Language examinations
The Language Centre has been accredited by UNIcert® – the "seal of quality" for the training, testing and certification of foreign language competencies relevant to future academics – since 2000, and was last reaccredited until 31 March 2025.
The UNIcert® Basis and UNIcert® I certificates are acquired through the successful completion of the respective language courses/modules (A2, formerly basic level 2 / Grundstufe 2, for UNIcert® Basis or A1, formerly intermediate level 1 / Mittelstufe 1, for UNIcert® I), by successfully completing the corresponding course.
The UNIcert® II and III certificates, however, as well as the UNIcert® IV certificate for German as a foreign language, are obtained by taking a specific examination after having successfully completed the corresponding course(s)/module(s).
The Language Centre offers these examinations in principle every semester.
1. Online registration for the language examinations generally begins on 1 January (winter semester) or 1 June (summer semester). The admission requirements (see below) must be met.
2. If you have registered for an examination and have been admitted, you will receive an e-mail with detailed information on how to take the examination at your Viadrina e-mail address.
How do I register for the examination? (In German only.)
Students who are enrolled as regular students at the European University Viadrina are admitted to the examination for the certificate UNIcert® II or "University-specific foreign language training" (HS, formerly HF). They must
- either have successfully completed at least two upper-level (B2.2, formerly "Oberstufe") courses (2 hours per week each)
- or have achieved the classification "HS-ZU" (formerly "O-Star") in a still current placement test (valid for two semesters)
- or have been admitted to the HS exam by the responsible language department on the basis of a special application.
For details, please refer to the examination regulations (in German only) for the study-related language training at the Viadrina.
Anyone who has definitively failed the examination after exhausting all retake options will not be admitted to the examination.
To be admitted to the examination for the Certificate in Academic Communication, students must:
- have been enrolled at the European University Viadrina as regular students and
- have successfully completed the courses (as a rule, two modules of 4 hours per week each) in Academic Communication (MWK and SWK) of the Language Centre in the relevant language and subject area.
The chairperson of the examination board (Dr. Almut Klepper-Pang) can decide on exceptions upon application.
The certificate UNIcert® III (Academic communication) is awarded if at least one of the generally two courses/modules in Academic Communication at the Language Centre of the European University Viadrina has been successfully completed and the cross-course/intrer-module examination for the certificate has been passed.
Students who have been exempted from both courses/modules due to advanced knowledge of the language concerned will be awarded the certificate " Wissenschaftskommunikation" (Academic Communication) after passing the examination, without reference to UNIcert®.
Anyone who has definitively failed the examination after exhausting all retake options will not be admitted to the examination.
Students who are enrolled at the European University Viadrina as regular students and who have successfully completed the foreign language programme in German accompanying their studies are admitted to the examination for the Certificate in Academic Communication in German.
In case of proof of equal language proficiency, the chairperson of the responsible examination board (Dr. Almut Klepper-Pang) can exempt from this admission requirement upon application.
Anyone who has definitively failed the examination after exhausting all retake options will not be admitted to the examination.
