German Pupil Courses
Please note: The application deadline for the German Pupil Courses 2019 has now passed. We will notify applicants by mid-April about the outcome of their applications.
What are the German Pupil Courses?
The German Pupil Courses are two-week courses in Germany for UK pupils studying German. There are three courses every summer for 12 pupils and one accompanying teacher each. The courses are run by the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD), which is the German governmental institution in charge of international education at school level and works to develop and promote international co-operation at school level. The courses are administered in the UK by UK-German Connection. They are a fantastic opportunity for pupils to get first-hand experience of German life and culture and improve their German language skills at the same time.
Who can take part?
There are two possible course options:
Option 1 is for pupils who:
- are currently in year 12 (England, Wales) / year 13 (Northern Ireland) / S5 (Scotland)
- have been learning German for at least two years
- are permanent UK residents (at least three years at the time of application)
Option 2 is for pupils who:
- are currently in year 10 (England, Wales) / year 11 (Northern Ireland) / S3 (Scotland)
- have been learning German for at least one year
- are permanent UK residents (at least three years at the time of application)
Preference will be given to those showing particular ability in German. As competition for these places is usually high, places may be restricted to one place per school. Preference may also be given to those who have not previously had the chance to participate in similar opportunities.
Please note: this programme is for permanent UK residents only. It is not open to German nationals and German native speakers.
Where and when do the courses take place?
There are three courses in three different locations in Germany. The preliminary dates for the 2019 courses are:
- Option 1: 7 - 21 August and 14 - 28 August 2019 (two courses); near Berlin
- Option 2: 13 - 27 July 2019; Bavaria
Please note that these dates and locations are subject to final confirmation.
What is involved in the courses?
Participants will follow a full programme of lessons, workshops, visits and excursions as well as wider cultural events and activities and free time within the group and with their host families. All selected participants are expected to take a very active and constructive part in all aspects of the programme and follow all programme guidelines and code of conduct.
Participants are also expected to engage in local outreach activities, including a primary ambassador project, and submit feedback and reports on the course and their activities.
Please refer to the information sheet for further details.
For reports, galleries and videos from previous years, visit the German Pupil Courses experience page.
How much does it cost?
The courses are part-funded by the German government through the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD) which covers all course-related costs in Germany. The Department for Education part-funds other programme costs, and participants are required to pay £300 to cover travel between London and the course centre, insurance and teachers' costs. Participants are also responsible for the cost of domestic travel to a London airport and pocket money.
Who will accompany the German Pupil Course participants?
The groups are met on departure at a London airport by a member of UK-German Connection staff and their group leaders, who are all qualified and vetted teachers. The teacher will accompany them to their destination and be their group leader during the entire stay in Germany.
Who organises travel?
UK-German Connection books return journeys between a London airport and the German destination. Participants arrange their own journey to and from the London airport. Individual travel arrangements to and from Germany are not possible nor can flight or travel dates be altered.
What happens next?
We will contact all applicants by mid-April and notify them of the outcome of their application. Selected participants will then need to confirm acceptance of their place, pay the course fee (see above) and provide relevant health forms as well as consent forms from their parents/guardians. Participants will then also be put in touch with their group leaders and receive further details about logistics and planning.
Before going to Germany
All participants will 'meet' in a closed online forum before travelling to Germany, giving them the opportunity to get to know each other beforehand, as well as discuss aspects of the courses such as travel to the airport and primary ambassadors projects. In addition, participants will also be able to contact peer mentors, who have previously participated in the German Pupil Courses.
Further information
IMPORTANT: Information on the organisations responsible for the courses, host school and family selection, group leader selection and the safety measures in place on the courses is on our health and safety pages. Please click here to read these, as well as passing on the information to your teachers and parents.
If you have any questions or would like further information on the programme, please email us at pupilprogrammes@ukgermanconnection.org .
