Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences
Hochschule Karlsruhe Hochschule Karlsruhe - University of Applied Sciences

FAQ – German as a Foreign Language (DaF) Course Registration

All information about German as a Foreign Language (DaF) courses, including registration, placement tests, course placement and course materials, is available via ILIAS. Please check this page regularly during the registration period.

Please note: DaF courses are open to enrolled HKA students only. Access to ILIAS and course registration is available only after enrolment, once you have received your HKA IT login credentials (RZ username and password).

Registration
 
When can I register?
  • German Intensive Courses: 22 June – 9 September 2026
  • Winter Semester Courses: 21–30 September 2026
When do the courses take place?
  • Intensive Courses: 14–25 September 2026, Mon – Fri: 9am – 2pm
  • Semester Courses: From the week beginning 5 October 2026
How do I register?
  1. Complete the placement test (find more information below).
  2. Open Registration German Intensive Course in ILIAS.
  3. Complete and submit the registration survey.

Your registration is complete once you have successfully submitted the survey. No immediate confirmation email is sent.

Can I register for or take more than one course or choose a different level?

No. You cannot register for or attend two German courses at different levels at the same time (e.g. A2.1 and A2.2 at the same time is not possible).

However, it may be possible to complete two courses within the same CEFR level (only C1 level).

Please register for the course at the level recommended by your placement test or based on your previous successfully completed HKA German course.

If you need to correct or change your registration, please contact the course coordinator.

Can I register after the deadline?
  • Intensive courses: Late registration is not possible.
  • Semester courses: Late registration may be possible during the first two weeks after the official semester start, depending on available places.
Placement Test
 
Do I need to take a placement test?

No, if you are a complete beginner and register for DaF A1.1.

No, if you have already successfully completed a German course at IFS/HKA. In this case, please register directly for the next course level.

Yes, if you wish to register for A1.2 or higher and have not previously taken a German course at IFS/HKA.

Which placement test should I take?
  • No previous knowledge: No test required (register for DaF A1.1).
  • Basic knowledge (approx. 1–3 previous German courses): Beginner Placement Test (A1–A2).
  • Advanced knowledge (4 or more previous German courses): Intermediate/Advanced Placement Test (B1–C1).

The placement test can be completed during the registration period and is valid for the current and following registration period. It must not be older than one semester.

How should I complete the placement test?

The placement test is not about achieving the highest possible score. Its purpose is to provide a realistic assessment of your current German skills and place you in the most suitable course.

Please do not guess answers if you are unsure. Incorrect guesses may affect the result and lead to an unsuitable course placement.

I already have a language certificate. Do I still need to take the placement test?

Yes. Please complete the placement test and register for the course level recommended by the test result.

If you believe the result does not reflect your language skills, please contact the course coordinator.

Can I skip a level?

No. Students cannot skip a level.

However, it is possible to complete an entire CEFR level (e.g. A2) within one semester by taking the intensive course before the semester starts and the corresponding semester course afterwards (e.g. A2.1 Intensive + A2.2 Semester Course).

This depends on the courses offered and successful completion of the first course.

Course Places
 
When will I know whether I have received a place?

If you receive a place, you will be notified via ILIAS email on the Friday before the course begins.

Your classroom, teacher and further course information will be published under Course Placement Confirmation in ILIAS at the same time.

If a course is full, information about waiting lists will be communicated by the course coordinator.

How do I find out the name of my course?Your course name will be available in ILIAS under Course Placement Confirmation once the course places have been assigned.
Attendance & Course Changes
 
Is attendance compulsory?

Yes. Regular attendance is expected.

Attendance on the first day of class is mandatory. Students who are absent without notice may lose their place.

If you cannot attend the first class, expect a delayed arrival due to visa issues, or require a course change, please inform the course coordinator as early as possible.

Can I change my course after classes have started?

Course changes are only possible in exceptional cases and depending on available places:

  • during the first two weeks of semester courses
  • after the first day of intensive courses

Please contact the course coordinator as soon as possible.

Exam Registration
 
How do I register for the exam?

Exam registration is done online via Online Services 2:

  1. Go to Online Services: Students (Online-Service 2)
  2. Select: Prüfungsmanagement und Noteneinsicht (Online-Service 2)
  3. Choose: Funktion Prüfungsverwaltung
  4. Select: Prüfungsan- und -abmeldung
  5. Choose: Grundstudium-Zusatzfächer-Prüfungsordnung Version 1

Please make sure that you enter the correct exam date and the correct exam number.

Please note: The examiner listed in the system is not necessarily your course teacher. It refers to the person responsible for the respective language.

Technical Issues
 
I cannot access ILIAS, cannot find the registration survey, forgot my HKA password, did not receive an ILIAS email, or the placement test is not working. What should I do?

Please check that:

  • you went to this page in ILIAS,
  • you are logged in with your HKA account,
  • your HKA account is active,
  • you are using an up-to-date browser,
  • your internet connection is stable,
  • you have checked your ILIAS inbox.

If you have technical problems with your HKA account or ILIAS access, please contact HKA IT Support (RZ Benutzerberatung):
bb.rzspam prevention@h-ka.de

Contact
 
Who should I contact?

Placement tests, registration and course changes: 
Stefanie Bell

General questions about German courses: 
ifsspam prevention@h-ka.de

Technical problems with HKA account or ILIAS access: 
bb.rzspam prevention@h-ka.de