FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cambridge Institut? The Cambridge Institut was founded in 1961 as the first German language institute specialising in English. We have been offering English courses for over 65 years, and we are also running internationally recognised language exams. In 2024, we started to include German language training in our programme.

Where is the institute located? In Munich’s Old Town: Residenzstraße 22, 80333 Munich, near the Opera House and Marienplatz. Many courses and exams are also available online.

When is the front desk open? Monday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm; Friday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. In August, reduced hours apply (Mon–Fri 10:00 am to 2:00 pm).

When is the institute closed? On Bavarian holidays, as well as during the Christmas break and around Easter. More details can be found here.

Who teaches at your institute? Qualified, native-speaking instructors with teaching experience. Classes are practical, interactive, and tailored to your personal learning goals.

For which exams is the institute an official test centre? Cambridge English (including Linguaskill), IELTS (British Council), TOEFL (iBT), LanguageCert exams, and TestDaF Digital.

How can I reach you? By phone at +49 (0)89 22 11 15, by email at info@cambridgeinstitut.de, on social media, and via our online contact form.

What English courses do you offer? General English (day and evening courses, beginner courses, pronunciation training), Business English, courses for pupils, exam preparation, one-on-one instruction, English for companies, and literature courses.

Which course is right for my level? / How do I determine my level? With the Cambridge English Placement Test and a consultation on the phone: First, a written section (online or at the institute) is taken, followed by a short conversation by phone or in person. You’ll receive your CEFR level, suggestions for improvement, and a course/exam recommendation. Take the placement test.

What are CEFR levels? CEFR stands for the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This internationally recognised system from the Council of Europe objectively and uniformly assesses language proficiency. It comprises six levels from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient) and covers listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

Does the placement test cost anything? If you’d like to book a course or exam with us, the full placement test with consultation is free of charge. The quick online version, CEPT Express (approx. 30 minutes, for intermediate level and above), costs €25 and includes a test report with your CEFR level (A1–C1), which you’ll receive via email.

Do the courses take place online or in person? Both. Most courses are available online in a virtual classroom or in person at Residenzstraße 22. There are some exceptions: The group courses for Business English and exam preparation take place exclusively online.

How large are the groups? Depends on course type; generally, there is a maximum of 10 participants online and a maximum of 8 in-person.

What happens if too few participants are registered? The class time will be shortened (e.g., staggered sessions), or the registration will be converted to one-on-one training.

Are there courses for absolute beginners? Yes, there are separate beginner and elementary-level courses. More information here.

What does Business English offer? Online evening courses once a week (Mon, Tue, Wed, or Thu, levels B1–C2) and block-style Saturday courses in “Business Communication” (B1–C1). Classes are held exclusively online and in English.

Will I receive a certificate? Optionally, you can complete your course with a Cambridge or LanguageCert certificate (A2 to C2). Upon request, we’re also happy to issue a certificate of attendance — however, this document is not an official proof of language proficiency.

Can I book private lessons? Yes, for adults and pupils, online or in person, with flexible scheduling. Topics: General or Business English, conversation, pronunciation, or exam preparation.

Are there courses for pupils? Yes, for Realschule, Gymnasium and FOS/BOS (grades 6 to 13); weekly courses held during the school year, 4–5-day holiday courses, and preparation for the Abitur, vocational Abitur, and middle school graduation exams, available online and in person.

Do you offer English training for companies? Yes, in-house group courses with customised content, open Business English courses, one-on-one training for 1–2 people, pronunciation coaching, and exam preparation. Classes are held at the institute, online, or at your company’s premises (if in Munich or the surrounding area), with no long-term contract required.

Are there any programmes related to the English language and culture? Yes, a literature course (English literature and translation), cultural discussions in English, and a language study trip to London. We also offer discounted tickets for the Thea English Culture Circle program.

What discounts are available? For evening courses - payment via SEPA: €5 per month; prepayment: 5% (3 months) or 10% (6 months). For one-on-one training: 20 sessions (-8%), 50 sessions (-10%).

Can I pay for a course using an education voucher or financial aid? No, the Cambridge Institut is not certified for this.

Are your courses recognised as educational leave? That depends on the federal state.

Which English exams do you offer? Cambridge English (A1 Starters through C2 Proficiency), Linguaskill Certificated Business and General, Cambridge English Skills Test, IELTS (Academic and General Training), TOEFL iBT, LanguageCert (ESOL and LTE), SELT for UK visas, and the onSET level test. We also offer exams like CELPIP and CAEL as part of our Prometric exam service (please check their website for more information). 

Which exam is right for me? That depends on your goal. IELTS is preferred for studying, working, and immigration to the UK or Australia; TOEFL is primarily for U.S. universities; and SELT for UK visas. Cambridge certificates are valid for life and are recognised by companies and universities. If you’re unsure, our team will be happy to advise you.

Can we have our employees’ English proficiency certified? Yes, for example, with the Linguaskill Business Certificate or LanguageCert LTE. Your employees can take the exam remotely, at your own premises, or here at our institute.

Are there qualifications for English teachers? Yes, the Cambridge TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test).

How do I register for an exam? For Cambridge exams, Linguaskill, and LanguageCert, please use our online shop. You can book IELTS through the British Council, TOEFL through ETS, and SELT through LanguageCert; the exams will then take place at our institute.

Do the speaking and written exams take place on the same day? For Cambridge exams, this is usually the case; however, if there are a large number of registrations, the speaking part may be scheduled for a different day. Both parts of the IELTS test are normally held on the same day. The only test where the writing and speaking components may be scheduled on different days is UKVI (organised through Prometric).

When will I receive information about the time and location of the exam? For Cambridge exams, you’ll receive your Confirmation of Entry with all the details no later than 5 business days before the exam date. If possible, please keep the entire day free of other commitments to avoid any overlaps with your exam schedule. The exam usually starts between 9:00 am and 10:00 am. For remote exams, you’ll receive an email in advance with the exact time slot for the exam (time window for Linguaskill is usually from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm).

What do I need to bring on the day of the exam? For IELTS exams, a valid passport or ID card — the same one you used when registering. You cannot take the exam without your original ID. For Cambridge exams, either a passport or a national ID card is acceptable. Cell phones, watches, and bags must be stored in lockers. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early. Regulations depend on the exam you are taking so please check your emails before arriving at the testing venue. 

Are there exams specifically for pupils or children? Yes, for example, B2 First for Schools and an English test for children (Cambridge English Young Learners).

Can I take an exam from home? Yes, LanguageCert (ESOL and LTE) with live remote proctoring and Linguaskill Certificated with AI-supported remote invigilation — the latter only within Germany. You can also take the Cambridge CEST from the comfort of your own home.

Do you offer preparation courses? Yes, group courses for C2 Proficiency, C1 Advanced, and B2 First, as well as individual training (1–2 people) for Cambridge, LanguagCert, IELTS, and TOEFL. The exam is not included in the course and must be booked separately.

Is it possible to receive special arrangements? Yes, e.g., extra time for those with reading and spelling difficulties. You must apply for this with a medical certificate before the registration deadline.

Can I reschedule or cancel an exam? After the registration deadline of Cambridge exams, neither cancellation nor rescheduling is possible. In case of illness, you will receive a 50% refund of the exam fee upon presentation of a doctor’s note. IELTS and other exams may have different cancellation and refund policies. Candidates should check the relevant website where they registered for their exam for detailed information on the applicable terms and conditions.

When will the results be available? Depending on the exam: Cambridge exams within approximately 2 weeks, Linguaskill 5–10 working days, LanguageCert 5–7 working days, IELTS 1-5 working days.

Do you also offer German lessons? Yes, since 2024 as private lessons: General German, Business German (e.g., presentations, job interviews), and training for beginners, available online or in person. You can schedule your lessons individually with your instructor. We do not currently offer group courses in German.

Can I take a German exam with you? Yes, the TestDaF Digital for anyone who wants to study or work in Germany. The fee is €210, and you’ll receive your results in ca. 3 to 5 working days.

How do I register for the TestDaF? Directly through the exam provider at testdaf.de, not through our institute. You can find upcoming dates and the link to register here.

How can I quickly assess my German language level? With onSET: an online fill-in-the-blank test (max. 40 minutes) for German (or English). You’ll receive your results (A2–C1) immediately as a PDF; appointment and fee upon request.

How do I sign up for a course or an exam? You can sign up for block courses, one-on-one language training, exams, and tests through our online shop. To register for the ongoing evening course programme, please use our registration form. Alternatively, we’re happy to assist you by phone or email.

Can I get advice beforehand? Yes, free of charge and with no obligation — ideally in conjunction with the placement test. You can schedule appointments by phone, email, or through the contact form.

How can I pay? In the online shop, you have the options of bank transfer and online payment (PayPal, Giropay, credit card, WePay) for language training; for exams, only direct online payment is available. Ongoing courses can be paid for by bank transfer and SEPA direct debit (a saving of €5 per month). Alternatively, training fees can also be paid directly at the front desk in cash or by card. For corporate clients, we’re happy to issue an invoice.

How do I cancel an ongoing course? If you’d like to take a break or cancel your enrollment for the following month, you can do so in writing by email to info@cambridgeinstitut.de by the 20th of the month. Our cancellation period ends on that date.

What happens if I need to cancel a private lesson? Please notify us in writing by email to info@cambridgeinstitut.de of any rescheduling or cancellation of a lesson no later than 5:00 pm on the previous business day (Tue–Fri). To reschedule or cancel a lesson booked for Monday, you must do so by 5:30 pm on Friday. Lessons that are not rescheduled or cancelled within this time frame will be charged.

What happens if a course doesn’t take place? If there are not enough registrations for a certain group course, the class time will be shortened (depending on the number of participants) or the booking will be converted to individual instruction.

Where can I find the terms and conditions? Please consider the separate T&C sections for individual language training, block courses, ongoing courses, and Cambridge exams.