Semester Courses
Here you will find information about our language courses in the winter and summer semesters, as well as details on registration and withdrawal, placement tests, course certificates and other organisational matters.
General Information
The Language Centre of the University of Innsbruck currently offers the following languages:
Arabic, Chinese, German as a Foreign Language, English, French, Sign Language, Italian, Ivrit (Modern Hebrew), Japanese, Korean, Latin, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish and Spanish.
The current range of courses may vary depending on the semester.
Most of the courses are taught face-to-face. Some courses are offered online.
Anyone aged 17 or over is welcome to attend the Language Centre's courses. You do not need to be a student or an employee at the University of Innsbruck
The courses last one semester and usually take place weekly.
- Winter semester: October to the end of January
- Summer semester: March to the end of June
Public holidays and school holidays are excluded from the course dates.
One lesson/teaching unit lasts 45 minutes.
Yes. The Language Centre offers Preparation Courses for the Supplementary Latin Exam. These are designed to help you prepare for the Supplementary or the Additional Latin Exam whilst you are studying.
The course is primarily aimed at law students and is designed to provide targeted preparation for the Supplementary Exam Latin for Law Students.
The course covers the fundamentals of Latin morphology and syntax, as well as the translation of specialist legal texts.
In addition, Latin terms and phrases from legal terminology are covered.
The content is tailored to the requirements of the Roman Private Law examination.
Yes. In addition to the lessons, you should expect to spend around two hours a week on self-study, homework and revision.
Yes, that is possible. Please note, however, that the course content is specifically aimed at law students and is designed to prepare them for the Supplementary Exam Latin for Law Students.
The courses focus on listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Yes. The Language Centre regularly offers conversation courses in German as a foreign language and in English. Conversation classes in other languages are held from time to time.
In the Intercultural 1x1 courses, you will gain an insight into social values and typical social customs and behaviours in different cultural contexts – always in comparison with German-speaking countries.
The aim of the courses is to develop a deeper understanding of other cultures and to avoid cultural misunderstandings in everyday life and during your studies.
Language teaching at the Language Centre is based on clearly defined quality and teaching standards. The key features are:
Teaching approach
- Standardised and transparent learning objectives and content
- Research-based foreign language teaching
- Alignment with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Balanced development of the four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking
Teaching approach
- Authentic and real-life communication situations
- Interactive lessons with active participation from learners
- Teaching methods tailored to specific learner groups
- Teaching of cultural contexts as an integral part of language teaching
Performance & Quality
- Competent instructors
- Steep learning progress with high learning standards
- Transparent course requirements and comprehensible assessment
- An exam culture based on constructive feedback
The courses at the Language Centre are taught by dedicated, academically qualified instructors with several years’ teaching experience and a high level of teaching expertise.
Yes. You can contact your course instructor directly by e-mail. You can find the contact details on our website.
Group sizes are limited to encourage active participation and provide individual support:
- General language courses: maximum 23 participants
- Conversation courses: maximum 20 participants
Yes. Our courses run with a minimum of eleven participants.
Our courses are aimed at adults and are specifically tailored to the needs of experienced adult learners.
They are characterised by high academic standards and a rapid pace of learning.
The workload for our courses is based on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
The weekly study load is determined by the number of ECTS credits and includes both contact hours and self-study. The number of ECTS credits for each course is listed directly on the course page.
It consists in particular of:
- Class attendance
- Preparation and follow-up work on the course content
- Completing assignments and exercises
- Independent study (e.g., vocabulary, listening and reading comprehension)
A detailed overview of the workload for each course (ECTS credits) can be found here:
Yes. Homework is usually set.
For the online courses, we use the OpenOlat learning management system and the BigBlueButton web conferencing system as a virtual classroom.
Participants will receive information on how to get started with OpenOlat and BigBlueButton as part of the registration process.
To take part in online lessons, you will need:
- A stable broadband internet connection
- A standard device (PC or Mac, laptop, tablet or smartphone)
- A headset (headphones with a microphone)
- A webcam
This equipment enables you to communicate actively with the course instructor and the other participants.
Yes. Systematic quality assurance is a key priority for the Language Centre and plays a significant role in ensuring high levels of participant satisfaction.
This is underpinned by binding guidelines, the implementation of which is regularly reviewed.
This includes, amongst other things, regular course evaluations, in which participants’ feedback is specifically incorporated into the further development of the course programme.
Our language courses are based on the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
For a more precise gradation, we have further subdivided the individual reference levels into ‘Plus’ levels.
By the end of a course, you should have reached the language level indicated in brackets in the course title.
For conversation courses, the respective starting level is stated.
Structure of the language courses
Basic levels - elementary language use
Levels: partly A1, A1, A1+, A2, A2+
Basic levels- Improvement levels - independent language use
Levels: B1, B1+, B2, B2+
Improvement levels - Qualification levels - competent language use
Levels: C1, C1+, C2
Qualification levels
There are several ways to find the right course level for you:
1. Online placement test
During the registration period, we offer online placement tests for the following languages:
German as a foreign language, English, Italian, Frenchand Spanish.
The tests cover reading comprehension, listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary, and are structured progressively.
Once you have submitted the test, you will receive an automatic assessment and a course recommendation.
2. Course descriptions
The relevant course description will also help you make your choice.
Pay particular attention to the learning content and learning objectives listed in the course details.
These are based on the descriptions in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
3. Self-assessment
Checklists are also available to help you self-assess your language skills.
- Checklist levels partly A1 and A1
- Checklist levels A1+ and A2
- Checklist levels A2+ and B1
- Checklist levels B1+ and B2
- Checklist levels B2+ and C1
- Checklist levels C1+ and C2
Yes. We offer courses for beginners with no prior knowledge in every language and every term.
That depends on your prior knowledge. We therefore recommend taking a placement test before you register. This will help you determine the right course level for you.
No. The online placement test is not a prerequisite for taking the course. However, it will help you find the right course level.
We recommend that you do not skip any levels, as our courses are designed to build on one another and cover coordinated learning content.
If you already have some prior knowledge, we recommend taking an online placement test. This will help you find the right course level. If there is no placement test available for the language you’re interested in, you can assess your own knowledge using the checklists
We do not currently offer specific refresher courses for individual levels.
The regular courses are also well suited for those returning to the language.
You can find information about the textbooks used in the course details for each course.
No. The textbooks are not included in the course fees and must be purchased separately.
The textbooks are available at Studia (Innrain 52f, 6020 Innsbruck) or at any bookshop.
Please make sure you have the textbooks before the first lesson so that you can follow along from the start.
Some courses do not use a textbook. In such cases, the course instructor will provide the necessary course materials.
Course Requirements for Language Courses
All language courses (online and face-to-face) include a final test.
The following skills are tested and assessed:
- Listening comprehension
- Reading comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking (participation in conversations)
All four skills are weighted equally.
The assessment is based on the relevant course content, which is described in the course programme under “Dates and Course Content”.
To pass, each component must be passed. This means that a minimum of 60 per cent must be achieved in each area.
To receive a certificate of achievement, a minimum of 80 per cent attendance in class is also required.
In the conversation courses, there is an oral exam in the form of dialogues. This assesses and evaluates students’ oral production and oral interaction.
In the writing courses, students’ written work is assessed in a test at the end of the semester.
The main assessment criteria are task completion, text structure, vocabulary and lexical accuracy.
The following academic requirements must be met in the German language courses for incoming students (Erasmus and Joint Study students):
- Homework
- Three assignments (final draft)
- Presentation
- Written paper
- Midterm test (testing of writing, listening and reading comprehension)
- Final test (testing of writing, listening and reading comprehension and speaking/dialogues)
There are no exams for our short online formats with 3-4 course dates.
If you attend at least 70 per cent of the online lessons, we will issue a certificate of attendance upon request.
No. The exam date is set by the course instructor for the entire group.
It is therefore not possible to resit the exam or individual parts of it on a different date.
No. It is not possible to retake the exam or individual parts of it.
You must take the final test if you need a course certificate or ECTS credits.
Furthermore, the final test is not only used to assess your performance, but also provides you with valuable feedback on your learning progress.
Yes. Standardised assessment criteria apply to the final exam in all language courses. These ensure that performance is assessed in a comparable, consistent and transparent manner.
The Language Centre’s examination culture is also understood as a feedback culture. Standardised assessment criteria form the basis for individual feedback on specific areas and thus provide targeted support for your personal learning process.
The procedure, duration and composition of the final mark vary depending on the course format. A distinction is made between general language courses, conversation courses, writing courses, and German courses for Erasmus and Joint Study students.
Final exam - procedure, duration and composition of the final mark
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System.
ECTS credits are a unit of measurement for academic achievement used throughout Europe (and beyond), and they facilitate the recognition of credits both at home and abroad.
They provide an indication of the amount of work required to successfully complete a lecture or course.
The number of ECTS credits depends on the course workload (hours per week).
You can find out how many ECTS credits you will receive for your specific language course in the course programme, under ‘Dates and Course Content’ in the relevant course details.
You can find a guide to the weekly time commitment and ECTS allocation in the following overview.
No. There are no exams scheduled for the short online courses comprising 3-4 sessions, and therefore no ECTS credits are awarded.
The decision on whether to accredit ECTS credits is made by the relevant programme director at your university or institution.
Please check with them to see whether certificates from the Language Centre are recognised.
The following requirements must be met in order to receive a course certificate:
Face-to-face courses and regular online-courses
- At least 80 per cent attendance
- Fulfilment of performance requirements, e.g., passing the final test
Short online courses with 3–4 sessions
- No exams are scheduled; therefore, no certificate will be issued
- If attendance is at least 70 per cent, we will issue a certificate of attendance on request.
Students of the University of Innsbruck can access and print their certificate directly via LFU:online.
External participants and staff of the University of Innsbruck will receive their certificate in digital form by e-mail.
The decision on whether to recognise your certificate rests with the institution to which you wish to submit the document. Please check with them in advance to find out whether they recognise it.
Yes. We would be happy to issue you with a duplicate.
Please contact us by e-mail.
Yes. We would be happy to issue a certificate of attendance.
This is subject to a minimum attendance rate of 70 per cent in class.
Please contact us by e-mail.
No. Attendance is not mandatory.
Please note, however, that you will only receive a course certificate if you attend at least 80 per cent of the sessions and meet the course requirements (e.g., final test).
This applies to both face-to-face courses and online courses.
Don’t worry. Simply come to the course at the earliest opportunity and catch up on the missed material on your own.
Please note that you will only receive a course certificate if you attend at least 80 per cent of the sessions and meet the course requirements (e.g., final test).
This applies to both face-to-face courses and online courses.
Yes. If you have attended at least 70 per cent of the course, you will receive a certificate of attendance, even if you do not take the final test.
This applies to both face-to-face courses and online courses.
Course Registration and Deregistration, General Terms and Conditions
The course programme for the winter semester will be published on our website at the beginning of July.
The course programme for the summer semester will be available online from the end of January.
You can find the exact registration deadlines directly in the Course programme. Here is an overview:
- Registration opens (from 09:00):
- Winter semester: 2nd Monday in September
- Summer semester: 2nd Monday in February
- Registration closes: Always at 12:00 (noon) on the Thursday before the course starts
Late registration
Courses that have reached the minimum number of participants and still have places available will be reopened. In these cases, you can register up to two weeks after the course has started.
As places are limited, we recommend registering early, right at the start of the registration period.
You can register online or in person at the Language Centre office.
You can book your language course at the Language Centre online via the Course programme and pay directly.
Payment can be made by credit card, online banking or PayPal.
- Students and employees of the University of Innsbruck
log in with their user name and e-mail password. - External language learners
must register once at LFU:online before using the online registration and payment system.
To register in person, please bring a completed registration form with you.
You can pay the course fee in cash, by debit card or credit card.
Online registration
If you register online, you will automatically receive a confirmation of registration and payment as soon as the course fee has been paid.
Registration at the course office
If you register in person at the course office, you will receive your confirmation of registration and payment on the spot.
Registration for the “German for Incoming Students” courses takes place via LFU:online. You can submit a registration request directly for the course of your choice.
To do this, you will need your University of Innsbruck username and your e-mail password. You can then check on LFU:online to see whether your registration was successful and has been confirmed.
Please note: These courses are reserved exclusively for students on Erasmus or designated Joint Study programmes.
Registration is done via LFU:online using your username and e-mail password. You can submit a registration request directly for the course. You can then check on LFU:online to see whether your registration was successful and has been confirmed.
The course is reserved exclusively for students from South Tyrol. It is only ever offered in the winter semester.
The Preparation Course for the Latin Supplementary Exam for students from South Tyrol is funded by the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol and is free of charge for students from South Tyrol.
The Faculty of Technical Sciences will cover the costs of language courses up to 2 hours per week during the semester under certain conditions. For courses with more than two hours per week, students are required to cover the difference themselves.
You can find out whether you meet the requirements by contacting the College Service Centre at the Campus Technik directly.
You can register in person at the Language Centre’s course office. There, you can pay for your course using your language course voucher.
Alternatively, you can register online by paying the course fee. Please e-mail us your language course voucher and your bank details as soon as possible. We will then refund you the amount the equivalent of 2 hours per week.
For students of the Institute for Comparative Literature the Philological Faculty will cover the costs of language courses under certain conditions. You can find out whether you meet the requirements by contacting the Institute for Comparative Literature directly.
Institute for Comparative Literature
You can register in person at the Language Centre’s course office. There, you can pay for your course using your language course voucher.
Alternatively, you can register online by paying the course fee. Please e-mail us your language course voucher and your bank details as soon as possible. We will then refund the amount to you.
Registration for the English courses for Medical Students is done via the Medical University of Innsbruck’s “i-med inside” platform.
Please note:
The courses are reserved exclusively for students of the Medical University of Innsbruck.
They are funded by the Medical University of Innsbruck and are free of charge for its students.
Places on the course are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis.
There is no waiting list.
Should a place become available, this will be shown on our website. In that case, you can register directly.
Once you have registered, you will receive an e-mail containing all the information you need to access OpenOlat (the learning management system) and the virtual classroom BigBlueButton.
The General Terms and Conditions (GTC) are available for download here.
The Language Center offers three fees:
- Fee 1
For students of the University of Innsbruck - Fee 2
For employees of the University of Innsbruck - Fee 3
For all others interested in taking language courses
The course fees are listed in the course programme for each individual course.
The course fee is due at the time of registration.
Online Registration
When registering online, you pay the course fee directly during the registration process via credit card, online banking, or PayPal.
Registration at the Course Office
When registering in person at the Course Office, you can pay the course fee in cash, by debit card, or by credit card.
The “Bildungsgeld update” is a grant offered by the Office of the Tyrolean Regional Government. For German courses marked as eligible on our website, you can apply for a grant covering up to 30 per cent of the course fees.
The grant is intended, among others, for working individuals (including working students) who
- have been employed for at least six months and
- have their primary residence in Tyrol.
You can find all information about the “Bildungsgeld update” and the application process on the website of the Tyrolean regional government.
If you wish to cancel your course booking, please send us an e-mail.
Online booking
For online registrations, the 14-day Right of Withdrawal applies.
To exercise your right of withdrawal, please send us an e-mail and/or the completed withdrawal form attached to your confirmation of registration.
Booking at the course office
For in-person registrations, the cancellation terms set out in the General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply.
- Up to one week before the course starts: refund of the course fee minus a 25 per cent administration fee
- After that: no refund possible
The refund will be paid by bank transfer to your bank account.
Please provide us with your bank details:
- Bank name
- IBAN
- BIC
- Account holder’s name
Please speak to your course instructor first.
If a change of course is recommended, please contact the course office.
Depending on the availability of places on the course you wish to join, you can change courses up to two weeks after the course starts.
Please contact our course office.
It is possible to change your course, subject to availability of places on another course.
Please contact our course office.
It is possible to switch courses, subject to availability of places on the course you wish to attend.
In exceptional cases, a course may be cancelled due to an insufficient number of participants.
In this event, we will notify you in good time by e-mail and will endeavour to find a solution, such as transferring you to an alternative course.
Should no suitable alternative course be available, any course fees already paid will, of course, be refunded in full.
We always assume that the courses will take place as planned.
You will only receive a notification if the courses have to be cancelled due to too few participants.
If a course has to be cancelled by the Language Centre, you will receive a full refund of the course fees you have already paid.
The refund will be made by bank transfer to the bank account you have provided.
In exceptional circumstances, there may be changes to the course instructor, teaching materials or class room.
In this case, we will inform you in good time by e-mail.