German Intensive & Visa Courses
TANDEM Cologne offers intensive German courses all year round for all levels. In small groups of 5–12 students* and in a relaxed and communicative atmosphere, you can quickly improve your German language skills. With our qualified teachers and varied teaching methods, you’ll learn effectively and enjoy the process!
Even if you’re looking for a language study trip to Cologne or need to prepare for university studies or vocational training in Germany – and need a visa – these courses are exactly what you’re looking for!
Lessons take place from Monday to Friday between 9.30 am and 1.00 pm and comprise 20 hours per week. Participants with prior knowledge can join ongoing courses at any time, subject to consultation with the office and a written and oral placement test.
#on average 9-10; in exceptional cases 13 or 14 for a few weeks (e.g. due to visa requirements or a change of level for pedagogical reasons)
Our levels
| Level | Lessons | Duration* | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| A1 | 160 | 8 weeks | A1.1 | A1.2 | |
| A2 | 160 | 8 weeks | A2.1 | A2.2 | |
| B1 | 160 | 8 weeks | B1.1 | B1.2 | |
| B2 | 240 | 12 weeks | B2.1 | B2.2 | B2.3 |
| C1 | 240 | 12 weeks | C1.1 | C.1.2 | C1.3 |
| A1 - C1 | about 960 | 48 weeks* |
*some courses are running for 9 or 13 weeks
Do you have previous knowledge? Then you can join the current course every Monday after a placement test; the sub-levels also start every 4 weeks.
Each level concludes with a mandatory final test. Advancement to a higher level is only possible if the test is passed. This ensures that the groups remain homogeneous. And so you can see your learning success :) Should you have any difficulties, you can combine your intensive course with additional lessons in a mini-group or in the form of individual lessons. This helps you to avoid having to repeat the level completely.
Dates
| Course no. | Starting date all levels | End date levels A1, A2, B1 | End date levels B2, C1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| K1 | January 5th | February 27th | März 27th |
| K2 | February 2nd | März 27th | April 30th |
| K3 | March 2nd | April 30th | May 29th |
| K4 | April 07th (Tue.) | May 29th | July 3rd** |
| K5 | May 04th | July 3rd* | July 31st** |
| K6 | June 1st# | July 31st* | August 28th** |
| K7 | July 6th | August 28th | September 25th |
| K8 | August 3rd | September 25th | October 23th |
| K9 | August 31st | October 23th | November 20th |
| K10 | September 28th | November 20th | Dezember 18th |
| K11 | October 26th | December 18th | February 5th |
| K12 | November 23th | January 29th | February 26th |
| K1 | January 4th | February 26th | April 2nd |
| K2 | February 1st | April 2nd | April 30th |
| #A1.1 starts June 8th | *course running 9 weeks | **course running 13 weeks |
School holidays: Dec. 22nd 2025 – Jan. 2nd 2026, March 30th - April 2nd and Dec. 21st 2026 - Jan. 1st 2027
Public holidays 2025 (which are not refundable): February 16th (Shrove Monday, Carnival); April 3rd & 6th, May 1st, May 14th & 15th, May 25th, June 4th & 5th