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The Landesspracheninstitut der Ruhr-Universität Bochum (LSI) and the University Language Centre (ZFA) were merged to the new central operating unit RUB-Language Center. The services offered by both institutions will remain largely unchanged within this unit, which will in future jointly take on the task of (foreign) language training for students and other interested persons.

We moved into our new shared premises back in November 2025 – you will find us at Overbergstr. (OVB) 17 and in the Universitätsforum Ost (UFO).

Late Registartion

Are you a student at RUB and have you missed the registration deadline or not been able to secure a place on your desired course? If so, you can register via the Restplatzbörse exchange until Friday, 24 April 2026, 1 p.m.
Please note that we can only consider your application if your details are correct and complete.


Students from other universities can only register by emailing zfa@rub.de.
IMPORTANT: Only emails sent from university email accounts that contain complete information (see below) and are received by us by Thursday, 24 April 2026, 1 p.m. at the latest will be considered.
Please provide the following information:
• Course number and title (information can be found on the remaining places exchange)
• If applicable, placement test results or information about the preliminary course that was successfully completed at our university
• First and last name, address (street, house number, postcode and city)


We wish everyone a good start to the new semester and lots of fun and, of course, success in the language courses!

The University Language Centre (ZFA)

The University Language Centre (ZFA) is the central access point for all students and members of the RUB who wish to learn a new language or improve their existing skills. We also offer professional guidance regarding the use of foreign languages in an academic or professional context.
Currently, RUB students and staff members can join skills-based group courses in 15 different languages. Alternatively, we offer tailor-made individual training sessions.

We offer:

 

  • An integrated course structure which complies with the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFL).
  • Specific Purpose language courses created in close cooperation with the faculties to meet their needs and the needs of their students.
  • Practical, skills-based courses in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Spanish and Turkish.
  • An extensive guidance and coaching programme, specifically geared towards individual and self-directed learning.
  • Special tailor-made courses for RUB staff members, in cooperation with the Administrative Department of Organizational and Professional Development.
  • Regular exchange programmes in cooperation with overseas partners, especially in the field of tandem learning.
  • A testing centre for standardised internationally recognised language examinations such as IELTS, DELE, CNaVT, DELF/DALF, SWEDEX and Tisus. We are also accredited for university specific certification systems such as UNIcert®.
  • Professional guidance for faculties, facilities and project groups across the RUB on issues related to specific training for special target groups.
     

Winter Semester 2025/26

Examination dates
You will find an overview of the exam dates as well as important information on the exam modalities and formats in the section End-of-course Exams.

Please note that the individual parts of the listening comprehension, oral examination and written production (including reading comprehension) are spread over several dates in most languages.

Summer Semester 2026

Course duration
20.24.2026 - 24.07.2026
Whitsun holidays (lecture-free period) from 26.05.2026 to 29.05.2026

Online consultation Link to chat here

Personal consultation
Dates can be seen here

Registration deadline
Registration for regular courses has closed. During the course of the day, you will find the link to the remaining places exchange on this page.
Students of Ruhr University Bochum can still register for intensive courses during the lecture-free period via eCampus.

Examination dates
You will find an overview of the exam dates as well as important information on the exam modalities and formats in the section End-of-course Exams.

Please note that the individual parts of the listening comprehension, oral examination and written production (including reading comprehension) are spread over several dates in most languages.

Front Office

Here you will find our contact details, office hours and further information.

Aktuelles aus dem ZFA