Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

• In the navigation bar, please click on "Courses and learning opportunities" to see the course catalog with detailed descriptions of the current courses.
•  You can also find the DaF courses (DaF – Deutsch als Fremdsprache - German as a foreign language) in the PULS course catalog. A list of all courses can be found in the category "Special courses / Zessko / German as a foreign language".  The courses offered as part of "Studiumplus" can be found under "Foreign Language I" and "Foreign Language II" for the exam version 2013/14 as well as in Module 5 (basic phase) or Module 9 (advanced phase) for the  2009/10 exam version.
• On the notice board in front of the DaF offices (Neues Palais campus, building 19, room 3.25 / 3.26a) you will also find a current list of the entire range of German courses.

• Students (including exchange students), PHD candidates, Postdocs and employees of the University of Potsdam have the highest priority in the allocation of course places. Members of cooperating scientific institutions in the region (e.g. research Institutes like AIP, ATB, DIfE, GFZ, PIK etc.) could get admission to Zessko's German courses if spots are available.
• German studies students are only admitted in exceptional cases. The Institute for German Studies offers specific courses for these students.
• German native speakers do not get admitted to the DaF courses at the Zessko. 
• Guests (auditors) can only be admitted in exceptional cases and only if there is free capacity at the end of the enrollment period.

• Most German courses take place on the Neues Palais campus at Zessko, building 19.
• German for Law course are held at Griebnitzsee campus.
• Please see the current catalog of German courses for details about the course venue.

• Either you have acquired a recognized language certificate (e.g. Goethe certificate, telc, TestDaF, DSD) or
• you take our placement test.

• Online in the beginning of April (summer semester) or October (winter semester): You can find access to the test for a limited time on our German as a Foreign Language home page.
• In the Zessko: During the enrollment week (beginning of April or beginning of October) you can also take the test in the Zessko's self-study area/Meedia Center.
• The current dates can be found on the German as a Foreign Language home page.

Not immediately. After you finished the placement test, we need up to two working days to provide the course recommenation via Moodle. Please include the course recommendation in your application. For information about the application, please see our web page Placement, Application and Admission. 

• If you are a degree-seeking Bachelor student at the University of Potsdam, you can enroll directly at PULS for suitable courses (Studiumplus / Key Competence)
• If you are UP Master student, exchange student (Erasmus+), doctoral student or postdoc, please take the placement test first. For more details, see the faq placement test section above.  Then apply at the Placement and Application Gateway at Moodle-EFP for suitable German courses.  During the enrolment period at the beginning of April or beginning of October we offer specific consultations. Please check the Zessko German office for details. The German team at Zessko will check the applications and offer you a place in an appropriate course if you meet the requirements and if spots are available.
• No placement test is required for the A1 courses. You can apply directly at the Placement and Application Gateway at Moodle-EFP for suitable German courses.  During the enrolment period at the beginning of April or beginning of October we offer specific consultations. Please check the Zessko German office for details. The German team at Zessko will check the applications and offer you a place in an appropriate course if you meet the requirements and if spots are available.

• If you have registered for a course at PULS, you must also unregister in PULS. For technical reasons, the lecturers cannot do this for you.
• If you have enrolled in courses at the Zessko and would like to unenrol again, please inform your instructor and send an email to the German office (see contact).

• Upon successful participation, you will receive a certificate of participation with ECTS credits and a grade. The details can be found in the course description: courses & learning opportunities => course catalog.
• For degree-seeking Bachelor students at the University of Potsdam, those who want to graduate from the UP, and who have enrolled directly at PULS (Studiumplus / Key Competence), the course result (credit points) is recorded electronically in PULS. Subsequently, you do not need an extra certificate.

• You can obtain the Certificate of participation after you have completed your German course and passed the exams. 
• As for exchange students (Erasmus etc.), we will send the "Schein" directly to the International Office, where the "Transcript of Records" is filled out.

• In the Zessko media centres: on the Neues Palais campus, building 19, room 2.11 and on the Griebnitzsee campus, building 6, room 1.17.
• You may also talk to your lecturers - see contact for office hours .

• If a course uses commercial textbooks, please purchase them.
• We provide the self-developed materials on Moodle free of charge.