FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions - Lektorat Englisch
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Question
I have passed an external English test (e.g. TOEFL/Cambridge/APIEL/IELTS)
I have had many years of English at school.
I have a B2 certificate from a language school.
Can I be exempted from courses or a level for this?
Answer
If you have obtained the required grade or points in the following exams, the exams are considered equivalent to UNIcert II (formerly HS). You can then register directly for courses at the Science Communication level without having to take the placement test. Other certificates are not accepted.
Restriction: Bachelor's students may not take part in the Science Communication courses in their first semester. They must also wait until the 2nd semester with TOEFL or similar.
TOEFL (IBT only, not ITP; not MyBestTMScore; not TOEFL Essentials) -> at least 80 points
Cambridge English (Cambridge "C1 Advanced" or Cambridge "C2 Proficiency", NOT Cambridge "B2 First") -> 176 points (simply stating "B2" is not enough.)
IELTS (IELTS Academic, not IELTS General) -> at least 6.5
Unfortunately, the following cannot be recognised:
- academic achievements (also not A-levels),
- APIEL
- Cambridge "B2 First" (formerly "Cambridge First Certificate")
- TOEIC
- BULATS
Question
I have studied abroad. Can I have this recognised?
Answer
Yes, for example:
- Immediate admission to UNIcert II (formerly HS) or
- Exemption from ONE of the two courses at the "Scientific Communication" level
is possible under certain circumstances and upon application.
In general, the following applies:
The mere fact that you have been abroad is not enough. You must be able to prove that you had to actively use the language during your stay abroad.
As a rule, this is possible through at least TWO graded courses and copies of a term paper or similar for each of these courses.
The stay abroad should not have taken place more than two years ago and should have taken place during your current degree programme.
For exemption from courses at the "Scientific Communication" level: You can be exempted from a maximum of ONE of the two courses.
Even if you have been abroad in an English-speaking country, the new examination regulations mean that you can no longer be exempted from both "Scientific Communication" courses if you wish to obtain a UNIcert III or "Scientific Communication" certificate.
Question
I did an internship in an English-speaking country. Can I have this recognised?
Answer
As a rule, exemption from courses or recognition due to an internship is not possible.
Under certain circumstances, they are relevant for the application as part of the overall picture of your language biography. Exception: In some circumstances, an internship in a law firm in an English-speaking country may be sufficient for exemption from a Science Communication Law level course, but only if you already have UNIcert II or equivalent. In such cases, please contact Richard Bland before enrolment.
Question
How do I apply for exemption from courses or recognition of credits or other examinations?
Answer
If you have a TOEFL/IELTS/Cambridge certificate, it is sufficient to present the original certificate to the secretariat (AB019). In other cases, please submit the application in English, addressed to one of the lecturers.
If it concerns the level of scientific communication, the following applies:
- for Wiwi: to Wendy Bell
- for Law: to Richard Bland
- for Kuwi: to Jeff Purchla
For study abroad - you must submit the following documents:
- Transcript of your courses while studying abroad, and
- Copies of a term paper or similar for two specialised courses each. If you did not have to write a term paper in any of the courses, proof that the course was completed with a written exam is also sufficient.
The transcript should show that the language of instruction for at least TWO courses was English, and (in the case of exemption from a "Scientific Communication" course) that the course content is for the respective subject area (Kuwi/Wiwi/Jura).
If you are planning to go abroad for a semester, you are advised to discuss in advance with one of the lecturers what you can do during your time abroad to be exempted from courses.
Question
Which students have to take the placement test?
Answer
ALL students who wish to enrol for a course must take the placement test, except:
- Students who have received recognition from the English Department or the Language Centre Secretary of one of the accepted B2 equivalent tests (e.g. TOEFL) and are therefore allowed to enter directly into the level C1 Academic Communication.
- Students who receive an exemption from the English Department following a semester of study abroad.
- Students who have already taken English courses at the Viadrina Language Centre.
- Students whose placement has expired after two semesters.
School certificates (e.g. Abitur) are not recognised for your language level. Please take the placement test.
Please find further information regarding alternative English tests accepted, and applying for exemption under "Exemption from courses and credit for external achievements" in this FAQ.
Question
When is the test?
Answer
The test takes place at the beginning of each semester. Times can be found on the Viadrina Language Centre's website A test date is offered once in the first week of the language courses, but bear in mind that the course you want to take may already be full if you get your placement so late.
Question
Do I have to register for the test?
Answer
Registration is not required. Just go there - with your student ID.
Question
Is the test "online"?
Answer
The test cannot be taken on the internet. It is carried out in computer rooms at the university at published times.
Your grammatical knowledge, vocabulary and reading skills will be tested. Most of the questions are multiple choice, with only one correct answer.
Question
Where can I see the result of my test?
Answer
Your result will be shown on the screen at the end of the test. A day later it will be stored in viaCampus and you can check it at any time there.
Question
What do I do if I have received ""A1/A2""?
Answer
Seek advice from the English Lektors if you have received this level.
Courses for A1 or A2 are unfortunately not offered for English; we recommend that you do a lot of self-study and, if possible, take part in courses at language schools or adult education centres.
Students with A1/A2 are allowed to repeat the placement test next semester.
Question
How long is a placement level valid? Can I repeat the test in the next semester?
Answer
The categorisation is valid for 2 semesters. If you only want to start a course after 2 semesters, you will have to repeat the test. However, you may not repeat the test in the very next semester.
Exception: If you have been categorised as "A1/A2", you can repeat the test in the next semester without any problems.
An exception is possible upon application to the lectorate if you have achieved certain grades in the previous semester. This can be useful after a semester abroad, for example.
Question
I have passed TOEFL/Cambridge /APIEL/IELTS.
I have had English at school for many years / I had English in school.
Do I still have to take part in the placement test?
Answer
Please find further information regarding alternative English tests accepted, and applying for exemption under "Excemption from courses and credit for external achievements" in this FAQ.
A-levels, Abitur ir similar in English are not recognised for this: Please take the placement test..
Question
How do I register for the language courses?
Answer
Registration for language courses takes place viaCampus (NOT via Moodle) and usually begins on 15 March (for summer semesters) or 15 September (for winter semesters).
Question
Am I guaranteed a place on an English course?
Answer
No, unfortunately not. The maximum number of participants per course is for most courses 18 students. This is also in your interest, as the size of the language course is crucial for the learning environment. If the course is too large, the goal of language teaching can hardly be achieved.
Question
Are there language courses in English that fulfil the language requirements of the German law degree? At what level?
Answer
Yes, the following courses are currently offered by the English lectorate and are recognised for the additional qualification:
a) Level C1 Academic Communication - English for Law 1
b) Level C1 Academic Communication - English for Law 2 (but you usually need to have passed EfL1 beforehand)
c) Level B2.2 (intermediate): Only the course "English for Human Rights Law".
Question
How many language courses do I have to take in order to be admitted to the UNIcert II exam (formerly "HS exam")?
Answer
The "University-specific Foreign Language Training" program in English normally involves you taking :
One course B2.1 course((4 hours per week, two lessons for each course) and
Two B2.2 courses (2 hours per week, one lesson for each course).
If you pass the course tests for these you will be allowed to take the UNIcert II exam.
Whether you have to take all of these courses, only B2.2 courses or can even go direct to the UNIcert II exam without courses depends on your result on the placement test.
Question
May I take two B2.2 courses for English in one semester?
Answer
Yes, that is possible. However, you need to plan enough time for attendance and self-study in both courses.
Question
Am I allowed to take part in both courses at the C1 Academic Communication level (oral and written) in the same semester?
Answer
This is permitted, with the exception of "English for Law" courses, where the two courses build on each other. However, you should consider whether you have enough time for 8 hours per week of lesson time in English in one semester.
Question
Can I use a dictionary in the exam?
Answer
Yes, but only an English-language one. Bilingual dictionaries are not allowed.
Question
Can I get a time or day that suits me better for the oral exam?
Answer
Unfortunately, it is not possible to arrange individual times due to the large number of English students. The following exceptions are accepted:
- Illness, if a medical certificate is presented within 2 weeks.
- Study abroad. Let us know immediately and contact us again on your return, at the latest within the same semester.
Unfortunately, new appointments CANNOT be offered due to holidays, internships or work.
Question
I have not passed the UNIert II exam (formerly "HS"). Can I retake it?
Answer
The UNIcert II exam can be repeated once if it is not passed.
A second repetition is possible in justified exceptional cases. Procedure for this:
Please first contact one of the English lecturers (preferably the one who coordinated the exam in the current semester).
Then, after consultation with the lecturer, submit an application to the chair of the examination board (Dr Klepper-Pang).
Question
Can I take the UNIert II exam (formerly "HS") again to improve my grade?
Answer
It is not possible to retake the exam if you have already passed it once.
Question
When and where can I find my results?
Answer
On the ViaCampus website. The publication date will be announced during the written exam
An early announcement for individual results is unfortunately not possible.
Question
What is the difference between UNIcert II and HS?
Answer
Although the examination module is still listed in viaCampus as "UNIcert II / HS", there is no longer an HS examination since the new examination regulations came into force.
In contrast to the old HS exam, ALL candidates take an oral exam in UNIcert exams.
BUT you will be awarded a certificate for "HS-specific language training" ("HS" certificate) if the following conditions are met:
You have passed exactly THREE of the partial examinations
AND
the average of all four partial grades is 4.0 or better.
The UNIcert certificates have a seal of UNIcert accreditation, which is widely accepted throughout Germany. However, the HS certificate is still a valid B2 certificate that is accepted within Viadrina (and often outside the university).
Question
Can I attend the two courses in Academic Communication in the same semester?
Answer
The MWK and SWK courses can be attended in the same semester. However, you must bear in mind that this means a lot of work, as self-study also plays an important role.
In the English for Law courses, they are not MWK and SWK but English for Law 1 and 2. The courses build on each other, which means that English for Law 1 must be passed before you start English for Law 2.
Question
Can I be exempt from one/both levels of the courses?
Answer
You can apply for exemption from ONE of the two courses - please contact one of the Lektors to discuss this.
Unfortunately, exemption from both is no longer possible under the new examination regulations.
Question
Do I have to take the UNIcert III exam immediately after the courses?
Answer
No, you can also take the exam later. However, this is recommended unless you spend a semester abroad in an English-speaking country between the course and the exam.
Question
May I retake the UNIcert III certificate exam?
Answer
If you fail, you can retake UNIcert III twice. If you have already failed twice, you may be allowed a third attempt. To do so, you must submit an application to the Chair of the examination board (Dr Klepper-Pang). However, please contact the responsible English Lektor beforehand.