A few more tips...

Visa

Be sure not to forget to check the conditions of entry and residence with the representation of the Federal Republic of Germany in your country in plenty of time (at least 3 months before your departure).
If you are coming to Germany from outside the European Union, you need to be sure that you meet the correct VISA requirements. It is recommended to do this at least three months before you plan on coming to Germany.

For your VISA to be issued you are required to have an official oletter from Activ Lernen confirming your intention to study at the language school. In order to receive this confirmation from Activ Lernen you have to sign a contract to study at the language school for a minimum of three months and pay at least half of the course fee. If you decide to receive accommodation through Activ Lernen then it should also be included in the letter.

In cases where your home government does not issue a VISA in time for the beginning of the course then you can start the course at a later date with no further costs added. Alternatively, the course contract can be annulled. In this case the money paid for the course will be returned minus 80,- EUR handling fee.

The contract must be fully completed by you. You need to indicate when you would like to start the course and return the contract by email or fax. The fees payable can be sent to the school (please contact the school) or electronically transferred to the following bank account:

Name of Bank: Kreissparkasse Köln
Name of Account Holder: Maria Baron, activ lernen
Acount Number: 35318
Bank Code: 37050299
SWIFT-BIC: COKSDE 33

As soon as the completed contract and course fees have been received we will send you the necessary documents to enable you to request a VISA from your home government.
In addition, the following documents are also required:
Completed request forms
Passport Photos
Proof of the paid course fees
Proof of how your stay in Germany will be financed
Proof of health insurance (we can provide this, see other Appendix)
Valid passport

Health Insurance

Have you made sure that your health insurance will give you enough insurance coverage for the duration of your stay in Germany?
We can obtain economical health insurance policies for our foreign language students. This health insurance can be guaranteed starting from one month for up to 4 years and will ensure you are suitably insured for the duration of your stay in Germany. With appropriate additional cover, accidental and liability insurance can also be included.
Please ask for further details.

Care College (Plus)

Allowances

You should ask·

your inland revenue office about possible allowances
your employer about contributions and about an exemption from work during your course in our institute
your university or training post about a possible recognition of your achievements / certificates at our institute.

Studying in Germany

German language level requirements differ depending on whether you will be studying at a German University or Institute of Further Education.
We recommend that you seek clarification of the qualifications required from the specific institution that you have chosen to study at. They will confirm to you whether and to what level you need to study German as foreign language.
In order to commence studying German in Germany you do not have to already possess a qualification in German language. However, a German language exam must be passed before entering a German institution to study. The German university language exam, known as Deutsche Hochschulsprachprüfung (DSH) is necessary to prove your linguistic capabilities. Your abilities must be above the intermediate level, known as zentralen Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP).
For students who have no previous knowledge of German the training courses are taken as follows:

6 months basic level (A1 - B1)
6 month intermediate level (B1+ -C 1)
Following successful completion of the intermediate level, a two-month preparatory course for the German university language examination takes place.

For more information, visit these links:

Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplätzen (ZVS) (Central office for the assignment of study places)
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German academic exchange service)
Auswärtiges Amt (Foreign office)
Übersicht über die Hochschulen in Köln (Overview of the Universities in Cologne)

Further Professional Education and Training

activ lernen is officially certified by TELC
more info ->

Redeem your Bildungsschecks with us
more info ->

We are a member of the professional association of German as a foreign language
weiter ->

Update: Feb - 2012