
    (Registration from 11.09 to 01.10, exclusively for Health Care and Nursing students in their 3rd–6th semester or individuals with completed training/a degree in Health Care and Nursing.)
  • Practice in Healthcare and Nursing (B2+) (PGK)
    30 units of 45 minutes each, 2 SWS
    (Registration from 11.09 to 01.10, exclusively for Health Care and Nursing students in their 3rd–6th semester or individuals with completed training/a degree in Health Care and Nursing.)

Course fees:

  • Students and employees of FH JOANNEUM: Free (€20 for teaching materials)
  • Graduates of FH JOANNEUM: TGK & PGK – €220 (including teaching materials)
  • External participants: TGK & PGK – €250 (including teaching materials)

Start dates:

  • Language Mentoring for Health Care and Nursing 1 & 2 (MGK 1 & 2): 14.09.2026
  • Theory and Practice in Health Care and Nursing (B2+) (TGK & PGK): 05.10.2026

REGISTRATION

 

The “Studienvorbereitung Deutsch” certificate programme prepares non-native German speakers with at least B1-level German skills for studies at FH JOANNEUM. You will complete the programme with a certificate and the ÖSD “Zertifikat Deutsch B2” exam, thus fulfilling the language requirements for most bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes.

Our focus is not only on your academic language development but also on familiarising you with your future university during the certificate programme. This includes intensive contact with your chosen degree programme and getting to know all relevant FH services that will support you during your studies.

Application period: From November 2026 to 27 April 2027, exclusively online at:
https://www.fh-joanneum.at/studium/online-bewerbung/

> For more information, visit the “Studienvorbereitung Deutsch” certificate programme page.

Assistance with course registration by location:

I am an exchange student (starting next semester):
If you are a complete beginner with no German knowledge, you can attend the Grundstufe 1 (A1/1) and Tandem+ courses. You must register online for these courses on 29 September 2026. During registration, you will pay €20.00 for the course book Miteinander! A1/1.

I have attended the Intensive Course A1/1:
If you have successfully passed the A1/1 intensive course exam, you can attend the Grundstufe 2 (A1/2) courses. You must register online for these. During registration, you will pay €20.00 for the course book Miteinander! A1/2.

I am neither a beginner nor have I attended the intensive course:
If you have already learned some German (even just a few hours), you must take the ÖSD online placement test. You can then register for a basic course that matches your level. The German as a Foreign Language team will explain the course system during the online registration on 29 September 2026. However, you can also read the course descriptions online now. During registration, you will pay €20.00 per course for the course materials.

I am an exchange student (already in the last semester / in previous semesters):

Registration for all exchange students who have already attended one or more German courses in the last semester(s) will take place exclusively online at https://fhj.to/germancourseregistration-winter from 14 September 2026 to 2 October 2026. If you successfully completed the courses from the previous semester, you can attend the respective follow-up courses of the basic courses. If you have any questions, please contact daf@fh-joanneum.at. All German courses are free of charge, but you must pay a fee of €20 per course for teaching materials and/or the course book.

I am an international regular student at FH JOANNEUM:
Registration for German courses will take place exclusively online at https://fhj.to/germancourseregistration-winter from 14 September 2026 to 2 October 2026. If you successfully completed the courses from the previous semester, you can attend the respective follow-up courses of the basic courses. If you have any questions, please contact daf@fh-joanneum.at. All German courses for international regular students are free of charge, but you must pay a fee of €20 per course for teaching materials and/or the course book.

I am an employee at FH JOANNEUM:
Registration will take place online at https://forms.fh-joanneum.at/int/german-courses-students-staff-fhj-winter/ from 14 September 2026 to 2 October 2026. If you successfully completed the courses from the previous semester, you can attend the respective follow-up courses of the basic courses (e.g., Grundstufe 3 (A2/1) in the winter semester and Grundstufe 4 (A2/2) in the summer semester). If you have any questions, please contact daf@fh-joanneum.at. All German courses are free of charge for employees, but you must pay €20 for teaching materials and/or the course book.

General Information for Graz:

  • It is not possible to switch courses two weeks after the start date.
  • For parallel courses, changing to another course at the same level is not permitted.
  • If you are absent for the first two weeks of the course, your place will be forfeited, and individuals on the waiting list may take your spot.
  • If a course is discontinued, course books or materials already purchased cannot be exchanged, unless they are unused and in good condition.
  • All German semester courses are ECTS courses. To pass, 80% attendance is mandatory, and homework, exams, etc., must be completed. Exceptions apply to students whose degree programme schedules conflict with course times (this does not apply to GBP students). Missed hours must be compensated for with additional assignments. If students do not need ECTS credits, they must notify daf@fh-joanneum.at via email.

Courses in Graz will begin in the week of 5 October 2026.

Exchange students, international regular students, as well as employees and their partners:

In the winter semester 2026/27, the International Relations Department will again offer German courses in Kapfenberg. The course offerings depend on the number of participants and will be announced on Welcome Day.

Registration for all courses in Kapfenberg for the aforementioned target groups will take place online from 14 September 2026 to 2 October 2026. The number of course places is limited.

Courses in Kapfenberg will begin in the week of 5 October 2026.

Register here: https://fhj.to/germancourseregistration-winter

General Information for Kapfenberg:

All courses are free of charge for students and employees and are ECTS courses. A fee of €20.00 per course will be charged for the course book or materials. Partners of employees and students will pay €220 per course (2 SWS, 30 units) or €370 (4 SWS, 60 units), including course materials.

All students, employees, and partners may also attend courses in Graz, provided that the same course is not offered locally or if attending the course in Kapfenberg is not possible due to other chosen classes. It is not permitted to attend the same course (e.g., Grundstufe 1 (A1/1)) in both Kapfenberg and Graz!

Exchange students, international regular students, employees, and their family members:

Registration for all courses in Bad Gleichenberg for the aforementioned target groups will take place on Welcome Day, 28 September 2026. The number of course places is limited.

All courses are free of charge for students and employees and are ECTS courses. A fee of €20.00 per course will be charged for the course book or materials. Partners of employees and students will pay €220 per course (2 SWS, 30 units) or €370 (4 SWS, 60 units), including course materials.

General Information for Bad Gleichenberg:

Course changes are only possible in cases of incorrect placement, scheduling conflicts with other courses, and only within the first two weeks after the course starts!

Note

For all German courses there is a minimum number of course registrations and a maximum group size of 20 participants. If the maximum group size is exceeded, you will automatically be placed on the waiting list and notified after the registration deadline. In the case of group splits, it is not possible to choose the group.

Tip

Registrations or level changes for semester courses are only possible in certain cases and if so the latest two weeks after course start!

REGISTRATION
Infosheet German as a Foreign Language for Refugees
1 MB PDF
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