FAQs
What is the Goethe-Zentrum Kampala / Uganda German Cultural Society?
The Goethe-Zentrum Kampala/ Ugandan German Cultural Society was founded in 1989. It is a non-political and non-profit organisation whose tasks consist in the promotion of German-Ugandan relationships and in the building of a platform for the intercultural dialogue in Kampala and within the East African region. By means of numerous cultural events GZK/ UGCS supports the local art scene and fosters the bilateral exchange between artists from Uganda, Germany and other East African countries.
Please find more about our history and who we are in our 30 Years of UGCS book here.
How much does it cost to enroll for a class?
The entry level for German is A1. The course costs UGX 1,080,000, plus UGX 30,000 membership fee. Find more information here.
Can I pay in installments?
Payments must be received by us in advance of the course start and in the full amount.
When does a course start?
Our regular intensive course (A, A2, B1) and regular extensive courses (B2.1, B2.2, C1.1, C1.2) always last 10 weeks. For the exact dates please look here. 1 Alpha classes start as soon as we have at least 6 students.
Our Midterm Courses A1.1 start in the middle of the term. This intensive class can be continued as a A1.2 extensive class in the next term.
What is the difference between internal and external student?
An internal student is one that is a member and also studied with us here at GZK / UGCS. He/she is therefore in our system and we know him/her.
An external student has studied somewhere else. He/she does not have the privileges that an internal student has, such as reduced prices for exams.
Some time ago I studied with GZK / UGSC. When do I become an external student as a former internal student?
When you study or have studied with us in the last year, you are considered an internal student. One year after finishing your course, this status expires and you become an external student of the organization. This also means, for example, that the discounted price for international examinations is forfeited for internal students.
What does hybrid class mean?
Hybrid learning (or blended learning) is the ideal option if you want to learn German fast, but you do not have much time to meet your teacher and classmates and you also do not want to learn individually only. Our Blended Learning courses combine the best of both worlds: intensive group lessons and flexible individual online German lessons complement each other. That way, you will make remarkable progress within a short period of time. Please express the request for hybrid classes when enrolling.
What is A1 Alpha?
A1 Alpha is designed for illiterate students. They can learn the German language from the scratch: they learn reading and writing while also learning the language. This course is modular consisting of 3 parts: A1 Alpha 0, A1 Alpha 1 (corresponds to A1.1) and A1 Alpha 2 (corresponds to A1.2). At the end of this course students are trained to take the A1 examination.
How can I find you, where are you located?
You find us at:
Goethe-Zentrum Kampala / Uganda German Cultural Society is located at:
52, Bukoto Street, Kamwokya
P.O. Box 11778
Kampala, Uganda
How can I contact you?
You can contact us at:
landline: +256 414 533 410
mobile: +256 750 446 659 (WhatsApp)
email: info@goethezentrumkampala.org
homepage: www.goethezentrumkampala.org
Facebook: Goethe-Zentrum Kampala UGCS
Instagram: gz_kampala
Twitter: GZKampala/UGCS
Youtube: GZ_Kampala
Is your telephone number on WhatsApp?
Yes, you can find our mobile number (+256 750 446 659) on WhatsApp. If it is not showing up in your WhatsApp contact list make sure you saved our number including the country code +256. Otherwise WhatsApp will not recognize that number.
If this still doesn’t work here's what else you can do:
- Make sure you are using the latest version of WhatsApp.
- Update your contact list. To do this, open WhatsApp and tap on the message icon with the small plus in the top right corner. Then go to the menu button and select "Update".
- Check here in WhatsApp’s Help Center
How do I register and pay for a course?
Please follow these 5 steps to registration and pay at GZK / UGCS:
- Pick a bank slip from our reception and opportunely get pre-registration questions answered.
- Make your payment at any branch of Diamond Trust Bank. (There is one directly behind our building at Kira Road.)
- Return your paid up bank slip to the receptionist and together with our receptionist, choose your preferred course and schedule of study from the available options while filling in a registration form with our terms and conditions. Please remember to leave behind your active WhatsApp number (and / or E-Mail address).
- Proceed to our accountant’s department for your payment to be receipted and receive your course books.
- Please inquire from the accountant OR receptionist, if your provided details have been entered into our students’ system.
What happens if I do not attend class regularly?
If a course participant doesn’t actively attend the minimum required 70% of the entire course, such a student doesn’t get a “certificate of attendance/ confirmation of participation” at the end of the term.
Do I get my money back if I cancel the course?
If a course is cancelled within the first week of the term in writing, the participant is entitled to a refund of the tuition fees minus a cancellation fee/ administration fee of 10 % and membership fee AND if the course books are still in good shape, no further deductions are made.
I already know some German, do I still have to start with A1?
If a participant has prior knowledge of German, a placement test to determine the participants actual level of German is arranged and after getting the results of the placement test, the participant is assigned the appropriate course.
What are the Terms and conditions for the courses?
You find the terms and conditions here.
What are the Terms and conditions for the exams?
You find the terms and conditions here.
What do we do in the examination preparation course?
For each exam you will receive a preparation class included in the fee. In these sessions, we clarify formalities that you need to understand as an examinee. You will learn the structure of the exam and what to keep in mind during the whole process.
The preparation course is NOT a teaching class.
I take German classes somethere else. Can I still register for the examination at GZK/UGCS?
Yes you can, BUT:
The international exams are designed according to the course structure of Goethe-Institute / Goethe-Zentrum. This means that our courses are tailored to the international exams and thus the requirements of GI.
Be aware that the following language skills are tested:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
So BEFORE you register for A1 international exam, ask yourself questions such as:
Can I say simple things in German? Do I understand simple things in German? Can I keep a short and simple dialogue (to ask and answer). Can I write and read the German words I know?
Your knowledge of the above is crucial for the overall result in the international exam! As an external student, ask your teacher about these language goals!
How long does it take to get the results after sitting for the exam?
In principle the results of an international examination are released in not more than 7 working days from the day of completion of the examination.
Which documents do I need to register for a German course?
Apart from 1 passport photo, there is no particular document required for registration to a German course.
Which documents do I need to register for a German examination?
For registration to German international examinations a copy of the passport or National ID or Refugee ID Asylum seeker’s certificate is required.
When can I expect to be added to the WhatsApp Group for my class?
All course participants should be added to the respective WhatsApp Groups latest one day to the start of their respective courses.
Can I study online?
Yes, we also offer purely online classes, which is the best option for learning from home, from work or where ever you are. Please express the request for online classes when enrolling.
When will I receive the Zoom link for my online class?
The Zoom links/ invitations to the respective online classes is sent in the WhatsApp Group latest 15 minutes to the beginning of the lesson.
Can Goethe-Zentrum Kampala/ Ugandan German Cultural Society help me get a job or academic institution placement in Germany?
Unfortunately no.
I need a visa for Germany. What can I do?
Goethe-Zentrum Kampala / Uganda German Cultural Society is not handling any visa requests or similar. For any visa-related question please look here.
In the name of the embassy we would like to point out the following:
The online appointment booking system for national visas, passports and other consular services is free of charge. Agencies and other facilitators do not have any special or preferential access to the appointment booking system, even if they claim otherwise. Offers which advertise this are not trustworthy and are ultimately responsible for making the appointment situation worse for everyone.
I do not have Zoom, can I still join the online class?
The Zoom Application is required to participate in online classes. Zoom's requirements for the device can be found in the manufacturer's specifications. The program must be installed on the device before the first class. The device can be a laptop, PC, cell phone, tablet, etc. that meets the minimum requirements. In addition, unrestricted access to a stable Internet connection is required. Zoom consumes approximately 1 GB per lesson.
Why is the online or hybrid class not cheaper than the physical class?
Conducting classes online results in the same costs on the part of the organization, if not more. In order to provide equal quality instruction, online instruction has the same pricing structure as on-site teaching.
Is there any discount?
There is currently no discount for classes. However, the advanced courses in B1 and above are designed so that the price per hour is lower than in A1 and A2. You can find more about our prices here.
What is the membership fee for?
Goethe-Zentrum Kampala / Uganda German Cultural Society is a Ugandan NGO. To study with us, you must be a registered member of the society. The membership is mandatory for the students and an additional part of the course fee. As a member of Uganda German Cultural Society you support our work in Culture, Arts and Language. You get:
- free entry to our regular events / reduced tickets for special events
- free access to our library and media room and facilities
- access to a free digital literagy class OR conversation class (first come - first serve)
- our newsletter
- invitation to our Annual General Meeting
The amount for our students is UGX 30,000, for external persons UGX. 60,000.