Great value German courses abroad

There are many locations in Europe where you can take a German language course, some being more expensive than others. Of course, when planning your trip, you need to research the general cost of living in the city you’re considering, along with accommodation costs, but the following three courses currently offer the best value for money in terms of course fees for a general one-week course.

1. Hamburg (£75/$120)

Located right in the very north of Germany, Hamburg is a large port city with an interesting history and a vibrant nightlife. It is a university city, and as such is home to thousands of students and plenty of activities to cater for them. Aesthetically, Hamburg has shed the industrial image that it had for so long, and is now home to fashionable waterfront areas, vast green urban spaces and beautiful architecture. It also has a myriad of quaint canals and, in fact, six times more bridges than Venice!

Hamburg is well connected internationally, with an airport that is well served by a range of airlines, including low cost carriers such as Easy Jet and German Wings.

Cactus works with two schools in Hamburg, both offering good value courses, but the most affordable is offered by the centrally located school. The General German course there, which includes 10 lessons per week, currently costs just £75. Accommodation options include lodgings with a host family, a room in a shared apartment and a room in a student residence.

More about the General German course in Hamburg

2. Cologne Rudolfplatz (£109/$170)

Cologne, or Köln as it’s known in German, is Germany’s fourth largest city. Cologne is a very multicultural city, and attracts thousands of visitors each year, who come to enjoy the wide range of museums, fine art collections and great architecture. One of Cologne’s most famous buildings and tourist attractions is its stunning Dom (cathedral), which dominates the skyline of the pretty old town – an area full of traditional bierkellers and lively bars and restaurants.

Like Hamburg, Cologne enjoys fantastic transport links both domestically and internationally, and is really easily, and affordably reached.

The school located close to lively Rudolfplatz in Cologne offers great value General German course (20 lessons per week) and a range of accommodation options that include staying with a host family, in a shared apartment or, cheapest of all, in a youth hostel.

More about the General German course at the Cologne Rudolfplatz school

3. Berlin Campus (£159/$254)

After more than 20 years as united Germany’s capital, Berlin has become one of Europe’s most exciting and eclectic cities. Whilst Berlin was always a place with historical and political significance, its label as both a fashionable and forward-thinking city are relatively new. These days, Berlin’s art, culture, music, entertainment and restaurant scenes are considered second to none, and their popularity and recognition show no signs of dwindling.

Cactus works with several schools in Berlin, all offering good value and a good variety of courses. The most affordable currently, though, is the General German course (20 lessons per week) offered by the Berlin Campus school, located on Kastanienallee, close to Alexanderplatz. Accommodation options include a room in a shared apartment, a room in a student residence, or lodgings with a host family for optimum cultural immersion.

More about the General German course at the Berlin campus school

For full details of Cactus’ German courses and prices in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, please visit the Cactus Language site.

*Please note that prices were accurate at the time of writing but may change as a result of currency fluctuations.