General information on the Common European Framework of references for Languages (CEFR) and UNIcert®
The CEFR provides a comprehensive basis for the assessment of foreign language proficiency with the aim to make the various European language certificates comparable and create a measuring system for the acquisition of a foreign language.
There are six levels:
Basic (A1 = no UNIcert®, A2 = UNIcert Basis)
Independent (B1 = UNIcert I, B2 = UNIcert II)
Proficient (C1 = UNIcert III, C2 = UNIcert IV)
Each CEFR level usually takes 8 SWS (Semesterwochenstunden – workload measurement), i.e. 120 contact hours in a language course + 180 hours of individual studies.
https://web.archive.org/web/20041208170324/http://rcswww.urz.tu-dresden.de/~unicert/e/index.htm
UNIcert® is a standardized certification system offered by universities that are accredited members of the UNIcert® association. It is in line with the levels of the CEFR and considers various aspects of university education. UNIcert® aims to prepare students for studying abroad.
Major criteria of UNIcert® are:
- Transparency of courses and exams
- Compliance with minimum standards
- Clear and user-friendly documentation of the acquired language skills on a two-language certificate
The Language Centre is the only institution of the University that is accredited and allowed to award a UNIcert® for various levels in Chinese, English, French, Italian, Polish, Russian, Swedish and Spanish (see course offers).
You have to do a placement test which you can find on MOODLE. This test can be taken only once.
A UNIcert® exam can only be taken after having attend the corresponding language course. However, lateral entry in an ongoing course is possible if at least half of the course can still be attended.
There is a 75% attendance requirement.
UNIcert®I and II are awarded either on the basis of final examination or by cumulation of all previously attained course marks. A certificate for stage III, however, may only be awarded on the basis of a final examination.
| UNIcert® Basis (A2) | UNIcert®I (B1) | UNIcert®II (B2) (general or for specific purposes) | UNIcert®III (C1) (general or for specific purposes) | |
| Workload | 120 - 180 contact hours+ 180 – 270 hours of individual studies | 120 contact hours+ 180 hours of individual studies | 120 contact hours+ 180 hours of individual studies | 120 contact hours+ 180 hours of individual studies |
| Precondition | none | A2 | B1 | B2 |
| Type of exam | Cumulative/final | Cumulative/final | Cumulative/final | Final |
| Exam disciplines |
Listening/Reading/ Speaking/Writing/ Vocab+Structure |
Listening/Reading/ Speaking/Writing/ Vocab+Structure |
Listening/Reading/ Speaking/Writing/ Vocab+Structure |
Listening/Reading/ Speaking/Writing |
Yes, the exam fee is €15 and is due when you apply for the UNIcert® exam.
You need to fill in the interactive form, print it out, sign it and hand it in to your teacher.
No. You need to fill in the interactive application form which you can find on the homepage of the Language Centre and hand it in to your teacher.