The school, founded in 1958, offers various types of quality German courses for academic, personal or professional purposes all year round. Collegium Palatinum - IH Heidelberg is a member of International House World Organisation (IHWO), and is committed to high standards of quality in language education, and professional teacher development.
The Collegium Palatinum - IH Heidelberg language programmes are combined with culture and leisure activities. The school offers accommodation in host families or in the student residence.
We provide standard language courses and study or job-specific programmes. Participants can choose to either join an international group of students or learn German in individual sessions. Our language training follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Language Learning and Teaching. The cultural diversity of our participants from all over the world creates an international atmosphere in which language learning is enjoyable and satisfying.
Collegium Palatinum - IH Heidelberg is located in the “Villa Krehl” in Heidelberg’s most beautiful residential area. The historic building with its spacious garden provides students with the perfect environment to live and learn. The classrooms and offices impress with their modern equipment and facilities and impart a true campus feeling. The picturesque garden allows for a variety of recreational activities for the students, such as barbecuing, playing a game of ball, or simply relaxing.
The school offers an exceptional atmosphere and modern facilities:
• Well-equipped classrooms
• Computer lab
• Library
• Wi-Fi throughout the building
• Spacious garden and terraces
• TV room
The language school shares the building with the European Study Centre of the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW ESC), whose students spend a semester abroad in Germany and live on campus.
Heidelberg’s historic centre can be reached in just a few minutes by tram or in twenty minutes by foot.
Collegium Palatinum - IH Heidelberg follows a practical approach by applying interactive and communicative teaching methods. Our qualified teachers with academic degrees in language teaching undergo continuous professional development and they have a lot of experience with multi-cultural classes.
The Programmes:
• German Standard Course 20 (20 lessons per week)
• German Intensive Course 25 (25 lessons per week)
• German Intensive Course Plus 30 (30 lessons per week)
• Combination Course 25 plus 5 (25 lessons/week in class, 5 lectures private lectures)
• Private Instruction - general German
• Private Instruction - specialized German (business, technology, medicine, etc.)
• Prep Courses for telc Language Tests (4 weeks/30 lessons per week)
• Prep Courses for TestDaF examinations (4 weeks/9 lessons per week)
Certificates:
• telc Language Certificates A2-C1 (beginners - intermediate - advanced)
• TestDaF (for students who want to study at a German university - advanced)
Social and Cultural Activities:
Collegium Palatinum - IH Heidelberg organizes various cultural and leisure activities about 3 times a week. An orientation tour for the newcomers on Mondays encourages students to get to know each other as well as the city. Guided tours through the Old City of Heidelberg, the castle and the local museums are part of the standard program. Apart from that, we go on day trips to different German cities, for example Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Speyer, Worms or Stuttgart. Our activities include: cycling/canoeing/hiking tours, wine tasting, visit a beer brewery, visit the Max-Planck-Institute, movie nights, international food parties at school, etc. Participation is free, except transport and entrance fees.
The nationality and age mix at Collegium Palatinum - International House Heidelberg varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 23. In the summer, the average age is 21.
Collegium Palatinum - IH Heidelberg teaches students from all over the world, including:
Collegium Palatinum - IH Heidelberg does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.
Collegium Palatinum - IH Heidelberg is located in the “Villa Krehl” in Heidelberg’s most beautiful residential area. The historic building with its spacious garden provides students with the perfect environment to live and learn. The classrooms and offices impress with their modern equipment and facilities and impart a true campus feeling. The picturesque garden allows for a variety of recreational activities for the students, such as barbecuing, playing a game of ball, or simply relaxing.
Most of the teachers were really good, kind and nice. The organization of classes and courses were not the best, too many changes on classrooms and teachers in such a short time. The activities were good, the people in General is very open to help and you have a really german experience now that you are surrounded by the german culture.
Show details » Read more...I was in a host family, the host mum was super kind and cooked so well.
Lessons were interesting and interactive, only 8 in each class was a real good point.
I spoke a lot in English because of the short stay there, but stauing there can really help to improve the German language and get to know a really interesting culture.
I really liked lessons, activities and also meeting people from other countries. I enjoyed the city and did many things.
The thing I didn't like was the family, because I felt really bad, like the host father wasn't that happy to have me in his House.
I enjoyed the teachers and the building and grounds, although the rooms were had a lot of echo. My teachers were very good, but I was surprised that out of my four teachers none of them were German.
Show details » Read more...I attended the Collegium Palatinum - International House Heidelberg for just 8 days, but my lessons were amazing. I am a beginner level German speaker. Even though I've memorized the grammar and vocabulary, speaking is still a little difficult for me. The instructor was very patient while I spoke (very slowly) in German, and the other students were at my level, so I never felt awkward. When I left I knew exactly what I need to work on moving forward. I will definitely return to the school for more lessons in the future.
Vielen Danke!
Julie Wilder
I really liked the class size, not too many people but not too few either, we were with around 12 students in our class.
We had a great teacher who was always cheerful and excited about teaching us, even though it was quite hard to understand her at the beginning for some students. As she couldn't speak English or only a few words, which wasn't a bad thing by any means. Some would say it was good she only explained things in German even though some students had trouble understanding, they managed to pick some of it up.
The school is located in a beautiful part of town and near a tram, so it's very easy to go anywhere in the city or any supermarket nearby.
Facilities inside the school were overall pretty good, had one toilet upstairs that was not functioning very well but luckily there were more toilets in the school. Other than that everything was fine.
Also the housing was standard but good enough, most of the time you'd be exploring the city anyway.
Every week we had a few activities, which were optional and you had to sign up to be able to join. For example: Sightseeing in the city, visiting the castle, attend to a typical German barbecue etc.
I guess I kind of wished the students who slept on the same floor as me were more open and inviting. Sharing information about the school and setting a standard time to eat breakfast / dinner and also telling everyone on the floor about it.
Besides that I am a pretty happy student.
Heidelberg is such a pretty city: traditional and modern German architecture surrounded by lush green mountains. For the most part the people were very friendly and courteous.
At the school, I found the instructors hard-working and dedicated to every student. I do retain some doubts as to the classes I was put into. While my level of grammar knowledge was mostly on par with the other students, my ability to comprehend orally and to speak was not. My lack of practice in speaking was noticeable even to myself. I know the rules, but my tongue didn't want to obey them.
I had decided to stay at a student residence. That was probably a mistake. I probably would have had more practice conversing in a host family setting. In addition, my room was not very comfortable. The mattress was very thin and the pillow was inadequate. In addition, I was not informed in advance that I had to thoroughly clean every part of the room before I would receive my deposit back. That cleaning included defrosting the refrigerator and mopping the floor. I had to buy some of the cleaning supplies myself.
I spent nearly 3 months in Heidelberg. It was the time of my life. I met awesome people and very quickly made good friends. The German level at the school was good. I improved myself strongly in just 10 weeks. Apart from this, Heidelberg is a very nice city for students. There is always something fun to do! I would go back there if I could!
Show details » Read more...The location is easy to find and is very beautiful. The teachers and staff were very nice to the students, and they took good care of us. They even served some tea and coffee.
Show details » Read more...I liked very much the teacher; the classes with her were very fun. The school's location is in a very beautiful area of Heidelberg and the campus had every kind of comfort.
Show details » Read more...The staff are just ok. My teacher is really nice and excellent, and the logic of grammar is very clear. Aside from the courses, we also talk about the cities around Heidelberg which I've been to. All the sentences are cute and close to daily life. I really enjoyed taking class with her.
The equipment in the accommodation is good; it has almost everything you need, but the check-in staff lack patience.
I loved the classes, especially when I had Carmen Bieltz as a teacher. I will always remember her. Her classes were always great. She made the hard stuff challenging and fun and her way of helping made everything simple. I lived in the student residence. The rooms were very nice, and because of all the people I lived with, every day was lovely. In two months, I lived next to to Egyptians who smoked weed and had parties during the weeks which was very disturbing. We always had to tell them to be quiet. I'm surprised that they could stay there for such a long time; they broke the rules completely!
The kitchen was nice, depending how clean we did it. But the cooking stuff was old and almost destroyed. So hopefully there are new things in the kitchen now. I loved the classrooms, the building, and yard. So much freedom! And it was close to everything in Heidelberg. So totally perfect! The activities were also nice, for example, the Wine tasting and trips to beautiful places. I did not participate in that many activities because I felt that I could not afford it sometimes. Also, I wish that there were more sport activities.
I met so many new people that I love, and I still have so many friends that I keep in contact with. I'm so glad I met them all and I know that we will be friends and keep visiting each other in the future! Love to you all!
The classes were small so it was easy to learn and to increase our German language level. My teacher (Svetlana Marx) was amazing! We had so much fun with her and I learned a lot of new things!! She was the best German teacher I have ever had.
The school was too far from the city centre; it wasn't easy to come back when we went out. And the school activities were pretty expensive.
The classes were small so, and it was easy to interact during the lessons. Moreover, the teacher could pay attention to each of us. During the lessons, we did different activities (from doing grammar exercises to playing tabu) which made them very interesting, and not boring. Moreover, I think that doing different activities improves every skill (reading, listening, etc..).
I stayed with a host family, and my host parents were extremely kind throughout the entire time I spent in Heidelberg. The food they gave me was always delicious, they gave me a very cozy room, and they helped me every time I needed it. Due to the time spent with my host family and attending lessons at school, I have certainly improved my level of German.
Kind regards
Carlotta
First impression is really important for many people, myself included. I did not have a good impression when I checked in as I was attended by a house keeper who speaks little English, and had to walk through a maze-like place to find his room. Other female residents I met had worse experiences, especially having to carry the luggage up the flight of staircase.
However thereafter, everything has been fabulous. Teacher Carmen is great as she patiently taught my beginner class. Ute is a great principal and her door is always open for students to enter into her room to speak to her. The activities were well organised and fantastic and they were the highlights of my time there. The housing is in an interesting building that grows on you, though the distance to the school was a little inconvenient. However, with the school being moved to the same location of the housing, it may be better for future students.
Will certainly consider going back there to upgrade my German in the future!
Everything was perfect. In the house I did what I wanted, without limits. It was not very near the school but with the public transportation it was really simple to get there. My teacher was really good and she paid attention to any help I needed.
Show details » Read more...Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying German in Heidelberg. These homes are often between 5 - 30 minutes away from the school by public transport. Families usually offer affordable meal plans that allow you to sample the local cuisine. If you have special requests or diet restrictions (because of religion or health reasons), please let us know in advance. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about homestay housing
Student residences are more suitable for an independent student, who is looking for clean, basic accommodation at an economic price. All students must be 18+. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Student residences often do not include any meal plan. Learn more about student residence accommodation
We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.
Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.
Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Heidelberg based on your budget, schedule and preferences.
Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.
Collegium Palatinum - IH Heidelberg is located in the “Villa Krehl” in Heidelberg’s most beautiful residential area. The historic building with its spacious garden provides students with the perfect environment to live and learn. The classrooms and offices impress with their modern equipment and facilities and impart a true campus feeling. The picturesque garden allows for a variety of recreational activities for the students, such as barbecuing, playing a game of ball, or simply relaxing.
Have questions? Get answers from Collegium Palatinum - International House Heidelberg staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
Ask a questionYour student is welcome to fly into Baden-Baden Airport. But, there is only a shuttle bus from Baden Airport to the Heidelberg Main Station on working days and not anymore on Saturdays and Sundays! In other word, the only possibility is to take a train from the Baden-Baden Station to Heidelberg.
The majority of the rooms are individual apartments with own shower and own kitchenette at disposal, some apartments offer single rooms for max. two persons sharing a shower and the kitchenette.
I am also adding a file on this new residence to this email, for your convenience.
- No meals are provided.
- The student apartments are around 15 / 20 minutes by bus/tram from the school.
- Wi-fi is provided for free.
Here's a short description:
VIVA STYLE: WHAT EACH PROPERTY INCLUDES.
ALL FINE - residential style for quality of life
- high degree of building quality, to maintain value and to ensure energy efficiency
- elegant, select materials
- functional furnishing
ALL INCLUSIVE - completely furnished apartments
- Pantry-kitchen with ceramic hob, refrigerator, sink, working plate and cupboards
- Modern shower-bath, washstand, mirror and exhaust fan
- Modern, fully styled and functional furnishing
ALL VIVA LIFE - VIVA Lounges – VIVA Fit
- meeting points and areas for learning, cooking, relaxing together.
- TV lounge for everyone
- fitness area for taking a break from your studies with sports activity
ALL AROUND – living in the best location
- short distances to the uni
- perfect connections to public transport
- leisure and recreation at your doorstep
The centre of student life
“Campus Viva Heidelberg” is a new student area in Bahnstadt, the innovative new district of Heidelberg. The main train station (with city railway stop) is just 400 m from the campus, and cafés, music venues and restaurants are just minutes away. The University Hospital and the Max Planck Institute are among the sites situated within a 2.5-km vicinity of the campus, and the Schiller International University right next door is even closer.
Apartments
349 attractive apartments are being built over five floors, with living areas of between 20 sq. m (single apartments) and 38 sq. m (double apartments). The rooms are designed to ideally suit student life, and there is enough free space for residents to add their own touches. All apartments are fully furnished, right through to the kitchen with fridge, microwave, hob and wall and floor cupboard units. The sophisticated bathroom includes a shower with glass partition wall and heated towel rail.
Energy concept
Low utility costs thanks to passive house standards. Following in the footsteps of the train station's pioneering energy concept, “Campus Viva Heidelberg” is also making a contribution to climate protection.
Internet and TV connection
High-speed Internet connection with state-of-the-art fibre-optic technology (up to 150 Mbit/s) and full multimedia provision (cable TV and radio, optional telephone services).
Communal areas
The spacious communal rooms on the ground floor improve residents' standards of living. There is a lobby, a lounge and kitchen, a gym and table-football room as well as a laundry room and a reading and study room – nothing has been overlooked.
Leisure and relaxation
Two large roof terraces on the third floor create an exclusive sun deck. An activity area with basketball and volleyball facilities has been designed to go in-between these terraces.