German Foundation Course (General German)

Title

German Foundation Course (General German)

Degree

Declaration of Completion (non-degree program)

Type

Preparatory program

Level

Pre-university

Institute

Institute of Germanic Studies

Language

German

Duration

2 semesters (1 year)

ECTS credits

60

Minimum number of students

15

Maximum number of students

200

Short description

The German Foundation Course (Preparatory Year) has been designed for students who wish to study at ELTE or another European university, but do not yet have the necessary level of language competence and study skills to start a degree program in German language. If you take it seriously, the course can bring you up to speed in as little as two semesters.
The aim of the program is to provide a gateway for students to German speaking European education, where a good command of knowledge is required. The program equips students with the basic linguistic, cultural and study skills necessary for beginning degree studies at a European university.

Das sprachliche Vorbereitungsjahr richtet sich an alle Studienbewerberinnen und Studienbewerber aus dem Ausland, die an der ELTE oder an einer anderen Universität in Ungarn bzw. in Europa studieren wollen, aber noch keinen Nachweis über ausreichende Deutschkenntnisse für das Studium vorweisen können.
Der studienvorbereitende Deutschkurs besteht aus zwei Semestern und wird mit wenigstens 750 Kontaktstunden angeboten. Das Ziel des Vorbereitungskurses ist, dass Studieninteressierte die für ihr (Bachelor)Studium nötige fremdsprachliche Handlungsfähigkeit, die kulturellen und sprachlichen Kenntnisse sowie die studienrelevanten Fähigkeiten erwerben. Des Weiteren wird durch die Teilnahme am Kurs eine Mobilität im europäischen Hochschulraum ermöglicht.

Strength of program

Language Improvement

Language improvement is the core element of the program, with a general course in language improvement, focusing on the basic skills of speaking, writing, listening and reading. To prepare you to use German for study purposes, there are also specialized courses in the accurate use of German grammar and vocabulary, as well as academic reading and writing, and classes on the presentation and discussion skills needed for participation in seminars.

Study Skills

Our teachers are there to help you, but you need to develop independent study skills for your future academic and professional career. You will attend courses designed to improve your ability to work on your own, with skills such as setting goals, managing time and monitoring progress.

Cultural Studies

It is impossible to use a language without understanding the culture that surrounds it. The program therefore includes two courses on the major German-speaking cultures, one focusing on Germany, and another one on Austria and Switzerland. Other courses cover aspects of European culture in general and the culture of your host country, Hungary.

Goals

If you take your studies seriously, you should be able to pass the CEFR B2-level language examination offered by the university at the end of the academic year.

Find the lists of study units on the website of the Faculty.

The first semester has 18 working weeks (including exams), the second semester 19 working weeks (including exams), as detailed in the academic calendar. Bear in mind that there are 22´45 minute taught classes per week organized into 11 slots of 90 minute continuous classes.

Career opportunities

Those having completed the Foundation Course in German will be able to continue their higher education in Hungary and abroad. Once they earn a BA degree, the following career possibilities will enfold: journalism, tourism, teaching in non-state funded schools, government organizations, diplomacy and any other jobs that do not require degree-specific skills. Getting a job also depends on where students continues their studies after completing the foundation year.

Job examples

Job postings can only be applied for if you hold a university degree. Completion of the German Foundation Course will allow students to continue their studies at university level.

EU/EEA students
non-EU/EEA students
Tuition fee/semester

2,400 EUR

2,400 EUR

Application fee

200 EUR (non-refundable)

200 EUR (non-refundable)

non-EU/EEA students
Tuition fee/semester

2,400 EUR

Application fee

200 EUR (non-refundable)


Offered for the next academic year

NO

Start program

04, Sep, 2023

Deadline for applications - September intake

15, Apr, 2023

Is there a February intake

No


Admission requirements

Entry requirements

The students who apply for the German Foundation Program are expected to present the documentation of their certificate of matriculation from a secondary school and to submit their application with the necessary attachments.
The university only accepts certificates which are equivalent to the Hungarian certificate of matriculation and thus appropriate for continuing one’s studies in university education. If the certificate is not in English, the university needs an official translation, which could be a translation by the secondary school as well.
If the applicant completes their secondary education during the current term and their certificate is not issued before the application deadline, a proof of student status or a certification, which verifies that the applicant will receive matriculation is required instead. In case of being accepted as a student, however, the applicant must present their certificate of matriculation upon enrolment at the latest.

This program is not available for Hungarian citizens.

Please note: the university reserves the right to cancel the course if the required minimum number of participants is not admitted.

Language requirements

Minimum CEFR A2 level German

Documents to submit with application
Document Comment

Online application form

 

Record of the final two years in secondary school

 
Secondary school certificate (graduation certificate) Notarized copy only on request

CV

 

Motivation letter

 

Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)

 

Copy of application fee transfer

 

Other: An official English translation of the certificates and the records
if the language of the original is not English

 

Skype contact must be added in the relevant section

 
Further comments (if needed)
Skype contact must be added in the relevant section
Application procedure

Application deadlines:

The deadline for application means the deadline of submission of the full and complete application package in the online system.

Period 1 for September intake: 01/02-15/04/2023 23:59 (CET)

The application procedure may include more periods in order to give the applicants the freedom to submit their application when it’s most suitable for them. The applicants of each period have the same chance to get admittance for the programme. However, please note, that the Faculty of Humanities ELTE reserves the right to cancel the entrance periods in case the number of the admitted applicants reaches the limit during the previous entrance periods.
The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents and follow the instructions during the application process.
Applications will only be processed if the application fee (200 EUR; non-refundable) has been transferred to the Faculty’s bank account.
For further information and details about transferring the application fee please visit our Faculty’s website: https://btk.elte.hu/prospective-students-financial-issues

BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS OF OUR UNIVERSITY
IBAN Bank Account: HU 03 1003 2000 0142 6201 0000 0000
BIC/SWIFT code: HUSTHUHB
Name of the University: EÖTVÖS LORÁND UNIVERSITY, ELTE BTK
Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 4/a, Hungary
Name of the Bank: Hungarian State Treasury Ltd. (Magyar Államkincstár)
Address of the Bank: 1139 Budapest, Váci út 71.

PLEASE DO NOT MISS TO ADD IN THE MESSAGE SECTION:
Name of applicant
AY 2023/24/1
The University’s sub-account number: AC9201/04

Entrance exam and selection process:

When the university receives the full application package and it is checked by the Department of International Affairs an entrance exam date option will be sent no later than the application deadline for the relevant period. Results and the official decision will be announced in the application system. Please, check your messages in the application system, and the e-mail address that is linked to the account regularly.

Results and the official decision will be announced in the application system.

For more information about the application procedures, please visit the Faculty's website

Program leader

Dr. habil. Roberta RADA, Associate Professor

Admission
Department of International Affairs
E-mail: admission@btk.elte.hu
Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 4,