FAQ

1. Which courses are offered by the Bauhaus Summer School?

• The Bauhaus Summer School offers a diverse & annually changing programme of language and specialized courses.
• Get an overview on this year's courses ► Course overview

2. Who can take part in the Bauhaus Summer School?

• Everyone from 18 years on is welcome to register and apply!
• The majority of participants are international students & graduates. The average age is usually between 20 and 30 years, however, we have participants of all ages.
• Good to know: Some courses are specifically aimed at students in higher semesters. Check the course details for more info.

3. How much is the course fee?

• The prices vary, depending on the course and and the chosen fee option.
• You can find an overview of the course fees on the respective course pages.

4. Are there discounts or reduced prices?

• Yes! Discounts are available for pupils, students, severely disabled persons, job seekers as well as for alumni (graduates) of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar or the Bauhaus Summer School.
• You can find more information under points 9 & 10.

5. How and where can I register/apply for a course?

• You can register for a specialized or language course using our ► Registration form
• Please follow the instructions on the page and create yourself a profile
• Once this is done, please go to the respective course page and enclose the specific application documents to complete your registration.

Find more on the course description pages, sub-item »Registration & Application«.

• Good to know:
  Different conditions and dates apply to specialized and language courses. Details can be found on the respective course pages.
  If you need a visa, please read the information on our website or in our FAQs under VISUM.

6. When is the registration/application deadline?

• As of January you can apply using our ► Registration form.
• Deadline language courses: 15 June (registration)
• Deadline specialised courses: 1 May (registration + application)
• Please inquire as early as possible (at least 3 months prior to the trip and preferably immediately after registering) about visa requirements at the German embassy of your home country. 

7. What are the required documents for a language course?

• If you have chosen the reduced fee, you have to send us the respective verification via e-mail.
• A language certificate is not required. For all German course participants with previous knowledge, a placement test will be held on the first course day.
• Participants for English must note that our English courses only start at level B1.
   

8. What are the required documents for a specialised course?

• Verification document for the Reduced fee (Student ID, Enrollment Certificate, etc.)
• Letter of motivation: Why did you choose this course? 
• Course specific application documents (e.g. portfolio, task)
  Find more on the course description pages, sub-item »Registration & Application«.

Language certificates by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

• Cambridge Certificate B1: Preliminary English Test (PET)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based: at least 50
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): at least 4.0
  
  ALTERNATIVELY
• English-speaking educational attainment (school leaving examination or academic degree)
• Stay abroad in an English-speaking country (at least 6 month)
• Proof (transcript of records, lecturer's certificate), which certifies the attendance of a course in English language

9. Who pays the »reduced fee«?

• Pupils, students, severely disabled, and unemployed people
• Alumni (graduates) of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar or the Bauhaus Summer School

10. Who pays the »BUW fee«?

• Students who are enrolled in the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar for the current semester during August
• Prospective students who received a letter of admission for the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar for the following semester

11. Which documents qualify as appropriate verification?

• Students: certificate of matriculation of your home university OR student ID card (incl. expiration date). It must be apparent that you are an enrolled student during the time of the Bauhaus Summer School in August.
• Pupils: pupil ID card
• Severely disabled: severly disabled pass
• Unemployed people: certificate of unemployment
• Alumni of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar or of the Bauhaus Summer School: certificate of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar/the Bauhaus Summer School
• Prospective students of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: letter of admission

12. Can I apply for a scholarship?

• Generally yes. However, please note that the scholarship opportunities changes from year to year.
• Here you can find an overview of the scholarships currently available as well as details on requirements and application ► Scholarships

13. When should I apply for a scholarship?

• You will find the deadlines in the scholarship overview ► Scholarships
  Depending on the scholarship, you have to apply well in advance or you can submit the scholarship application together with your course application. 

14. What does the scholarship include?

• The scholarship amounts vary. Usually, the scholarship does not cover the entire stay, but only partial amounts.

15. When can I cash out my scholarship?

• We deduct all costs for the course, accommodation, excursions etc. from the scholarship amount. Any outstanding amounts will be paid in cash in the course office during the first week of your stay.

16. How can I find out if I need a visa?

• On the website of the Federal Foreign Office you will find an overview of the current visa formalities ► Visa requirements
• On our website we have also compiled some basic information about visa. If you have any questions on this issue, please contact the German Embassy in your home country.

17. How do I apply for a visa?

• Depending on your home country, it is highly advisable to make an appointment with the embassy as early as possible - in case of an application for a specialized course, this may even be before your possible course acceptance!
• As soon as you have settled your invoice, we will send you an invitation to your postal address. With this invitation you can apply for a visa at the German Embassy in your home country for the duration of your stay in Weimar.

18. What happens if I don't get a visa?

• It is important that you make an appointment with the embassy in due time and that you can present all the documents required for a correct application.
• If you eventually don't get a visa, please contact us. We need the official rejection letter from the embassy (including signature and stamp). If the documents are correct, you will be refunded the amount you paid - minus 50 EUR processing fee.
• Please note: If you have chosen DHL Express shipping for your invitation letter, this amount cannot be refunded.

19. How long does a course take place?

• Specialized courses: 2 weeks (10 course days)
• English courses: 2 or 4 weeks (10 or 20 course days)
• German course: 3 weeks (15 course days)

20. What is the average workload?

• Our specialized courses are intensive courses and comprise a daily work load of around 8 hours.
• Our language courses combine classroom and project classes with an average workload of approx. 5 hours a day.
• The weekend is of course free of lessons. We offer excursions, which you can book during your registration or in our course office on site.
• Four weeks before the course starts we will send you your »final information« with all important information, including a more detailed timetable.

21. Will I receive a certificate?

• Yes: You will receive a certificate upon successful participation. You will find the conditions in the respective course description.
• in case of doubt, please ask your teacher at the beginning of the course which requirements must be met.

22. Will I get credit points (ECTS) for attending a course?

• Yes, you will find the number of credit points and the conditions for awarding them in the course description. if you have questions don't hesitate to talk to the course lecturer.
• Important: If you would like to have the course credited for your studies, please make sure to clarify beforehand whether your home university will accept the course for your studies.

23. Will I get a grade?

• No, not automatically. However, it is possible. If you would like to receive a grade, you must discuss this with your teacher at the beginning of the course.

24. Who is the contact person during the course time?

• During the whole course you will be supervised by at least one lecturer. In addition, a tutor will be taking part of the course as well. He or she is your first contact person for small and large inquiries and problems.
• And of course you can always come to our Course Office at any time - we will be happy to help you with all possible concerns!

25. What do I have to know regarding my arrival?

• On the day of arrival we will be waiting for you at our meeting point at Weimar main station. There, we will provide you with everything you need for your start in Weimar.
• Should you arrive outside our our welcome times, please inform us as early as possible.

26. Where do I receive the key for my accommodation?

• Our tutoring team will be ready on the day of your arrival to give you information about your address and the key for your accommodation. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide more detailed information about your accommodation before arrival.

27. How do I get to my accommodation?

• Part of our welcome service is a shuttle bus that will take you with your luggage to your accommodation. Please note that this service is only available at the indicated arrival times. Also be prepared that a little bit of waiting time might occur.
• In your welcome folder, which you will receive upon arrival, you will also find your participant ID. With this card, you can use the city buses free of charge as an alternative to the shuttle service.
• If you arrive outside the official welcoming time, you will have to arrange your own arrival. But no worries: For the next day, we have organised an Info Point where you can pick up your welcome folder and keys if necessary.

28. What do I have to consider before I leave?

• If you have booked your accommodation with the us, you should arrange the room check with your contact person (for shared flats) or with the course tutor (for student housing/low budget rooms) in the week before departure.
• On the day of departure you must come to the meeting point at Weimar main station with the signed walk-through certificate and your key during our Farewell Service.
• Keep in mind that we cannot offer a shuttle service on the day of departure.

29. How much is the deposit for the key and when do I get it back?

• In addition to the accommodation fee, 50 EURO deposit had to be paid.
• If you return the key and the signed walk-through certificate on the day of departure, you will get back the 50 EURO in cash.

30. Will I get my chosen room category?

• If you book a room with us, we guarantee accommodation during your stay. And we will of course do our best to fulfil your category request.
  However:
  If there are not enough rooms in a category, the room category and therefore the price may change. We will inform you of any changes in due time.

31. Which things are available in my accommodation?

• All rooms are equipped with a bed, table, wardrobe, chair and shelf.
• The kitchens do usually have a stove, refrigerator, sink.
• Bedding will be provided (except in low budget rooms).
• Please bring your own towels with you!

32. Will I have the accommodation for me alone?

• Your room is, of course, just for you.
• Usually, however, your room is part of a shared apartment. You share this apartment with other people - possibly even other participants of the Bauhaus Summer School - with whom you usually also share bathroom and kitchen.

33. Will I get food in my accommodation?

• No, each participant is responsible for his*her own meals.
• In the Mensa am Park you can have lunch at a reasonable price with your participation card. Prices vary between 1.60 EURO and 3.50 EURO (some of the courses already include eating in the Mensa).
• Here you can find a list of dining halls in Weimar: dining halls.
• Supermarkets are usually open Monday to Saturday. On sundays, they are closed.

34. You want to find an accommodation by yourself?

• Of course! Here you will find an overview of accommodations in Weimar: Weimar Ho[s]tels.

35. Where can I get information about free time activities?

• Some of the acitivities we organise can be found on our website. At the beginning of the Bauhaus Summer School, every participant will receive the programme booklet including an overview of all events.

36. Will I have access to sports facilities?

• Sure! During the Bauhaus Summer School, you can work out every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at the University Sports Centre.
• There is also a swimming pool in Weimar and numerous beautiful parks that invite you to go jogging.

37. Are there any extra costs for the leisure activities?

• No - with the exception of the excursions, which can be booked additionally, all events of the Bauhaus Summer School are included in the course fee.
• Your participant ID is your golden ticket: It will get you into all museums and houses of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar free of charge! And you can visit the film programme of the cinema mon ami, which was put together especially for the Summer School - for free!
• You can also check out the programme of the Weimarer Sommer. Many events are free of charge as well.

38. How can I explore Weimar?

• Weimar is a small city - which means that luckily many things can be easily reached by foot.
• In case you don't want to walk: With your participant ID you can use the Weimar city buses free of charge. Here you can find details on network and timetable: bus timetables.
• And if you neither want to walk nor take the bus: The bicycle rental Grüne Liga Weimar rents out bicycles at reasonable prices.

39. What is the weather like in Weimar (Thuringia) in August?

• In one word: incalculable! Usually it is quite warm in August, but it can vary - between 15-35°C, anything is possible. In the evening it often gets fresh. So you are best prepared for all eventualities: with summer clothes, warm clothes and rainwear.

40. How much pocket money will I need for the duration of the course?

• This is difficult to estimate, as individual needs vary. In comparison to other German cities, life in Weimar is quite affordable. You can find an overview of the average cost of living for rough orientation here: Cost of living in Weimar.