Language courses
The PIER Education Platform offers language training for early stage researchers in German and English. The courses are open to all doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with an affiliation to the PIER Helmholtz Graduate School, IMPRS-UFAST, HELIOS, DASHH, CUI/ AIM, or Quantum Universe. Researchers from other graduate programs on Campus Bahrenfeld may also participate upon request.
For details please contact the PHGS Office (graduateschool@pier-hamburg.de).
German courses
If you would like to enroll in one of our German courses, please register here (also for waiting list):
If you are uncertain about your language level, please use this link for a self-assessment test before registration: Self-Assessment Test German all levels by Klett
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL): Our German courses follow the guideline established via the CEFRL, which is used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe. The six reference levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) are becoming widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual's language proficiency. Levels A1-A2 describes basic users, B1-B2 independent users, C1-C2 proficient users. The PHGS offers German courses from level A1.1 to B2.2.
15 language sessions (1 session = 90 minutes) are equivalent to 2 credit points for the PHGS curriculum.
COURSES OFFERED BY PEP - PIER EDUCATION PLATFORM:
German A1.1 / 2 sessions per week
When: Mondays + Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 p.m. (start A1.2 from Sept. 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 47c, room L110)
Teacher: Cornelia Johannsen
(waiting list - no class 24-31 July)
German A2.2 / 2 sessions per week
When: Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m. + Fridays 4:00-5:30 p.m. (start B1.1 from 2027)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 47c, room L110)
Teacher: Cornelia Johannsen
(few places available - no class 24-31 July)
German A2.2 / 2 sessions per week (waiting list)
When: Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m. + Fridays 4:00-5:30 p.m. (Level B1.1 from mid Sept. 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 1b, room SR5)
Teacher: Gisa Günther
(waiting list - no class 10 July - 3 August)
German B1.1 / 2 sessions per week
When: Mondays + Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm (Level B1.2 from Sept. 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 61, room 116)
Teacher: Gisa Günther
(few places available - no class 10 July - 3 August)
German B1.1
When: Wednesdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm (Level B1.2 from mid Aug. 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 61, room 116)
Teacher: Gisa Günther
(few places available - no class 10 July - 3 August)
German B2.1
When: Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. (Level B2.2 from Oct. 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 1b, room SR3a)
Teacher: Cornelia Johannsen
(few places available - no class 24-31 July)
German Sprachcafé (all levels)
When: Mondays + Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: CFEL or DESY Bistro
Host: Reza Bazrafshan reza.bazrafshan@desy.de
More information and registration here
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German courses
offered by other institutions:
DESY (login required, for doctoral researchers + employees of DESY)
University of Hamburg (for students and employees of UHH)
MINGZ (for doctoral researchers and employees of UHH)
Hamburger Volkshochschule (for everybody)
Goethe Institute Hamburg (for everybody)
Hafen City University (for students of Hamburg Universities)
English courses
The English courses are part of our language module "Negotiation and networking in English" that is designed for the needs of researchers in science. Our teachers are native speakers with many years of experience in teaching scientists and graduate students.
Academic Writing for Doctoral Researchers - 8 Sessions
EVENT | 8 sessions from 13 October to 1 December 2026, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. (Tuesdays) | Campus Bahrenfeld, Building 7 Room 7a
