Which course is right for me?

Learners with no previous knowledge of the target language start with course I or level A1. If you already have previous knowledge of the target language, you can also progress to higher levels.

A placement test is compulsory for German, English, French and Spanish (see below). In Polish and Russian, a placement interview is also compulsory for beginners' courses.

The self-assessment grid(pdf) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages can be used for lateral entry into a course in another language. The descriptions of the ZfS courses indicate which level is reached in each case. The global scale provides a first impression of the 6 levels of the CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). If you have any questions, please contact the managing director of the ZfS(sigrid.behrent@upb.de), who will put you in touch with the relevant teachers if necessary.

German placement test

If you already have some knowledge of German but have not yet completed a German course at Paderborn University, you must take a placement test before enrolling.
The test takes place online via KOMO: detailed instructions.
Please note the deadlines.

Note: If you have no knowledge of German, you do not need a placement test and can register for A1.1 directly in PAUL.

English placement test

Learners with previous knowledge (also for B1.1) who have not yet attended a course at the ZfS register for the placement test in the first registration phase and only register for a course corresponding to their level in the second, shorter phase for these languages. Admission is granted if a) the course level corresponds to the test result or b) the previous course was successfully completed with an exam and was completed no more than three semesters ago.
A news placement test or a placement test from the previous semester is sufficient.
Possession of a DAAD certificate can replace the placement test, provided the test was taken no more than one semester ago.
As a Master's student of physics, you do not have to take the placement test again, provided that you have already taken the English courses at the ZfS during your Bachelor's degree at Paderborn University.
For further information, please see the explanatory video.

Spanish placement test

Learners with previous knowledge who have not yet attended a course at the ZfS register for the placement test in the first registration phase and only register for a course corresponding to their level in the second, shortened phase for these languages. admission is granted if a) the course level corresponds to the test result or b) the previous course was successfully completed with a written examination and was not more than three semesters ago.
A news placement test or a placement test from the previous semester is sufficient.
Possession of a DELE certificate (not older than 2 years) or UNIcert certificate can replace the placement test.

French placement test

Learners with previous knowledge who have not yet attended a course at the ZfS register for the placement test in the first registration phase and only register for a course corresponding to their level in the second, shorter phase for these languages. Admission is granted if a) the course level corresponds to the test result or b) the previous course was successfully completed with an exam and was completed no more than three semesters ago.
A news placement test or a placement test from the previous semester is sufficient.
Possession of a DELF/DALF (not older than 2 years) or UNIcert certificateof the required level can replace the placement test.

Polish and Russian placement interview

Polish and Russian learners who have not yet attended a course at the ZfS or who attended a course more than three semesters ago register for a placement interview during the first registration phase.
Only in the second enrolment phase do prospective students register for the course of their choice. Admission to the course is only granted after the placement interviews have taken place.
A current placement interview or a placement interview from the previous semester is sufficient.
Further information can be found here for Polish and here for Russian.