German Courses in the Winter Semester 26/27 | Enrollment Information

The language course schedule will be posted on Opal on September 15.

Registration for German courses will be available on Opal starting October 1.

If you have no prior knowledge of German, please register for level A1.1. You do not need to provide proof of language proficiency or take a placement test.

To register in any course from A1.2, you must upload proof of language proficiency or a certificate to Opal. The following are accepted as proof of language proficiency:

• Your language proficiency record from the last semester (available for download in Selma)
• Language tests from the following institutions
  • Goethe Institute
  • telc
  • DSH/FSP
  • TestDaF
  • UNIcert
  • ÖSD
  • DSD
  • tudias
  • Adult Education Center
  • Kästner College Dresden
  • Language Workshop Dresden
  • a language certificate from your home university

The language certificate must be no more than 1 year old. Older certificates will not be accepted.

You may ONLY enroll in the next language level, for example:

• with a Goethe Certificate B1, only in a B2.1 course
• with an A2.2 language certificate from TU Dresden, only in a B1.1 course

If you do not have a current language certificate, you can take our placement test. The placement test is offered in-person only on the following dates:

• September 22, 2026, 2:00–5:30 p.m.
• September 24, 2026, 2:00–5:30 p.m.
• September 29, 2026, 2:00–5:30 p.m.
• October 8, 2026, 2:00–5:30 p.m.
• October 15, 2026, 2:00–5:30 p.m.

Location:
SE 1, Haus der Sprachen
Zellescher Weg 22
01217 Dresden
Room 209

Registration for the placement test is not required. Simply come to the Haus der Sprachen on the scheduled dates. Bring your ZIH login and your TU Dresden email address with you.

Please allow for a wait time. The test takes about 45 minutes.

You may take the placement test only once and cannot retake it.

The test cannot be taken online at home.

Immediately after completing the test, you will receive a binding placement recommendation, which you can upload to Opal as proof of language proficiency.

Your registration in Opal will be deleted if:

• no language proficiency certificate has been uploaded
• the language proficiency proof/certificate is more than 1 year old
• the wrong level was selected

FAQs

Why do I have to take a placement test?

The placement test was developed because self-assessments of language proficiency are often inaccurate. It is designed to ensure a reliable placement within our course system.

How reliable is the result?

The test is empirically and psychometrically tailored to the TU Dresden course system. The result therefore serves as the definitive basis for course placement.

Can I choose a different course if I feel that my level is different?

No. Personal impressions or subjective assessments do not replace the test result. The language courses build upon one another in accordance with the module descriptions and academic regulations and require corresponding prior knowledge; enrollment in lower levels is not permitted if higher language proficiency has already been demonstrated.

Are exceptions possible?

Due to very high demand, exceptions are generally not possible.

Can I take the test more than once?

No. The test may only be taken once.

What happens if I retake the test without authorization?

Only the first valid attempt will be counted. An unauthorized retake may also result in exclusion from the current course registration period.

I have a certificate, for example from the Goethe Institute. Can I use that instead?

A current (no more than 1 year old) and recognized language certificate (e.g., Goethe, telc, UNIcert) is accepted as alternative proof. See above.

Why does my placement differ from my Goethe level?

Our course system is independently calibrated and is not identical to that of other providers. Strictly structured course systems, such as those of the Goethe Institute, often have slightly higher requirements and involve more intensive support, while our university-based system places greater emphasis on self-study. For this reason, placement results may vary.

Can I enroll in a course at a lower level if I would feel more comfortable there?

Generally no, if your results clearly indicate a higher level. A significantly lower course level would typically not be pedagogically appropriate.

Will my results be reviewed again if I contact you with questions?

Yes. In justified cases, the results will be reviewed again.

I forgot to save my results. What can I do?

You’ll find your result in your email inbox.