Winter University

You will be taught German in a classroom situation but you will also have the opportunity to practice outside the classroom.
In addition to the German language course, you will have the chance of taking a subject course in one of the following areas (all taught in English):

• 20th Century Architecture
• Art History
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• International Business
• German Film & Literature

Most participating institutions will give 4 credits for each subject course.

Optional Saturday excursions will be on offer.

You are free, of course, to organize your own weekend trips to other destinations of your choice in Germany or Europe.

A registration fee of EUR 15 to EUR 20 is collected when you register for one of the excursions.

Please complete and sign the application form and e-mail it to the International Office of the University of Stuttgart. Be sure to have your home university’s international student advisor sign the form, too!

Application deadline

October 15, 2024
Be aware that your home university may have an earlier application deadline.

Please note: if you cancel your application after December 15, 2024 you will have to pay a EUR 100 fee.

The German on-site courses run five days a week (Monday - Friday). You are expected to attend all classes!

During the six week period in Stuttgart, the total number of lessons in any German language course is 90. This is equivalent to 9 ECTS credits.

Course description 

The German courses offered are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or CEFR.

Course description: A1/1 and A1/2

• Basic grammar and structures of German
• Elementary vocabulary
• Everyday situations in your studies and at home
• Basic written and oral communication 

Course description: A2/1 and A2/2

• Further development of language and communication skills building on A1
• Basic structures of German (continued)
• Special focus on oral communication
• Introduction to tourist and professional situations
• Transition from word- to sentence-level grammar

Course description: B1/1 and B1/2

• Further development of language and communication skills building on A2
• Additional topical texts from university and professional contexts
• Networking language skills
• Focus on syntax and text grammar
• Communication skills emphasizing fluency and flexibility
• Special focus on spoken communication (discussing and presenting experiences and events)

Grading

All courses will be graded based on active course participation (10%), homework completion (10%), 2 interim assessments (30%) and a final exam including listening and reading comprehension, grammar and text production (50%).

While participating in the Winter University we offer accommodation:

• with host families (at least two people households, often with children)
• in single households

During the week, the host families will provide you with breakfast. In the evenings and on weekends you are responsible for your own meals.

Most families live within 40 minutes commuting time from the university.

During the week, lunch is available in the student cafeteria at a very reasonable price.

The Winter University costs are as follows: 

Course fee EUR 650
Housing EUR 750
Sum EUR 1.400

Payment deadline:
December 7, 2024

 Covered are the following:

• Housing while attending Winter University
• Unlimited public transportation (bus, subway, underground) within the greater Stuttgart area
• Excursions (bus, train, lunch, guided tours, entrance fees; a EUR 15/20 registration fee is additional)
• Program administrative costs

Not covered:

• Tuition at your own university
• Any program fees your home university charges to cover its costs
• Transportation to Stuttgart
• Transportation to the university before registration
• Breakfast (for students not housed with host families)
• Lunch and dinner
• Medical/accident insurance
• Textbooks for German language class (approx. EUR 25)
• Personal expenses

This is the program for the Winter University 2024. The program for the Winter University 2025 will be available by mid-december.