Key takeaways
- Bildungsgutschein courses in English are AZAV-certified training programs taught in English that the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter can fund if your case worker agrees the course improves your job chances.
- The funding rules do not exclude English-taught courses. What counts is a realistic employment goal in Germany and a certified provider.
- At WBS CODING SCHOOL, seven full-time courses and four long programs can be taken in English, in AI, software, data, cloud and UX/UI design.
- English-taught tech courses typically expect English at B2 level, and adding German to your plan can strengthen your case with the agency.
You can use a Bildungsgutschein for courses in English. The voucher pays for certified vocational training, and the language of instruction is not a reason to reject it on its own. For many people who moved to Germany recently, Bildungsgutschein courses in English are a quicker route into a new job, because they can start learning before their German is good enough for a German-taught program.
The harder questions are which courses exist, what level of English you need, and how to convince your case worker that an English course is the right choice. This guide answers all three, with a focus on tech courses. If you need the full application process first, read our guide on how to get a Bildungsgutschein.
Table of Contents
Can you use a Bildungsgutschein for courses in English?
Yes, a Bildungsgutschein can cover a course taught in English, provided the provider and the course are certified under AZAV and your case worker approves it. The voucher is based on § 81 SGB III, which ties funding to one question: does this training make it more likely that you find stable work?
The Bildungsgutschein is issued by the Agentur für Arbeit if you receive or are entitled to unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld I), and by the Jobcenter if you receive Bürgergeld. Both apply the same logic. They do not ask “is this course in German?” but “will this course help you get hired?”
That is why the language question usually comes up indirectly. A case worker may ask whether you can find work in Germany with English alone, or whether improving your German should come first. You will want a clear answer to both before your appointment.
Which Bildungsgutschein courses in English are available in tech?
Tech offers a wide choice of Bildungsgutschein courses in English, because many teams in software, data and cloud already work in English. Most of these courses run online with live instruction, so you can join from anywhere in Germany.
At WBS CODING SCHOOL, the following full-time courses are available in English. Full-time means 40 hours per week with an instructor and a group, either from home or from one of 280+ WBS GRUPPE locations across Germany if you prefer to study online in a classroom setting.
| Course | Duration | Language |
|---|---|---|
| AI Software Development | 17 weeks | English or German |
| Data Analytics | 13 weeks | English |
| Data Science | 17 weeks | English |
| UX/UI Product Design | 15 weeks | English |
| AWS Cloud Computing & AI | 23 weeks | English |
| AI Agents & Automations | 12 weeks | English or German |
| AI for Business | 8 weeks | English or German |
If you want more time and a guaranteed internship, the long programs Data Analytics & AI (10 months), Data Science & AI (12 months) and Software Engineering & AI (12 months) run in English or German. AWS Cloud Engineering & AI (10 months) is taught in English and focuses on project work instead of an internship.
Two courses are German-taught: KI Kompakt and KI & Automatisierung, both part-time. If your German is not yet at B2, they are not the right fit for now.
Whichever provider you look at, check three things before your appointment: that the course is AZAV-certified, that the course page states English as the language of instruction for your start date, and that the provider can issue a Bildungsangebot (a written course offer) for your case worker.
What level of English do you need?
Most English-taught tech courses expect English at B2 level, which means you can follow lessons, discuss problems in a group and write documentation without translating every sentence. At WBS CODING SCHOOL, applicants need B2 or higher in the language their course is taught in.
You do not need technical English before you start. Terms like “API”, “dataset” or “deployment” are part of what you learn. What matters is that you can keep up with eight hours of instruction and teamwork per day. A full-time course moves fast, and falling behind in the first weeks because of language is hard to recover from.
If you have a certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge or a university degree taught in English), bring it to your case worker. If you do not, the provider’s admissions process usually checks your level, and you can mention that in your appointment.
Do you need to speak German to get a Bildungsgutschein?
No, there is no general German-language requirement for a Bildungsgutschein. You do need to be registered in Germany and allowed to work here, and you need to convince your case worker that the course leads to a job.
German still plays a role in two ways. First, appointments at the Agentur für Arbeit are usually held in German, so bring someone who can help if you are unsure. Second, many job ads in Germany list German as a requirement, even in tech. A case worker may therefore ask how you plan to improve your German alongside or after the course.
You have a few ways to answer that:
- Combine language and tech training. With the SpeakTech program, you can add a certified German or English course that runs before your tech course, so the two never overlap.
- Plan a job-related German course. Berufssprachkurse are a separate program run by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and focus on German for work.
- Show what you already do. An evening class, a language app streak or a tandem partner shows that German is on your agenda, even if English is your working language today.
How to make the case for an English-taught course with your case worker
Your strongest argument is evidence that people with the skills from this course, and your level of German, get hired in your region. Case workers manage public funds and need to justify their decision, so give them material they can use.
Prepare these five points before your appointment:
- Collect job ads in English. Save 5 to 10 current ads for your target role (for example “Junior Data Analyst” or “Cloud Support Associate”) that are written in English or say German is “a plus”.
- Match the ads to the curriculum. Highlight the tools and skills that appear in both, such as SQL, Python, AWS or Figma.
- Show your English level. Bring a certificate or explain how the provider checked your level.
- Present your German plan. Say how you will improve your German, for example with SpeakTech or a Berufssprachkurs.
- Bring the Bildungsangebot. The written offer from the provider shows the course number, dates and costs.
Check the Bildungsgutschein requirements before your appointment, and keep an eye on timing. If you receive Arbeitslosengeld I, it helps to know how long you can be unemployed in Germany before benefits end, because the course should start well within that window.
Jobs in Germany for English speakers after the course
English-speaking tech jobs in Germany are concentrated in startups, international companies and remote-first teams, especially in cities like Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. Roles in software development, data analytics, data science, cloud and UX/UI design are among those where English as a working language is common.
German still widens your options, particularly at larger German companies, in the public sector and in customer-facing roles. That is why a good plan combines an English-taught course with steady progress in German. If you are unsure which role suits you, our overview of tech jobs without coding shows paths in product, design and data that do not require you to become a developer.
At WBS CODING SCHOOL, career services support you with your CV, portfolio and interview preparation during the course, and for up to 12 months after graduation in the long programs.
How Sahand made the switch after moving to Germany
Sahand Azizi spent about ten years in foreign trade and supply chain management. His last role was executive assistant at Unilever in Iran. When he moved to Germany, he saw the move as a chance to learn data science. In his interview with Course Report, he describes his starting point plainly: “I was new in Germany and didn’t know much about the institutions.”
He chose the Data Science & AI program, a full-time year of Python, SQL, machine learning, statistics and cloud computing with Microsoft Azure, followed by a two-month internship. Career Services recommended an internship at share, an FMCG company. Sahand applied and went through the interviews himself. In seven to eight weeks, he improved the company’s sales forecasting accuracy from 55 % to 79 %.
After the program, Sahand built his own job search tool that scored listings against his profile. About 20 days later, he had a new role as Design Engineer at Facade Technologies, part of Züblin, where he builds automation tools on top of his engineering background. Read Sahand’s full story.
Bildungsgutschein courses in English FAQ
Are there Bildungsgutschein courses in English in Berlin?
Yes, there are Bildungsgutschein courses in English in Berlin, both on-site and online. Berlin has many AZAV-certified providers with English-taught programs in tech, languages and business. Online courses with live instruction are also open to Berlin residents, so you are not limited to providers with a classroom in the city.
Can I take an English-taught course online from anywhere in Germany?
Yes, you can usually take an English-taught online course from anywhere in Germany with a Bildungsgutschein. The voucher is issued by your local agency, but certified online courses are not tied to a classroom near you. Check the conditions printed on your voucher, because they can include details such as the course goal or the start period.
Can my case worker ask me to improve my German first?
Yes, your case worker can suggest improving your German before or alongside a tech course if they see language as your main barrier to employment. This is not a rejection of your plan. You can respond with a combined approach, for example a German course before the tech course, and with English-language job ads that show demand for your target role.
Do I need an Anmeldung to apply for a Bildungsgutschein?
Yes, you generally need an Anmeldung (registered address in Germany) to apply for a Bildungsgutschein. The agency also checks that your residence permit allows you to work. Citizenship does not matter: EU citizens and people with a valid work permit can apply under the same rules as German citizens.
Related blogs
- How to get a Bildungsgutschein that will pay for your courses: The step-by-step application process, from registration to redeeming your voucher.
- Bildungsgutschein requirements: Who qualifies for funding and which documents you need.
- How to change careers into tech: A guide to choosing a tech role and planning your switch.
- Best online IT courses in Germany: A comparison of online tech courses, including format, duration and funding.
- How long can you be unemployed in Germany?: How the Arbeitslosengeld I period affects your course timing.
Conclusion
Bildungsgutschein courses in English are a realistic way into tech for people who are new to Germany. The voucher can fund English-taught training if the course is AZAV-certified and your case worker sees a clear path to a job. Prepare English-language job ads, proof of your English level and a plan for your German, and your case becomes much easier to approve. Compare duration, format and support before you decide. Explore all courses taught in English at WBS CODING SCHOOL and find the one that fits your goal.
