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.
If you are uncertain about your language level, our teachers may arrange a placement test for you. The test is designed to give students and teachers a quick way of assessing the approximate level of a student's knowledge of German grammar and usage. The test - if applicable - should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete.
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.
COURSES OFFERED BY PEP - PIER EDUCATION PLATFORM:
German A1.1 / 2 sessions per week (fully booked) - No class 7-23 April!
When: Mondays + Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 p.m. (Start of course 9 March 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 47c, room L110)
Teacher: Cornelia Johannsen
German A2.1 / 2 sessions per week (fully booked) - No class 7-23 April!
When: Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m. + Fridays 4:00-5:30 p.m. (start of Level A2.2 from June/July 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 47c, room L110)
Teacher: Cornelia Johannsen
German A2.1 / 2 sessions per week (fully booked) - No class 16+17 April 2026!
When: Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m. + Fridays 4:00-5:30 p.m. (start of Level A2.2 from end April 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 1b, room SR5)
Teacher: Gisa Günther
German B1.1 / 2 sessions per week (fully booked) - No class 16+17 April 2026!
When: Mondays + Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm (start of Level B1.2 from August 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 61, room 116)
Teacher: Gisa Günther
German B1.1 (few places available) - No class 16+17 April 2026!
When: Wednesdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm (start of Level B1.2 from mid July 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 61, room 116)
Teacher: Gisa Günther
German B2.1 (fully booked) - No class 7-23 April!
When: Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (start of Level B2.2 from Autumn 2026)
Where: on DESY Campus Bahrenfeld (building 47C, room L110)
Teacher: Cornelia Johannsen
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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 10 March to 28 April 2026, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. (Tuesdays) | Campus Bahrenfeld, Building 61 Room 116 (1st floor)
